Bethlehem University Library      

Internal Telephone Directory

BETHLEHEM UNIVERSITY LIBRARY serves the academic community of students, administration, faculty, staff, alumni and visiting researchers.
The four-floor building, dedicated in 1978, has a housing capacity of 100,000 volumes, and seating space for about 320 library users.
, audio-visual materials and equipment.

Bethlehem University Library features an open stack which provides quick and easy access to its readers, and uses the Library of Congress Classification System.

The library is open on class days from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM. It is closed on university holidays.

LOAN POLICIES

Bethlehem University Library grants borrowing privileges to all Faculty, Staff and registered students.

Books: Faculty may borrow up to 20 books at a time for a period of 8 weeks, subject to renewal if not requested by another reader.  In cases when a student might need a book borrowed by a faculty or staff member, priority is given to the student.

Reference books: do not circulate except for class use.  Teachers are requested to pick up the Reference book themselves from the Director and return it immediately after class.

Reference books may not be lent out for weekends or during vacations.

Periodicals: the latest issue of a periodical may be borrowed for the weekend only, and should be returned before 9:00 a.m. on Monday. Loose back issues may be borrowed any time for a period of one week.  Bound volumes of periodicals are treated like reference books.

LOAN PROCEDURE

Present your University Identity Card to the Circulation staff. Faculty and staff are requested to keep their Circulation record up-to-date.  It is not recommended that teachers lend students books under their name, or get the books borrowed by a student.  This causes confusion in the Circulation records and loss of books.  Special requests from students who need more than 5 books are always considered by the Circulation Librarian. Students with seminars are allowed 7 books.

SECURITY: An automatic security system has been installed; be sure that all materials are properly checked out before passing through the exit.

LIBRARY SECTIONS

Circulation Desk / Reserve Shelf
The Circulation Desk is the front desk of the Library where library materials can be checked out/in.
Faculty may put books and other materials on the Reserve Shelf located behind the Circulation Desk. Faculty are requested to bring such materials and fill out the appropriate form themselves.  They should indicate whether they want the material to be borrowed overnight, or labeled Room Use Only.  Once instructions are given, Faculty are expected to observe them or ask the circulation staff, not a student to change them.

Loose pages or just stapled materials will not be accepted for Reserve, unless they are properly compiled.

Short documents for E-reserves can be posted on the library website.

Reference Desk
The Reference Librarian is available to assist any library user who needs help in looking for library materials.

Periodical Room
Periodicals are arranged on the racks by broad categories such as: General, Science, Nursing, etc.  Back issues are kept in red boxes until a volume is complete, then bound and kept on the top floor.
The Cardex, located in the Periodical Room, lists in alphabetical order, about 450 periodical titles that the Library subscribes to.

The Cardex indicates all information as regards issues available, missing or bound, and the year subscription was entered.

Periodical indexes are also kept in the Periodical Room.

Reference Section
All reference books, including teachers' dissertations and big sized art books are located in the Reference Section on the ground floor.

Books in other Latin languages are included with English.

The Audio-Visual Center forms part of a modern and updated Media Services Center
The Audio-Visual Center, is a special facility for the faculty, staff, and students of Bethlehem University.  The Center is located in the lower level of the Bethlehem University Library.  It offers a wide range of audio-visual production, and support services to the academic community.  The collection consists primarily of nonbook and electronic materials and equipment to support the instructional programs.

Materials
The Audio-Visual Center collects audiocassettes, videocassettes, DVDs, CD-ROMs and Internet resources.  The A.V. materials can be identified, retrieved, and accessed by using the OPAC found on the Library Website.

Equipment
Audiocassette recorders, slides, projectors, video digital cameras, opaque, LCD projectors, still digital cameras, digital recorders, microphones, laptop computer, audio recording mixer, DVD recorder, tripods and overhead projectors, videocassette players/recorders, and Computers with color and Laser printer and Scanner with DVD- writer are available to faculty, staff, and students of Bethlehem University.

Borrowing Privileges
Most audio-visual materials and equipment may be borrowed for use in the AVC and on campus by faculty, staff, and students of Bethlehem University.

Reservations for equipment and playback rooms (L1, L3, L4) should be made 3 days in advance of the date of use. They may be made by calling extension 2262 to fill the AV Reservation Form.

Loan Periods

Faculty
1 week
1 semester for certain materials/equipment.

Support Staff
1 week

Students
They can borrow certain pieces of equipment/A.V. materials only for the day with the presentation of a valid library card.  All items must be used in the AVC Rooms or on campus.  They should be returned not later than 3:30 p.m.

Services
The A.V.C. provides a variety of services:

•         Computer Editing with a Scanner and a Computer connected to a Laser and Color printer.  Faculty and Staff members can use this equipment to produce curriculum-related materials. A fee is charged to the department for printouts.  Reservations are required in advance.

•         A duplicate of DVDs / CD-ROMs.

•         Digital Video and still Camera are used with the assistance of AV staff to convert any view to a Computer format.

•         A video card for capturing from an analog or digital format source to a computer format.

•         Converting video format from analog to digital and vice versa.

•         Converting analog Audio cassettes to digital format.

•         Do some digital video/sound editing.

•         Recording sound interviews using a digital mixer.

•         Printing the university ID card.

•         Following up LCD projectors, translation equipment, sound systems in different places on campus.

•         Video Conference Facility rooms (L3 / Furno):
  Two rooms equipped with equipment to have a face to face meeting in another place in the world. L3 room, located in the lower level of the library, has a computer with LCD projector, Smartboard, DVD/ video player, Cameras, 3D microphone, Sound System and Plasma screen with possibility to record the conference and present any video/audio either analog or digital format on the Smartboard. Furno Hall, located in the Millennium building, has a Laptop computer, LCD projector, DVD/Video players, Sound System, Microphones and a Camera.

Reserve Shelf
Faculty may place listening or viewing assignments on Reserve for their classes.  These materials are kept in the AVC and are arranged by course number.

Graphic Design and Photographic Services
The AVC has the basic facilities to produce some graphic materials including overhead transparencies and visuals.  A limited range of photographic work is also carried out by the Center.  Standard services include Photo/ video/ slide production for teaching.

Internet and CD-ROM
The AV has a collection of DVDs/CD-ROMs and access to the Internet.

Instructional & Reference Services
Orientation tours, instructional sessions, and workshops are conducted by the A.V.C. for new faculty and students.

They also assist users in finding information and materials.

Playback service
The AVC provides equipment for playback of many different audio-visual formats including videocassettes, slides, audiotapes, pictures, DVDs, CD-ROMs, transparencies, and computer films.

The playback rooms (L1, L3, L4) are available and equipped to handle a variety of nonprint formats.  These rooms may be reserved by faculty when a media program is an integral part of a class presentation.

Recording/Duplication Services
The A.V.C. may record classroom and/or curriculum related activities in audio or video formats.  Duplication service provides a single copy only of prerecorded programs.

REQUESTS FOR RESERVATIONS OR SERVICES SHOULD BE MADE AT LEAST 3 DAYS IN ADVANCE.

Turathuna Center - Special Collections-Palestiniana Division

The Turathuna Center - Special Collections-Palestiniana Division, was opened in 1990.  Generous donations of Catholic Near East Welfare Association and Pontifical Mission to Palestine made this section of the Library a reality.  Through the generosity of Ireland Aid a new addition to the first floor of the library was constructed in the year 2000.  The new center was named Turathuna: Center for Palestinian Heritage at Bethlehem University.  The Special Collection is now located in this center.

Holdings
The main collection includes reference and circulating books in all fields of knowledge related to Palestine and Palestinian affairs except literary works which are kept in the general collection.  Old newspapers and periodicals like Falastin, Palestine Post, Mira't al-Sharq, Palestine Weekly and al-CarmeI are available on microfilm.  A microfilm/fiche reader-printer is available also for all users.  Other types of materials like rare books and manuscripts are for Room Use Only.

Borrowing Policy
Bethlehem University Faculty, Staff and registered students may borrow materials from this Division within the same borrowing policies and procedures of the main Library.  Students need to have a valid library card.

* Researchers from outside the University may use the Division upon request of a special library card from the Director for a minimal fee.  A researcher must seek permission for photocopying manuscripts and/or other materials for study purposes; the same holds true before publishing any manuscript. Indiscriminate photocopying, which can be tantamount to publishing is not allowed.  The researcher should inform the Library in advance, of his/her timetable for research and use of the Division.

Archives
The Archives organizes and preserves the history of Bethlehem University.  Photographs, documents, brochures, newsletters, newspaper articles, course catalogs and other memorabilia are collected.  In 1999 the Archives was relocated to the third floor of the library and is included in the structure and organization of the library.  It is open from 10:00-12:00 and 2:00- 4:00pm.

LIBRARY SERVICES

Photocopy service
Card-operated photocopiers are available in the Reference section and on the second floor for all library clientele to use.  Faculty may borrow a card from the Circulation Desk to make copies.  Cost of the service will be charged to the Department to which the teacher belongs.

The Circulation Desk will provide one photocopy only of every item, while multiple copies may be obtained from the Print Shop.

Request for a photocopying service in the Special Collections - Palestiniana Division should be transacted through the librarian in-charge.

Library Instructional Sessions / Organized Tours and Visits
The Library professional staff offer special sessions to students upon request from teachers on how to use the Library and its different resources.

Tours may be also organized for new faculty, staff and students who wish to know the library, its different sections, holdings and services.

Arranging for the service in advance is required.

Prioritized Processing of books
The library continuously acquires new books throughout the academic year.  These books are classified and catalogued as soon as they are purchased.  Teachers are always informed of the arrival of such new acquisitions.  If certain books are urgently needed, a teacher should inform the librarian in charge, and the books will be given priority in classification and prepared within 3 days at most.

LIBRARY LIAISON TEAM

The Library Liaison Team was initiated in 1984 to provide a channel of communication between the Library and Faculty for the purpose of improving library resources and services.  The L.L.T. meets once a term (or as the need arises) upon an invitation from the Library Director with a proposed agenda.

Information and ideas are communicated both ways, and suggestions acted upon when feasible.

BOOK BUDGET ALLOCATION

Each department / faculty is allocated a certain budget for purchasing books.  At the beginning of every academic year, the Library Director sends a memo to the deans and chairpersons to inform them of their budget allocation for that year.  By the end of the Fall Term, the Director informs them of their expenditures on book purchases.

BOOK SELECTION, ORDERING & PURCHASING
The Library has a book selection policy within which the professional staff of the Library operates. However, the teaching staff are very much encouraged to recommend titles in their fields of specialty but the ultimate responsibility for book selection rests with the Library Director and the professional staff.

The Library usually provides the faculty with up-to-date publishers' catalogs from which to select appropriate titles. Use "Online Acquisition" under "Library Services" on the library website to request new books for purchase. Once the request is received the ordering procedure will be taken care of by the librarian in charge of book orders.

In very special cases and with previous arrangement with the Library Director, a teacher may purchase books himself/herself and be reimbursed upon presentation of appropriate invoices or receipts.

The general policy is to purchase one copy of every title.  However, in special cases, up to 5 copies will be allowed particularly when the books are to be placed on Reserve to cater for a big number of students taking the same course.

PERIODICAL SELECTION
In selecting periodicals, the choices of the Faculty are important and the Library Director should give great weight to their recommendation, but he/she should maintain some control of selection. With a change of teachers in the Faculty, there will often be a change preference for periodicals.

The average faculty member is quick to drop a periodical and start a new one of his/her preference, whereas the Library should at least make an attempt to maintain continuity with its periodical holdings.  The overall responsibility for the growth of the periodical collection lies on the Library Director and he/she should make effort to achieve a truly excellent subscription list.

GIFTS
Many valuable books and other reading materials are received as gifts and such gifts are encouraged and welcome.  When gifts are made to the Library, adequate and prompt acknowledgement is done through a thank you note or a letter.  Gifts in terms of cash/cheque are handed over to the Vice President for Development, who in turn submits this to the Finance Office.  The Library keeps a record of all donors.

NEW BOOKS
New books are displayed in glass cabinets on the ground floor and may be borrowed.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

Study Atmosphere
A quiet study atmosphere should be maintained at all times in the Library.  The support of faculty in this matter is very much appreciated.

Lost & Found
The Library assumes no responsibility for missing articles and valuables within its premises.

Food & Beverages
These are not allowed in the Library.

Smoking
Is strictly forbidden within the Library premises.

NEVER HESITATE TO ASK THE LIBRARY STAFF FOR HELP AT ANY TIME.

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM