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LIBRARY FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS |
You can find the answers to many of your questions by reading the following library
web-pages: About Us
- General Information
- MCAST Library Regulations
- Rules for use of the IT
& AV
- Photocopying guidelines
Get in Touch with Us
Library Opening Hours
Library Registration Form
Electronic Library Resources
Tips on using our Libraries
Reservation & Renewal Rules
However below you will find the answers to the most commonly asked questions:
Library Facilities
Where are the Libraries?
What are the Library opening hours?
Who can use the Libraries? MCAST Students and staff full or part-time ...
How does one register with the libraries?
Can I use the Library if I'm not an MCAST student? No, but ....
How do I find my way around the Library?
Can we work as a group? Yes ...
Are there any quiet study areas in the Library? Yes ...
Where can I read library regulations?
Borrowing
How do I borrow a library item?
How many books can I borrow and for how long?
Can I borrow films? Yes, but ...
How do I renew a book?
I tried to renew a book on-line but was not allowed to. Why?
I am registered with the library but never receive reminder e-mails. Why?
How do I request/reserve a book?
What are the fines for late returns? €0.12 per day per item
Can I borrow books from other libraries? Yes ...
Can I borrow books during summer? No, if you are a student ...
Library Services
What is the Library Catalogue?
How do I find a book?
Can I know which library books are useful for my course of Studies?
What if the library doesn't hold the book I want?
What is My library Account?
Does the Library run training courses? Yes ...
How do I use the photocopier?
IT Services
How can I use computers inside the library?
What can computers be used for?
Can I save my work on library PCs? Yes but only in Paola ...
Is internet readily available from the library? Yes ...
Can I use my lap-top inside the library? Yes ...
Does the library have Wi-Fi access? Yes ...
How do I use the printer?
How do I use the scanner?
Electronic Resources
Does the Library subscribe to any e-journals or databases Yes ...
Can I access these e-journals from home? Yes ...
What other electronic resources does the library offer?
None of the above
Ask the Library
Library Facilities
Where are the Libraries?
MCAST has six libraries, one on each of its five campus in Malta (Main Library in Paola and Institute libraries in Kalkara, Mosta,
Naxxar and Qormi) and one in Gozo (Xaghra). Address, contact points and services of individual libraries can be viewed at Get in Touch with Us -
Contact Points -
Addresses & Services. For geographical location refer to
Campus Map and for location on Campus follow on-site direction signs or ask at administration
What are the Library opening hours?
Main Library in Paola
| September |
Monday to Friday from 08.15am to 16.15pm |
| October to June |
Mondays from 08.15am to 18.30pm |
|
Tuesdays from 08.15am to 16.15pm |
|
Wednesdays from 08.15am to 18.30pm |
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Thursdays from 08.15am to 18.30pm |
|
Fridays from 08.15am to 16.15pm |
| July and August |
Monday to Friday from 08.15am to 13.00pm |
Other libraries – Opening hours vary so please check our opening hours at
Library Opening Hours
Who can use the libraries?
Full MCAST library services (lending and use of equipment) are only available to MCAST registered
students and employees (academic or otherwise), whether full-time or part-time. To make full use
of library services one has to register with the library.
How does one register with the libraries?
Download the Library Registration
Form or get a copy of it in person from any library, fill it in following the printed
instructions and hand it in personally with some form of official personal ID. Within a
couple of days, after we confirm your details, you can start making full use of our services.
Once registered at any library one can make full use of any of our 6 libraries.
Can I use the Library if I'm not an MCAST student?
The general public can walk into our libraries to refer to our collections on our shelves but
cannot borrow items for home use. According to MCAST Library Regulations,
(Para 4. Special permits) in some instances one can become a regular library user against an
annual payment of €35.00 after applying in writing to the Librarian.
How do I find my way around the Library?
The Main library in Paola is a four storey building (Ground floor- green, 1st floor - yellow,
2nd floor – red and 3rd floor - blue). Most of its lending, reference and audio-visual collections
(books, magazines and non-fiction films and recordings) are either on the Ground floor or 2nd
floor. Fiction films and the Lecturers’ collections are on the 3rd floor. The main circulation
counter is on the Ground floor near the main single entrance. Most of our IT (computers and
scanners) and all Audio-Visual equipment (monitors, video cassette and DVD players) are on the
3rd floor. Photocopying is on the ground floor. Clear signs through the library and our web pages
www.mcast.edu.mt/llrc/ make it easy to find what we have and where to find it.
Other libraries have nearly identical facilities collections but are in one space on one floor.
In all cases ask library staff for assistance.
Can we work as a group?
Yes you can in all libraries, especially in the main library. When working as a group please be considerate of
others in not making unnecessary noise through loud talking. Lecturers who want to work with a group of students
need to book the space and equipment beforehand.
Are there any quiet study areas in the Library?
In the Main Library there is one sound proof area on the first floor (Hall C) where perfect silence has to be kept
at all times. The area reserved for lecturers on the 3rd floor is also quiet. Some other areas on the ground floor
are also relatively quiet but not perfectly silent. Throughout the rest of the library, especially the 3rd floor
talking and group work is allowed and can be noisy during the peak hours of the day.
Other libraries being smaller, and allowing group work, are only silent late afternoon and evenings.
Where can I read library regulations?
These can be read here MCAST Library Regulations
and here Rules for use of the IT &
AV and here Photocopying guidelines.
The general scope of the regulations is to ensure that all library collections, equipment and
facilities can be used by as many people as possible whilst also making sure that they are protected.
Borrowing
How do I borrow a book?
Books can only be borrowed by registered library users on presentation of some form of ID at the circulation counter. If at the time of first registration you allow
us to take your photo you will only be required to state your ID no. without presenting
the ID card. Library users trying to remove items from the library without going through the circulation counter and borrowing them officially will cause alarm bells to go off. This is a serious offence and can lead to withholding of all library rights and other disciplinary actions.
How many library items can I borrow and for how long?
Students are entitled to 3 items for 3 weeks (1 week in the case of periodicals
and certain reference books in offsite libraries). Staff can borrow 6 items for
3 weeks (1 week in the case of periodicals and certain reference books in offsite
libraries).
Can I borrow films?
If films are non-fiction, yes you can for three days at a time in all libraries. In the main library however, students can only watch fiction films inside the library using our A-V equipment or in the case of DVDs using own lap-top equipment.
How do I renew a book?
This can be done at the circulation counter/desk near the main door or on-line through our library web-page using the “My library Account” after opening and registering a password protected account at http://llrc.mcast.edu.mt/activate.asp.
Certain restrictions apply. Details can be viewed at
Reservation & Renewal Rules.
I tried to renew a book on-line but was not allowed to. Why?
The possible reasons can be one of the following 4 instances:
- Is your ‘Date due’ longer than 2 days? In that case please wait for 2 days before the ‘Date due’ At this point you should be able to see that the Task function has changed from Non-Renewable to Renew. You will also start receiving e-mails reminding you to renew.
- Does your item have a shelve mark of T, R or A-V (check the spine of the book)? If yes these items can never be renewed on-line. Read the details at ‘Reservation
and Renewal Rules’.
- Have you already renewed these items twice on-line? If yes you need to physically return the item/s at the circulation desk of one of our libraries. You can still renew and start a new on-line renewal cycle for 9 weeks (3 x 3 weeks).
- If you still cannot renew your item this means that the item has been reserved by somebody else. You will need to relinquish it at the point you return it at the counter on due date or before. At this point you can reserve it on-line.
I am registered with the library but never receive reminder e-mails. Why?
This could be because you never gave us an e-mail address, the one you gave us was incorrect, or since then you have closed off this account without telling us. In this case please send an e-mail to llrc@mcast.edu.mt
giving us your name, Surname ID no and new e-mail address. You can check you registered information through ‘My Library Account’ on our web-page.
How do I request/reserve a book?
When searching for items using the Search Our Catalogue page one will notice that the Status of items currently loaned to others is marked as On Loan due back on ........ In this case, beneath this status, there is a Reserve button, which if used will automatically reserve it in your name. This will only work if you have opened an on-line, personal password protected account with the library through http://llrc.mcast.edu.mt/activate.asp.
This reservation ensure that the person currently having it can no longer renew it on-line or in person and once returned you will receive an e-mail informing you that you have 7 days to pick it up and telling you from which library to call for it.
What are the fines for late returns?
Currently these are €0.12 per library open day per item to a maximum fine of €25.00 per item. Repeated offenders, even if paying the fines, may still lose their borrowing rights. Not returning library items may result in not progressing during the course of studies or not graduating at the end.
Can I borrow books from other libraries?
Yes you can borrow any allowed item from any MCAST library. The maximum number of items (3 for Students and 6 for Staff) however applies for all items from all libraries all together.
Can I borrow books during summer?
If you are a student, by the 28th of June of each academic year, you have to return all books borrowed. You can only start borrowing again, at the start of the academic year in September when you are reconfirmed by the Registrar’s Office as a continuing or progressing student. So during summer you cannot borrow books. However you are free to come to the library and use our collections on the premises.
Lecturers and Staff can however still borrow items regularly throughout all summer.
Library Services
What is the Library Catalogue?
The library catalogue on-line page Search
Our Catalogue list our library holdings and allows anybody from any internet point to search for individual items or group of items in the holdings of any or all of our 6 libraries. Searches can be simple, or advanced, narrowing down to very specific items. One can search by author, title, ISBN, class, subject, document content, library, collection and media type.
How do I find a library item?
All library items are individually described in the library catalogue that is available online at Search Our Catalogue.
Catalogue entries give all the details about the book (author, title, ISBN, year and place published, no of pages etc.,) and where to find it (library, section, shelf, etc.). In many cases there are links to web-sites with content related to item found and also some actual content like Title, Table of Contents and Index pages.
Can I know which library books are useful for my course of Studies?
Yes you can. The library web-page ‘Your
course and the Library’ allows you to choose your Institute, choose your Course and then choose the particular Study Unit you are studying at the moment. From here it is easy to choose a specific subject or class number which automatically selects and displays all catalogue items in our library collections that match your subject. You can then refine your search to items more specific to your information needs.
What if the library doesn't hold the book I want?
If the Search our Catalogue page does not find anything it will direct you to Google Books which will search for your title. You can then suggest that the library buys this item. Before the library handles these suggestions as a purchase request, we will first need to vet these suggestions through the Director of your Institute
What is My library Account?
Through the section "My Library Account" at
http://llrc.mcast.edu.mt/activate.asp you can open an on-line, personal, password protected account with the library. Besides allowing you to reserve items out on loan and renewing borrowed items without coming to the library (see above), you are also able to view your registered personal details and your current and past 100 loans.
Does the Library run training courses?
Yes we do. At the start of each academic year, with the assistance of Institute administrative staff we organise short introductory library tours for lecturers and students. You can also ask for assistance from qualified library staff anytime you come to the library. Throughout the year, when requested by lecturers, we can also organise training courses on how best to make use of the library especially how to use the library catalogue.
How do I use the photocopier?
In libraries having a card operated photocopier (e.g. Main Library, Paola) you can buy a plastic card and pre-pay for a number of pages and top it up as necessary. Photocopying costs are €0.05 for b/w A4 pages and €0.25 for colour A4 pages. When a photocopier is not card operated you need to pre-pay the cost of photocopies. Ask for assistance at the circulation counter.
IT Services
How can I use computers inside the library?
All MCAST libraries have PCs that can be used by all students, lecturers and staff. In Paola you need to have a valid library registration, following which you will need to get a username and password from the third floor counter. In all other libraries there is no need for such a username and password.
What can computers be used for?
They are generally used for MS-Office packages (Word, Excel, Access etc.) use, use of other specialised programs (CAD, Proteus, Math lab etc.) keying in and printing of assignments, scanning documents, internet searches and e-mail communication. Computers cannot be used to download software.
Can I save my work on Library PCs?
In Paola yes, you can. Everybody has access to a personal password protected space on the server to securely save data. However at the end of each academic year this data will be deleted and you are responsible to copy it before we delete it. Copying data to CDs or pen-drives is allowed.
Is internet available from the library?
Yes all MCAST libraries have free internet access, that is however filtered to exclude some objectionable sites (hate and pornography) and some services (chat lines and live streaming). Filtering is according to MCAST policy applicable throughout all
libraries.
Can I use my lap-top inside the library?
Yes you can in all libraries. Please make sure that if you are using library electrical power points you stay close to walls or use central points and not let power cables obstruct or hinder passage ways.
Does the library have Wi-Fi access?
Yes all MCAST libraries have Wi-Fi access with the same level of access to internet as that which is available through our servers.
How do I use a printer?
In libraries where printers are directly connect to library users’ PCs via a server you will need to open a personal password protected account and pre-pay for a number of printed pages and top it up as necessary. Printing costs are €0.05 for b/w pages and €0.25 for colour pages. When printers are not connected to a server you need to pre-pay the cost of photocopies. Ask for assistance at the circulation counter.
How do I use a scanner?
Scanners are free to use and offer the facility, through OCR (Optical Character Recognition) software, of converting scanned pages containing text to text (txt or doc) format for further use in e.g. assignments. Follow the equipment/program instruction and in case of difficulty ask for assistance at the circulation counter.
Electronic Resources
Does the Library subscribe to any e-journals or databases?
Yes the library has a paid subscription to 46 electronic full-text journals, including back issues, of which 30 are in the vocational management field and 16 are in the engineering field. Details can be viewed at
Electronic Library Resources. The catalogue entry of our print periodicals provides an electronic link to the home page of these periodicals many of which give full-text on-line content. From most library PCs you can gain automatic access but from some PCs you will need to use a username and password. E-mail us at
llrc@mcast.edu.mt for these details.
Can I access these electronic journals from home?
Yes you can but you will need to use a username and password. E-mail us at
llrc@mcast.edu.mt for these details.
What other electronic resources does the library offer?
Through our library catalogue, for most of our titles we offer a direct link to
Google Books from where you can read a summary of the book or whole or part chapters. We are also adding the Table of Contents and Index of many of our book titles. You can see and read these pages though our site and search the text of these pages through our catalogue. We also offer links to useful web-sites, which you can view through the following pages
Electronic Library Resources, Other Libraries
in Malta, and Useful Links to your Studies
None of the above
If you still cannot find the answer to your question please write to us using Ask the Library page
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