Check-out and Check-in (Issue and Return) procedure

Check-out and Check-in of the library item are restricted to the Central Library at GICT building only. All the members are expected to transact through the RFID KIOSK installed in the Basement of the Central Library at the GICT building during library circulation hours. The library also facilitated a book drop facility at the reception of the University Activity Centre and East Campus for returning the borrowed books.

Check-out Procedure

• Patrons check the book for any damage before borrowing. If there is any damage, report the same to the staff at the circulation counter to take the necessary action.
• Books are checked-out (Issued) through RFID self-check-out KIOSK, and the book card inside the borrowed book should be dropped in the box at the circulation counter.
• If the borrower cannot check-out the book through RFID KIOSK for any reason, they may take the help of library staff at the counter to borrow the books.
• No due date stamp shall be placed on the due slip. Borrowers get email and SMS alerts regarding their transactions in the library. Borrowers may also obtain the details by logging in to Library Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) account.

Check-in (Return) Procedure

• Books are checked-in (Returned) through RFID self-check-in KIOSK and returned books should be placed on the shelf near RFID KIOSK.

Check-in procedure through book drop facility

• Borrowers can also return the books through book drop boxes near the reception area of the University Activity Centre and East Campus.
• Every day at 9:00 AM the library arranges to clear the returned books from the drop Box.
• Library staff verify the condition of the returned book and perform the Check-in process only when the book is returned in good condition. The user will get a notification on receipt of book/s in the system. If there is any discrepancy in the check-in, the user will get an email intimation from the library on the issue. Users are advised to contact the library if they do not receive information within two working days from the date of return of book/s.

Check-in process through RFID Self-check-in KIOSK

• Borrowers return the books through RFID Self-check-in KIOSK and place the book in the rack near to KIOSK.
• Checked-in (Returned) books are placed on the return shelf for two days, and later those will be released for the shelf.
• Library staff verifies the condition of the returned book and allows the shelving of the book only when the book is returned in good condition. The borrower will get an email intimation from the library if the book is not returned in good condition.

Documents that Patron can borrow

• Patrons can borrow books from the general shelf.
• Reference books can be borrowed with the approval of the Director of libraries in exceptional cases. Such books will be issued during the closure of transaction hours of the Library for the overnight issue. Multivolume books and items under the non-borrowed category cannot be issued.

Documents that can and cannot be borrowed

• Journals Bound Volumes, Newspapers, Loose issues of journals and magazines are to be referred to within library premises and are not available for issuing out.
• Dissertations/Project Works submitted by Ahmedabad University will not be issued.
• Reserve Shelf Books are not issuable. Under exceptional circumstances, these materials can be issued at the discretion of the Librarian.
• Rare and expensive books are kept in the reference section for reference only, which cannot be issued.
• Coffee table books, Displayed Books & Reference books will not be issued.
• CD/DVD, Cassettes, or any other non-book material.

Renewals/Reservations and Overdue Charges

• All Ahmedabad University students, faculty, and staff can use the library facility and services. All the borrowed books are to be returned/renewed on or before the due date. If the books are not returned/renewed, three reminders will be sent at ten days interval for each reminder.
• If the Student borrowers do not respond even after the third reminder, his/her membership will be blocked for the rest of the semester, and the book will be treated as lost by the student. The library will arrange to recover Rs. 250/- as a penalty and three times the book cost. The amount, once recovered, will not reimburse for any reason.
• If the Faculty/Staff borrower is not responding or is unable to return/renew the books even after the third reminder, the books will be treated as lost, and the matter will be reported to respective School Deans/Department heads for further action.
• If the Alumni/ Guest does not return the books before the due date, their membership shall be blocked, and the book/s is treated as lost. In this case, the book or replacement costs/three times the book cost shall be deducted from the membership deposit along with Rs. 250/- as a penalty.
• The borrower can renew the borrowed titles twice. However, the borrower is not allowed to continue the reserved title/s. Students can reserve a maximum of two titles at a time. Suppose the reserved titles are not collected within two working days from the date of intimation from the library; the reservation will get cancelled and released to stack or allocated to the next person in the queue.
• Patrons should immediately report the loss of book/s to the library to avoid late fines. Further, the borrower shall replace the book within 25 days in the case of Indian editions and 45 days in the case of foreign editions. If the borrower cannot return the book/s, they shall pay three times the book cost.
• Books should be returned in the same condition as when Patrons\ borrowed them. Users shall be responsible for returning the library books in good condition. Damaged books will be treated as lost books, and the amount of book/s will be charged as a penalty. Hence, the borrowers are advised to check the condition of the books while borrowing from the library counter.
• Users should read the instructions to perform self-checkout (issue)/self-check-in (return) operations on the RFID counter. The users should ensure to close their transactions before they leave the system. The system works like an ATM. If the transaction is not closed, there may be chances of misuse of the system.
• Users should ensure the return transaction is completed when they return the book. If not, they should immediately alert the library staff by providing proof of return.
• The library has the right to recall or curtail the lending period of any borrowed books in exceptional circumstances.

Issue of Library Use Certificates

The Director of Libraries in consultancy with the circulation section in-Charge shall issue Library Usage/Attendance certificates to faculty and other members as and when requested. The user should have a library membership to obtain the library usage certificate.

Issue of Library Use Certificates

The Director of Libraries in consultancy with the circulation section in-Charge shall issue Library Usage/Attendance certificates to faculty and other members as and when requested. The user should have a library membership to obtain the library usage certificate.

Library Clearances

Library clearances will be issued only after clearing all the dues from the library. All the students, research scholars, faculty, officers, non-teaching staff and other bonafide members of the library must obtain a library clearance certificate before leaving the University.

Theft/Misuse of Library resources

The library staff will seriously view the theft or abuse of Library resources like books, journal issues, reports, and dissertations. If found guilty, library staff will report the matter to the Director of libraries for necessary action.

General Conduct for the Users:

• Library books and other lending items shall be issued against student Identity (ID) cards that are non-transferable and will remain effective during the course.  Books and other documents will be issued against the ID Card. Proxy borrowing is not allowed. However, the library allows anybody to return the books on behalf of the borrower.
• Users must make an entry in the gate register with their name, entry time, exit time and signature.
• Users must produce their ID card while visiting the Library and produce the same as and when asked for.
• Users are required to deposit their belongings at the property counter kept at the entrance gate at their own risk. No belongings except money bags or valuable items (Jewelry, mobile, etc.) are allowed inside the Library. However, laptops/ personal notebooks may be permitted inside the Library.  The users are prohibited/discouraged from leaving any valuables at the checkpoint. The Library is not responsible for any loss of personal belongings.
• The books removed from the shelves for reading should be kept on the nearest table after the reference. The users are requested not to try to shelve the books by themselves, considering that a book misplaced is lost.
• Readers should not deface, mark, cut, mutilate or damage the library resources in any way. If anyone is found doing so, he/she will be charged with the total replacement cost of the resource. The books borrowed should be protected from rain, dust, insects, etc.
• All users are requested to keep their mobile phones switched off or silent while in the Library.
• Beverages and eatables are not allowed inside the Library. Loitering or sleeping in the Library is strictly prohibited
• No photograph of the Library shall be taken without proper authorisation.
• A suggestion box is available at the Library to receive user feedback to improve the library services.
• Users are expected to keep the sanctity of the library through their excellent manners and behaviour. If any users are found violating the conduct, the library has the right to cancel/suspend the membership of the users.

General Conduct to use Computers and E-resources:

• All the users are expected to observe network etiquette.  Users are prohibited from falsifying their identity; transmitting obscene messages or pictures; revealing personal addresses or telephone numbers of them or others; or using the network in a way that would disrupt the use by others. Users shall not use computers for any prohibited activity.
• Every user in whose name the IT Centre issues the internet account will be responsible at all times for its proper use.
• Users shall not let other persons use their names, login IDs, passwords, or files for any reason. Users shall not use others' internet accounts or try to hack others’ passwords.
• Users shall not erase, rename, or make anyone else's computer files, programs or disks unusable. They shall not write, produce, generate, copy, propagate, or attempt to introduce any computer code designed to self-replicate, damage, or otherwise hinder the performance of any computer's memory, file system, or software. Such software is often called a bug, virus, worm, Trojan horse, or other name.
• Users shall not connect to a mobile or any other external device. Users may not install, download, copy, or distribute copyrighted materials such as software, audio or video, files, graphics, and text without the permission of the library or network administrator.
• Users are expected to keep the sanctity of the library through their excellent manners and behaviour. If any users are found violating the conduct, the library has the right to cancel/suspend the membership of the users shall keep the sanctity of the Library and keep the premises clean.