THE COLLEGE LIBRARY

BACKGROUND

The Federal College of Education (Technical) Gombe Library was established in 1977 with an initial collection of about 500 volumes in the temporary site at the former Craft School Gombe (The present Gombe State University). It moved to its permanent site along Gombe – Bajoga road in 1990. The College Library is made up of the main Library and the Virtual Library.

OBJECTIVES:

The general objective of the college library is to support the academic activities of the college. This objectives is achievable through a well organized resources provided in the library which are geared towards achieving the goals of the institution. The specific objectives of the college library include:-

To provide extensive materials for study, teaching and research for the benefit of the students and staff of the college.
To ensure that the resources and facilities provided are maximally utilized through proper organization and dissemination.
To preserve the library materials for continuous use.
To evaluate from time to time, the successes of the library in meeting the needs of its users.
To give qualitative reference and information services to its users.
To inculcate reading and other library habits in the staff and students through general instruction.
To provide services which offer maximum access through the use of new technologies.

THE STRUCTURE OF THE LIBRARY

The Library is sub-divided into four major divisions:-:

ADMINISTRATION:

The office of the College Librarian is in charge of the administrative division of the library. It is responsible for planning, directing, monitoring and supervision of the day-to-day running of the entire library system and reports to the Provost.

TECHNICAL SERVICES DIVISION

Technical Services Division comprises of the acquisition unit, cataloguing and classification unit and the reprographic unit of the library.

The Acquisition Unit:
This unit selects and acquires relevant books and other information materials for the library. It is also responsible for updating the collection of the library.
The Cataloguing and Classification UnitThis unit is responsible for the cataloguing and classification of books and other information materials using Dewey Decimal Classification Scheme. It is also responsible for updating the catalogue and teaching users on how to use it.
Reprographic Unit:
This unit undertakes all the printing, mending and binding of library materials. The unit also offers other general services which include binding, photocopying and printing services.

THE READERS’ SERVICES DIVISION

The Readers Services Division deals directly with users by providing resources for consultation both within and outside the library. It is a place where users consult, read, browse, borrow and return books. The readers’ service comprises of 5 units which are; circulation unit, reference unit, reserve unit, document unit and serial unit.

Circulation Unit:
This is the public relations unit of the library which deals directly with readers by providing them with registration facilities, charging and discharging of library materials as well as assisting users to obtain information in the library.
Reference Unit:
It is a unit that answers user’s enquiries through the use of reference materials such as encyclopaedias, dictionary, bibliographies, biography, and directory etc. The materials in this section are consulted to get specific information and they are not borrowed for use outside the library.
Document Unit:
It is a unit where student’s project and government publications are kept for research and consultation. However, users are not allowed to photocopy project materials.
Reserve Unit:
This unit contains books that are in high demand and often the copies are few in the library collection. Also books and other information materials that are very costly are usually kept in the reserve unit. Books and other information materials in this unit are consulted on 2 hourly bases. They are borrowed only by special permission.
Serial Unit:
The Serial unit houses academic journals, bulletins, newspapers, magazines and newsletters. Presently, the Serial Unit contains both national and international academic journals in most of the programmes offered in the College.

VIRTUAL LIBRARY:

The Virtual Library contain online and offline information resources. The offline resources are materials obtained through the Local Area Network (LAN) such as the Essential Electronic Agricultural Library (TEEAL), e-granary and local collection. The online resources are materials that are subscribed to by the Library for readers. They include electronic journals and books from EMERALD, EBSCO, AGORA, and HINARI. In addition, the Virtual Library is connected to the Internet to help users obtain current information. All the services offered in the library have been automated and this makes it easier for readers to obtain information in the library within the shortest possible time, hence reducing the time for readers to search for information materials. Equally, the virtual library offers its facilities to public organizations at a subsidized cost for the conduct of e-examinations, workshops, seminars, meetings, etc.

The Virtual library has been receiving interventions from Federal agencies like the National Commission for Communications (NCC), STEP-B, and Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND). These organisations at different times provided intervention in the supply of computers and its accessories in both hard and soft ware, installation of internet, net working of the library, installation of solar energy as a back up for alternative energy supply, etc

Library Rules and Regulation:

The following are some of the rules and regulation which every reader must abide by.

Noise making, eating, chewing and smoking is strictly prohibited in the library.
Bags and other belongings of readers must be kept at the entrance of the library.
Readers are expected to leave all consulted books on the reading table.
There should be no movement of chairs and tables in the library.
Animals including toys are not allowed into the library building.
No making or receiving phone calls in the Library
Books must be properly checked out before they can leave the library.
Every user must present his/her Library I.D Card for admission into the Library
Users are not allowed to use the computers in the library for typing of assignments or any personal work.
The use of flash drive is not allowed in the virtual library and indeed in all the computers in the library.

OPENING HOURS

During Semester period:

Monday to Friday	8.00 am – 9.00 pm
Saturday	8.00 am – 1.00 pm

During Vacation:

Monday to Friday	8.00 – 4.00 pm
Saturday & Sunday	Closed
Public Holidays	Closed

MEMBERSHIP

Membership is open to the following categories of readers:

All registered students of the College
All staff of the College
Those with introduction letters from various institutions, and other similar agencies who may be allowed to use the library for research purposes.

REGISTRATION

Registration of readers is normally carried out at the beginning of each academic year.

All students and members of staff are eligible to register with the library.

Students and staff are expected to fill a registration card which should be countersigned by the Head of Department, in the case of students and by the Dean of School/HOD, in the case of staffs.

After fulfilling these conditions each member, on registration is issued with library tickets (i.e. 2 for each student and 3 for each staff). The tickets correspond to the maximum number of books each category of reader can borrow at a time. The tickets for students are valid for three academic sessions, while those for staff are valid for the period of their stay in the College. However, all readers are expected to renew their Cards at the beginning of each session. As indicated earlier, registration takes place both manually and through the library automation process.

LOSS OF TICKETS

Loss of a library ticket must be reported to library immediately. An application for replacement would be made, with a fee of N10.00 charged for each lost ticket. The amount is subject to review from time to time.