Introduction to Holy Family NMTC Library User Guide:

 

Welcome to the user guide for the Holy Family NMTC Library in Berekum! Whether you're a student, faculty member, or healthcare professional, our library is here to support your academic and professional needs in the fields of nursing and midwifery.

 

About Our Library:

 

At Holy Family NMTC Library, we take pride in providing access to a rich collection of resources aimed at enhancing learning, research, and professional development. Our library currently boasts approximately 6050 volumes of printed materials, meticulously curated to cater to the diverse needs of our users. This collection includes a wide range of materials such as midwifery and nursing textbooks, dictionaries, encyclopedias, magazines and journals, almanacs, as well as student care study and research work.

 

Accessing Library Resources:

 

To facilitate easy access to our collection, we utilize both traditional and digital platforms. Our printed materials, including textbooks, dictionaries, and encyclopedias, are available for browsing and borrowing within the library premises. Additionally, users can explore our digital resources conveniently through our Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC), where textbooks are hosted for easy search and retrieval.

 

For more extensive research and access to care study and research works, we have established an institutional repository known as HFspace. This repository hosts a wealth of valuable resources, including care studies, research works, theses, and other relevant materials. Users can access these resources for free, promoting knowledge sharing and scholarly communication within our community.

 

Connecting with Us Online:

 

To stay updated on library news, events, and resources, we encourage users to visit our digital web page. You can find us at https://bhfnmtclibrary.wixsite.com/my-site-4. Our web page serves as a hub for accessing important information about the library, including announcements, digital resources, and contact details for library staff.

 

 

As your partners in learning and research, Holy Family NMTC Library is committed to providing you with the tools and resources you need to succeed in your academic and professional endeavors. We hope this user guide serves as a helpful resource in navigating our library's offerings. Should you have any questions or require assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to our friendly library staff. Happy exploring!

 

 

 Opening Hours:

Monday to Friday           - 8:00 am to 9:00 pm

Saturdays and Sundays   - Closed

Vacation                          - 8:00 am to 4:00 pm

National holidays            - Closed

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 Membership:

i) NMTC Staff;

ii) Students of NMTC;

iii) Other categories of persons may be granted permission to use the Library at the discretion of the Principal/Liberian. Such persons would however be required to register and must promise to obey all rules and regulations of the library.

 

 

Registration:

​All categories of users are required to register with the library.

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BORROWING RIGHTS FOR REGISTERED USERS:

At Holy Family NMTC Library, we aim to provide equitable access to our resources while ensuring responsible use and timely return of borrowed materials. Below are the borrowing rights for registered users:

 

STUDENTS:

Entitlement: Students are entitled to borrow up to 3 books at a time.

Loan Period: Books must be returned within 14 days from the date of borrowing.

Renewals: Renewals may be granted upon request for an additional 14-day period, subject to availability and library policies.

TUTORS:

Entitlement: Tutors are entitled to borrow up to 5 books at a time.

Loan Period: Books must be returned within 30 days from the date of borrowing.

Renewals: Renewals may be granted upon request for an additional 14-day period, subject to availability and library policies.

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STAFF:

Entitlement: Staff members have the same borrowing rights as students.

Loan Period: Books must be returned within 14 days from the date of borrowing.

Renewals: Renewals may be granted upon request for an additional 14-day period, subject to availability and library policies.

 

OTHER CATEGORIES OF USERS:

Borrowing rights for other categories of users will be determined by the librarian.

Entitlement: The number of books that can be borrowed and the loan period will be determined based on the user's status and library policies.

Renewals: Renewals may be granted upon request for an additional 14-day period, subject to availability and library policies.

 

General Borrowing Guidelines:

 

• Users are responsible for the materials borrowed on their library accounts.

• Overdue fines may apply for late returns, as per the library's fine policy.

• Lost or damaged materials must be reported to the library immediately, and users will be responsible for replacement or reimbursement costs.

• Users are encouraged to adhere to copyright laws and fair use principles when utilizing borrowed materials.

• Refer to the GENERAL RULES and know more about the borrowing and fine policy.

 

  Care of Library Materials:

​i) All Library Materials should be treated with utmost care

ii) No book should be written in cut or damaged in any way. Any damaged occurring must be reported at once.

iii) Users shall be held responsible for any damage or loss of any library material in their possession. They shall be made to pay the current price of the material and a processing fee of GH 20.00

 

 

 

Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC)

Using the Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) for the Holy Family NMTC Library in Berekum is essential for users to efficiently search and locate resources related to nursing and midwifery. Here's a guideline on how to use the OPAC:

The library is arranged according to the Library of Congress Classification Scheme (LC) which is used by all libraries of tertiary institutions. The scheme uses the letters A-Z to classify books based on subject content where letters are dedicated to books on various subjects and these letters are pasted on the shelves to direct you as to where to find what. For instance, books dealing with medicine related subjects are designated to the letter “R’’ as a Class and Psychiatry books which is a discipline of medicine has a Subclass scheme “RC’’. This classification index has been pasted on the shelves for easy location of books. Here is an outline of the just the “Class R’’ for the purposes of the programme NMTC runs. This is aimed at making you use the library with less or no assistance.

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Access the OPAC:

• Open your web browser and navigate to https://opac.nmtcberekum.edu.gh.

• Log in to your account using your username and password.

 

Perform an Advanced Search:

• Click on the "Advanced Search" option, usually located near the search bar.

• Enter Search Criteria:

• In the advanced search form, look for fields where you can enter search criteria.

• For this example, let's say you want to find nursing or midwifery books specifically.

• In the "Keyword" field, enter "nursing" OR "midwifery" to search for books related to both topics.

 

Select Classification Criteria:

 

• In the advanced search form, there may be an option to specify classification criteria such as the Library of Congress Classification.

• Look for a field labeled "Classification" or "Call Number" and enter the appropriate classification range.

• For nursing and midwifery books, you might use the Library of Congress classifications:

• For nursing: RT (Nursing)

• For midwifery: RG (Gynecology and Obstetrics)

OR

• To narrow down the search to anatomy and physiology, you can use Boolean operators. In the "Keyword" field, you can enter "anatomy AND physiology" to ensure that both terms are present in the search results.

• Select Classification Criteria:

• Look for a field labeled "Classification" or "Call Number" and enter the appropriate classification range for anatomy and physiology books.

• For anatomy: QM (Human Anatomy)

• For physiology: QP (Physiology)

 

 

Run the Search:

• After entering your search criteria, click the "Search" button to execute the search.

• Review Search Results:

• You'll be presented with a list of search results matching your criteria.

• Each result will include information such as the title, author, publication year, and availability status.

Select a Book:

• Browse through the search results and click on a book title that seems relevant to your needs.

• View Book Details:

• You'll be taken to a page with detailed information about the selected book.

• This page may include a summary, table of contents, and other relevant information.

 

Check Availability:

• Look for information about the book's availability within the library.

• Note the location and availability status (e.g., available for loan, reference only).

• Borrow the Book (if available):

• If the book is available for loan and you'd like to borrow it, follow the library's borrowing procedures.

• This may involve visiting the library's circulation desk and presenting your library card.

 

Explore Additional Resources:

If you need more books or resources, you can repeat the search process or explore other options available in the OPAC.

 

Outline of the classification scheme

 

A.  -  General Works

B.  -  Philosophy, Psychology, Religion

C.  -  Auxiliary sciences of history

D.  -  History

E-F  -  History: America

G.  -  Geography, Anthropology, Recreation

H.  -  Social sciences 

J.  -  Political science

K.  -  Law

L.  -  Education

M.  -  Music

N.  -  Fine arts

P.  -  Language and Literature

Q.  -  Science

R.  -  Medicine

S.  -  Agriculture

T.  -  Technology

U.  -  Military science

V.  -  Naval science

Z.  -  Bibliography, Library science, Information resources.

 

 

Main subclasses under Q:

 

QH: Natural history - Biology

QK: Botany

QL: Zoology

QM: Human anatomy

QP: Physiology

QR: Microbiology

 

Class R---- Medicine (General)

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Subclass:

RA---Public aspects of medicine

RB---Pathology

RC---Internal Medicine

RD---Surgery

RtE---Ophthalmology(genetics)

RF---Otorhinolaryngology

RG---Gynecology and Obstetrics

RJ---Pediatrics

RK---Dentistry

RL---Dermatology

RM---Therapeutics. Pharmacology

RS---Pharmacy and Malaria medica

RT---Nursing

RV---Botanic, Thomsonian, and Electric Medicine

RX---Homepathy

RZ---Others systems of medicine

 

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INSTITUTIONAL REPOSITORY (HF SPACE)

 

Introduction

Welcome to HFspace, the institutional repository of the Holy Family NMTC Library in Berekum. HFspace serves as a comprehensive digital archive, housing a wealth of valuable resources including care studies, research work, theses, and other relevant materials. As part of our commitment to promoting knowledge sharing and scholarly communication within the fields of nursing and midwifery, HFspace provides free access to a diverse range of resources that contribute to the advancement of healthcare education, practice, and research.

 

 

Guidelines for Using HFspace:

 

Accessing HFspace:

 

• Open a web browser on your computer or mobile device.

• Type in the URL: https://ir.nmtcberekum.edu.gh to access HFspace.

• Press Enter to visit the website.

 

Explore Communities:

 

• HFspace is organized into communities, each focusing on a specific subject area such as Nursing or Midwifery.

• Look for the "Communities" section or menu on the homepage.

• Click on the community relevant to your interests.

 

Search Interface:

 

• Utilize the search bar provided on the homepage to enter keywords related to the resource you're looking for.

• Search for specific topics, authors, or titles within the selected community.

 

Browse Featured Content:

• Featured or recently added content may be highlighted on the homepage of the respective community.

• Browse through these sections to discover notable resources or recent additions.

• View Resource Details:

 

• Click on a specific resource to view detailed information, including title, author(s), abstract, keywords, publication date, and download options.

• Download or Access Full Text:

 

• Resources in HFspace are accessible for free. Look for download options or view the full text directly on the website.

 

Explore Related Resources:

 

• Take advantage of features that suggest related or similar resources based on the one you're currently viewing.

• This can help you discover additional relevant content within the same community.

 

Advanced Search Options:

• Explore advanced search options to narrow down results based on specific criteria such as author, publication date, or subject.

• Utilize Filters:

 

• Refine your search results using filters based on various attributes such as document type or subject.

• Accessibility Features:

 

 

HFspace ensures accessibility for all users. Check for features such as screen reader compatibility or alternative formats.

Feedback and Support:

 

If you encounter any issues or have feedback about HFspace, feel free to reach out to the library staff for assistance.

Contact information or support options may be provided on the website.

 

Stay Updated:

Subscribe to newsletters or notifications to stay informed about new additions or developments within the HFspace community.

 

 

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GENERAL RULES:

 

​a) Bags, gowns, raincoats, umbrellas, cameras, tape recorders and carries such as large handbags, etc, are not allowed into the library. They must be deposited at the entrance space provided.

 

b) Items are deposited at the owner's own risk and the library does not accept responsibility for any loss or damage to any item so deposited.

 

c) Eating, drinking and smoking are forbidden in all parts of the library; No food of any kind is allowed in any part of the library; toffees, fruits, candies, etc. Are not exempted.

 

d) The use of naked lights including candles is not allowed in all parts of the library.

 

e)  The use of mobile phones in the library is strictly prohibited; it should be switch off.

 

f) Firearms and other offensives weapons are not allowed into the library.

 

g) Silence should be observed at all times in the library. Group discussions and any other behaviour likely to disturb other users should be avoided.

 

h) Any books consulted should not be returned to the shelves. They should be left on the tables.

 

i) Marking or writing in, mutilation and misapplication of library materials are an offence; sanctions would be imposed on offenders.

 

j) No seat shall be reserved by or for any user.

 

k) Users must submit any material carried out of the library for inspection. Body searches may be conducted if deemed necessary.

 

l) A book may be borrowed for a period not exceeding two weeks; it could be renewed only once for another two weeks after the first two weeks have elapsed.

 

m) Failure to return any library book by the end of the semester may result in examination result being withheld.

 

n) Any material on loan that is recalled shall be returned to the library within 72 hours of the recall notice, or else fines would be imposed thereafter.

 

o) Library materials obtained on inter-library loan are governed by the rules and regulations of the lending library.

 

p) Users cannot take library materials out of the library without passing through the right borrowing process.

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 Offences and sanctions

​The following constitutes library offences:

a) Failure to return borrowed material(s)

 

 

Sanction:

The offender shall be liable to an overdue fine of GH 0.5pesewas per day for the first seven days; thereafter the sanctions are GH 20.00 per day and loss of borrowing rights till the material is returned.

 

b) Loss or misp lacement of material(s)

Sanction:

The offender will pay the current price, plus a processing fee of GH 20.00

 

c) Unlawful acquisition/stealing of library materials, mutilation (tearing pages from a book)

Sanction:

Ordinary books - suspension or dismissal as may be decided by the library committee.

 

d) Failure to return borrowed material(s) on demand

Sanction:

as (a) under offences and sanctions.

 

e) Flouting of any of the general rules and regulations

Sanctions:

The library committee shall decide on the most appropriate sanctions.

f) Non NMTC staff who commit any of the above offences shall be banned from the use of the library.