Special Issue

Place Request options during Library closure

Can I still request books and articles when the Healthcare Library of Northern Ireland is closed?

During the Library closure period you will still be able to use the Place Request option online for article requests as Library staff will still be working remotely. Unfortunately we will be unable to process requests for physical books however as we will be not be able to retrieve these from our own Library stock, or from external sources.

Books on loan, or hoping to borrow?

Book Borrowing / Returns / Fines During Library Closure

Unfortunately we will be unable to continue to lend books while the Library is closed. Please be assured however that all books currently on loan have been renewed until 15 June in the first instance. This date will be reviewed as we proceed and may be extended. No fines will apply during the closure period.

Support and advice will continue to be available

Ongoing Support and Advice available despite Library closure

The support and advice of your specialist librarian will continue to be available to help you access Library resources. Each specialist librarian produces a Library Subject Guide (Libguide). Libguides will help you to find information relevant to your specialty and connect you with your Specialist Librarian. Short online tutorials are also available. You can request a literature search online. Links to these services are detailed below.

Libguides can be accessed at https://healthcarelibrary.qub.ac.uk/#ResourcesByProfession. Click on the grey box relevant to your profession and follow the tabs for further information.

You can email your specialist librarian from the Libguide and we would advise making contact via email in the first instance during this period. Contact details for specialist librarians is also available at https://healthcarelibrary.qub.ac.uk/TrainingandSupport/SpecialistLibrarians/

Short online tutorials are available at https://healthcarelibrary.qub.ac.uk/TrainingandSupport/OnlineTutorials/.

You can request a literature search online at http://go.qub.ac.uk/literaturesearch. Please complete the form and it will be forwarded to your specialist librarian who will reply to your request.

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Letting us know if you can’t access articles

Help if you can't access e-resources

If you find an article and the link doesn't work as expected please let us know by using the ‘Report a Problem’ link at the bottom of the screen. Article details are autocompleted and can easily be sent to us.

We will investigate and resolve any problems as quickly as possible.

Access to e-resources & e-books

You may not be able to visit the library, but you can still access articles and books online

Many full text articles and books are available to read online. You can search for both articles and books using the library search box, simply enter a few key words or the title of the article or book you are looking for. The results will then be displayed and you can either identify the source you want or refine the search using the “refine options” on the left hand side. You need to Login to read the full text.

For a more detailed article search use the advanced search or one of the many databases available – (Medline, CINAHL etc. follow the link for databases a-z)

If you need help with searching for articles please contact one of the specialist librarians or your local trust based librarian as we can also provide telephone help and support. Don’t forget library members also have access to 100’s of e-books that are freely available to read day or night (Internet access required). E-Books are clearly identified in the library catalogue, all you need to do is logon with your library number & password you can read the book online.

To find what e-books are available, enter your keyword search as normal in the library search box. You can limit or refine the search results to only display e-books by selecting resource type, and e-books, (please note you may need to click on show more to see the e-books option – this only displays if there are e-books )

It is generally possible to copy and print sections or a chapter from an e-book (within copyright restrictions), and most e-books identify how much can be printed. if the book you want to read isn’t available as an e-book, please contact your trust or specialist librarian and we will endeavour to order an electronic copy.

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COVID-19

Library Update

The Healthcare Library of Northern Ireland has been closely monitoring the ongoing escalation of measures that are being applied to limit the spread of the Covid-19 (coronavirus) across the UK.

As a result of this escalation and the subsequent implications the decision has been taken to close the following Healthcare Libraries of Northern Ireland from week commencing 23^rd March until further notice.

The Healthcare Library at:-

the Royal Victoria Hospital
QUB Medical Biology Centre
Antrim Area Hospital
Craigavon Area Hospital

NB. The Healthcare Libraries at Altnagelvin Area Hospital and Knockbracken Healthcare Park remain open at present.

While some of the physical libraries are closed you can continue to access the range of e-resources available through the Healthcare Library of Northern Ireland website:

Off-campus access to licensed electronic resources (books, databases and journals) will remain available to all registered Healthcare Library members during the closure period.
If you require access to a particular e-book please contact your Subject Specialist https://healthcarelibrary.qub.ac.uk/TrainingandSupport/SpecialistLibrarians/ who may be able to purchase it.
Due dates on books that were due to be returned during the closure period have been extended to Monday 15 June. Books on loan can be checked online Via My Account
Fines accrued *before* the Library closed will remain on readers’ accounts. No additional fines will accrue while the Library is closed.
The Library’s Subject Specialist team is available to provide online support. Please contact your Subject Specialist.
You can continue to submit general queries to info@healthcarelibrary.qub.ac.uk
For queries about books on loan please contact info@healthcarelibrary.qub.ac.uk
We recommend that you hold on to your Library books until the libraries reopen (all loan dates have been extended until Monday 15 June and no fines will accrue during the closure period).

We will continue to provide Library updates via the Healthcare Library website.

Special Issue

Healthcare Library Highlights Special Issue