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Service Statements

We are committed to providing a high-quality service to everyone using our Library Service for research, study and lifelong learning. Our Library Charter sets out what you, as a University of Derby student or member of staff, can expect from us and what we expect from you

We will provide:

  • Welcoming and appropriate library environments for learning and study as individuals and groups. Help, advice and guidance on making best use of the resources available.
  • Access to a range of up-to-date books, journals, electronic resources and online databases to support your learning and research.
  • Study Skills resources, information and advice. Access to computers and related equipment to support your learning and study
  • Libraries that are open during the day, evening and at weekends during academic term-time and a service during vacations.

We will inform you of:

  • New services and improvements to our existing services.
  • Changes in the availability of our services.

We expect you to:

  • Respect other people using or working in the Library and make sure your behaviour does not cause disruption or annoyance to others.
  • Respect our library environment and resources, leave things as you would hope to find them and let us know if you find anything damaged.
  • Keep your IT account details private to prevent unauthorised use of your account.
  • Be aware of and abide by our Library Code of Conduct (see below)
  • Be aware of and abide by the IT Code of Conduct, including the University's email policy

We welcome:

  • Your feedback on any aspect of our library service, whether it be at our library counters, from feedback forms, through our annual Library Survey, at college programme committees or via University-wide questionnaires.
  • We will listen to and respond to all feedback received.

To help provide an effective service to staff and students of the University, the Library operates regulations that apply to all users

The following code sets out what is required of all users to make the Library an attractive place to work and to ensure that its resources are shared fairly amongst everyone who needs to use them.

As a Library user you're required to:

  • comply with the University's Code of Conduct, particularly co-operating with and showing respect for other Library users and Library staff
  • behave in a manner that does not disrupt other people using the Library. In particular, you must not talk in the Library study areas and keep conversations to a minimum elsewhere
  • follow information on where food and drink may or may not be consumed
  • be responsible for the safekeeping of all material issued to you
  • complete the appropriate loan procedure before removing any material from the Library
  • take proper care of all Library materials. You will be charged for anything lost or damaged. Deliberate damage is a serious disciplinary offence
  • return all items on time. Your borrowing rights will be suspended if any fines for late return remain unpaid
  • always carry your ID card and do not allow your card to be used by other people
  • notify the Library of any change of address or loss of ID card immediately
  • Follow instructions and take reasonable care when using Library equipment such as photocopiers. You will be charged for damage caused by not following instructions

Remember

Library staff are available to help you make the best use of resources and facilities. If you have any problems with the services, please ask and we will do our best to help.

This Charter expands on the Library Charter, and deals specifically with the academic resources and support provision for university students & staff

We will:

Offer support, help and guidance for all our students and staff, and use appropriate technologies to deliver support, for example through:
  • Workshops/induction
  • 1:1 support
  • Written guide
  • Online tutorials
  • Provide and advise on subject resources accessed through the Library
  • Actively manage and develop our print and digital collections, within the framework of our Collection Policy
  • Make available study skills and IT user support
  • Work in partnership with academic staff to identify the most appropriate resources to support the taught curriculum and other academic activities
  • Represent the Library at appropriate meetings and committees
  • Seek to be at the forefront of our profession in order to provide the best possible support to our students and staff
  • Provide specialist advice and guidance on library and information matters related to learning & information resources, research and study

We expect:

  • Students to take opportunities offered for inductions, workshops and similar help and guidance, as well as using help guides and tutorials as appropriate
  • Students and staff to access different formats of information as appropriate
  • Academic staff to liaise with us on reading lists and resource requirements, in a timely manner

We welcome:

  • Subject information enquiries to support academic work
  • Academic staff engaging with us to enable them to provide current information about our service to their students
  • Feedback about our services and resources

This Charter has been written to complement and support the University's Research Strategy and to ensure that library provision, services and resources for research are appropriate and sustainable for the renewed focus on research and scholarship growth within the institution.

Resources

  • We will develop and manage our print and electronic collections to support university teaching and learning priorities
  • Facilitate access to items not held in stock through Inter Library Loans (ILLs) to postgraduate taught (PGT) and postgraduate research (PGR) students and staff
  • Provide differentiated learning spaces in our libraries to meet study needs ensuring all students can work in an environment appropriate to their study needs
  • Participate in the SCONUL Access scheme giving our off campus students the means to have access to library resources and a study environment at other institutions.
  • Liaise with colleagues in ITS to ensure the continued provision of up to date IT packages for research, in particular SPSS and NVivo, for use both on and off campus.

Training and support

  • We will offer training and support across the research lifecycle to ensure, throughout their career at Derby, researchers continue to develop skills in information literacy and library resources and services as appropriate to their research practice
  • Deliver introductory training about Library and Information Management as part of the Research Training Workshops for postgraduate research students and provide ongoing one-to-one support from specialist subject librarians in the use of resources.
  • Provide inductions for new research staff and advise on appropriate resources for research projects. Where feasible, and considering other work commitments, we will collaborate with research projects by assisting with initial literature reviews if requested.
  • Seek to be the "best in class", through continuous professional development, to provide the best possible support to researchers.

Research information systems and the dissemination of research

  • We will maintain, develop and promote UDORA , the institutional repository, as a means to showcase the research outputs of staff and maximise research visibility to external audiences.
  • Seek to provide systems that are fit for purpose.
  • Raise awareness of publication options in the open access environment.
  • Provide unbiased copyright advice to research students and staff

Internal and external partnerships

  • We will work with colleagues across the university to support the university-wide research agenda and policies.
  • Provide reports and updates to relevant university committees and endeavour to maintain appropriate representation.
  • Strengthen relations with colleagues at other institutions in the region through membership of the East Midlands Research Support Group (EMRSG), sharing knowledge of library research support initiatives and best practice.

This Support Charter has been written to underline our commitment to providing library services and resources that are appropriate, sustainable and provide an equitable experience for students studying online.

Resources

  • We will develop and manage our electronic collections to support teaching and learning priorities.
  • Provide digital materials, in so far as they are available at a sustainable cost.
  • Work with UDOL colleagues to make reading lists available and kept up to date and ensure, where possible, that online resources on reading lists are available. In order to do to this we would appreciate the opportunity to review reading lists.
  • Allocate a budget each financial year for the purchase of eResources to support UDOL programmes, so long as funding is made available by the University.
  • Facilitate access to print items held in stock in our libraries for UK-based students. We will facilitate access to photocopies or scans of book chapters and articles held in stock in our libraries for UK-based and overseas students.
  • Facilitate access to items not held in stock through Inter Library Loans (ILLs) where possible.
  • Participate in the SCONUL Access scheme giving our UK-based off-campus students the means to have access to library resources and a study environment at other institutions.
  • Work with UDOL colleagues to advise on other non-library learning materials that are integral to teaching and learning.

Training and support

  • We will offer online training and support to ensure that students develop skills in information literacy and are able to use library resources and services effectively.
  • Each subject area will have a specialist Academic Librarian to provide guidance and support in using library resources, and selecting appropriate materials.
  • We will provide the Library Enquiry Service to act as a central point of contact for all students to access library support.
  • We will provide inductions and training for academic staff through the UDOL induction module, the Communities of Practice and one-to-one support.
  • Seek to be the "best in class", through continuous professional development and up-skilling in emerging technologies, to provide the best possible support to students and staff.
  • Provide advice on UK copyright law to students and staff.

Communication and liaison

  • We will provide reports and updates to relevant UDOL committees (QEC, SESC, programme committees, and others as required) and endeavour to maintain appropriate representation.
  • Provide content about library resources, services and user education sessions for inclusion in UDOL communications to both staff and students.
  • We will conduct and participate in surveys, and other appropriate feedback mechanisms, and respond to comments made by staff and students through these channels.

Programme development

  • We will advise on resources and any information literacy requirements required for new programmes and revalidations.
  • We would appreciate the opportunity to feed into programme development and discuss requirements at the earliest appropriate opportunity.
  • Endeavour to have requested resources in place, where these are available electronically, when sufficient notice is given of the requirement and subject to budget availability.
  • We cannot guarantee to provide all eResources to all users, as we are subject to licence restrictions. However, we will endeavour to negotiate equal access, depending on any additional costs.
  • UDOL students and staff are expected to be aware of internet restrictions and laws in their home country, which could affect their use of some online library resources. We cannot mitigate for external issues and pressures, and international restrictions and laws which may affect and impact the service that we provide.

The Library Service must abide by UK copyright law and legislation.

All of the above points are conditional on the Library Service receiving the appropriate documentation and relevant information from UDOL.

All UDOL students and staff are welcome to use the resources and services in person at any of the University of Derby libraries.