Library rules and regulations

About the library

• The Musoma COHAS e-Library serves the students, tutors and staff of Musoma College of Health and Allied Sciences.
• The helping desk is just inside the entrance. The librarian there will help you find a book, borrow, return, renew or reserve, and use the catalogue and e-books.
• Printed books stand on the shelves in Dewey Decimal order. Every book page on the website shows its shelf and Dewey number, so you can go straight to it.

Opening hours and entry

• The library opens on these days and at these times (see also the Hours and events page):SundayClosedMonday8:00 AM - 5:00 PMTuesday8:00 AM - 5:00 PMWednesday8:00 AM - 5:00 PMThursday8:00 AM - 5:00 PMFriday8:00 AM - 5:00 PMSaturday9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
• Students and staff may enter only while the library is open. Check in with the librarian at the helping desk when you arrive (or scan the QR code at the door), and check out when you leave.
• Carry your student or staff card. The librarian may ask to see it.
• The library is closed on public holidays and on any day announced in a library notice.

Membership

• Every registered student and every staff member or tutor with an active account is a member.
• Your card, number and password are personal. Do not lend them to anyone.
• Tell the librarian at once if your card is lost.

Borrowing

• Students may borrow 3 printed books at a time, for 14 days each.
• Staff and tutors may borrow 5 printed books at a time, for 30 days each.
• Books are issued at the helping desk. Bring the book and your card.
• You cannot borrow while you have an overdue book or an unpaid fine.
• The librarian may mark some books, such as reference books and single copies of core texts, for use inside the library only.
• Never take a book out of the library that has not been issued to you.

Renewing and reserving

• You may renew a book up to 2 times, for 7 more days each time, if no one else is waiting for it and it is not overdue.
• If every copy of a book is out, reserve it from your portal. When a copy comes back it is kept for you for 3 days; after that it goes to the next reader.

Late, lost and damaged books

• Return books on or before the due date. Readers who return books late may lose the right to borrow for a time.
• If you lose or damage a book you must replace it with the same edition, or pay the replacement cost the librarian decides. Report it as soon as it happens.
• Writing in, highlighting, tearing pages from or otherwise damaging a book is not allowed.

Behaviour in the library

• Keep quiet so others can study. Put your phone on silent and take calls outside.
• No food or drink in the reading area.
• Leave books you have used on the tables. Do not put them back on the shelves yourself: the librarian will shelve them in the right place.
• Look after the furniture, computers and other equipment. Report any fault to the helping desk.
• Computers are for study and research. Do not visit unsuitable sites or install software.

Digital library and e-books

• After you sign in you can read and download e-books from anywhere, on any device.
• E-books and past papers are for your own study. Do not share the files outside the college or sell them.
• Respect copyright. Cite everything you use in APA 7th edition (use the Cite button on any book or article).

Research and past papers

• Research proposals and reports are checked for originality against the whole repository, including earlier years. Copying earlier work is not allowed.
• Past papers and class notes are put on the system by the library and lecturers for revision.

Notices

• The library sends notices about new and recommended books, books on their way, events and rule changes to your portal, by email from info@library.afrotechna.com, and sometimes by SMS. You can switch email and SMS off under My library card.

Help and complaints

• Ask at the helping desk, use the chat help on the website, or write to info@library.afrotechna.com.
• Breaking these rules may lead to a warning, a fine, or suspension of borrowing and library use, decided by the librarian and the college administration.