Calvin McKain Library
Mission Statement
Aims and Objectives
History
The library was established at the inception of the University of Technology , Jamaica
in 1958 and has always been an integral part of the Institution.
For the first twelve years of its existence, the library was able to accommodate 15 persons and was managed by a Clerical Assistant. In 1970, under the first World Bank Programme, the library was relocated to new facilities on the Administrative Block. This provided office accommodation for a librarian, a reading room with seating for 100 clients and a small workroom for staff.
The present two-storey building was constructed in 1984 under the Government of Jamaica/World Bank 111 Loan Programme. It was officially opened in 1986 by The Governor General, His Excellency, The Most Honourable Sir Florizel Glasspole, O.N., G.C.M.G., G.C.V.O., C.D. and was named the Calvin McKain Library in honour of the institution’s first Jamaican Vice Principal.
Further expansion took place in 2000 with the addition of a Caribbean Collection and Reading Room. Additional space was created for a graphics artist lab and a new cyber-lab with 28 work-stations. In 2007 an additional reading room was added; it was named the 24 hour reading room.
In addition to the main library, the University community is served through five service points. In 2001, the library assumed responsibility for the Slipe Pen Road campus library and the Caribbean School of Architecture Documentation Service. In 2002, the Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences devolved the management of the Drug Information Services to the library. The following year, the Urban and Regional Planning Division’s collection was merged with CSA and the unit was renamed the Faculty of the Built Environment Reference Library. Montego Bay is now serviced by two service points, one for the School of Nursing at the Barnett Clinic and the other at Kent Avenue which houses material for School of Business Administration (SOBA) and the Faculty of Law.
From small beginnings, in modest accommodation, the library has grown to a self contained building housing five reading rooms seating 600 clients, an audio visual centre, an archive, seminar rooms and in addition has five service points.
Opening Hours
Main Library
24-Hour Reading Room
Archives
Cyber Lab
Instructional Media Services Division
Faculty of the Built Environment Documentation Unit
Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences
Drug Information Service Unit
Slipe Pen Road Campus
(Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences)
College of Oral Health Sciences
(Arthur Wint Campus)
Rules & Regulations
- The Library service is available to faculty, staff and students of the University.
- To enter, clients must show a valid UTech identification to the security guard on duty. In the absence of a valid ID, a letter signed by the Dean, Head of School or Head of Department along with some other form of identification that has a photograph may be used.
- Other Clients such as Alumina students must show acceptable photo identification before entering the Library.
- A bell is sounded half an hour and fifteen minutes before closing time. All loans must be completed before the second bell. Clients must leave the Library at the third bell.
- Clients are responsible for materials on loan to them and must pay for any loss or damage.
- Books must be returned on or before the last date stamped on the date label. Failure to comply will result in fines being levied. (Clients who are consistently late with returning books may be deprived of borrowing privileges).
- Clients will not be allowed to leave the Library with overdue books.
- Bags, briefcases, pencil cases, pouches and handbags, small or large, are NOT allowed inside the library. They may be left in the bag check area provided at the library’s entrance. Items are left at the client’s own risk. LOCKERS are available (at a cost) to students who do not wish to leave their items in the bag check area.
- No firearms, knives, or other weapons are allowed inside the Library.
- Clients must conduct themselves in an orderly manner and must be as quiet as possible so that other clients can work without distraction.
- Smoking, eating and drinking are not allowed anywhere inside the Library. Therefore no food or drink of any kind should be taken inside.
- When leaving the Library, clients are required to show all books in their possession to the security.
- Clients are Not Allowed to re-arrange the furniture in the Library. Chairs and tables must be left where they are placed by the staff.
- Waste paper, pencil shavings and other trash, should be placed in the waste paper baskets provided. They should not be left on tables/carrels or thrown on the floors.
FAQs
The following is a series of frequently asked questions by persons interested in using Calvin McKain Library at the University of Technology , Jamaica . If the answers to your questions are not found here, please email us at library@utech.edu.jm
How can I learn to use the library?
The Library offers structured orientation programmes at the beginning of each academic year designed to assist students to use the library’s resources. These sessions include a tour of the library facilities, introduction to the catalogues (online and card) and an overview of the resources and services available. Please contact Mrs Richele Harvey for further information at rharvey@utech.edu.jm.
How do I find books on the shelves?
Use the catalogue – whether online or card. You may search by author, title or subject. An Important feature to note on the catalogue entry is the: Call Number – which indicates the book’s location, e.g.? HF5415.13.K5.
What do I need to check out Library material?
You need a valid student, faculty or staff UTech ID card to borrow materials from the library. General Lending materials may be borrowed for 2 weeks and can be extended for an additional 2 weeks unless already reserved by another user. Short-term loans may be borrowed for 2 days and are not renewable.
How much is the fine for overdue material and Reserves?
Fines are applied according to the loan type. Items loaned for two weeks (14) days attract a fine of $10.00 per day. Short-term loans (2 days) attract a fine of $20.00 per day.
What if I need a book/information and the library does
not have it?
not have it?
The Library has an Inter-library loan facility through which we can borrow books from other libraries. Likewise there is also a document delivery service, which allows us to acquire journal articles and other documents for our clients.When necessary we will request permission from other libraries for our clients to use their facilities.Interlibrary loan request forms are available on the OPAC – select “I need material”.
How do I request an item that is on loan to another user?
You can request an item that is on loan by placing a hold on that item through the OPAC. You will be advised when the item becomes available and be given a time to collect it from the Client Services Desk.
Can I get documents scanned and photocopied in the Library?
Documents are scanned in the Cyberlab at a cost of $40.00 per page Photocopying is at a cost of $5.00 per page (Black and White Only). Scanning and photocopying of final year projects and thesis is not permitted.
NB. Scanning & photocopying are guided by the Copyright Act.
Does the Library have computers for word processing?
The Library has computers, which are available for database searching as well as word processing. PCs are available for use in the Cyberlab, the Caribbean Reading Room, Reading Room II and the Faculty Reading Room
Does the Library provide assistance with database searching?
Interlibrary loan request forms are available on the OPAC – select “I need material”. Structured sessions are organized for database searching. Individual and group sessions are available throughout the year on request. Please contact Mrs. Richele Harvey for further information at rharvey@utech.edu.jm.
Can I access databases from home?
Yes, if you are a registered UTech student, faculty or staff you can access some databases from home. If you have internet access, you will need a user name and password. Please contact the Library to obtain this.
Why do I need a user ID and PIN number?
All members of the University Community must have a User ID and PIN to log onto the OPAC to perform certain transactions. These include:
- Checking your library account
- Requesting holds
- Requesting information
- Searching the databases.
How do I get a PIN?
User ID’s and PINs are generated by the Library system when a new user record is created. You are given the option to change the PIN once you have received it. Simply log on to CALCAT, Select My Account and select User Change PIN.
I have forgotten my PIN, how do I get a new one?
You can visit the library and request that your Pin be reset.
I am a graduate of the university; can I use the Library facilities?
Graduates who are members of the Alumni Association can use the library facilities at no cost. Read Only Privilege applies.
I am not affiliated to UTech, can I use the library facilities?
Persons who are not members of the University community may apply for special client privileges. You must state clearly the desired period of use and purpose. Approval may be granted by the University Librarian subject to space and other constraint. Special Clients are required to pay a fee.NB – Special Clients are not allowed to borrow materials to take outside of the library. Read Only Privileges applies.
Can I bring my laptop to the library and connect to the Internet?
You are allowed to use your laptop in the library, however students can only access the internet through the school’s wireless connection, as no ports are provided for internet connection.
How do I find out what the library has in its collection?
The best way to find the materials in the library is to use CALCAT, the library online catalogue that is part of the website. You can use CALCAT to find books by author, title, subject headings, and keyword. Workshops will be conducted on how to use CALCAT. You can also learn more about using CALCAT by using its online help screens or by asking library staff for help.
How do I find a journal article or magazine on a specific topic?
To identify articles written about your topic, you will need to use the journal, and newspaper databases that are available through the Knowledge Portal on CALCAT (https://library.utechjamaica.edu.jm). You can ask a librarian to help you select which database to use.
Do libraries have anything besides books and journals?
Calvin McKain Library has information in other formats such as microforms, CD-ROMs, slides, maps, DVDs, and audio and videocassettes. If you have difficulty finding these materials in CALCAT, the library catalogue, be sure to ask the library staff for help.
Can I bring my laptop to the library and connect it to the Internet?
You are allowed to use your laptop in the library, however no ports are provided for internet connection. The university is currently installing the infrastructure to facilitate wireless connectivity. You will be advised when this becomes available.
Divisions
Overview
This division was established to centralize all information systems related matters in the library and to deal with special projects that the library undertakes to expand its services to meet the demands of a dynamic community. The division consists of the Cyberlab and the following satellite units:
- Drug Information Service(College of Health Sciences)
- Faculty of the Built Environment Resource library
- School of Public Health library(Slipe Pen Road Campus)
- Western Campus(Kent Avenue)
- School of Nursing Library(Barnett Street Montego Bay)
Activities:
- Coordination of orientation programmes offered to first year students and new staff
- Teaching of the literature searching component of the Research Methodology module offered to third year students
- Coordination of library related exhibitions
Participation in Fieldwork attachment programmes, to provide work experience and professional exposure for students pursuing studies in Library and Information Management.
Facilities
- A Multi Purpose Room
- Cyber Lab with access to the internet and other electronic resources available through the library
Overview
Instructional Media Services (IMS) provides a range of media related services and resources to the entire University community. Whether it be through access to non-print materials, event coverage, or graphics production, IMS plays a key role in the informational/instructional system of the institution.
Its client base includes students, lecturers, academic and administrative units, campus associations and clubs. Graphic, photographic and videographic services are also provided to external clients, particularly in the educational and business sectors.
Facilities
- Audio-Visual Theatre
- Editing Lab
- Audio-Video Studio
- Graphics Lab
- Media Archives
Materials
- Multi-disciplinary videotape and CD/DVD collection.
- Specialized Video Art and Architecture Collection (VAP:AA)
- Digital photo archive
- Graphics archive
Services
- Audio-Visual Theatre
- Editing Lab
- Audio-Video Studio
- Graphics Lab
- Media Archives
CALCAT Catalogue
Calvin McKain Library Catalogue (CALCAT) gives open access to resources that provides relevant and current information
- Encyclopedias
- Dictionaries
- EBooks
- Database Access
