September 2007Introducing the MCAST LLRCs1 Introducing the MCAST Library and learning Resource Centres (LLRCs)

September 2007 Introducing the MCAST LLRCs 1

Introducing the MCAST Library and learning Resource Centres

(LLRCs)


Outline of session

• Mission Statement• Health, Safety & Security Issues• Opening hours• How the library is arranged• Classification scheme used• Lending policy• Library Catalogue• Other Library Facilities


Mission Statement

The MCAST LLRCs aim to provide organised and easily accessible banks of information that all MCAST Students, Lecturers and Administration Staff can make use of for free to support their Learning and Lecturing programs. Moreover we also provide some items of edutainment value.


Health, Safety and Security Issues

One of our main concern is the Health & Safety of all library user during your visit to our six libraries. The following are the safety rules at MCAST Libraries.

• If you hear a fire alarm –

– LEAVE IMMEDIATELY and go to the assembly point outside. Do not return to the library until told it is safe to do so.

– Do NOT use the lift. Use inside stairs or external emergency stairs exits.

– If you cannot use the stairs let a member of staff on your floor know & you will be assisted.


• If you had an accident or incident in the library no matter how small or big or you have noticed something dangerous, report it immediately to a member of the library staff.

• Emergency exits are STRICTLY for

emergency use only. Their use will set off alarms and in case of improper use disciplinary action will be taken.


• Ensure that all items to be borrowed are issued at the reception desk in your name. If the book detection alarm sounds upon leaving please return to the reception desk.

• Please deposit your bags at the main entrance before entering the Library however DO NOT leave valuables.

• For your safety and security all areas of the Library are covered by CCTV cameras


The MCAST LLRCs

• Main Library – Paola• Agribusiness - Qormi• Art & Design – Mosta• Building & Construction – Naxxar• Gozo Centre - Xaghra• Maritime Kalkara


Opening hoursTerm-Time

Main Library - PaolaMondays – Fridays : 08.15-16.15

Tuesday and Thursdays : 08.15-18.45

Other Institute LibrariesPlease refer to our library web-pages

atwww.mcast.edu.mt/llrc/

http://www.mcast.edu.mt/llrc/


Library stock• More than 25,000 books• over 250 journals• 30 journals in electronic format• Over 300 CD-ROMs• More than 200 Videos & DVD films• Access to over 100 PCs with Internet connection

to help you research and prepare your assignments


Book stock arrangementMaterials in the MCAST Library

are arranged according to whether they are

a. Fiction (stories) orb. Non fiction (facts about

people or subjects)


Book stock arrangementNon fiction materials are

grouped according to subjects.

Each subject has a number from 001 to 999


Book stock arrangement – Non FictionGround Floor : Generalities 001 - 099, Philosophy & Psychology 100 - 199, Religion 200 - 299, Social sciences 300-399, Language 400-499 Natural sciences & Mathematics 500-

599. Periodicals 001 – 999 (All subjects) Reference Books 001 – 999 (All subjects)


Book stock arrangement – Non Fiction

Second Floor : Technology (Applied sciences) 600-

699, Arts 700 -799Literature & rhetoric 800 – 899Geography & history 900-999.Intermediate, Junior and Kinder

Collections (Fiction and Non-Fiction)Basic Skills Collections


Book stock arrangement – Non Fiction

Third Floor : Lecturers Collection 001-999 All

subjects Audio-Visual Collection (Films,

CDs and music)


Book stock arrangement – FictionGround Floor: General Fiction in English and

MalteseSecond Floor: Intermediate, Junior and Kinder

Fiction in English and MalteseThird Floor: Fiction films as Videos and DVDs


Classification systemThe Dewey Decimal Classification divides all knowledge into

classes numbered 000-999. Examples include:

004 Computing150 Psychology 510 Mathematics for Engineering570 Biology611 Medicine620 Mechanical Engineering658 Management796 Sports

The Library Catalogue gives you the exact number you need


Shelf Marks and Collections

Besides classification numbers that indicate subjects items, are given letters (shelf-marks to indicate their collection.

Examples include:

(Blank) Books can be borrowed for home use (95% of all books)R Reference (use in the Library only)A-V Audio visual (CDs, DVDs, Videos, music) M MelitensiaF FictionI Intermediate

The Library Catalogue lists all these shelf-marks with their explanation and location in each library


Class marks / shelf marksSo to help you find items easily

each item has a spine label with •Shelf mark (letters only) if

applicable •A set of numbers to indicate

subject if non fiction• 3 letters taken from the author’s

surname


Class marks / shelf marksAs an example the bookAn Introduction to Physical

Science by Shipman, Wilson Todd. has the following spine label where

R500.2SHI

Reference

First 3 letters of author

Classification number


Loan categories

3-WEEK LOANS Open shelves1-WEEK LOANS Periodicals Collection

• You need to first register with the library at the reception desk (form available on-line)

• Show us your ID Card to borrow Books

• You will be charged a fine (5c a day) if you bring books back late.


Reference booksIn addition to books on the open shelves the

Library also holds a good collection of reference books :

GENERAL and SUBJECT REFERENCE collections, located on the ground floor of the MCAST Library. The collection contain language and translation dictionaries, general encyclopaedias like Britannica, specialist encyclopaedias like McGraw Hill enycl. of Science & Technology , Atlases, Year Books, Almanacs, Annual Reports, Business Directories etc.


JournalsThe MCAST Library subscribes to around

250 journals and periodicals – some in electronic format. Details of our journal holdings are shown on the Library Catalogue - direct access to electronic journals is provided.

Journals and periodicals are shelved according to subject areas.

All journals can be borrowed for 1 week.


Library Catalogue

The Library Catalogue is on the Web (www.mcast.edu.mt/llrc/) and tells you what’s in our Libraries and where to find it.

You can search by: Author Title Keyword Subject Author + keyword Author + title Your course and study unit

You can use the catalogue anywhere you have access to the Web



Using the Library Catalogue


Library

Search Our Catalogue




Click on the Show Copy link to show all the copies of the book, with their shelfmark, loan type and availability .

Availability Shelfmark

Location of the Book

Loan type

Author

Title


Your course and the Library• You can search for library titles

that are directly linked to your studies at http://195.158.110.84/llrc_yourcourseandlibrary.asp

• Choose your Institute, then choose your course, and for all study units in your course there is a direct on-line link by ‘Subject’ or ‘Class’ to our catalogue.

http://195.158.110.84/llrc_yourcourseandlibrary.asp


Other facilities Photocopiers near the Issue Desk.

Cost: 2c / A4 sheet Printers. Cost: 2c € 0.05/ A4 sheet For

black and white prints, and 10c € 0.23 for colour prints

Scanners: Free Computers offering word-processing

and Internet access free A-V Equipment Video, DVD, Cassette

and CD players


Other facilities Assistance with Basic Skills on the

second floor by qualified BSU staff A-V Presentation area for groups on

the first floor – please book beforehand

Lecturing area for groups on the first floor – please book beforehand

Areas for small group work on the third floor

Lecturers’ area on the third floor


Things you should do Register with the Library (you

can print the on-line form) Ask for assistance from Library

staff as necessary Read the Library Posters and

follow Library Signs


Things you should do Visit our web-pages www.mcast.edu.mt/llrc/

Practice using the on-line Library Catalogue so that you can find books about a particular subject



Things you should do Practice using the “Your course

and the Library” page on our web-site. It is an invaluable tool to find books for each particular study unit in your course.

At the Main Library – Paola get your Username and Password to use PCs.


Remember this URL

URL of the MCAST Library’s website:

http://www.mcast.edu.mt/llrc

Provides links to the Library Catalogue, the Subject Directory and many pages of help and advice to aid you in getting the most out of the Library.

http://www.mcast.edu.mt/llrc


Rules and Regulations

In every house there are rules and regulations and even MCAST library has it’s own rules and regulations so please ask at the reception desk for a copy or refer to our web-pages


Thank you for your attention and we look forward to seeing you

on a regular basis

Documents

September 2007Introducing the MCAST LLRCs1 Introducing the MCAST Library and learning Resource Centres (LLRCs)