This guide has been designed to help you find your way around the Library and to give you the basic information for the effective use of its resources and services. As an introductory aid, it does not cover the whole ground. You must therefore avail yourself of the various programs of Library Orientation/ Bibliographic instruction designed especially for all new seminarians. In case of difficulty, you should not hesitate to consult the Library Staff within the Library.

OPERATING HOURS OF THE LIBRARY
The Library opening hours shall be as follows:

SEMESTER TIME
9:00 am – 10:00 pm (Weekdays)
9:00 am – 5:00 pm (Saturdays)

VACATION TIME
9:00 am – 5:00 pm (Weekdays)

The Library is closed on Sundays and all Public Holidays. The operating hours are subject to review by the Librarian in consultation with the Library Committee members.

GENERAL RULES OF THE LIBRARY

1. Silence is to be observed at all times within the precincts of the library.
2. Smoking is forbidden in all parts of the library.
3. No food or drink is allowed in any part of the library. This includes toffees, fruits, candies, etc.
4. Bags, gowns, raincoats, umbrellas, cameras, scanners, tape recorders, etc. must be deposited with the library staff at the entrance.
5. It must be noted that such items are deposited at the owners’ own risk and the Library disclaims responsibility for any loss of or damage to any items so deposited.
6. Firearms and other offensive weapons are not allowed into the Library.
7. Pets are not allowed in any part of the Library.
8. No seat shall be reserved by or for any reader. Any seat so reserved shall be cleared by the library staff for use by others.
9. Any book recalled shall be returned within 72 hours or fines will be imposed after three days.
10. Library staff will inspect any item being taken out of the library.
11. All users must enter and leave the library through the main entrance.
12. Users may not enter staff offices except invited by a staff member.
13. All borrowed materials are to be returned three days before the end of each semester.
14. Orderly conduct must be maintained at all times in all parts of the library

CARE OF THE BOOKS

1. No book is to be written in, soiled, torn, cut, or damaged in any way.
2. Any defect in or damage to a book prior to borrowing should be reported to the library staff.
3. Users must not trace any picture or figure from any book/material.
4. Readers and borrowers will be held responsible for any damage to a book in their care and will be required to pay the appropriate cost for such damaged books.
5. Borrowers should report at once the loss of any book, and if it is not found, the borrower shall pay for the lost book.

OFFENCES AND SANCTIONS

FAILURE TO RETURN BOOKS ON THE DUE DATE

1. A user who commits this offense shall be liable to pay a fine of Ghs1 per day for up to 7 days. Thereafter, a fine of Ghs 2 a day plus loss of borrowing rights will be imposed until the books are returned. (Charges are subject to review).
2. All students who fail to return all library books to the College Library three days before the Second Semester Final examinations will be debarred from taking the examinations.

MISPLACEMENT OF BOOKS
A user who reports the misplacement of a borrowed book will be given up to 14 days to look for it. During that period, he/she shall be liable to pay a fine of 0.50Gp per day for the first seven days and a fine of Ghs1 per day thereafter. (Charges are subject to review).

LOSS OF BOOKS
A user who commits this offense shall replace the book and its associated cost.

MUTILATION OF BOOKS/PERIODICALS
A user who tears pages, sections, and illustrations from library materials shall be dismissed from the College.

WRITING IN LIBRARY BOOKS/UNDERLINING SENTENCES
A user who commits this offense will pay the current price of the book in Cedis and will lose borrowing rights for one semester.

REGISTRATION OF READERS
All readers wishing to borrow books must present their Identity Cards/Letters of Admission before they are registered. Registration is valid for the duration of a registered program. A reader will be issued a Borrower’s Card which must be shown at the Issue Desk whenever a book is being borrowed from the Library.

BORROWING OF BOOKS
The number of books readers are entitled to borrow from the Library is as follows:

BORROWING A BOOK FROM THE LIBRARY

STEPS FOR BORROWING A BOOK

1. Select the items from the Library.
2. Submit an item/book with your user card to the staff at the circulation desk.

SEARCHING THE ONLINE PUBLIC ACCESS CATALOGUE (OPAC)
Searching for material is done by using any of the following.

1. Name of the author(s)
2. Title of item or book
3. The subject of the book or
4. Series

LOANS

1. The normal period for keeping a borrowed book is 14 days. Teaching and Research staff and others with special reasons for doing so may request longer periods.  All books must be returned before the end of the current academic year. Teaching staff are allowed to keep borrowed books for one semester but the books can be recalled after a month, subject to the needs of other borrowers.
2. Borrowers must note that a loan may be renewed on an application for only one period of a fortnight so long as no one else wants it.

OVERDUE/LOST BOOKS

1. All borrowers (including members of staff) are subject to fines for books that are overdue.
2. Books lost or damaged must be reported immediately and paid for at the estimated cost or replaced by the borrower if not found after the grace period of 14 days.

RETURN OF BOOKS

1. Books must be returned to the Library on the dates that are due.
2. Books may be renewed once if not requested by another reader. Renewals cannot be made by telephone.
3. Fines may be charged if books are not returned on the dates due.

BOOK RESERVATION
Books on a loan may be reserved by another reader on application to the Librarian or an Assistant at the Issue Desk. The book is reserved at the Issue Desk when it is returned and the reader is subsequently notified to collect the book within two days.
If the book is not claimed before the end of this period, it is returned to the shelves. Readers who are leaving the College for a few days are advised (if they have reserved books) to inform any Assistant at the Issue Desk so that the reservation notice may not be sent to them while they are away. A book in constant demand cannot be reserved for long. Readers receive the book in the strict order of the date reserved.

BOOK RECOMMENDATION
Academic Staff as well as students are encouraged to make recommendations for the purchase of books. Such recommendations should be made to the Librarian.

LIBRARY ORIENTATION/BIBLIOGRAPHIC INSTRUCTION
The Library organizes Orientation/Bibliographic Instructions for new students. All new students are expected to participate fully in the exercise in order to get acquainted with the resources and services provided by the Library.

FINDING A BOOK
The books which are on open access (at the Library) are for direct borrowing. It is expected that each borrower will be able to find a book after determining the Author, Title, and Class Number from the Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC).

To do this:

1. Look for the Author in the Author/Title Catalogue
2. Find the class number indicating where the book is shelved.

SUGGESTIONS FROM READERS
Library users are welcome to make suggestions regarding the Library’s operations and services. A suggestion box is kept near the Issue Desk for this purpose.

LOCATION OF BOOKS BY LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CLASSIFICATION

ACADEMIC DATABASES
Academic online databases in the St. Paul's Catholic Seminary Library include electronic journals, electronic books, institutional repositories, electronic theses and dissertations, etc. The databases have been clearly described in terms of contents, coverage, subject area, etc. to help users identify databases that will match their needs will ease. A click on any of the links of the databases will lead a user to the homepage of the database and a piece of step-by-step information on how to search from the database. Some of the databases have instructional videos on how to optimize the databases attached to their homepages.

ELECTRONIC JOURNALS
An alphabetical list of Electronic Journals offering full-text articles, books, images, and videos is available on the website of the Library.

ELECTRONIC BOOKS
The library provides access to thousands of e-books on all subject areas including Theology, Religion. Philosophy, Psychology, Sociology, Law, Education, Science, Technology,  Agriculture, History,  Business, Health Science, etc.

ST. PAUL'S CATHOLIC SEMINARY INSTITUTIONAL REPOSITORY (IR)
The St. Paul's Catholic Seminary Library IR is a digital service that collects, preserves, and distributes digital materials. Repositories are important tools for preserving an organization’s legacy; they facilitate digital preservation and scholarly communication.

ELECTRONIC THESES AND DISSERTATIONS
The St. Paul's Catholic Seminary Library provides access to theses and dissertations from Ghana, Africa, and the rest of the world.

THE LIBRARY, YOUR HOME
Make the St. Paul's Catholic Seminary Library your home. Our aim is to advance your learning goals and bring the best out of you. Our ever-enthusiastic library staff is always available to help you.

PLEASE DO NOT SUFFER IN SILENCE

ENJOY YOUR STAY AT ST. PAUL'S CATHOLIC SEMINARY, SOWUTUOM