Library

The library in 2008 moved to its present structure that was formerly a nursery school on campus. New furniture replaced some of the old ones. The first computer was acquired and thus acquisition of library documents were computerized. With the acquisition of a photocopier, the photocopying service was carried out in the library. Services offered in ENSAB library included;

• Borrowing/lending
• Photocopying
• Library Orientation/User Education.

Library opening hours were from Mondays to Fridays, 8.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m.

By decree N^o. 2010/371 of 10^th December 2010, The University of Bamenda was created and organized by Decree N^o. 2011/045 of March, 2011 on the 30^th of September 2011, Decree N^o. 2011/319 appointed, the first Vice-Chancellor of the University. Directors and the first Chief Librarian were appointed on the 06^th of December, 2011. The appointment of the Chief Librarian changed the nature and services of the library. The library the ceased from being ENSAB library to the Central Library of The University of Bamenda.

It has the following functional Divisions;

• Administration, Archives and Museum
• Acquisition/Technical services
• Media Division.

According to Arrête N^o. 13/0022/MINESUP of 13^th March 2013 appointing personnel in Universities, the Head of Division for Bookshop and the following service Heads were appointed;

The Divisions have various services under them;

• Archives
• Museum
• Collection Development/Acquisitions
• Classification, Cataloguing and Book Finishing
• Binding and Reprography
• Serials and Copyright
• Media Systems
• Readers/Reference
• Faculty/School libraries

Mission Statement

The University library exists to provide a service of reference and lending material, appropriate to the needs of the staff and students, thereby enhancing and facilitating the achievement of the University’s objective of teaching, research and lifelong learning. The library selects, acquires, processes, organizes and disseminates adequate information resources in print and non-print formats.

Vision of The University of Bamenda library

To select, acquire, organize and make accessible to library users the documents they require for their training, research, publication and information. To also facilitate the training of students and staff and making resources available as laid down by UNESCO.

Objectives of the Library

With the creation of Faculties and more Schools, the Central library now focuses on the following objectives;

• To select, acquire, organize and disseminate all information resources in the University.
• To promote through documentary action and adaptation of services any initiative in the area of research and further research.
• To encourage library users in the use of information and communication technologies and further research.
• To cooperate with other libraries and information organizations with similar objectives in a bid to maximize users satisfaction.
• To provide study areas for users.

The University of Bamenda library is the nerve center of all academic activities in the University of Bamenda, and it supports teaching, learning and research needs of all categories of users. The library has a caliber of staff that contributes its quota to the achievement of the organizational goal of producing high level manpower for the nation, conducting research to solve the economic and developmental problems of the nation and rendering community services.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CHIEF LIBRARIAN

Introduction:

He/she is expected to be in continuous control of the library system; to be able to communicate effectively with the library community, both staff and users and to be a leader in the community while serving as the official representative of the library. He/She has the following responsibilities;

• Develops policies, services and resources to meet the immediate and long-term goals of the Library and the Institution.
• Plans, organizes, implements and evaluates the entire Library’s operation.
• Employs effective management techniques in directing, planning, organizing, staffing, coordinating, budgeting and evaluating the Library’s operation.
• Provides open avenues for the critical review of library operations such as acquisition, circulation, personnel management and financial administration.
• Directs the administration of personnel regulations and the review of staff performance and approves new staff appointments, promotions and dismissals.
• Directs investigation of new trends in specific library programs and facilitates testing of new techniques, materials and equipment for improvement of the library’s operations.
• Serves as the official representative of the library system in all actions legally binding upon the institution.
• Oversees the administration of the library in-service training program, and provides for the continuous upgrading of library personnel through the encouragement of continuing education.
• Encourages staff participation in professional societies, associations and activities at all levels.
• Coordinates the activities of all Head of Divisions making sure that their activities are geared towards maximum user satisfaction.
• Connects the library to other national and international libraries so as to enhance inter-library cooperation for maximum library use.
• Prepares library’s reports.

• Library Instruction or User Education
• Staff Training Programmes. This is to develop and enhance capacity building in nonprofessionals and professionals.
• Inter-library loan services. This is done between the Central library and Faculty and School libraries.
• Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI). Users are informed of new acquisitions in their various disciplines.
• Current Awareness Services (CAS). New acquisitions are processed and placed in the section of “New Arrivals” for three days to create awareness.
• Photocopying services. Users photocopy important information needed for research. Copyright law is taken care of.
• Binding/repairs. Minor repairs of worn out documents is done in the library. There are prospects for binding of old and new documents.
• Borrowing/lending service.

Open shelf collection can be borrowed by all registered members. All reference materials and those in close access are not available for loan. The circulation desk provides loan services.

The Library Opening Hours

The library’s opening hours vary according to the following schedule;

Semester Period

• Monday to Friday: 7.30 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.
• Saturday : 7.30 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.
• Sunday and Public Holidays: closed

Vacations

• Monday to Friday: 8.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.
• Sunday and Public Holidays: closed

Membership

• Internal membership

The use of the library is normally permitted to registered users only. Registration as a library user is opened to all persons in the following categories;

• • Full time and part time staff members of the university, teaching and research staff, senior members of Administration and the library staff.
  • Registered research students (of the University).
  • Members of Council.
  • Registered full-time postgraduate and undergraduate students.
  • Other University employees.

• External membership

This comprises The University of Bamenda Alumni and retired staff of The University of Bamenda.

• Short Term Access to the library.

The library can be used by the following category of persons upon acceptance of a written application;

• Part time research assistants.
• Visiting Scholars and Researchers.
• Senior Cameroon Government Officers carrying out research.
• Academic staff, Post Graduate students and Undergraduate students of Private Universities.

Library Collections

The library collection comprises books, journals, conference proceedings, theses and dissertations, e-resources such as journals and e-books. The library collections, at present, stand at 12,000 books and 10 periodical titles inherited from ENSAB. Since 2012, the library has acquired and treated more than 6200 books and journals in hard copies. The e-library has a total collection of about 600 titles of books and journals. There are also more than 100 soft copies of documents.

1. Open Stack collection
   The open stack collection consists of textbooks and monographs on various subjects acquired to support learning, teaching and research needs of the University of Bamenda. All academic staff, students and other registered members of the library are allowed to borrow from this collection.
2. References
   Reference sources such as dictionaries, encyclopedias, handbooks, and directories are available.
3. Journals
   There are journals especially in the library of the Faculty of Health Sciences.
4. Theses and Dissertations
   The collection consists of Theses and Dissertations of postgraduate students of the University of Bamenda. Lecturers are also encouraged to donate theirs for reference.
5. Electronic Databases

The library subscribes to electronic databases in various subject areas.

1. Faculty of Health Sciences Library.

This is managed by two staff. Opening hours are as follows;

Monday to Friday: 7.30 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.

Saturday:                 8.00.a.m. to 1.00 p.m.

Sunday and Public Holidays: Closed

The service hours are;

Monday to Friday: 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.

Saturday               : 8.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.

     2. Higher Institute of Commerce and Management Library

This is managed by a library assistant. The working hours are as follows;

Monday to Friday: 8.00 a.m. to 3.30 p.m.

Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays: Closed

Service hours;

Monday to Friday: 8.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m.

1. Registration

• Admission to the library is on condition that one has fulfilled the Rules and Regulations. These can be obtained at the circulation desk of the library.
• These Rules and Regulations will be enforced by all members of the library staff.
• The Rules and Regulations apply to all sections of the Central Library and Faculty and School libraries.
• These Rules and Regulations are subject to change from time to time.
• All users who wish to borrow library materials must be registered.
• Registration requires valid proof of identification which includes National Identity Card, school fees receipt and the University card.
• One seeking registration must have accepted the rules and regulations and poised to respect them.
• The user’s change of address should be notified to the library.
• No user will be allowed to borrow books before completing the authorized library registration procedure which comprises signing The University of Bamenda Library Users’ Declaration Form.
• Notices will be sent including overdue notices for books and other documents on loan to the user’s address known to the library.
• Printed library notices will be made available on the library notice board.
• The library will also communicate to users by e-mail.

      2. Borrowing/Lending

Open shelf collection can be borrowed by all registered members according to the library’s circulation policy. The circulation desk provides loans, returns, renewals and other services.

• No library materials may be removed from the library without the issue being recorded in the appropriate manner. The security guard in charge of the exit is authorized to examine materials being taken out of the library and users present items for inspection.
• The Chief Librarian may restrict or prohibit the borrowing of any library materials.
• Library users are at all times responsible for any library materials which have been issued in their names and this responsibility ends only when the materials have been returned to the library and the issue records cancelled.
• Wives/husbands of senior university staff may use the I.D. cards and borrowing tickets of their spouses(with permission)
• Categories I and II under library MEMBERSHIP may borrow up to three documents while those of categories IV and V may borrow up to two documents.
• All books and other documents borrowed must be returned at or before the end of the loan period.
• Returned books may be renewed provided they are not required by another library user. Books can be renewed three times unless they have been reserved by other users. Reservations are made at the circulation desk.
• A book may be recalled if it is demanded by another library user. In such a case, the document must be returned immediately.
• Lending transactions should be completed half an hour before closing time.
• Borrowers are not permitted to borrow or renew on behalf of other members.
• Materials in the close access may not be borrowed except with the special permission of the Chief Librarian.
• Both current and backsets of periodicals may be borrowed by senior members of staff for overnight loan only and must be returned by 9.00 a.m. in the morning.
• Reference books cannot be borrowed. They must be consulted in the library.
• Books and other documents on loan are for the personal use of the borrower only and must not be passed on to any person whether registered or not.
• Periodicals, theses, dissertations, rare books and archives are not available for loan.
• Media materials (both hard and soft wares) may be borrowed by members of the university teaching staff, with a library staff in attendance in the case of hard ware. Any damage will be the responsibility of the borrower who may be requested to pay for a replacement or repair.

      3. General

• All documents removed from the shelves and consulted should be left on the reading tables.
• All users should leave the library immediately it is closing time as requested by the library staff.
• Any damage to library materials should be reported to a member of the library staff.
• Do not deface, damage or mark any library documents.
• Conduct yourself in the library in such a way that your presence will not be offensive to any other user.
• All library users leaving the University of Bamenda are required to obtain clearance from the library to indicate they are not in possession of library documents.
• All cases of loss of borrower’s tickets or membership cards must be promptly reported at the circulation desk. The cost of replacement of a borrower’s ticket is 500frs.
• Photocopying services are offered in accordance with the copyright laws. Photocopying is done by an authorized member of staff.
• Smoking, eating and drinking are not allowed in the library. Making and answering phone calls are not allowed in and around the library premises.
• Children and animals are prohibited from entering the library.
• The library will not assume responsibility for any property lost in the library premises.
• Umbrellas, bags and newspapers may not be taken into the library.
• Users may not reserve seats for friends in any part of the library.

      4. Fine and Charge

• All overdue documents are subject to fines.
• Any user who owes fines will not be allowed to borrow until the fine is paid.
• Cases of damage and mutilation will lead to the replacement of such which shall include other costs.
• Lost books are charged with the cost for extra copies.
• Student borrowers who refuse to return library materials will not be issued with clearance certificates to enable them collect their degrees or diploma certificates until they return the items and pay their fines.
• Failure to return a book that is recalled will attract a fine.

The library comprises five Divisions with their Heads. Each Division comprises Services with their Heads. The Divisions and Services are as follows;

Administration, Archives and Museum Division.

This Division collects, preserves and makes accessible the non-current records of individuals, groups, institutions of enduring value. The archival and museum collections are created for educational, informational and recreational purposes.

The Division is charged with assisting the Chief Librarian in the recruitment, development and management of human resources and the setting up of the proper management of the University Archives and Museum.

The Services include; Archive service, Museum service and Administration service.

Acquisition Division.

This Division is responsible for selecting, ordering and acquiring materials needed by the library to meet its users’ needs. It also solicits and receives donations on behalf of the library.

The Division ensures systematic development of the library’s collections print and non- print.

It is also responsible for accessioning and registration of acquired documents.

The library’s collections are acquired using the following policy;

• All scholarly Cameroonian materials to be acquired.
• At least 80% of the titles from the reading list for all courses offered to be made available.
• To purchase research materials.
• Access, currency and cost factors are considered during purchase or subscription.

The Services of this Division are; Acquisition and Collection Development service, Cataloguing and Classification service, Bindery and Reprographic service.

The Media Division

This Division is charged with the organization for use of various information resources in print, non-print and electronic formats. It is also responsible for putting in place adequate technologies for the exploitation of information resources. The Division is also responsible for the registration and orientation of all library users.

The Division is made up of the following services; serials and copyright service, media systems service, readers and reference service, faculty and school library service.

The University Bookshop Division (Not yet functional)

The University Printing Press Division (Not yet functional)