1. Who can use Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) Library?
   
   
2. Is the FHS library open for the public/outsiders?
   
   
3. I am an AKU Alumni, can I use the FHS library?
   
   
4. How can I find out the available literature from the FHS library?
   
   
5. Does the FHS library have an Inter Library Loan Service?
   
   
6. Could I borrow a thesis or dissertation?
   
   
7. May I bring food or drink into the library?
   
   
8. Can we access online journals subscribed by AKU library from home or outside the AKU campus?
   
   
9. Do I have to come to the library in person to renew already issued books?
   
   
10. Do you charge fine on overdue books for off days or public holidays?
    
    
11. Can I make photocopies of the literature which does not belong to the library?
    
    
12. Can we have access to the librarian or senior staff of the library to meet and discuss the library issues?
    
    
13. How do I send gift or donate book or journal for inclusion in library collection?
    
    
14. How do I get a library membership card?
    
    
15. I have lost my library membership card, what should I do?
    
    
16. My bag has been stolen from outside the library, is the library responsible for this incident?
    
    
17. May I bring and use my lap top in the library?
    
    
18. May I use the library phone?

Q1. Who can use Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) Library?

A. The Library may be used for reference by faculty and students of Aga Khan University (AKU) and staff of Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH).

Q2. Is the FHS library open for the public/outsiders?

A. No, the FHS library is not open for the public. However, a limited number of non-AKU health science professionals, postgraduate students, physicians, nurses and other research scholars may be granted library guest membership for limited period. Such applicants are required to:

Bring a reference letter from their institutional heads or academic advisors;

• Pay a registration fee of PKR100/-
• An annual fee of PKR 4,000/-.
• For Three Months fee of PKR 1,100/-
• For a Month fee PKR 500/-

They are however not allowed to check-out any library material. They may request photocopies from books and periodicals for which they will be charged PKR 2/- per page.

Pharmaceutical companies, medical institutions and hospitals may also apply for corporate membership of the library at a fee of PKR 25,000/- per annum. In addition to the membership fee they will have to pay for services such as database search (PKR 350/- per topic), internet search (PKR 50/- per hour), photocopying from books and periodicals (PKR 10/- per page).

Q3. I am an AKU Alumni, can I use the FHS library?

A. AKU Alumni can use the library for reference and browsing; but can not borrow any library material. Alumni need to get endorsement on the membership card from the alumni office.

Q4. How can I find out the available literature from the FHS library?

A. Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) can be browsed. Periodicals are arranged according to the alphabetical order with color Coding, but they are not issued. Only issue-able books can be borrowed according to the Library circulation policy. Books are placed according to the Classification scheme of National Library of Medicine (NLM) on the shelves.

Q5. Does the FHS library have an Inter Library Loan Service?

A. The Library has an inter-library lending cooperation with many local libraries, such as Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan, Karachi University etc , through which materials may be borrowed on request for faculty and researchers from these institutions and vice-versa. In addition international arrangements allow the library to request photocopies of articles etc. from British Library Lending Division (BLLD), Arabian Gulf Cooperation Council (AGCC) and other institutions. These arrangements supplement and complement the services available through online linkage such as WHO/EMRO's document delivery facility provided through some online databases and full text and also through Digital Library of HEC. There is a prescribed form which is available from the Library and it may be downloaded from the Intranet.

Q6. Could I borrow a thesis or dissertation?

A. Thesis or dissertation may not be issued. However user can use theses for reference, and can make photocopy of limited pages.

Q7. May I bring food or drink into the library?

A. No. Eating and drinking are strictly not allowed in the library premises. Sleeping, smoking and playing games are also not allowed.

Q8. Can we access online journals subscribed by AKU library from home or outside the AKU campus?

A. No. The online journals subscribed by AKU library, can only be accessed within the campus.

Q9. Do I have to come to the library in person to renew already issued books?

A. Borrower has to visit library in person to renew the issued books. Faculty can request one time by email for an issued book to be renewed within the due date, if not reserved by any other member.

Q10. Do you charge fine on overdue books for off days or public holidays?

A. On declared public holidays or notified close days of the library, the fine on overdue books will not be charged.

Q11. Can I make photocopies of the literature which does not belong to the library?

A. Only library material under the copyright rules may be photocopied from the library photocopy machines. There are photocopiers available in Bookshop and other locations for your purpose.

Q12. Can we have access to the librarian or senior staff of the library to meet and discuss the library issues?

A.Library users can contact and meet with librarian and other library senior persons any time, the contact extension numbers are as follows:

Q13. How do I send gift or donate book or journal for inclusion in library collection?

A. Before donating the literature, please send a list of material with complete information i.e. title, author, publisher and date of publication, which you want to donate to FHS library along with a covering letter mentioning complete name and address of the donor. The library will evaluate the literature according to the need and relevance; then library will inform you about the status. Library encourages donations of latest editions of textbooks.

Q14. How do I get a library membership card?

A. Library membership card for students: Throughout the academic year student cards are issued at Jivraj Section Counter during 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, to register students of FHS. Students should bring:

• Their college registration cards;
• Recent photograph;
• Duly filled in library membership form which is available at Jivraj Section

Library membership card for Faculty: Faculty cards are issued at Jivraj Section during 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM every working day. Faculty members should bring his/her:

• Employee card;
• Recent Photograph;
• Duly filled in library membership form; which is available at Jivraj Section.
  
  Library membership card for general staff: Non-student, non-faculty staff of AKU may also apply for library membership card in person at the Jivraj Library between 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM by submitting:

• A duly filled in application form;
• A recent photograph;
• A copy of their staff ID card.

Q15. I have lost my library membership card, what should I do?

A. The library provides the facility of duplicate membership card. The application form may be taken from Book Counter for PKR 25/- . Duplicate card will be issued after two working days from the date of submitting application. This time is permitted for you to find your old misplaced card.

Q16. My bag has been stolen from outside the library, is the library responsible for this incident?

A. The library is not responsible for personal belongings left/theft in the library or outside the library. You must take care of your own valuables.

Q17. May I bring and use my lap top in the library?

A. Yes, the library allows and provides the facility of laptop use in the reading cubicles; power supply and internet connection are available for users.

Q18. May I use the library phone?

A. No, the FHS library does not provide the telephone facility for library users. It was provided outside the library for a while but since cell phones became common there is very little or no need. However, cell phones must be used outside the library.

Revised June 5, 2007