About LRC
The Fatima College of Health Sciences has four library branches in the UAE, and they are in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Ajman, Al Dhafra. As a fast-growing institution.
As the primary repository of bibliographic and information resources of Fatima College of Health Sciences, the library give emphasis to rapid access to needed materials and information in support to academic requirement of the institution. FCHS LRC is also home to significant special collections such as literature, history, and general information about the UAE that are all translated in Arabic and published in UAE.
The FCHS LRC portal is a one-stop-shop and called “library without walls” that creates an access to bibliographic records and full utilization of electronic resources on and off campus 24/7. The bibliographic records of materials are available through Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) that allows patrons to access available resources. Bibliographic instruction is geared towards rapid access of existing resources and to encourage independent learning. Point-of-use instruction, personal assistance in conducting research and traditional reference services are also offered.
Policies and procedures are developed to facilitate the widest possible use of resources by FCHS patrons.
With the recent growth of the College academic programs over the years, along with the rapid expansion of electronic information resources, it has provided an avenue to improve and develop the FCHS Learning Resource Centre.
Library Hours
The library operating hours are from Monday to Thursday, 7:30 to 3:30, and Friday, 7:30 to 12:00. Hours are based on the FCHS Academic Calendar. The library is generally closed on all UAE national holidays and official college holidays. The library may operate under reduced hours during Ramadan. Additional hours may be implemented upon request to cater the evening classes.
Services
The library emphasizes various services such as circulation and reserve desk, reference instruction, general orientation, information literacy, group study room, multimedia room and intra-library loan.
1. Check out Material
Users can check out material directly from library staff at the Circulation/Reserve Desk with a valid FCHS ID. Circulation policy on all types of resources is strictly implemented.
2 .Check-in Material
Users may return library material directly to library staff at the Circulation/Reserves Desk on or before the due date.
3. Renewal of Material
Borrowers can renew checked-out items online, call the circulation desk or visit the library.
4. Course Reserve
Faculty can place items “on reserve” in the library and they can determine loan periods for individual reserve items. All reserve collections are for “in-library use only”.
5. Group Study Room
The library offers 1 group study room on a first-come first-served basis. Group study room is limited to 6 people or more for two (2) hours only and unattended items will be moved.
Schedule online
6. Multimedia / 3D Room
The library offers 1 Multimedia Room for viewing of 3D Videos. The room can be booked ahead of time and on a first come first served basis and must not be left unattended.
7. General Orientation
The Librarian provides a general orientation of the library policies and procedures and services for all new students attending on Orientation Day.
8. Information Literacy
The librarian provides an in-depth session on how to access and use electronic resources related to course assignment and research paper.
9. Reference Instruction
Reference assistance is provided to a class upon the request of the lecturer. This includes assistance with identifying appropriate material for studies/assignments and then locating the material within the library collection; accessing electronic resources such as the electronic database system as well as locating good information on the internet.
Type of Borrowers
LRC categorizes different library users such as, Student, Faculty, Staff, Alumni and External Borrowers. Each user has borrowing policies.
All borrowers shall notify the library of any change of contact details.
1. Student Borrowers
Students who are officially enrolled can borrow a maximum of five (5) books for (1) one week and can be renewed for another two (2) weeks if not on hold, on reserve or and/or on recall status. An FCHS ID and registration form must be presented at the Circulation Desk. Any lost or damaged items checked-out in their name will be subject to the lost and damaged policy set out by the LRC.
2. Faculty Borrowers
Faculty can borrow unlimited number of materials for each academic semester and shall be responsible for all materials if damaged or lost. A lost and damage policy shall be strictly implemented.
3. Staff Borrowers
Staff can borrow up to three (3) items for one week and can be renewed if not on on-hold, reserve, or recall status. Staff shall be responsible for all materials if damaged or lost. A lost and damage policy shall be strictly implemented.
4. Alumni Borrowers
Alumni borrowers can only checkout print book for one (1) week and cannot be renewed. A deposit of 100.00 dirhams per item shall be collected. The amount will be refunded upon returning of the checked-out item. Borrower shall be responsible for all materials if damaged or lost. A lost and damage policy shall be strictly implemented.
5. External Borrowers
External borrower from affiliated institutions can only checkout print book for one (1) week and cannot be renewed. A deposit of 100.00 dirhams per item shall be collected. The amount will be refunded upon returning of the checked-out item. Borrower shall be responsible for all materials if damaged or lost. A lost and damage policy shall be strictly implemented.
Policies
LRC set a loan policy to regulate the circulation of all materials by format and by type of borrower. The Librarian has discretionary power to lend or refuse to lend any item at any time. The Librarian may alter the loan period of any item at any time. No person may remove an item from the library without a proper loan transaction having first been made.
A borrower is responsible for the safekeeping and return of all items borrowed from the library.
1. Textbooks-On-Loan Policy
Students shall be officially enrolled to receive the required course textbooks. All textbooks shall be returned on or before the final exam or at the beginning of each semester. Students who have unreturned textbooks from previous semesters will not receive the new ones. Lost and damaged policy will be strictly implemented.
Textbooks issued to paying students are not to be collected as part of the tuition fee.
2. Renewals
Borrowers can renew the checked-out item for another one (1) week and can be extended for another one (1) week if not on on-hold, reserve, or recall status.
Checked-out materials shall be renewed on or before the due date written on the due date slip attached on the book or advised by the librarian. Borrowers can renew the borrowed items by either bringing the resources to the circulation desk, telephoning the library during the normal hours of operation, or by logging in to the user’s library account from the library portal.
3. Recall on Borrowed Items
Items that circulate for one (1) month shall be recalled after 21 days if another patron requests the item. The recalled item automatically receives a new due date and a notice shall be sent to user requesting for the return of the item. If the item is not returned by the new due date, it is subject to overdue fines. When the item is received, the patron who requested the item will be notified and the item shall be picked up at the circulation desk within 3 days.
4. Lost or Damaged Library Materials
Patrons are responsible for all library materials checked-out under their account from the circulating collection. Replacement of the lost or damaged item is but must be replaced by the same or latest edition.
Circulation Loan Table
Loan durations for different type of materials and borrower’s category are shown in the tables below. The circulation rules are also the loan parameters being implemented in the library management system.
Loan Rule for Students
Item Type |
Loan Period |
Overdue - Fines - Block Point System |
Lost and Damaged |
Recall Fines |
Max # of Items |
General
Collection
|
1 week
2 renewals
|
1-day overdue =
5 days blocked
|
Replacement and latest edition
|
1 day blocked
|
5 items
|
Reserve Course Materials /
Reference
|
2 hours
4 hours
In-Library
Use Only
|
1-hour overdue = 5 days blocked
|
Replacement and latest edition
|
1 day blocked
|
No limit
|
Print Journals / Magazines
|
1 week
2 renewals
|
1-day overdue =
5 days blocked
|
Replacement and latest edition
|
1 day blocked
|
3 items
|
Popular
Reading
Graded Readers
Novels / Fiction
|
1 week
2 renewals
|
1-day overdue =
5 days blocked
|
Replacement and latest edition
|
1 day blocked
|
5 items
|
Multimedia
|
4 hours In-Library Use Only
|
1-hour overdue= 5 days blocked
|
Replacement and latest edition
|
1 day blocked
|
No limit
|
Loan Rule Table for Faculty
Item Type |
Loan Period |
Overdue - Fines - Block Point System |
Lost and Damaged |
Recall Fines |
Max # of Items |
General
Collection
|
One Semester
|
1-day overdue =
5 days blocked
|
Replacement and latest edition
|
1 day blocked
|
No limit
|
Reserve Course Materials / Reference
|
1 week
2 renewal
|
1-hour overdue = 5 days blocked
|
Replacement and latest edition
|
1 day blocked
|
3 items
|
Print Journals / Magazines
|
1 week
2 renewals
|
1-day overdue =
5 days blocked
|
Replacement and latest edition
|
1 day blocked
|
3 items
|
Popular
Reading
Graded Readers
Novels / Fiction
|
1 week
2 renewals
|
1-day overdue =
5 days blocked
|
Replacement and latest edition
|
1 day blocked
|
5 items
|
Multimedia
|
1 week
1 renewal
|
1-hour overdue= 5 days blocked
|
Replacement and latest edition
|
1 day blocked
|
5 items
|
Loan Rule for Staff
Item Type |
Loan Period |
Overdue - Fines - Block Point System |
Lost and Damaged |
Recall Fines |
Max # of Items |
General
Collection
|
1 week
2 renewals
|
1-day overdue =
5 days blocked
|
Replacement and latest edition
|
1 day blocked
|
5 items
|
Reserve Course Materials /
Reference
|
1 week
2 renewals
|
1-hour overdue = 5 days blocked
|
Replacement and latest edition
|
1 day blocked
|
3 items
|
Print Journals / Magazines
|
1 week
2 renewals
|
1-day overdue =
5 days blocked
|
Replacement and latest edition
|
1 day blocked
|
3 items
|
Popular
Reading
Graded Readers
Novels / Fiction
|
1 week
2 renewals
|
1-day overdue =
5 days blocked
|
Replacement and latest edition
|
1 day blocked
|
5 items
|
Multimedia
|
1 week
2 renewals
|
1-hour overdue= 5 days blocked
|
Replacement and latest edition
|
1 day blocked
|
3 items
|
Loan Rule for Alumni and External Borrowers
Item Type |
Loan Period |
Overdue - Fines - Block Point System |
Lost and Damaged |
Recall Fines |
Max # of Items |
General
Collection
|
1 week
No renewal
|
1-day overdue =
5 days blocked
|
Replacement and latest edition
|
1 day blocked
|
2 items
|
Print Journals / Magazines
|
1 week
No renewal
|
1-day overdue =
5 days blocked
|
Replacement and latest edition
|
1 day blocked
|
2 items
|
Popular
Reading
Graded Readers
Novels / Fiction
|
1 week
1 renewal
|
1-day overdue =
5 days blocked
|
Replacement and latest edition
|
1 day blocked
|
2 items
|