Overview

Al Falah University Library opened in September 2015 and currently consists of approximately 5,000 books. From the time of inauguration, AFU’s Library collection increased to over 16800 items from books, periodicals, multimedia, etc. to university records.

AFU Library also offers all services digitally by the means of an integrated library management system "Sierra" which allows users to search and access for information from within and outside the university. With a variety of databases suited to meet the needs of students and academic members of AFU Community, Al Falah University Library adopted the Library of Congress Classification (LLC) system.

Library users and visitors are also welcomed to use the 24 computers and 5 tablets with wireless internet access for further academic researches and purposes. 

LRC Services:

AFU LRC is committed to providing quality resource and information services to support and enhance the teaching, research, and creative work of AFU community, these services basis as set out in the procedure.

The LRC services are:

• • • Access to electronic resources on and off campus.
    • Reference Services.
    • Security System.
    • Information Literacy Program.
    • Photocopy and Print
    • New papers

Opening hours:

• • • As the opening hours may vary from time to time according to semesters duration, Visitors are asked to check the LRC portal or LRC notice boards further details and any revision of hours for holidays will be announced through these channels.
    • AFU LRC is closed during official holidays of UAE.
    • The LRC and bookshop opening hours:
      • Sunday to Wednesday from 08:30AM to 7:00PM
      • Saturday and Thursday from 08:30 AM to 5:00PM
      • Friday is closed

Code of Conduct for the use of LRC Resources:

• • • All users of AFU LRC must comply with AFU LRC regulations. In addition, all visitors are required to register as they enter the LRC.
    • Access to the LRC after 5 p.m. on weekdays, is limited to members of AFU community who must show their current I.D. card for admittance.
    • Consumption of food and beverages is not permitted in AFU LRC.
    • Smoking is not permitted in AFU LRC.
    • Dogs and other pets are not permitted in the LRC.
    • Users are reminded that the LRC is designed primarily for serious study and research. Conversations should be confined to lounge areas.
    • Non-circulating LRC materials are to be used only within the department or area in which they are housed. Exceptions may be made for persons with disabilities.
    • AFU faculty, students and staff have priority over all other LRC users for access to LRC collections, services, and facilities.
    • The borrower is responsible for LRC materials charged on his/her ID card.
    • Where there is a formal agreement between AFU and other institutions whereby a user of either institution may use the LRC facilities of the other, AFU user may be subject to penalties set out hereunder, or elsewhere by AFU policy and procedures, for a serious breach of the regulations of the other institution (provided that the user is not penalized twice for the same breach).
    • All members of the LRC staff are authorized to require compliance with the provisions of this regulation on request, in those relating to conduct within the LRC. Failure by a user to comply with such a request shall normally be reported to the Head of LRC or an authorized deputy, who, subject to the AFU policy and procedure, shall determine the action to be taken.
•  

Eligible users:

• • • All AFU LRC users have to present the current University ID Card, or any approved identity document in order to use the physical LRC. 
    • Only Authorized users are eligible for using the LRC facilities and Information Services.
    • Failure to observe any of the foregoing provisions by any user, who is not subject to AFU policy and procedures, or to formal institutional agreements with the LRC, may result in the user being excluded by the Head of LRC from using the LRC's facilities and services on a temporary or a permanent basis.

Collection Development:

• • • LRC collections catalogued according to accepted international bibliographical formats and conventions.
    • AFU LRC using AACR2, RDA, LC, LCSH and QRMAK rules for cataloging and classifying resources.
    • AFU LRC seeks inter library loan agreements with other learning resource centers and institutions in the same purpose. Inter library loan agreements are formalized and are subject to periodic evaluation according to the AFU vision and mission. Inter library loan agreements serve to provide the LRC users with more additional resources.
    • LRC using library management system (Sierra) and RFID to controlled LRC resources.
    • Types of Resource Development:

• Printed Resource (Reference Books, Journals… etc.) 

1. Request Channels
   • LRC portal (https://e-Library.afu.ac.ae)
   • LRC Smart Reference Services
   • Email
2. Procedures
   • collect all request and review and check the availability.
   • get the approval from concerned dean's / head of department.
   • request the resource from publishers or Distributors.
   • eceive the resource and inform the requester.
   • LRC request usually one copy from Printed resource or as per the recommendation from concerned dean's / head of department.

Textbooks

1. Request Channel
   • Email request from concerned dean's or head of department or faculty members.
   • LRC sent list with new edition from current textbooks courses for review and final approval from dean's / head of department.
2. Procedures
   The Process start 10 weeks before the beginning of the semester as below steps:
   •  Requesting the list of offered courses from the Registration office (week)
   • Creating the List of the current textbooks from the approved syllabus by LRC (1 day)
   • Dividing the list of textbooks based on the collogues\Departments by LRC (1 day)
   • Sending the lists of textbooks to the concerned deans\heads of departments (1 day)
   • Sending the final approved List from the dean to the LRC. (week)
   • Checking with the publishers and distributers about the availability of the textbooks and suggesting alternative textbooks if the requested one is not available and requesting the quotations from the selected vendors (10 day)
   • Placing the PO to the vendors by FD (3 Days)
   • Receiving the requested textbooks (5 weeks)
   • Sending the Invoices to the Finance Dep. for proceeding. (On time)
   • Technical process (Cataloging, Classification, Labeling… etc.) (2 day)
   • Announcing about the new arrivals (On time)
   • All involved departments and units must deliver the tasks on time.
   • Any changings on approved list of textbooks or offered courses after the deadline will be denied.
   • This process is not applicable on the summer semester.

Electronic resources and research tools (Commercial)

LRC continuously seek the relevance databases to the actual or potential needs of AFU programs. 

1. Processes for Subscription of new database
   • A market survey is undertaken (study of available resources)
   • A needs analysis/survey is conducted.
   • A trial and demo of products by the publisher is conducted if appropriate.
   • Recommendations/approvals from concerned deans and head of department.
   • Budgeting.
2. Renewal of current resources
   • The LRC team generates quarterly reports from each database to evaluate usage.
   • Full annual reports of current resources are generated
   • Electronic resource evaluation Forms are sent to concerned deans and head of department.
   • User satisfaction surveys by QAIEC.

Learning Resources Assessment

1. LRC continuously seek the feedback of faculty and other stakeholders in the development of collections, including electronic databases; in the assessment of the acquisitions policy; and in decisions regarding the weeding materials if any.
2. Statistics and information used to assess the quality of resources will include, but not be limited to:
   • Database usage statistics.
   • Circulation.
   • Reference queries.
   • User satisfaction surveys by QAIEC.
3. The findings from the analysis of the data listed above will be used to improve the quality of resources.
   
   The LRC adheres to the following definitions and expectations regarding resource access and licensing:

• AFU LRC authorized all users and all on-site visitors to the AFU LRC to use the resources.
• All users can access all resources provided by the LRC. If this method is not feasible, individual username and password access is acceptable according to the copy rights and agreements with the service providers to that username/password information being posted on the Intranet IP access-controlled by the LRC Portal.
• The "fair use" provision of the Copyright Act applies to all formats.
• The purchase of electronic information should include provisions for perpetual access to that information.
• License agreements are checked by the procurement unite, to ensure we can meet all the obligations required of us by the providers, and appropriate levels of access can be made available for users.
• Licensing agreements will be signed by the Vice President of Academic Affairs (VPAA) Or the concerned person on behave.

Gifts and Donations

• The LRC accepts gifts and donations of resources to the LRC according to the following guidelines:
• Newly published books are especially welcome.
• Serial donations will be accepted only if they fill specific gaps in the collection.
• Duplicates will not be added except in the case of certain signed copies or items with high circulation.
• Donors are encouraged to call or email prior to making a donation so that the need for the material can be determined.
• Donors are encouraged to deliver their gifts to the LRC after verifying that they are needed.
• Items that do not fit the collection development criteria described in this document will be returned to the donor, if requested, or, when appropriate, disposed of by gift, sale, or discard.
• AFU LRC retains the right to organize and locate donations according to its own judgement.

Gifts and Donations can be made as follows:

• Donors contact AFU LRC with a list of donation titles or submit donation directly to LRC.
• The Librarian create list (and / or) checks donations titles (availability, coverage, relevance … etc.)
• A report is compiled and sent to the Head of LRC to discuss with the concerned deans to make the final decision.
• Feedback is sent to donors with a certificate of appreciation to whom their donation was accepted.

Review and weeding of Resources:

1. resources are weeding and reviewed on an ongoing basis and decisions to continue the maintenance and accessibility of resources is based on the following criteria:
2. Damaged books that cannot be repaired.
3. Titles which many copies are available, except for course Textbooks.
4. Lost titles.
5. Titles with old editions are an exception:
   • Textbooks that without new edition.
   • Literary, cultural, and classical Titles.
   • Fundamental sources and heritage books on all scientific disciplines.
   • Books that contain racial or sexual terms or opinions.
6. The Head of LRC and concerned deans have authority to make the final decision regarding the eliminate or retention resources according to this procedure.

 Acquisitions, procurements, and license agreements:

• The purchase of information resources in all formats, including access to electronic resources, is managed centrally by AFU LRC based on the Academic affairs requirements and recommendations.
• The selection of suppliers of information resource materials is carried out through the University’s purchasing system, regulations, and procedures.
• License agreements are checked by the procurement unite, to ensure we can meet all the obligations required of us by the providers, and appropriate levels of access can be made available for users.

Method of procurements and acquisition:

1. participate in book fair
   • LRC team collect titles list from publisher representatives.
   • LRC team share the lists with AFU (college / Department) representatives to select the titles.
   • LRC team receive suggestions and choices from AFU (college / Department) for indexing.
   • LRC team and procurement visit the book fair and purchase the Selections 
   • LRC team start technical operations.
   • LRC team create a list with new titles added to collection and share with AFU LRC Users.
2. Direct order from publishers or Distributors.

Circulation rules:

• The circulation rules for LRC users as below:

• Faculty Member
  •  They can borrow 10 items for 90 days, and it can renewal for 90 days.
  • The first overdue period 15 days, second overdue period 15 days after that item status change to lost.

• Graduate Student

• Textbook
  • They can borrow 4 items for 15 days only and it can't renewal.
  • The first overdue period 15 days, second overdue period 15 days after that item status change to lost.

• Reference Resources
  • They can borrow 4 items for 60 days, and it can renewal for 60 days.
  • The first overdue period 15 days, second overdue period 15 days after that item status change to lost.

• Undergraduate Student

• Textbook
  • They can borrow 3 items for 10 days only and it can't renewal.
  • The first overdue period 15 days, second overdue period 15 days after that item status change to lost.

• Reference Resources
  • They can borrow 3 items for 30 days, and it can renewal for 30 days.

The first overdue period 15 days, second overdue period 15 days after that item status change to lost.

• Administrative Staff
  • They can borrow 4 items for 15 days and it can renewal for 15 days.
  • The first overdue period 15 days, second overdue period 15 days after that item status change to lost.
  • Dictionaries, encyclopedias, multimedia, theses, and journals it is not allowed to borrow it, only use inside the library.

Overdue Process

1. The LMS is sending a courtesy notice before two days of overdue date through the academic emails.
2. The LMS is sending Frist alert after two days of overdue through the academic emails.
3. The LMS is sending second alert after five days of overdue date through the academic emails.
4. The LMS is sending third alert after ten days of overdue date through the academic emails.
5. A phone call may also be made to the users.
6. After the overdue period indicated in the table above, the book status is converted to lost.
7. User account it will be suspended if the total fine reach 300 AED

Fine and Lost or Damaged Resources

1. Lost or damaged materials should be reported as soon as possible to the information Desk.
2. The maximum fine assessed for any item delay 120 AED.
3. Unpaid fines/fees will result in registration or transcript blocks for students as well as suspension of borrowing privileges.
4. Delay fines will be waived in these situations: 
   • In the pandemic and natural disasters.
   • Serious illness of User or family member.
   • Accident involving User or family member.
   • Death of User or family member.
   • Presentation of Medical Certificate.
   • When a lost or damaged item charge has been paid, outstanding overdue fines on that item will be waived.
   • There may be additional grounds under which the reduction or waiver of overdue charges may apply. LRC staff will consider individual circumstances and the user’s explanation.
5. In general, we cannot waive or reduce fines for any of the reasons below:
   • You did not know about or you disagree with the LRC fine/fee structure.
   • Your current financial situation prevents you from paying LRC fees or charges.
   • Semester breaks, vacations, exams, etc.
   • Material loaned /used by a third party.
   • Disregarding a recall request for an item
   • You did not receive a reminder or an overdue notice.
   • You could not remember the due date.
   • You were out of town.
6. Users are not charged for normal wear and tear on LRC materials. However, the following conditions do not constitute normal wear and tear and may result in replacement charges:
   • Wet or moldy books
   • Books damaged by food stains, oily or sticky residue.
   • Books missing pages or covers.
   • Books containing marking by pencil, ink or highlight marker.
   • Books showing tears, cuts, graffiti, or other unusual damage.
7. The LRC has the authority to request the same edition or newest edition of lost or damaged items.
8. The price of a lost or damaged book is determined by price from publisher or Distributor.
9. The fees for fines and losses for all type of user as below:
   • Delay fines (2 AED per day per item + VAT)
   • Lost fines (item price + 50 AED = Total + VAT)

LRC Services:

• The LRC staff is available to assist students and faculty or other individuals or groups on using the LRC and its resources effectively.
• The LRC provides access to electronic resources (including e-journals), available to AFU faculty members, staff, and students. 
• Users can access LRC electronic resources 24 hours a day, both on and off campus through the LRC portal (https://e-Library.afu.ac.ae)
• Reference Services: Staff at the information desk offers assistance and instruction in the use of LRC resources. Readers with bibliographic inquiries are advised to consult reference desk staff who are available during the LRC opening hours. They can contact in person or by calling or e-mailing the LRC staff personnel for necessary assistance.
• Security System: the LRC is equipped with a security system. An electronic RFID security system is in use to prevent the loss of LRC materials. If an item is taken out of the LRC without being properly circulated, the audible alarm will be triggered. In this insistence, the user is forced to go back to the information desk for proper check out.

Information Literacy Program:

1. Access and Entitlement:
   • Information literacy programs are available to all University students, faculty, and staff members.
   • Information and guidance on available training and development opportunities will be announced through the LRC portal and emails.
   • The LRC also welcomes suggestions and feedback or requests for training on any skill or area that would benefit members of its community.
2. Specific Levels of Information Literacy Instruction:
   • New students and faculty orientation programs: this usually occur at the beginning of each semester in coordination with the Deanship of Student Affairs.
   • Ongoing training sessions and workshops: (throughout the semester) on various topics such as: search techniques, searching techniques with federated search engine, etc.
   • On-demand training sessions: to address specific training needs or training resulting from suggestions or recommendations.
   • Assessment of the various Learning Resources information literacy programs takes place as part of the overall Learning Resources assessment during the academic year and this managed by QAIEC.
3. ormats of Learning Resources Information Literacy Programs:
   • Physical Orientation lectures and workshops
   • Online orientation lectures and workshops
   • Learning Resources User Videos, PPT and Manuals.
   • Information desk instructions.
4. Information Literacy Process:
   • The head of LRC sends an email to the concerned deans and head of department to arrange sessions schedule by beginning of each semester.
   • LRC staff prepare the final schedule and share with faculty members.
   • LRC staff deliver the session as per the approved schedule.
   • Head of LRC prepare a report on delivered sessions at the end of each semester when the schedule is completed. The report is forwarded to the VPAA.
5. Photocopy and Print:
   • The UAE Copyright Law governs the photocopying of copyrighted materials. LRC and other non-profit institutions are exempted from the law if the photocopy is to be used for research, scholarship, teaching and studying.
   • Copies of printed materials, by individuals, are permitted for their own use or as a request for the instructor’s personal use.
   • Copies are allowed for scholarly use to facilitate research and teaching activities. 
   • Acceptable copying parameters that comply with the Copyright Law.
   • A chapter from a book, or multiple excerpts if the total copies are 10% or less of the total length of the book.
   • An article from a periodical issue or newspaper.
   • A short story, short essay, or short poem.
   • Copyright has run out. 
   • Copyright owner has given permission or license.

AFU bookshop services:

• Selling textbooks.
• Photocopy.
• Print white and black/colors.
• Scanning paper.
• Binding.
• Stationery.