This guide has been prepared to familiarize you with the library that serves the faculty, students, consultants and staff of Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University and Shifa International Hospitals. The aim of the library is to provide informational resources and services requisite for supporting the successful operation of the University and the Hospital. To feel really comfortable and skilled in exploiting the resources of a library, one must get in the habit of going there, using its facilities and resources regularly.

BORROWING LIBRARY MATERIALS
Those who wish to borrow library materials must first register at the Circulation Desk. By signing the registration form, the member agrees to observe the by-laws, policies and regulations of the library. Our sole interest in enforcing a few regulations is to ensure the availability of library materials for all patrons.

LOAN REGULATIONS
Borrowing Limits:
1. For Faculty/Consultants -----5 books-----for a period of 07 days
2. For Students-----2 books-----for a period of 07 days
3. For Staff-----2 books-----for a period of 05 days

HOLD REQUEST can be submitted at the Circulation Desk for an item on loan to someone, to be held upon its return. Requestors are notified when the requisite book or item is received and is held for maximum 2 days to pick up.
RENEWALS: Other members may renew books twice, provided there is no demand Or “HOLD REQUEST’. Borrowers must bring the borrowed material to the Circulation Desk for renewal.

OVERDUE NOTICES
Borrowed materials must be returned or renewed by the DUE DATE. A maximum of two notices are issued and if the borrowed material is not returned or renewed within a week of the second notice, the Library issues a “Lost Book Notice” requesting the borrower to pay the charges involved in the replacement. The patron loses his/her borrowing privileges until he/she returns, renews, or pays for the lost material. Continued disregard of return dates may also result in the withdrawal of borrowing privileges.

FINES
Fine @ Rs.1/- is charged per day on general books kept beyond the due date. If an item is late for more than 15 days, the defaulter pays the fine for 15 days, while his/her borrowing privileges are suspended for a number of days equal to those exceeding 15. In case a reference/reserve book is kept more than one day the fine will be charged @Rs.5/- per day.

DISCIPLINARY FINE
Rs.500/- on first time violation, Rs.1000/- on second time violation. If a patron continues the violation, the case could be referred to Disciplinary Committee on the fourth violation.

LOST, DAMAGE/MUTILATED
In the event of a lost or mutilated book or other materials, the member is responsible for the full cost involved in its replacement. The borrower pays the current list price +50% handling and processing charges. If the lost material is found and returned by the patron within 30 days of payment, he/she is entitled to a refund, provided the material is returned in good condition. The member will however, pay the normal OVERDUE FINES. Borrowers will lose their borrowing privileges until all fines/charges are paid.

NON-CIRCULATING MATERIALS
Reference books, periodicals, newspapers, reserve materials, microforms and electronic resources do not circulate.

THE ONLINE PUBLIC ACCESS CATALOGUE (OPAC) Being a key to the library resources provides access to the collection. Computers besides the Circulation Desk can also be used for searching a particular item by author, title and subject. Using OPAC is not difficult as menus are displayed on every screen telling you how to use it. Library staff is always present for help if you face any difficulties.

INTER-LIBRARY LOANS
Inter-library Loan (ILL) is research support service that obtains copies of articles from other libraries that the University Library does not own. The library currently has access to AGCC Medical Libraries Periodical Holdings Online and Agha Khan University Library’s printed holdings list. ILL Request Forms available in the library must include accurate information for each request and should be signed by the appropriate Head of the Department before submission.

MEDLINE SEARCHING
MEDLINE the bibliographic database of U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM) incorporates citations and abstracts for biomedical literature that appears in Index Medicus, Index to Dental Literature, and International Nursing Index. MEDLINE Searches, which need printing, must be submitted on a MEDLINE SEARCH FORM available with the Librarian. Rs.6/- per page will be charged for printing.

INTERNET ACCESS
Six INTERNET Workstations free of charge are available for independent searching and downloading. Every member who intends to use INTERNET must register at the Circulation Desk. INTERNET service is restricted to registered users only.

WI-FI FACILITY
Wi-Fi facility within the Library premises has been provided to the students for the consultation of online resources etc.

USER EDUCATION/ORIENTATION
Senior Library Staff assists and trains faculty, students and staff in using searching facilities. Comprehensive user training programme can be arranged if requested in advance for planning purposes.

VERTICLE FILE
Pamphlets, catalogues, reports, clippings and other un-catalogued materials are located in the file cabinet.

PHOTOCOPYING
Photocopying service is available on payment @Rs.1/- per page.

CLEARANCE
The University/Hospital regulations require that all the registered members must obtain Library clearance. The Clearance Form will not be endorsed unless the borrowed materials are returned and all the charges are paid.

MEMBERSHIP POLICY
As per policy we will extend library membership to the Alumni working in surrounding set-ups in the evening i.e., from 1400 hrs to 2200 hrs. However, there will be no Library membership for the students studying in any of the College/University.

CONDUCT
All persons using the library are required to conduct themselves in a manner that will not affect the peace, quiet, and order of the library, which is conducive to study. Food and beverages in any form should not be consumed anywhere in the library. Mobile telephones are not allowed in the library. White Overall is must for entry in the Library. All visiting members are required to wear I.D. Cards issued by the University/Hospital. The Library staff has the right to check any personal belongings including sacks, etc. There will be no borrowing transactions during the last 30 minutes before closing.

General Collection
This is the main collection comprising high quality selective books related to the STMU academic programmes. The books on pharmaceutical Sciences, physical therapy, and management sciences are available in the Allied Health Sciences Departmental Library, presently housed in Annex building, STMU.

Reference Collection
A significant number of current reference sources are available on reference shelves. Encyclopedias, dictionaries, handbooks, directories, yearbooks, atlases, bibliographies are distinct feature of this collection. The reference books can only be consulted within the library.

STMU Publications
We are housing STMU faculty and student’s research output e.g. MBA projects, MS projects, theses, dissertations, research assignments, and the publications of STMU research centers in separate location.

Multimedia Collection
Multimedia section provides access to audiovisual material; CD-ROMs, DVDs, and videos for borrowers as well as in-house facilities to watch. The section is equipped with Cable TV, VCRs, CD & DVD players.

Periodicals Archive Collection
The library has been subscribing to more than 275 national and international journals and magazines in print format. A complete list is available at library website / library portal and at the reference desk. The current issues of the periodicals are displayed on special shelves in the main reading area. Back volumes of these periodicals are bound and shelved separately.

Course Reserve
The library has a collection of course reserves/reading packages of the courses offered during last five years. These course reserves have been developed by the faculty to fulfill the textual/course needs of the students.

Electronic Database
The library has access to a wide range of electronic resources including e-databases, e-journals and e-books accessible through internet, campus wide network and from the library terminals. A list of all databases/journals is available at library website.

Quran Section

This section was established to provide guidelines to the doctors in the light of the teaching of Islam. An excellent collection of the Holy Quran, translation and commentaries by eminent scholars of Islam has been provided for the purpose. Books on comparative religion are also provided for the consultation of the patrons.

Medical Education Section
Medical Education is education related to the practice of being a medical practitioner either the initial training to become a doctor ( i.e., medical school and internship) or additional training thereafter (e.g., residency and fellowship).
The purpose of this section is to provide help to those in the medical field maintain competence and learn about new and developing areas of their field. These activities may take place as live events, written publications, online program, audio video or other electronic media. Contents for these programs is developed, reviewed, and delivered by faculty who are experts in their individual clinical areas. Similar to the process used in academic journals, any potentially conflicting financial relationships for faculty members must be both disclosed and resolved in a meaningful way.