In the run-up to the launch of the new Library & Archives search system on 14 July, the Library team will be operating a reduced online service from 27 June - 14 July.
1. Searching the Library catalogue
The current Library catalogue (due to be replaced by the new system) will stay available for you to search the collections as normal. However, please bear in mind that the catalogue will be read-only during this time: any items borrowed after 5pm on 26 June will continue to show as available on the catalogue and items returned after this point will continue to show as being on loan.
2. Borrowing barcoded items
The self-issue machines located in the Earth Sciences Library and Main Library Reading room will not be operational between 27 June – 14 July. You will still be able to borrow items from these collections, but please record your pass barcode number and book details on the sheets provided next to the self-issue machines. When the new system is launched, the Library staff will manually update your account with books borrowed during the period of downtime.
3. Renewing loans
You will not be able to renew items between 27 June – 14 July. However, all current loans have been automatically renewed until the end of 2014, so your items will not become overdue nor will you receive renewal reminder emails.
4. Reserving items
You will not be able to reserve/request items through the Library Catalogue between 27 June – 14 July. If you want to borrow a book that is out on loan to another member of staff, please email library@nhm.ac.uk with the details and we’ll try to get it for you.
A sneak preview of the new Library & Archives search system
5. New book/serial displays (Main, Botany and Tring Reading Rooms)
New displays will go up on Monday 30 June and will remain in place until 21 July. During this time, if you wish to reserve any items please use the paper reservation slips.
6. Requesting items for purchase
If you request an item to be purchased by the Library during this time, please bear in mind that we will not be able to place any orders until 14 July. We will work through any back orders as a matter of priority, but there will be a slight delay until your item is added to the collection.
7. The eJournal A-Z List and Article Search
The eJournal A-Z list and Article Search will both be available and operating as normal until 14th July, at which point they will be replaced by the new system.
8. Borrowing bookboard items
This will continue as normal.
9. Requesting off-site items and inter-library loans
These services will continue as normal until 14th July, when they will take place on the new system. Until then, please continue to fill out remote and inter-library loan request forms and email them to library@nhm.ac.uk.
10. Visiting the Reading Rooms
The South Kensington and Tring Reading Rooms will be open as normal. If you would like to view Library special collections or material from the Museum Archives, please contact library@nhm.ac.uk or archives@nhm.ac.uk.
11. Contacting the Library
Our staff will be available as usual to answer your queries. We’ll be busy getting the new system up and running though, so we may be slightly slower to respond than usual – please bear with us and we’ll respond as soon as possible.
Thank you for your patience while we work to develop and further improve the Library & Archives service; information about the new system will be posted in the run up to 14 July, so keep your eyes peeled!
If you have any questions, please email library@nhm.ac.uk or ring the Library enquiry desk on x 5460.