SAM JONAH LIBRARY

• Inter-Library Lending (ILL) Request

An ILL request is only made after it has sufficiently been determined that a book, journal article or any other informational resource is not owned by the Library and can be found in a sister library.

• Procedure for ILL Request

Clients can make ILL request physically by visiting the unit or electronically through the Library’s online platforms (Website, Facebook, Twitter, Email: e-resources@ucc.edu.gh. To make an ILL request, the following information is needed:

• Author’s name
• Complete title of the article
• Complete title of the journal or book (do not use abbreviations)
• Volume and issue numbers
• Date of publication
• Page numbers

• Back-ups

All ILL/DD Request and literature searches performed in a month shall be kept on a sectional hard drive for future references. Documents or files shall be stored in folders indicating the month and year in which the ILL Requests and literature searches were made.

• Service Charges

The Unit charges the following for its services. However, these charges are subject to periodic reviews by the sectional head.

• Selection of E-resources

E-resources licensed or purchased in electronic format should provide greater accessibility to information over other formats at a manageable cost. Other factors in selecting E-resources in electronic format include availability in the market, image and content.

   Content

The extent to which the resource in question either directly or obliquely supports the educational and/or research objectives of the University will be evaluated based on the criteria established in the general collection development policy.

Formats

• • Full text article and/or book databases
  • Full text reference databases
  • Graphics and multimedia
  • Audio and Video
  • Data (e.g. demographic, geographic, financial, statistical)
  • Citation/abstract databases

Access

• • Delivery via the web
  • Authentication by IP address (rather than passwords or logins)
  • Compatibility with Library proxy server and software

User-friendliness

• • Availability of help and/or tutorials
  • Basic and guided/advanced searching
  • Helpful error messages (i.e., an error message indicates specific problem(s) and provides possible alternatives)
  • Ability to print, save, and email results and/or articles

Cost

• • Cost-effectiveness (including the availability and cost of updates and backfiles when appropriate)
  • Ability to sustain cost for the foreseeable future
  • Potential usage and/or uniqueness of information justifies cost

Vendor

• • Provides responsive customer service and technical support
  • Availability and quality of training programmes
  • Reputation and business record
  • Documentation is thorough and clear
  • License agreements that keep the interests of the user in mind, do not impede research, and are enforceable

Technology

• • Allows for local customizations via system administration access for the Library
  • Product is compatible with standard web browsers
  • Usage statistics are readily available in a user-friendly format

• Selection Responsibility

• Primary responsibility for the selection of all electronic materials would rest with the University Librarian.
• For resources that are intended primarily for reference use, the Electronic Resources Librarian will coordinate selection with the Reference Librarian.
• Approval of a particular database would be given on the recommendation by faculty through the E-resources Librarian and approved by the University Librarian.

• Evaluation and De-selection

Evaluation and de-selection will be based on the following criteria:

• Monthly/yearly usage statistics as against cost
• Removal of a journal from an aggregation (database) by publishers
• Changes in access model (i.e. requiring that we pay for the online version of a journal that had previously been available for free with the print subscription).
• Product incompatibility with Library proxy server and software
• Relevance of resources to current institutional needs (i.e. support for instruction and research).