About Library

Plateau State University Library

PREAMBLE

"A library is a collection of resources in a variety of formats that is organized by information professionals or other experts who provide convenient physical, digital, bibliographic, or intellectual access and offer targeted services and programmes with the mission of educating, informing, or entertaining a variety of audiences and the goal of stimulating individual learning and advancing society as a whole." Modern libraries are increasingly being redefined as places to get unrestricted access to information in many formats and from many sources. In addition to providing materials, they also provide the services of specialists, librarians, who are experts at finding and organizing information and at interpreting information needs. More recently, libraries are understood as extending beyond the physical walls of a building, by including material accessible by electronic means and by providing the assistance of librarians in navigating and analyzing tremendous amounts of knowledge with a variety of digital tools. Academic libraries are therefore, designed to take care of the information needs of the academic community of its parent institution


PLATEAU STATE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY VISION AND MISSION

The importance of a library is usually entrenched in its vision and mission which is aligned to that of the institution it serves. Therefore, the PLASU library vision and mission are aligned to the vision and mission, and overall strategic thrusts of the University. Hence, the mission of PLASU library is to provide efficient and effective customer driven, innovative library and information services in support of teaching, learning, research and community engagement.


BRIEF INTRODUCTION OF PLATEAU STATE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

Plateau State University Library Bokkos was established in 2005. It started as a small library occupying six rooms on the 2nd floor in an arm of the Faculty of Science building. In November 2016, movements of the library materials from the old into a gigantic and ultra-modern new library building adjacent to Faculty of Management Sciences building began. The phase 1 of the library new building was commissioned on 2nd February, 2017. It has a total holding of over 32,000 volumes of books and 283 current periodical titles with a seating capacity of 992 readers. When completed, the new library building shall sit about 1,850 readers; and accommodate about 750,000 volumes of books and bound periodicals. The library serves the academic communities in the faculties of Arts, Social Sciences, Management Sciences and the Natural and Applied Sciences.

 

Opening and Closing

The Library shall be accessible in the specified periods during weekdays and weekends. It shall be closed during public holidays (e.g. Independent day).

 

Monday to Friday: 8:00am - 6:00pm

Saturday: 8:00am - 4:00pm

Closed on Public Holidays

Warning for closure shall be given 15 minutes before the closing time. Users shall cooperate with library staff and leave promptly at closing times.

 

PLATEAU STATE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY BUILDING

The library structure is a two story building with three floors:

  1. First or Down Floor

This floor contains the following sections:

  1. Reception

This section is the first point of call immediately one enters the library. It contains a big television set and well-arranged chairs. It also contains well-arranged boxes with padlocks, where library patrons can keep their bags and other personal belongings not permitted into the library for safe-keep before entering the library.

  1. Circulation Section

The Circulation section is the next section located in the first floor of the library building. All the transactions concerning the registration of new library users, borrowing and returning of library resources are done in this section.

  1. Cataloguing and Classification Section

The cataloguing and classification section of the library is also sighted in this floor. The section is usually involved in the processing (Cataloguing and Classification) of library resources before the items are displayed on the appropriate selves for consultations.

  1. Documents Section

The documents section is also located in the first floor of the library structure. The section houses students’ past projects, past newspapers and other important documents or publications emanating from various Governments in Nigeria.

  1. Bindery Section

This section is also located the first floor of the library. It is responsible in fixing or mending and binding of library books and students’ projects

  1. Faculty of Arts Library

The faculty of Arts library is located in the first floor of the library building. It contains the faculty’s’ collection and Arts librarian’s office.

 

  1. Second or Middle Floor

This floor contains the following sections:

  1. Reprography/Photocopy Section

The reprography section is located on the second floor. It is responsible for photocopying services in library

  1. Serials Section

This section is located in the second floor of the library building. It handles all issues concerning serial resources in the library. Examples of serial resources include but not limited to the ones mentioned: Journals, Newspapers, Magazines, etc. Note that Acquisition unit is embedded in this section.

  1. Reference Section

The reference section is also sighted in the middle floor of the library structure. This section houses references sources like: Subject Dictionaries, Encyclopaedias, Year Books, Almanacs, etc.

  1. Staff/Postgraduate Reading Room

The staff/postgraduate reading room is located in the second floor of the library building. It has a seating capacity for Fifty (50) users.

  1. Faculty of Natural/Applied Sciences Library

The faculty of Natural/Applied Sciences library is located in the second floor of the library building. It contains the faculty’s collection and Natural/Applied Sciences librarian’s office.

  1. Staff Offices

Some staff offices are also located in the second floor of the library building. Notable among them is the office of the Deputy University Librarian.

  1. Third or Last Floor

This floor contains the following sections:

  1. Electronic Library (E-Library)

The E-Library is located in the last floor of the library building. The E-Library contains over two hundred and fifty (250) computer workstations. All the systems are fully connected to the Internet. Databases such as Ebsco-host and Elsevier Science Direct are also accessible in the E-Library. Note that Systems Unit is part of the E-Library.

  1. Library Seminar Hall

The Library’s seminar hall is situated in the last floor of the library’s building. It has a seating capacity of two hundred and fifty users.

  1. University Librarian’s Office

The University’s Librarian office is also sighted in the last floor of the library’s building. The office of the Library Admin Officer and the Secretary to the University Librarian are all attached to the University Librarian’s Office. The University Librarian is the Head of the Library and also a Principal Officer of the University.

  1. Faculty of Social and Management Sciences Library

The Faculty of Social/Management Sciences Library is situated in the last floor of the library’s building. It contains the faculty’s collection and its librarian’s office.

NOTE: All enquiries concerning library registration, borrowing and returning of Library resources should be done at the Circulation Section.

ORGANISATION OF PLATEAU STATE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

Plateau State University Library like many other Nigerian University libraries has five (5) traditionally functional Units:

  1. Administration

  2. Acquisitions

  3. Technical processing

  4. Serials and documents

  5. Readers services

All emphasizing the processes through which materials pass.

However, from 2001 session, in other to achieve the library goals more effectively, a drastic change was made to organize the library along Faculty division lines. These goals are to:

  1. Ensure a high degree of relevance of its collection to the needs of the university community;

  2. Ensure that maximum use is made of the resources and facilities it provides.

  3. Give qualitative reference and information services to its clients;

  4. Join its staff with their teaching colleagues in making the use of its resources an integral part of educational process.

This new structure lays more emphasis on references and information services by specialists through which the needs of users are better satisfied. The internal structure now consists of three divisions:

  1. Administration,

  2. Faculty libraries,

  3. Support services,

 

  • ADMINISTRATION

The University Librarian heads this section. His main jobs are similar to administrative jobs in any organization, including policy matters, personnel issues that relates to staffing and general administration and routine office matters. The University Librarian as the Head of the University library is also responsible to the Vice-Chancellor for the overall administration of the University library and providing library services for the entire University community.

  • FACULTY LIBRARIES DIVISION

Under this new structure, Librarians are responsible for specific subject areas thereby utilizing their basic subject specialization/interest wherever possible. The abridged duties of these “Faculty Librarians” as they are called include:

  1. Reference service at all times.

  2. Liaising with departments for relevant collection development.

  3. Teaching use of library courses at both introductory and advanced levels.

  4. Representing the librarian on faculty boards and other senate committee.

  5. Any other duty/duties that may be delegated by the University Librarian.

In this arrangement, a Librarian represents each Faculty. Hence, we have:

  1. Faculty of Arts Librarian

  1. Faculty of Management Sciences Librarian

  2. Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences Librarian

  3. Faculty of Social Sciences Librarian

 

  • SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION

This comprises: Systems, Acquisition, Cataloguing, Circulation, Serials, Reprography and Bindery Sections. The activities in these sections support or complement the works done by the subject libraries division and other units of the library.

This can be detailed as follows:

  1. Systems- This Unit focuses on two objectives:

 

  1. The computerization of library processes which entails putting onto the computer information about all the materials in the library to produce computerized records.

 

  1. Offering computer services which is mainly literature searching using internet, intranet and CD-ROMs. A few jobs of word processing e.g. producing students’ projects are also done in this Unit.

 

  1. Acquisitions- treat recommendations for materials to be acquired for the library, stamps and number them when they are received.

 

  1. Cataloguing- as the name implies, library staff catalogue and classify materials so that they are organized for use. Catalogue cards are prepared for each item so that users can know what the library has and where they are located.

 

  1. Circulation- controls the circulation of materials by keeping track of items through records to show what is on loan, reserve, or in the bindery and keeps statistics of the users and their use of materials.

E. Serials- this is where all serials (newspapers, journals, magazines, etc.) are received, stamped, classified and recorded and then arranged on shelf according to the classification by subject.

F. Reprography – duplicating and photocopying facilities are provided by this section. Users can take advantage of the photocopying service to obtain their own copy of material at subsidized rate within the library.

G. Bindery – This exists essentially for the maintenance of library materials either for binding loosed serials or repairing damaged library books. Students’ projects can also be bound. All these processes are aimed at providing services for the users among whom students form the majority.

 

SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE UNIVERSITY LIBRARy

The University Library is committed to service. The following services are available in the library:

  1.  
    1. Circulation/Borrowing Services

    2. Library Instruction/Information Literacy

    3. Library Electronic Resource Use Training Services

    4. Reference Services

    5. Reprographic/Photocopying Services

    6. Acquisitions/Ordering Services

    7. Serials Services

    8. Current Awareness Services

    9. Selection Dissemination of Information Services

    10. Cataloguing Services

    11. Serials Services

    12. Interlibrary Loan/Collection Sharing

    13. Teaching of Use of Library to fresh students

    14. Bindery Services

 

 

Library Membership

Staff: Library membership is available for the duration that staff is employed by the University. Current registration in the library is a prerequisite for library membership.

Registered Students: Library membership is valid for the duration that students are registered at the University. Current registration in the library is a prerequisite for library membership.

External Members: A period of membership as approved by the University Library Management.

External Students: An introductory letter from the relevant academic department (in which the department declares to stand in for replacement value of any library material lost or damaged because of the negligence of the students concerned or any outstanding charges).

All external members must complete a membership application form.

Access to Information Services

Staff, registered students and external members have access to the information services.

Borrowing from Open-Shelves and Reserved/Short-loan Collections

Valid University’s ID card and Borrower’s card must be produced at the Circulation and Reserve counters of the Library before any information resource(s) can be checked-out.

Check-in information resource(s)

Clients must return the resource(s) to the Circulation or Reserve counters, depending on the section where they were checked out.

Renewal of Loan

Borrowers must contact Circulation Unit of the Library in person to request an extension of the loan period of the resource(s) in their possession. They must furnish the Library staff member with their Matriculation number and the item number(s) of the resource(s) in their possession.

Loan Rules:

For the faculty

Loan Period: 14 days

Renewal: As many times as possible, provided that no request is placed on the item.

Maximum Number of Books to be borrowed at a time: 3

Placing Holds on Information Resources

The information resource(s) must have been checked-out for it/them to be placed on hold.

Placing Information Resources on the Reserved/Short-loan Collection

Fill in prescribed form and hand it in together with information resource(s) to the Subject/Circulation Librarian for the relevant Faculty. This can only be done by an Authority in the concerned field.

Access to Electronic Resources

PLASU Library subscribes to electronic journals, databases, and other full-text resources through commercial licensing agreements that restrict access to current students and staff. Only authorized users will connect from remote locations using User IDs assigned to them by the University Library. The licensed electronic resources made available by the University Library are for research, teaching and related activities of current PLASU University staff, students and other authorized users. The University Library Services shall facilitate enrolled students and staff to access electronic resources (Internet, databases, etc.)

a. Authorized PLASU Library users shall be able to:

View and search the content of the online resources

Download individual items or articles

Print individual articles from the online resource

Authorized Library users shall not engage in activities that may result in suspension or revocation and or discontinuation of access to e-resources for all URLS.

b. Prohibited activities include:

  • Sharing of passwords or authorized access codes with un-authorized users as this result in suspension or revocation of library privileges.

  • Downloading articles or other information on a large-scale.

  • Using robots, spiders or intelligent agents to access, search and or systematically download content.

  • Posting copyrighted materials on a publicly accessible website.

  • Reselling licensed information.

  • Engaging in actions intended to circumvent or defeat access control mechanisms of the Library or information provider.

The Library shall not be responsible for the accuracy or reliability of material found in Library resources especially on the Internet, or for the occurrence of information that might be considered offensive. As with any information resource, library users should approach the information critically.

Computer Use

Computers are made available to Library users for purposes of research, instruction, and learning. Consequently, users are expected to use computers in an effective, efficient, appropriate and ethical manner.

  1. Unacceptable computer use includes, but is not limited to:

  1. Viewing and printing material from the Internet that a reasonable person would consider objectionable such as sexually explicit or violently explicit pictures, movies, and/or videos which may create a hostile environment for other library users and employees.

 

  1. Any use that violates copyrights, patent protections, or license agreements, including unauthorized copying of software, downloading and using pirated software, systematically downloading or printing entire journal issues or volumes or large portions of electronic resources.

 

  1. Attempts to gain unauthorized access to information systems.

  2. Running programs that attempt to calculate or guess passwords, or that are designed to trick other users into disclosing their passwords, or intercepting or monitoring network communications that are not intended for you.

 

  1. Viewing, printing, and distributing pornographic material.

  2. Tampering with library computers, including removing or replacing any peripheral device, power and Internet cables, or uninstalling authorized software and disconnecting library computers.

The Library reserves the right to designate specific uses for individual computers. When there is high demand for using computers, time limits shall be enforced; those not engaged in research or course-related activities shall be asked to relinquish their computer to those needing to use them for research purposes.

Reprographic Facility

A photocopy machine is available in the library all the times for use for the faculty and library staff.

  1.  
    1. Charges for photocopying is N15.00 per copy and is subject to change either upward or downward. Payment is made directly to library staff when the copying is complete.

    2. The Library accepts cash for photocopies.

    3. For machine errors, such as lines and toner defects, the Library will provide a replacement copy.

    4. Library staff operates the photocopying machine.

 

Mutilation

Mutilation of books, including underlining the books with pen or pencil, dog-earing of pages, or removal of pages etc. is strictly prohibited. Students indulging in such practices will be asked to replace the book and pay a fine of ten thousand naira.

Reference Collection

Certain materials are considered crucial to academic research and for that reason, they must always be available in the libraries in the Reference Collection. Materials classified as Reference Collection shall not be eligible for checking out. Therefore, Reference shelf books are to be used in the library. Certain books that are much in demand will be placed on the Reference shelf.

Projects

Project reports are to be used in the library. Photocopying the project is strictly prohibited. At the time of borrowing projects reports, the student has to surrender his/her ID card at the counter. After returning the same, the ID card can be claimed.

Issue of Reserved Collection

Reserved shelf books can be issued for overnight use at 6:00p.m. on the condition that they will be returned before 9:30a.m. the next day. An overdue charge at the rate of fifty naira- per hour will be imposed for the late return of such books. If a student fails to return reserved books on time repeatedly he/she will not be given any such books for overnight reading thereafter. Nevertheless, no student will be allowed to borrow more than one reserved book on any day. Students can reserve a reserved shelf book for overnight reading anytime.

Issue of journal/Magazine/Newspapers

Journals/Magazines/Newspapers are to be read in the library. They cannot be borrowed outside of the library.

Reservation Policy

The Faculty can reserve the item/s which are issued to others. Whenever the item/s is/are returned, the user will be informed. They can also reserve the book/s which are available in the library. In such cases, the staff will collect the book/s from the stack area and keep it at the circulation counter. The same will be conveyed to the faculty. In both cases, the reserved items should be collected within 2 days, else the reservation will stand cancelled and the item will be issued to other immediate member.

 

Research Assistance Service

Reference and Research Assistance Service is dedicated to assist faculty and students of PLASU for their information and research. Dedicated library professional staff are available between 8.30a.m. and 12.00noon. The staff assist the users in addressing their information requirements. The requirements may include help in identifying the appropriate database for research, assignments or class work, customized orientation of specific databases, mining data, case studies, etc.

Fine and Lost Book Policy

Students are responsible for the books they check-out from the Library. If a book is lost, damaged or stolen the student will be responsible for paying the full replacement cost of the book. The student will not be allowed to check-out any more books until the replacement cost has been paid in full.

The Library is not responsible for notifying borrowers that materials are overdue. Email notices for overdue, lost materials, and recalled materials are sent as a courtesy. If you think that the library has made an error that resulted in a financial charge, or if you have a unique situation or extenuating circumstances that made it difficult to return or renew Library materials on time, please contact the Librarian to appeal your charges. Charges may then be upheld, reduced, or waived.

The following reasons are NOT generally regarded as valid for cancelling or reducing charges:

  1. Forgetting or not knowing due dates, amount of fines.

  2. Disagreeing with fee structure or Library policy.

  3. Loaning the item to a third party, or checking material out on their behalf.

  4. Being too busy or out of town.

  5. Claiming that your need was greater than that of another patron's, or that you were not done with an item.

  6. Not receiving or not reading courtesy notices, overdue notices, or other library communications sent to your email address.

  7. Transportation problems.

  8. Financial problems.

If a borrower believes that they have returned material that is being billed as overdue or lost, they should inform the Circulation Desk. Library staff will search for the material twice or more, but the material will remain on the borrower’s record until it has been located. If the material is found within the library by library staff, the item (and all charges) will be removed from the borrower’s record. If the material is not found in the library, the borrower will be responsible for the replacement charge. A borrower may return an item owned by the Library which has been declared "Lost" within one year of its being lost and billed. The item will be returned back to the borrower after removing the barcode and the date due slip. All late fees and lost or damaged book charges are charged only to the borrower.

Mending and Rebinding

  1. Condition of the book

  2. Validity of the book's contents

  3. Demand

  4. Cost

Any rare book or irreplaceable item, are used only in the library to ensure against their Loss and/or mutilation.

ADDENDUM TO THE RULES GOVERNING THE USE OF PLATEAU STATE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY:

ADMISSION

In addition to members of the University Community, the following persons may be granted permission and admitted to the Library, but may not be allowed to borrow books:

  1. Any persons over 18 years who are engaged in private study or research, if supported by appropriate evidence of academic standing and fitness for admission.

  2. Undergraduates of other Universities in Nigeria, if supported by appropriate recommendations. No card is issued to this category of users and they cannot loan out any library material.

  3. Readers' Cards are not transferable (between readers).

BORROWING

  1. All borrowable library books shall be presented at the Circulation Desk with appropriate borrower’s card at least fifteen minutes before the time of closing for the day.

  2. Any borrower who fails to return a book in accordance with the Library rule shall be liable to a fine of fifty (20) Naira for each working day that elapses before the book is returned. Where a borrowed book is lost, the borrower shall duly communicate this to the University Librarian and the replacement cost paid.

  3. Reference materials, Documents and Special Collections, Theses, may not be borrowed except by the special permission of the University Librarian or a person appointed by him/her, but may be consulted in any of the reading spaces of the Library.

USE OF LIBRARY MATERIALS

  1. The marking of any Library materials is forbidden.

  2. All persons borrowing Library materials, for use within the Library, shall produce evidence of identity at the time of borrowing to do so if requested.

  3. The terms of licenses for electronic journals, electronic books, and online databases (e-resources) permit full access only to current staff and students of the University.

 

BEHAVIOR INSIDE THE LIBRARY

  1. Silence is the default mode in the Library.

  2. Readers must present their University Identity Card for inspection if requested by a member of the Library staff or University Security Unit.

  3. Please treat Library materials, equipment, and furniture with care.

  4. Charging of phones, Laptops and other mobile electronic devices in the Library is strictly at owner’s risks.

  5. Do not shelf book(s) yourself after use. Leave them on the tables to be shelved by the Library staff.

  6. Do not take out any Library Material(s) without following proper borrowing procedures, failure to do so will attract disciplinary actions.

  7. No user shall borrow a book without presenting a library card at the Circulation Desk.

  8. The use of laptop computers and other mobile devices is permitted in the Library if they are quiet in operation. Users of such equipment may be required to work in specified areas or to stop using a computer if it constitutes a distraction to other readers.

  9. The use of equipment likely to disturb or distract other readers or to damage Library materials (e.g. digital scanners, radios, cameras, personal hi-fi equipment, or computers to perform any of the functions of such machines) is not permitted in the Library. Mobile telephones must be set to ‘silent’ mode in the Library; the use of mobile telephones is only permitted in the courtyards of the Library. General photography and filming (e.g. of people or the building) is prohibited except with permission from Library Management.

  10. Bags, cases, photocopying devices, and similar personal belongings are not allowed into the Library.

  11. All Laptops, mobile devices, bags, files, folders, and any other items allowed into the Library shall be subject to examination on exit.

  12. Bottles of ink, correction fluid, and other potentially damaging substances shall not be taken into the Library shelves.

  13. Hot and cold drinks whether covered in containers or open and water in bottles cannot be taken into the Library. No drink of any sort is allowed in the shelf area, Documents Collection Section, Open and Quiet Spaces and Computer Laboratory.

  14. Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the premises. This includes the use of e-cigarettes.

  15. Library staff are empowered to stop any activity in the Library which they consider prejudicial to the safety, well-being, or security of readers or Library staff or to the preservation of the collections.