Christmas Vacation Loans & Christmas opening

Christmas vacation loans 

Christmas vacation loans are now available for all University staff and students.  Items will be issued or automatically renewed as follows:

From Monday 9 December 2013

• Non-requested items - Items that do not have a reservation at point of issue or renewal will be due for return on Monday 20 January 2014

From Monday 16 December 2013

• Requested items - Items that have reservations on them at point of issue will now be due for return on Monday 20 January 2014

These loan periods do not apply to External borrowers.

On Monday 20 January 2014, if the item does not have a request, we will continue to automatically renew it beyond 20 January.  If your item is requested during the vacation then it will be due for return on 20 January 2014.

Before you go home, check your library account in StarPlus to make sure that your items have been renewed over the vacation (you can also renew the items yourself) and to return any items that need to be brought back to the library before you leave.  

Please remember to cancel any reservations that you no longer need.

If you encounter any difficulties, please contact the Library Helpdesk on 0114 222 7200.

Christmas Opening hours at the University Library

Royal Hallamshire Hospital

The Health Sciences Library - Royal Hallamshire Hospital will be open over the Christmas Vacation as follows:

Tuesday 24 December 2013: 9am-5pm (Staffed 9am-5pm)

Wednesday 25 December 2013 - Sunday 29 December 2013: CLOSED

Monday 30 December 2013 - Tuesday 31 December 2013: 9am-5pm (Self-service only)

Wednesday 1 January 2014: CLOSED

Normal opening hours resume on Thursday 2 January 2014.  Details available here

Northern General Hospital

The Health Sciences Library - Northern General Hospital will be open over the Christmas Vacation as follows:

Tuesday 24 December 2013: 9am-5pm (Staffed 11am-3pm)

Wednesday 25 December 2013 - Wednesday 1 January 2014: CLOSED

Normal opening hours resume on Thursday 2 January 2014.  Details available here

Information Commons

The IC will remain open over the Christmas Vacation on a self service basis, staffed hours as follow:

Tuesday 24 December 2014: Open 24 hours (staffed 9am-5pm)

Wednesday 25 December - Wednesday 1 January 2014: Open 24 hours (Self-service only)

Normal staffed hours resume on Thursday 2 January 2014.  Details available here

Opening hours over the vacation for St. George's Library and Western Bank Library are available by following the links.

Finally, we would like to wish you all the best over the holiday season! Happy Holidays! 

Vic, Anthea & Cat

Important Customer Services Notice

Change to Library loan periods September 2009

The Library constantly reviews its practices with regard to loans, and recent modifications to the reservations system have prompted us to try to further improve the way in which material is circulated. We have changed the lending service so that Library material ‘manages itself’. An in-demand item automatically has a shorter loan period which then reverts back to a normal loan period once the demand has been satisfied.

Why change the system?

• In the past when you requested a book it was arbitrary which item you received – it may have been a normal loan or a short loan. You’ve told us this is unfair.


• Short loan items were not in-demand all the time, and it was difficult to understand why you couldn’t have items for longer if no-one else needed them. Also, you had to remember to renew short loans every other day and it was easy to build up large fines.


• Part-time and distance-learning students found it difficult to borrow short loan items.

With the new system what will happen when I borrow a book?

All items in stock in the Library now have a ‘normal’ loan period, the length of which is determined by the type of student, as previously. So, if you’re a full-time undergraduate or a postgraduate on a taught course books are issued for 1 week, if you’re a part-time student books are issued for 2 weeks, and if you’re a research student books are issued for 4 weeks.

If no-one else wants the book you can keep renewing it and each time it will be issued for the standard loan period.

We have also increased the number of self-renewals to 20, so staff don’t need to renew items for you until you reach that limit.

Full details of the new lending service can be found on the Library website under using the library. Remember - it’s essential to check myLibrary Account via MUSE regularly to avoid fines and check no-one has reserved the items you have on loan.

Summer reading

Before you leave for the summer have a look at our check list for a quick reminder about what you need to do and where you can access information:

Get your library accounts up-to-date - Why not pay off your debts (remember final year students will not be allowed to graduate with outstanding debts), return all the books you won’t be needing and cancel any outstanding reservations (give your fellow students a chance of getting what they need too);

- Check all your books have been renewed and that you KNOW YOUR PIN to access your account online - Longer vacation loans begin at 9am on Monday 8 June for standard loans and Thursday 11 June for short loans;
Ring the renewals hotline on 0114 222 7201 if you’re unable to access the Internet;

Practice your information skills with our online tutorials and screencasts;

Follow our Twitter feed to be kept in the loop about what’s going on whilst you’re away;

And remember - we’re always here to help! Contact the library if you’re having any problems accessing information or alternatively get in touch with either Frances or myself for subject specific help.

Vic

v.grant@sheffield.ac.uk
f.ludlow@sheffield.ac.uk