FAQs
Library access:
Q. Where is the Library and Information Service?
Q. What are the Library's opening hours?
Q. Can I access the Library outside of staffed hours?
Borrowing:
Q. Can I borrow books out-of-hours?
Q. Can I take journals out of the Library to read/photocopy?
Q. Do I have to come into the Library to renew my books?
Q. How many times can I renew my books?
Q. I've lost my library card, can I still borrow books?
Q. The book I need is not held here/out on loan. What can I do?
Computer and photocopying facilities:
Q. Are computers available in the Library?
Q. Does the Library have a photocopier?
Q. Do you provide WiFi access?
Q. Are scanning facilities available?
Online resources:
Q. What online resources does the Library provide access to?
Q. Can I access online resources from home?
Q. The journal article I require is not available. What can I do?
NHS OpenAthens access:
Q. Am I eligible for NHS OpenAthens access?
Q. How do I get an NHS OpenAthens account?
Q. I've forgotten my NHS OpenAthens username/password. What do I do?
Q. I've moved to a new organisation. How do I update my NHS OpenAthens account?
Library access:
Q. Where is the Library and information service?
A. The Library and Information Service is located on the main hospital site in Torbay. We are between the Horizon Centre and TREC. Please click here for map.
Q. What are the Library's opening hours?
A. The Library is staffed 8.30am - 5pm, Monday to Friday (apart from bank holidays). Out-of-hours swipe access is available to library members with trust ID badges. To request out-of-hours access please click here.
Q. Can I access the Library outside of staffed hours?
A. Yes, out-of-hours swipe access is available to library members with trust ID badges. To request out-of-hours access please click here.
It may also be possible, in some cases, to arrange out-of-hours access for library members without ID badges. Please contact a member of the Library team for more information.
Borrowing:
Q. Can I borrow books out of hours?
A. If you have out-of-hours access (see FAQ above) then you can borrow books out-of-hours using the Library's self service machine. Please note: in order to use the self service machine you will need your library card.
Q. Can I take journals out of the library to read/photocopy?
A. Print journals are reference only and so cannot be taken out of the Library. Photocopying and scanning facilities are available to enable you to make copies within copyright restrictions.
Q. Do I have to come into the Library to renew my books?
A. No. Books can be renewed online via the Library's catalogue at www.swims.nhs.uk
Choose the 'Log in account details' option from the menu and enter your library card user code (found on the back under the barcode).
Please note: books can only be renewed 3 times. Online renewals will be unsuccessful if the book is a 7 day loan/restricted book, overdue or reserved by another library member. If your renewal is not successful please contact a member of the Library team.
Q. How many times can I renew my books?
A. Books can be renewed a maximum of 3 times as long as they are not reserved by another library member. For information on how to renew your books please see above FAQ.
Q. I've lost my library card, can I still borrow books?
A. Books are borrowed via the Library's self service machine. In order to use the self service machine you will need your library card. A replacement card can be issued at a cost of £2.
Q. The book I need is not held here/out on loan. What can I do?
A. If the book you require is currently on loan to another library member then please contact a member of the Library team to place a reservation.
If the book you require is not available from the Library you can request it by filling out our online request form. This request form can also be used to request unavailable journal articles.
Computer and photocopying facilities:
Q. Are computers available in the Library?
A. There are currently 7 computers available for use in the quiet study area of the Library. All provide access to the Internet, Intranet and Microsoft Office (e.g. Word, Excel). Two computers can be used for elearning and two scanners are available. Access to these computers is via your normal trust login. A guest login is available during staffed hours.
A. A4, black and white printing is available. Printing for work, study or research purposes is free. Printing for personal use requires a contribution of 5p per page.
Q. Does the Library have a photocopier?
A. There is no photocopier in the Library, however, two scanners are available in the IT Area and any scanned items can be saved or printed. Scanning instructions are located by each scanner.
Please note: it is your responsibility to adhere to copyright restrictions.
Q. Do you provide WiFi access?
A. Public WiFi is available in the Library - no username or password required (Network name: Public-Internet) . Please note: only Trust provided devices will connect to the password protected Trust WiFi.
Q. Are scanning facilities available?
A. Two scanners are available for use. Instructions are located by each scanner.
Please note: it is your responsibility to adhere to copyright restrictions.
Online resources:
Q. What online resources does the Library provide access to?
A. A wide range of online resources are available to you. These include: ejournals; databases (e.g. Medline, Cinahl); ebooks; point-of-care tool UpToDate (TSDFT staff); ClinicalKey (TSDFT staff) and Clinical Skills(TSDFT staff).
In order to access online resources you will need an NHS OpenAthens account. For more information please see the NHS OpenAthens FAQs below.
Q. Can I access online resources from home?
A. Yes all online library resources can be access from home using your NHS OpenAthens username and password.
Q. The journal article I require is not available. What can I do?
A. If an article that you require is not available from the Library you can request it by filling out the Library's online request form. This request form can also be used to request print books that are not held by the Library.
NHS OpenAthens access:
Q. Am I eligible for NHS OpenAthens access?
A. Eligibility for NHS OpenAthens is restricted to people working for the NHS, students on a placement in a clinical setting, plus certain other groups as stated. To view the eligibility conditions please click here.
Q. How do I get an NHS OpenAthens account?
A. You can register for an NHS OpenAthens account using the online form at: https://openathens.nice.org.uk/
Once the form is submitted you will receive an account activation email. Please follow the instructions contained within the activation email in order to set your password and activate your account.
Tip: to enable your account to be automatically approved please use an NHS email address and/or an NHS networked computer. If you do not use an NHS email/NHS networked computer your account will need to be approved by the NHS OpenAthens administrators. You will not be able to access resources until your account is approved.
Q. I've forgotten my NHS OpenAthens username/password. What do I do?
A. The password reset page can be found at: https://openathens.nice.org.uk/ForgotPassword/Reset
To reset your password enter the email address that is associated with your NHS OpenAthens account and click confirm. If the entered email address matches an active account you will receive a password reset email containing instructions on how to reset your password.
Tip: your registered email address can be used as your username.
If you do not receive an email or cannot remember which email address you registered with then please email: athens.sdhct@nhs.net
Q. I've moved to a new organisation. How do I update my NHS OpenAthens account?
A. To enable you to access resources provided by your new organisation you must update your NHS OpenAthens account details. To do this login to your account at: https://openathens.nice.org.uk/Hub
Once logged in select the 'Change organisation' option from the menu on the left. You will then be able to update your details as required.
If you encounter any problems with this process please email: athens.sdhct@nhs.net