If you are a midwifery student at the Portsmouth Sub-Campus (St Mary's Hospital) you can use either the Portsmouth NHS Library (Queen Alexandra Hospital) or your placement NHS Library. The Queen Alexandra NHS Library is not a branch of Bournemouth University Library, but an arrangement has been made between them and the Trust to enable you to use certain services and resources.
Location and opening hours
Check the Portsmouth NHS Library's web pages for information about:
- Opening Hours
- Location
- Contact Details
- Services and Facilities
Registering to use the Hospital Library
You need to register separately with the Portsmouth NHS Library to obtain a NHS library card; this can be done by filling out a registration form in the Library. Identification will be required in the form of your BU ID card. Registration may take 24 hours.
Borrowing - Hospital Library
How do I find books in the Library?
In the Library there is a printed guide called "Where to find books on a subject", which will tell you the shelf mark for the books you are interested in. The shelf mark scheme is different from that of the University, but will be explained to you during your induction.
Use the Library Catalogue, which is on computer in the Library, to find specific books. Details of the books and journals in the hospital library can be found on the SWIMS catalogue (this catalogue contains the holdings of all NHS libraries in the South West and South Central Regions, Portsmouth NHS library has the location code H27).
How long can I borrow items for?
The loan period will usually be shown in the item's front cover or sleeve. The standard loan period for books is 28 days, but some more popular books and videos have a shorter borrowing period of two weeks or less.
There is a limit to the number of times an item can be renewed. Books borrowed directly from Portsmouth NHS Library can be renewed online via SWIMS. Renewals need to be made with the library from which you originally borrowed the item.
What if my book is overdue or has been recalled?
Fines are payable for the late return of items. A loans ban will also come into operation when items are overdue. You can renew most items on or before the date due, provided no-one else requires them. An item may be recalled for another reader after the initial loan period even if it has been renewed.
How do I find out what items I have out on loan?
Ask a member of the Library staff to check for you (you will need your NHS Library card).
Please do not pass on material you have borrowed to someone else. You are responsible for it until it is returned to the library.
What do I do if I'm going on placement or on holiday?
It is your responsibility to ensure that items are returned or renewed prior to going away. If the due date is whilst you are away you will need to contact Portsmouth NHS Library by telephone or letter to renew the items. If another reader requires an item or your have renewed it the maximum number of times, you will need to make arrangements to return it to the library.
Where do I return books?
Books borrowed directly from Portsmouth NHS Library or obtained for you by Portsmouth NHS Library on Inter Library Loan from BU's Library should be returned to the Portsmouth NHS Library Issue desk.
Other books should be returned directly to those libraries from which you originally borrowed them.
What if someone else has the book I want?
You can reserve it. You will be informed when it is available for collection.
How does the library keep in touch with me?
You will usually be contacted by post to your home address - please let the Library know if other arrangements need to be made.
Finding help
You will receive an induction from hospital library staff and you should ask staff memebers for assistance during staffed hours.
Library and IT sessions timetabled by Bournemouth University staff are important to attend, as they are designed to give you the skills to carry out research for your assignments. To complement these sessions, one-to-one Subject Advice appointments by webinar can be arranged with your HSS faculty library team.
For help using resources on the University library web pages, use the Library CHAT service or ring Bournemouth University Library Enquiries on (01202) 965959. If your require extra help contact your HSS faculty library team.
Other resources
There are a number of other resources that may be available to you as you are studying on your placement year, with information available through our Other resources for students on placement in the NHS page.