The issue we had with accessing ProQuest e-books has now been resolved. If you are still having difficulties please let us know.
Author: Majella O’Neill
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May Day Holiday Closure
All libraries will be closed on Monday 7th May for the May Day holiday, reopening as normal on Tuesday 8th May.
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2017 Satisfaction Survey Results
Many thanks to all of our users who responded to the 2017 Satisfaction Survey. We value your feedback and comments. It is refreshing to hear what we are getting right and important to hear what we are not doing so well. As with previous surveys, comments, as detailed below, about the service are overwhelming positive, with some staff members named as being particularly helpful and friendly.
- As a new user, I was very impressed by standard of library services, and the staff were extremely helpful with any queries.
- The library service at Queen’s is fantastic, I have also used the facilities at Jordanstown and those at Queens are far superior with a greater range of items, more professional learning environment and more knowledgeable staff with regards to queries and alternative options when items are not available.
- Frequent user at Fern House library at Antrim hospital site and very pleased with all aspects of the service provided.
- I’ve always found the Library staff extremely helpful and find it a pleasure to visit the library.
- I have had nothing but a positive experience in the QUB library, in particular the medical library staff. Really helpful and willing to give their time. Great service.
- A fantastic service that is making my studies and research that little bit easier. Thank you
We would also like to take the opportunity to respond to the less positive comments, which can be grouped into the following themes:
Location and access to the Medical and HSC Library, including car parking
The Medical and HSC Library is located in the Mulhouse Building on the Royal Victoria Hospital site. It is accessible on foot, by car or by using the free shuttle bus running between the Belfast City Hospital site and the Royal Victoria Hospital site. Use of the car parks and the cost of car parking is controlled by the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and is outside of the Library’s control.
Study Environment, Medical and HSC Library
Significant investment has been made in order to improve the study environment in the Medical and HSC Library. Additional plug points were installed in the Fry Room last summer, and we are currently looking at installing further plug points across the Medical Library.
Unfortunately, there are no soundproof cubicles in the Library; although group study rooms can be booked for skype calls if required. It should be noted that these rooms are not completely soundproof either.
Study Environment, HSC Library Craigavon
The staff in HSC Library Craigavon have reported the broken window catch in the additional study room but unfortunately, this cannot be repaired at present.
The blankets have been removed from the additional study room as sleeping is not permitted in the library rooms. However, it is difficult to monitor this out of library opening hours.
Print Resources, Medical and HSC Library
The Library endeavours to have required reading material in the most appropriate library. Material in the areas of medicine, dentistry and nursing should be available in the Medical Library however, we do depend on the course tutors letting us know what the required texts are. If material is not available, please contact your subject librarian with the details of the books you require.
Online Resources and Search Facility, Medical and HSC Library
The Library is currently reviewing the search facility. A new website and search facility is planned as part of our exciting rebrand, and both will be available soon.
There are a range of databases available on the HSC Library website, which enable you to search effectively for scientific papers. These databases link directly to the full text of the articles if available through the HSC Library.
Journals available on the QUB library website are a result of paid subscriptions with publishers, which state that online access to the journals is only for authorized users and these authorized users are only QUB staff and students. In other words, only these users can access the online journals available through the QUB Library website. It is not possible under the legal obligations of these licences to enable other groups to directly access these online resources. The resources and journals through the HSC Library website are negotiated and paid for separately from QUB.
Online tutorials are available on key aspects of using the HSC Library website. These are available via the profession specific links on the Library homepage eg http://libguides.qub.ac.uk/c.php?g=485942&p=3877029 . Training sessions are also provided.
For further advice on the best search tools for you, how to use these search tools or information about the online resources, please contact your subject librarian who will be happy to help.
Opening Hours, Medical and HSC Library
The Medical and HSC Library carried out a survey in April 2017 asking for feedback from users about the opening hours. Changes were made to the hours because of feedback and comments received.
Opening hours in the HSC Libraries, e.g. HSC Library Antrim are subject to change due to daily circumstances and holiday periods. The HSC Library website recommends that users contact the HSC Library branch before visiting.
While the Medical and HSC Library cannot comment on the opening hours of other QUB Library branches, we are keen to receive feedback or comments, and will endeavour to pass these on to other relevant parties.
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Opening Hours over Easter Vacation period
The Medical Library and Biomedical Library are closed for Easter from Friday 30th March until Tuesday 3rd April inclusive.
Both libraries will reopen on Wednesday 4th April at 8.30 am as normal.
Please contact your nearest HSC Library for details of their opening hours over the Easter vacation.
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St Patrick’s Holiday Closure
All libraries will be closed on Monday 19th March for St. Patrick’s Day, reopening as normal on Tuesday 20th March.
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RCN Journals Bundle
RCN journals bundle
We are pleased to announce that this is now available for another year.
- Nursing Standard
- Cancer Nursing Practice
- Emergency Nurse
- Learning Disability Practice
- Mental Health Practice
- Nurse Researcher
- Nursing Children and Young People
- Nursing Management
- Nursing Older People
- Primary Health Care
To access this resource simply type the title of journal in the honni Search box or in honni E-Publications.
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HSC Library resources downtime 12 March 2018
UPDATE
Access to e-resources has now been restored.
Please contact MedicalLibrary@qub.ac.uk if you notice any further problems.
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Christmas Opening Hours – Medical, Biomedical and HSC Libraries
The opening hours over the Christmas period for all our branches can be found below.
Click the image to view a larger version.
Happy Christmas!
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Medical and HSC Library Opening Hours Survey – You Said, We Did
Thank you to everyone who responded to the Medical and HSC Library Opening Hours Survey 2017. The survey ran from 25 April to 19 May and its focus was to gauge opinion about the opening hours and whether they met the needs of our users. The survey attracted a response rate of 5.7%. Comments and feedback received have been analysed by library staff and we have identified some areas where we thought it would be useful to respond:
Access to The McClay Library
HSC members of the Medical and HSC Library are entitled to use The McClay Library and the Biomedical Library. In order to gain access, you must have your library smartcard with you, scanning this at sentry on the way into the Library. If for some reason your card doesn’t read, please contact a member of Medical and HSC Library staff for assistance.
Access to UpToDate
UpToDate is not currently available via the HSC Library. HSC staff in the Northern, Western, Southern and South Eastern Trusts can access UpToDate via their Trust intranets. UpToDate is not available to Belfast Trust staff. The HSC Library subscribes to ClinicalKey which features a ‘First Consult’ point-of-care component. For information on accessing First Consult, please contact your Specialist Librarian.
Car Parking
The Medical and HSC Library is located in the Mulhouse Building on the Royal Victoria Hospital site. It is accessible on foot, by car or by using the free shuttle bus running between the Belfast City Hospital site and the Royal Victoria Hospital site. Use of the car parks, and the cost of car parking is controlled by Car Parking Services on the Royal Victoria Hospital site and is outside of the Library’s control.
Varying Opening Hours
As a QUB Library, the Medical and HSC Library adopts term-time and vacation opening hours. However, we recognise that the changing opening hours can be confusing for users to keep track of, and as part of this exercise, we aim to make our opening hours more streamlined.
Using Trust logins in the Medical and HSC Library
As Hospital Trusts process and transmit personal and confidential patient data and commercially sensitive information, access to their networks must be strictly controlled and they are not able to facilitate Trust Logins from the Medical and HSC Library site.
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NIMDTA said, the HSC Library did
NIMDTA (Northern Ireland Medical & Dental Training Agency) trainees recently participated in a focus group, during which they were asked about their awareness of, and engagement with, services available from the HSC Library.
Lots of interesting comments were made by the trainees during the focus group. Below are a selection of them, along with what the HSC Library has done in response to them.
1. Joining the HSC Library
NIMDTA said: “The HSC Library application forms are not easy to access… It would be easier to have an ‘opt out’ membership system.”
HSC Library did: We are working to introduce an on-line registration form so that filling in a paper membership form will no longer be necessary. Also, from August 2017, all new NIMDTA trainees will be signed up automatically as members of the HSC Library, with the ability to opt out if they so wish.
2. Facilities on offer
NIMDTA said: “Awareness of the other facilities on offer might [motivate me to join the HSC Library].”
HSC Library did: We have produced an on-line guide for NIMDTA trainees, introducing them to the different branches of the HSC Library, and to the range of facilities that are on offer besides traditional books and journals. The guide is viewable at: http://libguides.qub.ac.uk/honni/nimdta
NIMDTA have included information in this guide in new leaflets that they have prepared, outlining educational facilities in each Trust, such as simulation facilities, computer access and meeting rooms.
3. Opening hours
NIMDTA said: “Could opening hours [be] extended and [could the Library be open at] weekends for exam preparation?”
HSC Library did: We are reviewing our opening hours, and will be surveying our users to gauge the demand for extended opening.
We are also working to raise awareness of the evening and Saturday opening currently provided by some branches of the HSC Library, and of the extended opening hours of QUB’s main McClay Library (which NIMDTA trainees and other HSC staff can use once they join the HSC Library)
4. Training
NIMDTA said: “[Trainees] might benefit from training in how to get the most from the Library.”
HSC Library said: We offer one-to-one and bookable group training sessions on using various HSC Library resources. Email Richard Fallis: r.fallis@qub.ac.uk
Regular introductory and database training sessions are run in the HSC Library and various Trusts. View upcoming training sessions at: http://www.honni.qub.ac.uk/ServicesforHSCStaff/TrainingSupport/#UpcomingTraining
We are liaising with NIMDTA to increase the number of group training sessions that we offer specifically to NIMDTA trainees.
5. Library log-in
NIMDTA said: “Is it possible for my on-line Library log-in to be the same as my Trust log-in?”
HSC Library did: Unfortunately, this is not possible, because the authentication (i.e. log-in) system used by the HSC Library is different from the one used by the Trusts. However, we aim to make it as easy as possible for you to recover your HSC Library log-in details if you forget them.
If you have forgotten your HSC Library number, simply email medicallibrary@qub.ac.uk for a reminder.
If you have forgotten your HSC Library password, go to www.honni.qub.ac.uk, click Password Self-Service and follow the instructions.
6. Point-of-care tool
NIMDTA said: “A point-of-care tool like UpToDate is really important. Is one available via the HSC Library?”
HSC Library did: No dedicated point-of-care tool is available via the HSC Library.
The Library does offer access to ClinicalKey, which includes ‘First Consult’ point-of-care summaries. You can access this by going to www.honni.qub.ac.uk > Databases A-Z > C > ClinicalKey.
A tendering process is ongoing, the outcome of which will hopefully be the delivery of a point-of-care tool via the HSC Library across all Trusts.
Meanwhile, some Trusts have subscribed to UpToDate (enquire locally for information), and the HSC Library is about to embark on a trial of various point-of-care tools for evaluation purposes. So watch this space!
