Library Services
MEMBERSHIP:
In general:
Any Royal Hospital employee is eligible for membership of the Library. He/ She is required to fill out a registration form with a recommendation by the respective head of the department. He/ She can utilize the services of the Library once the Membership is issued in the system. Affiliate membership is offered to all Royal Hospital Staff, Residents and Interns posted to the R.H. Others may use the library for reference only, with the permission of the librarian except for those who the library has agreement with their libraries( See the Library Forms Appendix: Membership Form).
Levels of USER'S Served by the Library:
First Level:
(Primary users): Royal Hospital staff. They are given one-year membership which is renewable every year.
Second Level: (Secondary users): Residents and Interns posted to the R.H. They are given a temporary membership, for the period they are posted in the Hospital.
Third Level:
(Tertiary users): SQU & MHI students, other MOH staff and private Hospitals staff; are not given memberships unless there is an ILL agreement between RH library and other library.
Library Resources & Services
We are part of within the broader environment of technology. The Internet has made information more accessible than ever before. It is a boundless sea of knowledge that dispenses information at a click of a button. It is currently the most efficient and cost effective means for disseminating and retrieving information. It has made interaction between individuals and institutions possible, regardless of their geographical location.
Librarians are instrumental in teaching persons to use this new technology effectively and how to evaluate the information they find. Librarians can show users how to search for information, critically evaluate the credibility of the information they find.
INFORMATION SERVICES/ Reference Services:
The Library offers instructions in the use of the Library, locates answers to reference questions, assists patrons in using the catalogue and reference sources, interprets bibliographic citations, offers guidance in literature searching, obtains materials not available in the Library through other channels.
• REFERENCE ASSISTANCE:
The library staffs are available to assist users in locating needed information and materials.
MANUAL LITERATURE SEARCH:
Available tools: Library Catalogue, Bibliographies, Encyclopedias, Guide to Information sources, Indexing and Abstracting Publications like Index Medicus.
ONLINE SEARCHING:
MEDLARS CD-ROM online searching facility is available in the Library going back to 1966. Request for an online search must be submitted on the appropriate form obtainable from the Circulation Desk
INTERLIBRARY LOANS:
Interlibrary loan facility for members prevails among the EMRO and Local biomedical libraries in the Sultanate of Oman, participating members being: Central Medical Library, Royal Hospital, SQU Medical Library, MOH Library, Armed Forces Medical Library, and Health Science Institutes Library. Books or photocopies of articles could be obtained from these libraries by filling out a form available with the librarians.
A limited number of photocopies of articles also could be obtained from other participating libraries in the Gulf Region free of charge.
Selective Dissemination of Information:
The library offers selective dissemination of information services and also offers other services to assist the member with the task of staying current with the literature in their fields. As the database is periodically updated the user profiles are scanned against the new publications being added and persons are notified if any, which match their interest. Two new services had introduced under this service, which are:
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Continuous Medical Education Information Service: |
The CMEI Service offer technical and personal support for all members in finding and making available all medical information and medical articles that the member requests. This service insures that members are offered all the full assistance to keep them up dated about their area of interest. This service also offers available websites for more databases and information |
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Evidence Based Medicine Reference Service: EBMRS: |
Which provide medical staff with the search facility about the topic of interest with similar cases to what they are dealing with from online search. |
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Photocopy Services |
The Library provides copying facilities and network printer. It is a Self-service photocopier and photocopies of library material can be produced at a nominal charge.Photocopy Cards are available for purchase at the staff counter desk. |
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Computer Resources/Internet: |
The Library provides computers Links to electronic resources via the medical websites. They include e.journals, e.Books the catalogue, and many databases in a range of subject areas. |
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Training & Orientation
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The library provides Library orientation to groups or individuals upon request. Instructions in using any of the computerized systems in the library are also available. |
General Collections:
Number of books and current journal subscriptions are held in the Library. The strengths of the Library include Public Health, Health care, Nursing, Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Histopathology, Nutrition and Dietetics, Pharmacology, General Medicine, Genetics, Pathology, Microbiology, Diagnosis, Chemical Diagnosis, Nuclear Medicine, Radiology, Immunology, Cardiology, Hematology, ENT, Respiratory, Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Dermatology, Urology, Nephrology, Neurology, Communicable Diseases, Aids, Tumors, Oncology, Surgery, Orthopedics, Dentistry, Ophthalmology, Anesthesia, Obstetrics, Gynecology, Midwifery, Pediatrics, Geriatrics, and Management.
Shelving:
The Library follows the open stock pattern, allowing free and direct access to its resources.
Books:
Reference and circulating books are shelved on the right side of the stock area, and arranged according to Dewey classification numbers. WHO repository also is housed at the end.
Periodicals:
Periodicals are shelved on the left side of the stock area, arranged alphabetically. Oman Collection also is shelved at the end.
Note Boards:
A display area is available in the entrance to the Library. Displays and exhibitions are used to promote Library and Hospital activities as well as displays on topical health issues
Multimedia:
Video Tapes: Educational, Lectures and MRCP Tapes are available.
Displays:
Latest Stock acquired is displayed in the new display Books shelves for three weeks.
Circulation:
During opening hours all items can be returned at the loans desk.
Circulation Information & Policy:
Number of Items, which can be with a member at a time:
Up to 3 books
Up to two Journals
Up to two CDs & Video cassettes
Loan period:
Books:
Books from the General collection are circulated for a three-week period. Reference books (mcqs, booklets, and Highly demanded books) and newly arrived books are circulated for Overnight or Over Weekends.
Audio- visual materials (CDs and videotapes) :
Original CD's: Not allowed to be checked out. Video Tapes & CD's Copies: For two days.
Journals :
Latest issues of the Journals are kept on the display shelves are circulated Overnight or Over Weekends. Back issues of the Journals are circulated for one week.
Bound volumes are not circulated.
Dictionaries and Ministry of Health and WHO releases. Not allowed to be checked out.
Overdue:
A book, which is checked out of the library, is due on the date stamped in the book. Members are responsible for returning books on time.If the item is not returned on its due date the following will be done:
1. The user will be informed by phone once in the first week.
2. If the item not returned, a reminder letter will be sent to the user through his/her department after the third week.
3. If no reply, another letter will be sent through the DG.
4. If no reply, total price of the item +shipping price will be detected from his/her salary through the finance.
Note:
* Membership of those who frequently delay in returning borrowed items
Fine rate for Overdue resources:
1st week: 100Baizas per day.
2nd week: 200Baizas per day.
3rd week: 400Baizas per day.
Over three weeks: 800Baizas per day.
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Renewals:
Borrowed items may be renewed by telephone or in person if it is not overdue or in hold. |
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Books |
allowed to be renewed three times. |
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Reference books and newly arrived books |
Not allowed to be renewed |
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Journals |
. old issues can be renewed only once
. Latest issues not allowed to be renewed. |
Note:
Renewing is only allowed if the item is not reserved. |
Hold and Recalls:
If a member wants a book that is checked out to someone else, the member may place a hold on the book
By filling reservation form,
Also the Library may recall any item, after being checked out for at least seven days, if needed by another member. When returned, the other borrower may check it out and retain for seven days, after which the original borrower may re-check it.
Lost, Damaged or Mutilated Material:
Books or other materials lost; damaged or mutilated is the responsibility of the borrower. The full cost involved in replacement should be borne by the borrower and processing fee after time is allowed for searching for the item.
CLEARANCE:
The Ministry of Health regulations require all staff to obtain a library clearance before going on leave or at termination. The Library will not endorse a clearance form unless all borrowed materials are returned and all charges are paid if any.
Library Catalogue:
The Computer Catalogue.
Dewy Decimal Classification. In the process of shifting to NLM Classification.
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