The Library policy and house rules.

Purpose, mission and vision

This is the policy document of the Central University Library Directorate. The Central University Libraries serve the information needs of the University. To do so, the Library ensures access for all users who need information, and applies appropriate standards to preserve library materials and resources.

The purpose of this policy is to give academic and library staff guidelines for decisions about the development, management and use of the Library's collections.

Mission: to pursue excellent modern practices to source, preserve, disseminate and apply information in support of learning, teaching and research.

Vision: to strive for excellence in the provision of quality, relevant, current and timely information to raise transformational leaders.

Our patrons

The primary patrons of the Central University Library are:

• Council members of Central University
• The Management of Central University
• Faculty members of Central University
• Students of Central University
• Staff members of Central University
• Permitted research and visiting scholars

Operating hours

The general opening hours are 9:00am to 9:00pm on weekdays, 9:00am to 5:00pm on Saturdays and 9:00am to 11:00pm in the examination period, excluding statutory public holidays. Each library's hours are on the Libraries and hours page. The hours are subject to review by the Librarian in consultation with the Pro-Vice-Chancellor.

Collection development

The Library uses the majority of its funds to build a collection that reflects the University's educational objectives and supports its training and service programmes. When a library material is requested, the Librarian first checks the Library's stock for a copy. If there is a later edition of a book in stock, the Librarian goes ahead and buys it. Five copies of a title are acquired at a time.

In preparing the budget for future allocations, the Library considers changes in courses offered and the introduction of new programmes, and the University's budgetary guidelines. The Librarian welcomes suggestions from Deans, heads of department, staff and students for the acquisition and retention of materials.

Materials must meet high standards of quality in physical or electronic format, treatment of subject, accuracy and currency of information, arrangement and organisation, and literary style.

Donations

The Librarian consults the Pro-Vice-Chancellor when uncertain of the ethical implications of a gift or donation. The Library accepts donations in materials and cash only. A donation may be declined if the donor wishes to impose conditions that cannot reasonably be met. The Library declines materials that are outdated by newer editions, and the authenticity of materials offered is screened.

Care of books and other materials

• No book is to be written in, cut or damaged in any form. Report any defect or damage to library staff.
• Readers must not trace any picture or figure from any book or material.
• Readers and borrowers are held responsible for any damage to a book in their charge and pay the appropriate cost of damaged books.
• Borrowers pay for the loss of any borrowed book.

Preservation and weeding

The Library believes that preserving its collections for its readers' continued use follows from its collection responsibility. It budgets for regular binding, repair and rebinding, and for other preservation methods when needed.

A periodic evaluation of the collection removes or replaces materials that are no longer useful. Weeding is ongoing and is the responsibility of the library team. Materials not currently used are moved to non-open-access areas, and unused duplicate copies are withdrawn. Books may be weeded when they are:

• in poor physical condition and beyond repair
• outdated or inaccurate
• no longer of use to readers and not borrowed in 5 to 10 years
• worn out: dirty, brittle or yellowed pages, missing pages, tattered covers
• badly bound or badly printed
• of an antiquated appearance that might discourage use

Audio-visual materials with missing or broken pieces are weeded. Books withdrawn from the shelves are shelved in order, with the class number, in the stacks for future requests. Depending on their currency and condition, weeded items may be donated to other libraries, offered to staff, or placed in the free books area for readers to take. The final decision on the removal or replacement of material rests with the University Librarian.

Library services

The Library offers reference and reader services, circulation services, and an information literacy skills course. See Services for what each involves.

Reference and reader services include personal assistance for readers without discrimination; selecting and organising sources of information in print and electronic form; setting standards for reference service; registration of new readers; front desk and enquiry services; user-education programmes; user records; management of reference collections; enforcement of library rules; and referral services. Services to readers take precedence over other duties. Readers are notified when their materials are ready for collection.

Circulation

All patrons present a valid identification card. A patron is responsible for all materials borrowed in their name, and circulation privileges cannot be transferred from one person to another. The Borrowing page explains lending, inter-library lending, renewals and reservations.

Electronic support services

Electronic resources are for educational or research use only. Restrictions may apply to on-campus and off-campus users of certain databases, and the agreement between the user and the vendors or publishers governs the use of each database. Electronic support services include the online public access catalogue (OPAC) and electronic information resources: CD-ROMs, online databases and internet services.

Through its required information literacy skills training, the Library teaches students how to evaluate websites and plan searches, and informally trains readers to use the internet responsibly. It also guides readers to web resources through its web search tools and the subscribed databases.

Guidelines on the use of the Library's computers

Book with library staff before you use a library computer.

• The first booking is one hour. It can be extended if no one is waiting.
• Library staff supervise the use of external drives such as pen drives, CDs or diskettes.
• Do not install programs.
• Seek approval from library staff before downloading any document.
• The use of computers for games and for watching pornographic or other films is not allowed.
• Browsing social media such as Facebook, Twitter or Skype is strictly prohibited.

Photocopying and printing

The Library complies with copyright law in the use of intellectual property, including electronic resources. Under fair use and fair dealing for research or private study, photocopying of articles and book chapters may be allowed. Copyright law permits only 25% of a book to be photocopied at a time. Printing is available. Project work and dissertations cannot be photocopied.

General rules and regulations

• Silence is observed at all times within the library.
• As a courtesy to other readers, switch off mobile phones, beepers and electronic devices, or put them on silent.
• Smoking is forbidden in the library.
• No food is allowed in the library.
• Firearms and other offensive weapons are not allowed in the library.
• No seat is reserved by or for any reader. A reserved seat is cleared by library staff for others to use.
• Library staff inspect any item being taken out of the library.
• Orderly conduct is maintained at all times.
• Take valuable items out of your bags before leaving them.

Offences and sanctions

• Failure to return borrowed books and related materials on the due date means forfeiting borrowing rights for a semester.
• Mutilation of materials means paying three times the cost of the book or material.
• A user who steals library books or materials is referred to the disciplinary committee.
• Students found with food or drink in the library are warned. Second-time offenders are suspended for one month.
• Students found making phone calls in the library are cautioned and asked to leave.

Reviewing the policy

The policy is reviewed periodically, based on consultation with other key players in information sourcing, developments in the electronic environment, and refinements of the University's strategic directions.

Source: the Library policy as published on central.edu.gh, set out here without changes of substance.