FAQ's
Listed below are frequently asked questions about the library.
- May I borrow books during the summer holidays? Yes, but term-time loan periods apply.
- What and where are Short Loan books? High-demand books and Audio-Visual items are kept behind the Library Counter in the North and South Campus libraries. These items are available for use in the Library only and may be borrowed by most users for 2 hours at a time.
- Do I need my T Card to take out books? Yes.
- Where do I get a replacement T Card? Replacement T-cards are available from Student Services.
- What are your opening hours? Term Time North Campus: Monday to Thursday- 9am to 8pm, Friday- 9am to 5pm Saturday -10am to 2pm. Term Time South Campus: Monday and Wednesday- 9am to 1.30pm, 2.30pm to 5pm, Tuesday and Thursday- 1.30pm to 5pm, Friday- 9am to1.30pm, Saturday-Closed. Holiday Time North Campus: Monday to Friday-9am to 1pm, 2pm to 5pm, South Campus: 11am to 1pm.
- How many books may I borrow? Staff may borrow 10 items from the Main collection for 4 weeks plus two items from the Counter collection for 2 hours. Postgraduates may borrow 10 items from the Main collection for 2 weeks plus two items from the short loan collection for 2 hours. Undergraduates may borrow 6 items from Main for 1 week and 2 items from short loan for 2 hours. Part-Time and Distance Learning Students may borrow 6 items from Main for 2 weeks and 2 items from Counter for 2 hours. External Users may borrow 2 items from Main for 1 week and 2 items from short loan collection for 2 hours.
- What is an Inter-Library Loan (ILL)? Books, journal articles or dissertations that are not available in the IT Tralee library may be requested from another library using the ILL facility. All users can submit an ILL request online from the ILL page or fill out a paper ILL form that is available at the library desk. For more information, including charges, please visit the Inter Library Loans section of the Library Information page.
- Where can I find the latest newspapers? Current national daily and local weekly newspapers are available in both libraries. In the North Campus, they are available on the ground floor. In the South Campus, they are on display beside the front door. Daily newspapers are kept for 3 months; weekly newspapers are kept for a year.
- What are the charges on overdue items? Overdue items from the Main collection result in a fine of 50 cent per item per day up to a maximum of €30 fine per item. If the items are not returned at this point, library users may have their computer account suspended until all items are returned and fines are cleared. The penalty for overdue items from the short loan collection is 50 cent per hour per item. Library users who have not returned their overdue short loan items after 3 days may have their computer accounts suspended .
- What is the Library Catalogue? The Library catalogue is a web site that can be used to search for any items kept in the library.
- How do I renew my books? Main collection books may be renewed six times. This can be done either in person at the desk or online through the Library catalogue using the My Library Login facility. Books will not be renewed if there are any outstanding fines on your account in excess of 5 euros, if the book is more than three days overdue or if another user has placed a hold on the book.
- What is a 'Hold'? A hold prevents an issued book from being checked out to any future user other than the user who placed the hold.
- How do I put a hold on a book? Search the library catalogue. When you find a title you want to place a hold on, click on the request button. You will be asked for your T-number and password, which campus library you want to pick up the book from and a date after which your hold will be cancelled. Input these details. When the item is available for pickup, you will be contacted by e-mail to your college e-mail account. You cannot put a hold on a counter book, a reference book or any journals.
- How do I access my Library User Record? Click on the My Library button above and enter your T-number and Password.
- I can't remember my password to log into my library services? Forgotten passwords must be deleted by library staff at the library desk, you will then be able to create a new password.
- My books are overdue, what can I do? Please return overdue items to the Library as soon as possible. Items can be returned when the library is closed by putting them in the book-drop bin outside both libraries. Books are overdue the date after they are due for return. Please note that overdue books will not be renewed if fines exceed 5 euro.
- My book was not checked in - what can I do? Please contact the library staff.
- How do I contact library staff? Extension numbers and e-mail addresses for all library staff are available from the Library Information link at the top of the page.
- I have lost a Library book, what should I do? Please tell the Library staff about any problems you have as soon as possible. You may be asked to pay replacement costs if the book is not found.
- What is an Online Resource? Online Resources are subscribed to collections of full-text articles, abstracts, indexing, company and law reports, books, standards and other material that can be accessed online. Some of the resources are subject specific; others are multidisciplinary. For more information, and to access these collections, please visit the Online Resources page. Access to the Online Resources is restricted to members of the college.
- How do I find out if the Library has a Online Resource? There is an alphabetical list of our databases with descriptions of what they cover on the Online Resources page.
- Can I access the online resources from home? You can access the majority of online resources from off-campus, although not all. You will be required to enter your T Number and password. If you encounter any problems with your Password, please contact the library desk.
- What is an 'abstract'; a 'citation'; a 'pdf document'? An Abstract is a brief summary of a journal article, book, etc. A Citation is the bibliographical details of a journal article or book, etc. It will include the author, title, date and so on. A pdf document or 'portable document format' is a convenient and popular method for distributing information electronically.
- I cannot open pdf files? PDF files require Adobe Acrobat reader. Make sure a current version of Adobe reader is on your PC.
- I cannot print off the exam papers? Please make sure when printing exam papers that you click on the icon of the printer rather than clicking File and Print. If you still cannot print off exam papers, please contact the library desk.
- How can I search past projects and theses? Click on Projects and Theses under the Take Me To Drop Down Menu on the home page. Click on the course code to view a list of projects or theses for that course sorted by year.
