Collections and Services
The status of book is a decisive factor to have a loan service for all clients. Generally there are 8 types of information sources/categories:-
(1.) General Collection:
This type of collection consists of books which do not have any restriction to be out of the library, compared with categories. A user can borrow them by using his pocket for 15 days. See overdue and other issue under overdue.
(2.) Permanent Reserved Books:
This category of collections are mainly books that are scarce in number & are on high demand. Users are allowed to use books in this category for spot reading only. Books in this category permanent reserve status may be changed by the librarian.
(3.) Temporary Reserved Books:
Books in this category are reserved only for a certain period of time (usually for a semester) by instructors who offer courses related to those collections. Similar to permanent reserve books. Users are only allowed to use books in this category within the library usually for an hour (spot reading service). Reservation is a method of making books reserved for only spot reading and not for long term loan so that the books can be distributed to all the concerned students fairly since spot reading service is given for a short period of time which is normally one hour. Instructors can select books to be reserved for spot reading by bringing the books they want to be reserved from the stack. However, for reservation to be done the book student ratio has to be at least one to twenty (1:20).
(4.) Reference Books:
These category of books need not detail examination to extract information & only serve to reference. Books such as but not limited to dictionaries, encyclopedia, Almanac, atlas, directories, etc may be grouped under these category. This range of collections cannot be taken out of the library; however users can use them within the library with out any time limitation.
Special collections: includes those which are scarce for the library and have a reference status.
(5.) Periodicals:
Periodicals include those collection which published daily, weekly, monthly & quarterly in regular basis and contain periodical information such as but not limited to newspapers, journals, magazines, pamphlet, etc. This category too cannot be taken out of the library.
(6.) Ethiopian collections:
Include published and unpublished materials (such as thesis is prepared by Bahir Dar University students for their partial fulfillment of their graduation) on the social, political, economic, cultural, etc. affairs of Ethiopia and the neighboring countries. Materials in this category can be borrowed for a maximum of seven (7) days using their pocket, if they are published else they cannot be borrowed.
(7.) Documents:
Include publications of international, intercontinental, regional and non-governmental organizations & gained freely. If need be items in this category can be borrowed for a maximum period of seven days using their pocket from the Ethiopian collection section.
(8.) Electronic Information Sources:
This category includes information on CD-ROMs, Floppy disks, tape cassette, etc. These electronic information sources can be borrowed on special circumstances such as:
- If the person borrowing is physically challenged (visually).
- If an instructor needs the resource desperately.
- The library has plenty of copies.