TRFT Library & Knowledge Service Conditions of Use
Procedures and guidance for users of the Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust Library & Knowledge Service
I would like to use the service – what do I need to know?
1. All users need to register if they wish to use any of our services. A membership form can be obtained from staff or users can register online via the Library & Knowledge Service website.
2. Library staff may ask to see user identification at any time before allowing access to library services.
3. Library services are available for:
The following staff groups are eligible for limited services:
In these cases the senior member of staff will need to complete the appropriate form provided by library staff.
2. Library staff may ask to see user identification at any time before allowing access to library services.
3. Library services are available for:
- all staff and students working in TRFT
- the Rotherham CCG and independent contractors (GPs, pharmacists, dentists and opticians)
- Rotherham Public Health
- Rotherham Hospice
- NHS England staff who are based at Oak House (Bramley)
- social services staff involved in patient care, and
- students on placement within the organisations we serve.
The following staff groups are eligible for limited services:
- non-NHS staff with an interest in health promotion are able to use the health education resources at Oak House
- other NHS staff from organisations not listed above are able to access the library on a reference only basis
- members of the public and patients are able to access the library on a reference only basis and will need to speak to a member of staff in order to access the collection. Library staff may ask for a senior member of staff in the applicant's department to take responsibility for the applicant's use of the service.
In these cases the senior member of staff will need to complete the appropriate form provided by library staff.
What do I need to know to borrow items from library stock?
The following entitlements apply to those with full rights to use the library:
- Maximum number of loans: 15 items per borrower
- Length of loans: one or three weeks depending upon the item. Please note: Health Promotion Resources, electronic equipment and display boards can be booked in advance for a specified period of time and users are able to exceed the 15 item loan limit.
- Number of renewals: three week loan items may be renewed six times; one week loan items may be renewed 12 time (if no-one else has requested the item/s).
- Maximum no. of reservations: you may reserve up to six items at a time. Reserved books are held for seven days before they are passed on to the next reserver or returned to the shelves
- We do not charge fines for overdue books but borrowing rights are suspended once your books are long overdue.
Overdue books and fines
- A reminder email will be sent to users three days before books are due back.
- Once books have passed their return date a further three letters/e-mails will be sent to users who have overdue books.
- If long-overdue items are not returned, all borrowing rights will be suspended until the book is returned or the library user contacts library staff.
- Long term overdues will result in a letter being sent to the user’s supervisor and then an invoice letter will be sent.
Journals
- Journal issues will not normally be loaned.
- Access to a photocopier is available.
- However, by special arrangement it may be possible to loan certain journals e.g. supplements and thematic issues but there is no guarantee that any issue will be loaned. The length of loan will be for one week with no renewal possible.
Postal Loans
For staff not based at Rotherham Hospital or Oak House books may be sent out in the internal post. The Library & Knowledge Service will take responsibility for items as far as receipt by the user. Responsibility for return of items via the post rests with the user.
Collecting items for someone else
Only by prior arrangement can an item be issued in the name of someone other than the person who takes it from the library.
What about borrowing from other libraries?
Inter-Library Loans (ILLs) are items obtained from other libraries.
There are two distinct categories:
Only staff employed by The Rotherham Foundation Trust, the Rotherham CCG and independent contractors (GPs, pharmacists, dentists and opticians), Rotherham Public Health, Rotherham Hospice and NHS England staff who are based at Oak House (Bramley) are automatically entitled to use the ILLs service.
Short term locums and other staff working in Rotherham for short periods will not normally be allowed to use the ILLs service. University of Sheffield & Sheffield Hallam students should ideally use their university libraries for ILLs.
Students from other universities, on long term placements, may be able to use the ILL service. Please speak to library staff.
There are two distinct categories:
- Books, reports or whole journal issues borrowed from other libraries that must be returned to the library of origin
- Photocopies of journal articles or sections of books or reports obtained from other libraries that are for retention by the user.
Only staff employed by The Rotherham Foundation Trust, the Rotherham CCG and independent contractors (GPs, pharmacists, dentists and opticians), Rotherham Public Health, Rotherham Hospice and NHS England staff who are based at Oak House (Bramley) are automatically entitled to use the ILLs service.
Short term locums and other staff working in Rotherham for short periods will not normally be allowed to use the ILLs service. University of Sheffield & Sheffield Hallam students should ideally use their university libraries for ILLs.
Students from other universities, on long term placements, may be able to use the ILL service. Please speak to library staff.
- Maximum number of requests (books and/or photocopies): 5 per week per reader.
- Additional items can be obtained at the discretion of library staff.
- Length of loans: this is dependent upon the library from which we obtain the book
- Renewals are only permitted with the lending libraries approval so may not always be possible.
- Overdue ILL books will result in heavy fines being charged and eventually the reader being invoiced for the replacement cost according to the rules of the library the item has been borrowed from.
Users with Additional Support Requirements
If you have any difficulties in using the library and require additional help, please let Library & Knowledge Service staff know. The following types of support will be available:
All additional support needs will be dealt with on an individual basis, please ask to speak to a member of staff to register your requirements.
- Guidance, publicity material made available in alternative formats
- Help with fetching & carrying items from library shelves
- Postal service for loans and photocopies
- Help with photocopying
- Help with accessing the website and information provided on it.
All additional support needs will be dealt with on an individual basis, please ask to speak to a member of staff to register your requirements.