MLS Home > Library Services > Circulation

Circulation 

Circulation is one aspect of any library, which poses a lot of questions in the minds of its patrons. The MLS would try to answer all such FAQs in a ‘Question-Answer’ format:

Q. What is the eligibility for obtaining MLS member ship?

A. All DOHMS staff actively employed and students registered within DOHMS/ Dubai Medical College are eligible for Library Membership.

Q. Are there any Membership Cards issued to the patrons for borrowing Library Materials?

A. Yes, there are membership cards issued to all above mentioned patrons upon filling-up the Library Membership Form and handing it to over to any the 6 Libraries of the MLS.

Q. Are the Library Membership Cards chargeable?

A. The membership cards are free for all DOHMS employees.

Q. What is the number of items a member can borrow at one point of time?

A. The following table will answer the above question clearly:

Q. What are the Loan Periods specified for different types of materials for different categories of patrons?

A. All library ID holders are eligible for borrowing library materials from any of the existing 6 libraries of the MLS. However, the loan period may differ for certain categories of patrons for certain types of materials and some materials may not be issued to certain patrons at all. Following are the rules in brief:

1. General DOHMS staff can borrow books for 2 weeks and journals for 3 days.

2. Teachers can borrow books for 30 days and journals for 2 days.

3. Students can borrow books for 1 week and journals for 2 days.

4. Heads of Units can borrow books for 6 months.

5. External users can borrow books for 2 weeks. They are not permitted to borrow journals.

6. References are allowed to Staff, Teachers and students for overnight use only.

7. AV materials, non-catalogued materials, special collections, models, reserved books can be issued only to teachers and no other category of patrons.

For Detailed Circulation Policies, See Circulation Policy.

Q. How do we find out when a book is due to be returned?

A. A date-due slip is attached within each book where the librarian stamps the date it is supposed to be returned.

Q. Is it possible to return a borrowed item in any of the MLS Libraries?

A. Yes, for the patrons’ convenience, an item borrowed from one library can be returned to that or any other library of the MLS. For instance, items borrowed from the Central Library can be returned to the Central Library or any Hospital or Institute of Nursing Library

Q. What happens if an item is overdue?

A. Notices for overdue materials are sent as a reminder. The 1st reminder will be sent one week after the date due. The final reminder will be sent two weeks after the date of the first reminder. If the user does not receive the overdue notices, it is not the responsibility of the library.

Q. Can an item be renewed?

A. Yes, renewals can be done, but only for books. A maximum of two consecutive renewals is allowed, unless someone else has placed a hold on them. Renewals can be done:

1.      In person by presenting the book.

2.      By mailing a memo or sending a fax.

3.      By phone.

4.      Via the Web.

Q. Can library materials, already on loan, be put on hold and recall?

A. All library materials on loan are eligible for hold and recall for overnight loans. Once a recall has been placed, it will result a shortened loan period. A recall Notice will be mailed to the borrower with the information of the new date due. When the recalled item comes to the library, a notification will be sent to the new user and it will be held for a week for him/her.  

Q. What are ‘Reserve’ library materials? Can they be checked out?

A. Reserve library materials are those which are high in demand and few in quantity hence not issuable for long loans. Items become ‘Reserve Materials’ on the request of a Unit Head or a Teacher. These are kept behind the circulation desk and can be used within the library. They can also be given for overnight loans. You may use the Reserve Materials Form to submit your reserve list.

Q. What are ‘overnight loans’?

A. As the term suggests, overnight loans, mainly for reserve materials, are issued

    out of the library but with hourly time limitations.

Q. What if a patron wants to photocopy certain texts from library materials?

A. Coin operated Photocopy machines are available to facilitate the patrons in all of DOHMS medical libraries.

Q. Are there restrictions for checking out certain materials to certain borrowers?

A. Restrictions become obligatory if:

1. the borrower reaches the maximum number of items allowed.

2. the borrower reaches the renewal limit for an item.

3. the borrower has one or more overdue or recall item.

4. the borrower’s ID card has expired.

5. the borrower owes money to any of the medical libraries.

6. the borrower violates any of the conditions in the Library Circulation Policies

Q. Are there any facilities provided for physically challenged patrons?

A. All library materials will be sent by the Circulation Staff to a physically challenged patron within the DOHMS campus. The person may make requests in person or by mail or by telephone. Use Borrow Direct facility for this matter.

Q. What are patron’s responsibilities towards MLS?

A. A Patron is personally responsible for library materials charged out to him. If an item is overdue, damaged or lost, he is liable for charges incurred to repair or replace the item.

Q. What if a patron damages or loses borrowed materials?

A. A patron who has lost or damaged a library material will be charged for its replacement. Double the price of the item, a Dhs 50/- processing fee and overdue fines, if applicable, are liable to be charged. If the lost items are recovered, only the replacement charges will be refunded.

Q. How does the MLS help patrons with any information it wants them to have?

A. The MLS is equipped with computer generated notices for its patrons to help maintain the library regulations. Notices for fines, recalled items, availability of items and bills for lost or damaged materials are sent to patrons if and when necessary.       

            Note from MLS: Staff should update their address; telephone no etc with the MLS as soon as they change it.

Q. What are the MLS rules for staff/students going on leave?

A. All staff and students must return all library materials before going on leave.

Q. What are the MLS rules for staff/students leaving the services of DOHMS?

A.   Staff/students leaving the services of DOHMS need to take clearance from the Hospital/Institute Library they have worked for and also from the Rashid Medical Library to settle their end of service dues. Use the Library Clearance Certificate for this purpose.

Q. Is there any ‘Lost & Found’ section in the MLS?

A. The patrons can always ask the circulation desks of the MLS libraries for any personal items they may have left behind.