The Class Library
The School of Classics Library (Class Library) is located in Room 6 on the first floor of the Swallowgate building. The Class Library houses Ancient History, Classical Studies, Greek and Latin books and periodicals. Although many of the books contained within the Class Library are also available in the University Library (UL), several others are exclusive to the School. There is a Classics donations collection housed within the Class library, which contains extra copies of books listed in SAULCAT.
The School Librarian, Mrs Carol Wright in Swallowgate 5 is here to help you achieve the most out of using the Class Library. The following points explain in detail how the Library operates.
1. Opening hours
The Class Library is open to undergraduates during term time only, Monday to Friday between 9.00 am and 5 pm.
You may borrow and return books only between 9 am and 1 pm and between 2 pm and 4.00 pm; on Wednesday afternoons a self service system operates.
The Librarian is not available outwith these hours. It is important, therefore, that you plan your book borrowing accordingly.
2. How to find books
Books are arranged by class mark order. The far room contains books with class marks A through to HQ. The other room contains books with all other class marks, including separate cases for Penguin Classics, Budés, Oxford Classical Texts and Loebs. There is also a selection of reference books and dictionaries - these are for Reference only.
You can use the Class Library’s SAULCAT computer to help you find the class mark or you can also search by author, title or keyword(s).
You can also browse the Classics donations collection, or search it by author or title.
If you cannot find a book on the shelf, it should be assumed that it has more than likely been borrowed by another reader, but it is worth checking with the Librarian; it may have been designated for short loan or may be waiting to be reshelved. It is also possible for the Librarian to recall a book for you (see 'recalling books' below).
3. How to borrow books
Books (other than reference and short loan material) are available to borrow for two weeks in the first instance. Undergraduates can borrow up to TEN normal loan books at any one time.
School of Classics Library books are marked on SAULCAT as “Consult Department Library”, since the catalogue is computerised but the issuing system is a manual one. Classics donations collection books are not listed in SAULCAT, but you can browse the Classics donations collection separately. You should physically check the shelves for the item before consulting the Librarian.
Once you have found your book(s), you will need to complete a Borrowing Slip for each book you wish to borrow. These are to be found in the blue box next to the SAULCAT computer in the class library (S6) and in the Librarian’s office (S5).
The completed form(s) and all the books to be borrowed should be taken to the Librarian in S5 (or the Secretary in S8). The Librarian will stamp your books with the date they are due back (i.e. fourteen days hence).
On Wednesday afternoons a self-service system operates between 2 and 4pm. You should complete the borrowing slip(s) as usual and place both copies in the box provided at the side of the PC in the class library. The next day you will be emailed confirming the due date of return; please make a note of this date in your diary, as further reminders will not be issued.
It is a serious offence to remove a book from the Class Library that has not been properly checked out with the Librarian or a Secretary.
It is forbidden to borrow books on someone else’s behalf or to swap books with friends.
In the event of damage, loss or the late return of books, you will be held responsible and will be asked to make full reparation.
4. Short loan items
Short loan items are kept in the Librarian’s office – S5. These can be borrowed for up to 3 hours during the day, overnight or over the weekend. Only three short loan items can be borrowed at any one time and all must be signed for in the presence of the Librarian or a Secretary.
You may reserve short loan items for normal, overnight or weekend borrowing with the Librarian.
Overnight/weekend loans will be issued between 2pm and 4pm except on Wednesdays when they will be issued between 12 noon and 1 pm.
Short loan items borrowed overnight/for the weekend must be returned to the Librarian by 9.45am on the next working day.
5. Returning Books
It is your responsibility to ensure that all books are returned by the last date stamped in the book. Automatic overdue reminders are not issued. Courtesy emails may be sent by the Librarian if time permits.
It is vital that all books are returned to the Librarian in S5 during her office hours, or exceptionally, when she is not available, to the Secretary in S8. Do not leave books anywhere else (such as in the Library) even if it means that you will have to return them late. The Librarian will assume that books left in the Library are to be reshelved and it may take some time to prove that you have returned them. Meanwhile you will be accruing fines. Books mistakenly returned to the UL may be shelved there in error (and remain undiscovered until the end of the year) or can take several days to find their way back to the Class Library. In both cases you will continue to be fined until the book is returned to us.
While you should always try to return the books in person, if there is a genuine reason why you cannot do this, ensure that whoever is returning the books on your behalf notifies the Librarian. If she is unable to match the books with the borrower, it is possible that you will continue to be fined as if the books were overdue.
6. Reissuing/Renewal
If you wish to extend the loan period of a book, then it is possible to have it for an additional two weeks provided no other borrower has requested it. To arrange this, you must bring the book in to the Librarian (or the Secretary) so that the dates can be altered on the book and your slips.
If you are unable to attend please email clslib@st-andrews.ac.uk to request renewal of your book(s).
7. Fines
Fines are imposed according to the tariff set by the University Library. See http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/library/services/borrowing/loanperiods/ for current rates.
8. Recalling Books
The Librarian can recall a book for you from another borrower although the original borrower is allowed up to 3 days to return it. The Librarian will notify you by email when it has been returned and will reserve it for you for 2 days. If you have not claimed it in that time, it will be reshelved.
Similarly, the Librarian may recall books you have borrowed. This will be done by email and failure to return it by the date requested will result in a fine. Please return recalled book(s) as soon as possible and within 3 days of the email date and time sent regardless of the date stamped in the book.
9. Periodicals and Dissertations
Some Periodicals are kept in store and you should consult the Librarian if you wish to borrow one.The Librarian also has copies of some past dissertations in her office. These can be borrowed for consultation but should not be photocopied under any circumstances.
10. Electronic Resources
The Librarian also holds a small collection of resources on Video/DVD/CD-ROMs which your tutor may suggest you use.
11. Holiday Lending
It may be possible to borrow books over the Christmas and Spring vacations but this must be arranged with the Librarian.
Generally speaking, returning undergraduates are not allowed to borrow items over the summer holidays, but exceptions may be made for those students planning to submit a dissertation in the first semester of their senior honours year. Again, this should be arranged with the Librarian.
12. General Points
- Only bottled water is permitted in the Class Library. Anyone caught eating or drinking otherwise will be asked to leave immediately and will be reported to the Head of School.
- While you are not expected to be silent while in the Class Library, sustained or loud chatter is not allowed. Persistent offenders will be reported to the Head of School.
- Mobile phones must be switched off at all times when in the Class Library.
- laptops may be used, but leads/cables must not trail or cross any walkway.
- In common with the rest of the University, most communication with the Librarian will be via email e.g. for recalls, reminders, notification of books awaiting collection etc.
If you have any problems or questions about using the Class Library, please get in touch with the Librarian (extension 2608, email clslib@st-andrews.ac.uk).
