Overview

Your Guide to Solihull College Library Services

Whatever your course - full time, part time, evening class or a short course - you are very welcome to use the libraries at both campuses. At the beginning of your course we hope that your tutor will bring you into one of the libraries so that we can introduce ourselves and show you the facilities. You (or your tutor) are more than welcome to organise times when we can show you how to use the networked computers in order to access the library catalogue, elibrary resources and the Internet. We are also very happy to work with you to develop your information skills.

 

Borrowing Library Material

As soon as you have been issued with your student ID card you can start to borrow books. Further education students can borrow up to 8 items at a time and higher education students can borrow up to 12. Books are normally issued for three weeks and can be renewed twice unless they have been requested by another student. However, 'restricted loan' items are only available for one week and cannot be renewed.

Remember: You'll need to produce your ID card whenever you want to borrow books, as the card has your library barcode on it.

If you lose you card, please tell us immediately. Books borrowed on your card are your responsibility. Overdue books cause a lot of unnecessary work, so please bring your books back in good time. Let us know if you have any problems about returning your books.

Fines: We charge fines for overdue items at a rate of 10 pence per day for each item. All books, except those on Restricted Loan, may be renewed over the phone or by going to the online catalogue.

Members of the public who are not students at the college cannot borrow library stock, but may be able to use printed resources for reference purposes by contacting the Libraries and Open Access Centres Manager in advance.

For more detailed information about using the library please read our Library Guide

 

Stock

The library stock includes books, reference material, magazines, past exam papers and audio-visual material on a wide range of subjects, not only relating to your course but also of general interest, including fiction, films on DVD, sport, hobbies and daily newspapers.

A growing number of text books are now available as ebooks which can be accessed from the library catalogue and read over the internet.

If you would like us to buy a course-related book or other item that is not in stock please do let us know by speaking to a member of staff.

 

Other Materials

We keep copies of past exam papers for many of the courses offered by the College.

For art students we have a collection of slides kept in filing cabinets in the silent study area, and there is a light box available for viewing the slides.

 

Reservations

You can request library items which are on loan by asking at the counter or logging on to the library catalogue. Books and periodical articles not in our stock can usually be borrowed from other libraries. We do not charge for these services.

 

elibrary

The elibrary is a collection of electronic resources which includes electronic newspapers, e-journals, data archives, media collections, information gateways, encyclopaedias and specific online learning materials.

elibrary resources are reliable and up-to-date so they are a great place to start when tackling assignments. To access the elibrary from college simply follow the link on the student intranet home page. If you are at home or work you can still access the elibrary any time of the day or night by logging on to Moodle, the college's e-learning platform.

 

Computers and Equipment

Both libraries have networked computers for students to use to access the library catalogue and elibrary resources.

Our photocopiers are card-operated and cards can be purchased from the library counter at both campuses. You can also buy USB memory sticks, pens, acetates, colour printing vouchers and binding combs from the library counter.

 

Study Facilities and Arrangement of the Library

The libraries are arranged in subject order using the Dewey Decimal Classification system. Each subject has its own unique number which you can find using the online catalogue or by asking a member of staff.

The Library at Blossomfield has three distinct study areas:

• A group study area situated opposite the issue counter and for use by classes with a teacher
• A general study area in the middle of the library
• A silent study area at the far end of the library, diagonally opposite the issue counter

Remember: The library staff are here to help you. Please do ask for help if you can not find what you are looking for.

 

Bookworm Service

Our Bookworm Service allows you to buy books from our supplier at a discount. Please ask at the Library counter for details.