Library Charter for Students in South Central SHA

NHS Library Charter For Students On Placement in NHS South Central*

Your main library for the duration of your course is your University or college library, which
will provide full library services, including loans, inter-library loans, access to course
reading materials and electronic resources, information skills training and use of all
facilities. You will be able to access electronic resources remotely via the University or
college website with the relevant username/password.

You need to register at each NHS library that you use. However, all NHS libraries in
Hampshire, Isle of Wight and South West England use the same ‘SWIMS’ membership
card, so retain your card for the duration of your studies. NHS libraries in Berkshire,
Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire will be joining this scheme over the next 12 months.

As a minimum the NHS libraries in South Central will provide:

• Access during staffed open hours (for the main NHS libraries, this is usually a minimum of 9-5pm on weekdays)
• Loan and reference facilities (books that you borrow must always be returned to the library that lent them)
• Access to library computers (subject to you signing up to the conditions for obtaining a local NHS network password)
• Access to NHS electronic resources (for which you will need an NHS Athens account, the NHS librarians can advise on this)
• Photocopying and printing (for which there may be a charge)
• Basic information about the library services and facilities available (an induction session may be organised for you, but if not, please ask)

The NHS libraries will refer you back to your university or college library for:

• Books and articles that need to be requested from other libraries
• Training in the use of electronic resources
• In depth enquiries; mediated literature searching and current awareness services

NHS libraries are managed by professional librarians and meet national quality standards.
NHS library staff will endeavour to work with university librarians, supervisors and tutors to
ensure that your needs are adequately met.

Local contact information for NHS libraries within NHS South Central can be found at:
www.hlisd.org (select ‘network’ then ‘NHS South Central Health Libraries’).

* NHS South Central covers Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Oxfordshire. The libraries at Southampton General Hospital and the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford are university libraries and different terms and conditions may apply.

Last updated: March 2008