The Baldwin Library

Our Library

There are a number of good reasons why a tertiary institution should maintain a first class library. The college library is one is one of the institution’s principal learning resource.

Higher education should introduce the student to inquiry-based and independent learning. Libraries and librarians are key factors in creating the conditions for independent learning.

Academic institutions recognize that their libraries represent significant information resource that should be nurtured to create a vibrant environment for learning, teaching, research and community work. The management of this resource now constitutes a competitive difference among academic institutions worldwide.

In support of the College’s mission to educate students to acquire the life-long learning habit, the library will provide resources and services to sharpen student’s intellect, and to seek, evaluate and question ideas.

The pivot of the service is a close collaboration with academic staff, robust digital platform and active customer focused activities.

Mission and Values

Mission

Our mission is to provide relevant, efficient, effective and enhanced library user experience in support of the teaching, learning, research and the scholarly enterprise and engagement objectives of the college as outlined in its strategic plan.

Values
  • Put our patrons first and meet their needs;
  • Actively collaborate with academic staff to ensure a balanced collection;
  • Operate as a learning organisation by regularly assessing and responding to users’ needs and expectations;
  • Continuously develop staff skills and knowledge;
  • Uphold the principles of intellectual freedom and resist censorship of library resources;
  • Ensure the protection of privacy and the right to confidentiality of patrons;
  • Uphold a client service charter that describes what to expect of the library and contribution of users towards a better service.

Membership/Registration/Opening Hours

Membership

The following are allowed to use the library:

  • The President and Members of Council of Baldwin University College;
  • Academic staff;
  • Registered Students;
  • Administrative and other staff;
  • Visitors and Researchers granted permission.
Opening Hours
  • Monday - Friday: 9am to 8pm
  • Saturday: 9am to 2pm
Registration

Prospective users of the library must first fill in a registration form.

Customer Charter

Our Commitment

In regard to stock, the Library will:

  • Liaise with academic staff to provide access to learning materials to support the College’s courses and programmes
  • Provide and maintain current and accurate catalogue of its holdings
  • Provide access to appropriate range of electronic materials
  • Ensure that recommended books are available on the shelves within four months of the receipt of order
  • Stock at least two copies of all prescribed textbooks and recommended readings as advised by academic staff.

The following will direct delivery of information Services:

  • Treat all customers with courtesy and respect;
  • Publicize range of services on offer and terms and conditions of use;
  • Operate opening hours adequate to meet user demands;
  • Provide assistance throughout the opening hours;
  • Respond to enquiries made in person, by telephone, in writing or by electronic means within two working days;
  • Provide a reservation service for items on loan;
  • Provide guidance in the use of library and information resources;
  • Provide short loan service for items in heavy demand;
  • Provide lending service for all but restricted materials;
  • Welcome feedback, concerns and suggestions to help continuous improvement of programmes and services
Patrons help by:
  • Carrying College membership card to gain entry to the library;
  • Abiding by the rules and regulations;
  • Treating other users and library staff with courtesy and due consideration;
  • Returning or renewing all loans on or before date due back, or earlier;
  • Being responsible for all items borrowed against patron’s record;
  • Observing the law relating to copyright and reproduction;
  • Observing noise and mobile restrictions;
  • Suggesting new items to enhance the collection;
  • Participating actively in library orientation and training sessions;
  • Providing feedback on resources and services;
  • Reading and responding to library notices;
  • Handling all collection /resources with care to ensure longer span of use.

Services

Dispelling Anxiety

In line with the adopted customer friendly approach, the library takes steps to dispel ‘library anxiety’ among its users. ‘Library anxiety’ arises when a user feels that she/he is unable to approach the problem that brings her/him to the library in a logical or effective manner. This is predominant among fresh students.

This uncomfortable feeling may arise out of a number of situations:

  • Worry due to the feeling that other students are more competent at using the library and that they alone are incompetent;
  • That asking questions would lead to revelation of incompetence which is shameful and must be kept to oneself.

The library staff is aware of these moods and would be more caring in dealing with these situations. The staff assures patrons of three things in overcoming what they see as their deficiency:

  • That you are not the only one in this anxiety mood;
  • That the library encourages individuals to ask for help rather than go out of the library with an unfulfilled need; and
  • That asking questions cannot be a ‘bother’ to the staff. That is why the staff has been hired.

The Baldwin University College Library is interested in all who pass through the college to acquire quality education of which one attribute is knowing how to conduct independent library research. Other services for our clients include:

Library Orientation

Depending on the size of the class, this may be a meeting of the entire class or groups as may be deemed necessary. Library orientation is necessary when one enters a new institution irrespective of previous experience. It offers an opportunity to savour the ambience of the Baldwin library, be introduced to the range of available material and the tools to locate them, be apprised of policies and plans of the library and make personal contact with library staff.

Reserve Collection

This is one service which appeals to most students as the collection consists of materials in high demand by patrons, most often recommended readings by lectures. Because of the limited copies they are normally available for reading in the library for short periods; though they may be borrowed overnight or weekends.

Reservation

Patrons may request the library to put a hold on an item out on loan to another user but urgently required. When this happens the current borrower would not be allowed to renew the item. The user requesting the hold would be informed of the availability of the material. He would have three (3) days within which to collect it or the item returns to the shelves.

Interlibrary Loans

This is arrangement between libraries which enables one library to request an item not in its collection but available in another library’s collection

Staff Assistance

The library staff is always ready to help patrons carry out the following and other activities:

  • how and where to start looking for information on identified topic;
  • how to use databases and the internet effectively;
  • how to find and evaluate information
  • how to cite and make reference to retrieved information to avoid plagiarism
Photocopying

Depending on the volume of work at a particular time, photocopying may not be instantaneous. Patrons are entreated to observe the laws relating to copyright and reproduction.

Internet Service

The library has eight (8) computers connected to the internet.

Online Databases

Full Text Journals

Health InterNetwork Access to Research Initiative (HINARI)
Gives free access to more than 7,000 health and biomedical journal titles.

Free Medical Journals
Currently1380 full-text journals sorted by subject, language, and title, as well as highlighting free journals with high impact factors.

BioMed Central
Offers online publishing of articles in all areas of original biomedical research with full peer review and open access.

Directory of Open Access Journals
Aims at covering all subjects and languages. There are currently 2456 journals which are searchable at article level. As at December it carried 32 journals on Nursing and 152 on Public Health.

AJOL: African Journals On-Line
This is a move to make research output published in African journals available to Africans and the rest of the world.

African Medical Journals

Bibliographic Databases

PubMed
A bibliographic index to the health sciences literature dating as far back as the 1950s. There are over 20 million entries in the database. PubMed includes links to many sites providing full text articles and other related resources.

Popline
POPLINE is the world's largest bibliographic database on population, family planning, and related issues.

African Index Medicus
A regional index to African health literature.

Library Regulations

General Rules:

  • Admission to the library is by Baldwin University College ID card
  • Absolute silence should be observed within the precincts of the library
  • Eating and smoking are forbidden in all parts of the library and this includes toffees, fruits, candies, water etc.
  • Readers must submit any books, files, bags and materials they are carrying while leaving the library for inspection.
  • Personal books are not allowed in the library.
  • Use of mobile phones is not allowed in the library
  • Marking, mutilation and misapplication of library materials is a serious offence and it attracts severe disciplinary sanctions.
  • Library users are to ensure that they do not infringe copyright laws or other copyright restrictions.
  • Books consulted should be left on the reading tables; the library staff will re-shelve them.
Borrowing

Any book may be borrowed except the following:

  • Books marked REFERENCE
  • Encyclopaedia, General and Subject Dictionaries
  • Newspapers
  • Journals
  • Electronic media
Borrowing Privileges

Students may borrow two books for two weeks, renewable only once during the semester. No borrowing is allowed during vacation. Teaching Staff may borrow up to four (4) books for four (4) weeks.

Checking Out Materials

One must present a valid Baldwin ID card to be able to borrow books from the library. Books borrowed should not be passed from one reader to another reader; but in all cases be formally returned and re-issued at the Issue Desk.

Short Loan Materials

Materials in high demand are housed in a closed access collection and are designated as reserve. Reserve items may be borrowed for use in the library during the day. One must be a registered user of the library to use the reserve collection.

Overdue Fines

Items returned to the library beyond the date or time due attract fines. Fines for long-term items are calculated per day or part thereof. Fines for reserve items are calculated per hour or part thereof from 9.00 a. m. on the date due. Fines apply to all categories of borrowers. Receipts shall be issued for all payments made in respect of library fines.

Misplacement of Books

A member who reports the misplacement of a borrowed book will be given up to fourteen (14) days to look for it and return the same. During that period, s/he shall be liable to pay a fine equivalent to the first seven (7) days of the fine for normal overdue and thereafter double this fine. The book will be considered lost if not returned by the fourteenth (14th) day.

Lost Items

A member who loses an item borrowed from the Library shall be liable to pay twice the current price of the item plus service charge. No refunds will be made for lost items subsequently returned a month after payment.

Stealing

A user who steals an item of the library commits an offence that could lead to dismissal from the College.