Library
The Library was opened in October 1990 and is purpose built for sixth form use. A major extension was completed in September 2000 to provide a new open access ILT facility with eighty workstations for students. An extensive new Atrium Study and ILT area was opened in August 2004 which is especially useful for group study.
The Library is open throughout the day for quiet/silent study and reference purposes and is open 2 days each week until 8.00pm; books may be borrowed. More than 16,000 books are available and new books are continually being added to stock. To check what we have in stock, use the Library Catalogue. Besides computers a pay photocopier is also available and Library staff are happy to help students find the information they need in person or online.
There is a bookshop adjacent to the Library which sells paper, files and most stationery requirements at competitive prices, and is open break and lunch times.
How do I borrow items?
Staff and evening class students do not need a Library Card. (Evening Class students must, however present proof of registration to a current evening course at QESFC in order to join the Library for that academic year.)
How many items can I borrow?
FTE (day) Students may borrow up to 30 items at any one time. Evening Class Students may borrow up 30 items at any one time.
Returning stock to the Library
Just return the item(s) to the Library Counter - we do not need to see your card. Do make sure that you have seen Library staff return stock via the computer, as items are still your responsibility until you are sure they have been cleared of your ticket. You may also renew stock if it is not required by another borrower.
Reserving items which are out on loan
If the item you want is out on loan to someone else, you may reserve it either at the Library Counter, by liasing with Counter staff, or online using the Library catalogue.
If you want a title which we do not stock, you may still request it and it will be considered for purchase by the Librarian.
When the Library needs to contact you, e.g. to inform you that a reserved item is available, you will be sent a memo via your Tutor.
Overdue Stock
We regularly send out reminders to borrowers who have Library stock which is overdue. Notes are passed on by Tutors. If you receive a reminder, please return items as soon as possible, as they may be required by other students.
There are no fines to pay for overdue stock, but items lost or damaged whilst in your care must be paid for.
If you have stock which is very overdue, your borrowing rights will be suspended until stock is returned.
What can I borrow and for how long?
Most items can be borrowed for up to 3 weeks, but not all. Library Staff will mark a date for return on the item as appropriate.
The aims of the library
- To liase with all members of the College to maintain understanding of their needs and to cooperate with other groups within the College to serve these needs.
- To teach Students and staff how to use the Library and the information sources, especially within their subjects.
- To identify and provide access to the resources required to support learning, teaching and research, plus leisure needs.
- To establish and maintain systems that permit rapid identification and retrieval of resources.
- To establish a learning environment that caters for group and individual learning needs.
- To engage in research in Library information work with the aim of improving the service.
Opening hours
During term-time
1. Monday: 8:30 - 20:00*
2. Tuesday: 8:30 - 17:00
3. Wednesday: 8:30 - 17:00
4. Thursday: 8:30 - 20:00*
5. Friday: 8:30 - 16:30
6. Saturday: closed
7. Sunday: closed
*17:00 after summer Half Term Holidays
The library is open 08:30 to 16:00, Monday to Friday during holiday periods.
Newspapers
We currently stock the following newspapers in the Library:
- The Guardian
- The Times
- The Telegraph
- The Financial Times
- The Northern Echo
They must be used in the Library, and are kept together next to the Library Office. Some copies are kept before being re-cycled, usually for two to three weeks. Ask the Library Staff if you want to see back copies.
Journals
There is a Subject Index to the Journals at the start of these shelves, so that you may check which titles will be relevant to you.
The most current issue of each Journal is displayed 'face-on' in a plastic cover. These must be used in the Library.
If back copies of a Journal are kept in the Library, they are available behind the journal shelves. Simply lift the relevant shelf towards you and you will see a number of plastic boxes behind the shelf, which are kept in alphabetical order. Take out the box or boxes you need and you will find that the back copies are filed in date order. Some have separate indexes to make searching easier.
You may borrow back copies of as many Journals as you need, usually on over night loan.
Topic Files
Topic Files are files of newspaper cuttings and sometimes leaflets, on particular subjects. You can see a list of the subjects kept, displayed next to the filing cabinet which contains the Topic Files. This filing cabinet can be found near to the Library Counter.
You are welcome to browse the Topic Files and they may also be borrowed on overnight loan.
Leaflets
You may see leaflets displayed in the Library and especially with the Careers stock. Unless they are stamped 'Reference Only' you are welcome to take any leaflets.
Areas for Private Study
There are a number of study carrels/computer workstations available in the Library for you to use for private study, when students are not at timetabled lessons. Please work as quietly as possible, so that others may concentrate.
There are 3 'zones':
Red - Silent/individual work.
Amber - Quiet/individual work.
Green - Quiet/paired study computer area.
Open Access Computers
Currently more than 80 computers are available in the Library for students to use for study and research purposes. All are linked to the College Network and have Internet access.
Careers and Higher Education Information
This section is situated near the journals shelving.
There is a collection of books, selected prospectuses, magazines and leaflets etc, to help students decide what their next step might be once they leave QESFC.
Photocopying
There is a pay photocopier situated near to the Library Staff desks, which will copy A4 only, (For A3 copies students are advised to go to Curriculum Support, which is located next to the Staff Room, Room 200). Instructions for use are displayed next to it; however users may ask staff for assistance should they require it.
The Library room on Fronter
The VLE contains detail of our services and resources, plus access to online databases and lots of help.
Contact the Library helpdesk