The Merging of Two Library Engines

Pause for a moment and imagine a library that does not offer the borrowing of books…

Would that even be considered a library?

The library clients would probably protest, demanding that they be allowed to borrow books. After all, what is teaching and learning if there is no access to reading and borrowing books? Having a library where you aren’t allowed to borrow books is like having a car that you aren’t allowed to drive.

The Access and Lending Unit is responsible for the borrowing of books to clients, amongst their various other responsibilities. The unit is also responsible for answering all the funny, difficult and weird but wonderful questions from our clients relating to the library and the University as a whole.

Whenever clients request books that we do not have, we refer these requests to The Inter-Library Loans Unit so that they can request the books from our sister universities and libraries, sometimes even international universities. What could be better than merging these two library engines (The Access and Lending Unit and The Inter-Library Loans Unit) to enhance collaboration and smooth the flow of services?

From 1 June 2023, the two teams will be working as one team known as the Access and Lending Unit. Lending will offer the following services: ILL, book issuing and receiving, GV, external users, Chelsa, day visitors and many more.

Look out for more details in the next newsletter about this exciting merger.