Library Circulation and Collection Use Policy

Special directives

1.1  Eligibility

All physicians and surgeons registered by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC except those holding registration statuses listed in section 1.2 below may use print and electronic materials from the College.

1.2  Library patrons

College registrants have access to the full services of the library except for the following registration categories:

• former, resigned (except retired – life registrants)
• former, retired/former, resigned are eligible for purchase of annual library service membership
• former, cancelled
• former, erased
• suspended
• educational (in training)
• postgraduate (fellow), not licensed for independent practice
• postgraduate (trainee), not licensed for independent practice
• postgraduate (resident elective), not licensed for independent practice
• postgraduate – non-paying, not licensed for independent practice
• temporarily inactive
• visiting, not licensed for independent practice

Library service is intended for physicians retiring from medical practice permanently, not for physicians intending to practice in a jurisdiction other than British Columbia.

The College library does not extend services to residents or medical students, as the development of skills in searching and acquiring clinically relevant material is central to their educational programs.

Non-College registrants may subscribe to library service if they are fully registered members in good standing of a licensed health-care profession in British Columbia. The annual subscription cost is valid for a twelve-month period commencing on receipt of payment.

In using any library services or material, the patron accepts responsibility for the use and return of all materials borrowed and for charges on items that are overdue, lost or damaged.

1.3  Limits

The number of items which a patron may borrow may be limited on the basis of demand and number of copies held by the library. Remote access to electronic products may be restricted based on licensing agreements.

1.4  Loan period

A patron is expected to treat borrowed material with care and bring it back on time so that material will be available to other patrons.

A standard initial loan period for borrowed materials is three weeks. If another patron requests an item, it must be returned by the end of the current loan period.

1.5  Renewals

Items may be renewed every two weeks to a maximum of three months, with the exception of print journals. Print journals may be renewed for one additional one-week loan period only. Library materials may be renewed if there are no holds for the item. Renewals may be requested in person or by telephone, email, fax, or mail.

1.6  Holds

Most library materials may be reserved in person or by telephone, email, fax, or mail.

1.7  Interlibrary loan

Interlibrary loan is made available to patrons and to external libraries upon request at a charge.
Materials from other library systems are subject to loan conditions specified by the lending library.

1.8  Returns

Materials borrowed from the College library may be returned by mail, dropped off at the library or left with the concierge at the front desk in the building’s lobby.

1.9  Overdue fines

It is the responsibility of the patron to ensure that materials are returned on time so that they will be available to others. Patrons will be notified of materials that are overdue.

To encourage prompt return, fines have been established. Fines are assessed only if the item

• has been requested by another patron and is not returned by the due date, or
• is not returned by the three-month maximum-loan due date.

Fines are $1.00 per day beginning one week after the due date. No fines are charged for days when the library is closed.

1.10  Damaged/lost items

All patrons are responsible for library materials borrowed from the library, including materials used by the patron in-house.