Opening Times
The library is open but unstaffed on Wednesday's 16.30-21.00
The library is currently open for browsing and we have desktop computers and spaces for you to use your laptop available. WiFi is available throughout the College - select Eduroam from the list of available networks.
There is a MEESCAN self issue terminal just inside the library doors so you can issue and check in books when no library staff are present.
Please respect other users by behaving in an appropriate and respectful manner. Please speak to a member of the library team if you think a fellow student is behaving in an inappropriate way.
Mobile phones should be set to 'silent' so that you do not disturb others. Please leave the area if you need to make a call.
Children are welcome, but please ensure that they are supervised at all times.
Please do not eat or drink in the library - this is so that we can maintain a clean and safe environment for you to study in. Bottled water is fine.
Our book collection is on the ground floor. You may borrow up to 15 books at any one time. The loan period is usually 28 days. As well as print books the library service also provides access to a vast collection of eBooks and e-Journals which can be read online or downloaded. Our Library Search covers all of the material held at Orkney College plus all the UHI partner library collections as well as links to e-resources. There is an excellent video guide available to help you with the new Library Search
Books for loan held by other university libraries may be borrowed through the Inter-Site Loan scheme (ISL).
To place a hold on any UHI book that you would like to borrow, please search for the title in the Library Search.
When you find the book that you need, click on the title and a new screen will appear.
On the right of the screen, you will see a green button which says PLACE HOLD. When you click on the hold button choose from the following options:
Orkney College UHI - Click & Collect (Chose if you want the book sent to the college)
OR
Orkney College UHI - Postal Loan (Chose if you want the book sent to your home address. Please add your correct postal address in the box marked " Anything else we need to know about this request?
Even though we have our new Library Search hold service we are continuing with our Click and Collect service and Postal Loan Services.
To make use of these services please check the Library Search for book availability and complete the online form to request books from our collection as well as Inter Site Library loans (ISLs)
If you are a Distance Learning student, please use the Postal Loan Service form to request books from our collection as well as Inter Site Library loans (ISLs)
Distance Learners in the U.K. can return their books using the address label provided. Please email us if you have lost or not received one and we will send you a pdf to print at home.
If you are a Research student / Research Staff, please use this link to request British Library loans https://uhi-uk.libwizard.com/f/ILL
Undergraduates and Masters students - please email your OC tutor with your requests – they will forward your email with “Please go-ahead” to Tracey.Cooper@uhi.ac.uk
Your books will be automatically renewed after the first 4 weeks. You will then receive another automatic 4 week renewal. However, if the book is required by another student, we will recall it from you after the first 4 weeks have elapsed.
For any resources not covered by automatic renewal, you can renew your books online by logging into the my account page of Library Search.
If you have overdues, please contact your local library to renew them instead.
Overdue notifications are sent automatically to your UHI email address once a book is past it's due date. You may also receive other email notifications to notify you that a hold is available to collect or a that a book has been recalled by the library.
If you no longer require a book, please return it as soon as possible to make it available for other people to borrow.
There is a Book Return Box located in the college reception, to your left as you enter the building and there is a wooden return box inside the library which can be used if no library staff are present.
Distance Learners can return books using the Freepost label included with the book. Please email us if you don't have a label and we will send you a printable PDF.
Or post to:
Freepost RUEA-ATGC-GLSZ
Orkney College - Attn. Library
East Road
Kirkwall
Orkney
KW15 1LX