About Us

University of Nicosia Library & Information Centre 

The Library is a short walk away from the main campus building.

The Library’s main objectives are to provide quality resources that support the educational and research goals of the University community, to help students assume responsible roles in a changing society and to be of service to society through partnerships with business and civic institutions.

The Library holds approximately 100,000+ print books in all relevant areas of study and can be accessed through the online catalogue UniCAT (Aleph). Access is also given to thousands of electronic resources through on-line databases, a big number of E-books (500,000) and full text e-journals (30,000) from various publishers that cover all relevant areas of study.

All resources are available through the Library webpage. Online resources can be accessed on campus, whereas for off-campus access, a current Library account and proxy settings configuration is required before gaining access.

To make access easier and faster, the Library uses various discovery search tools, such as EDS, which enables users to search databases and e-journals or search the catalog concurrently. Through one search, results in abstracts or full-text, from different sources and publishers, are displayed simultaneously on a single screen.

In addition to the big number of resources, the Library provides a pleasant atmosphere for individual or group study, with a seating capacity of 200 seats, with networked PCs for electronic access and Wi-Fi access.  Photocopy facilities are also available, TVs and tape recorders as well as dedicated terminals with Super Nova (a program for blind or visually impaired users).

Νo library can hold all the materials needed for research.  In such cases a loaning and Interlibrary Loan Service is provided, which through collaboration with other state universities, or through the British Library Document Supply Centre, aims to satisfy all user needs.  The Library is also part of a Cyprus Library Consortium (CALC), which has been created, along with other academic libraries, with the aim of sharing costs and resources for the benefit of all.

Our moto is “Service to all users”, and the Library staff is always on hand to assist in the search for any   materials needed. The Library organizes regular training sessions to assist students in developing hands-on skills and is very active in organizing training workshops, user groups and annual updating on old and new e-resources, always aiming at providing the best service possible.  Information Literacy is an integral part of the service given to students, with the aim to be assisted in gaining skills and critical thinking that can be transferred in the future, from the academic environment to their personal and professional success.

Service also extends to service to the community, and for this reason a Children’s Reading Room has been prepared, where authors and actors are invited to read stories to children (ages 4-12) and help them gain a pleasant experience as to what a Library is.

Finally, in the recent years, the Library has been selected to host the European Documentation Centre (EDC). The EDC receives and has access to official EU publications, documents and electronic databases, to make them available to academics and the public.  The EDC, also, provides training and instruction for individuals and groups in finding EU information and using EU tools.

1.   Objectives
2.   Core Collections and Subject Collections
      a.   Core collections
      b.   Subject collections
3.   Information Included in All Subject Policies 
4.   Collection Levels
5.   Selection Criteria
6.   Additional Criteria
7.   Materials Budget and the allocation of funds
8.   Program Profile Formula
9.   Ordering Audiovisual materials
10. Ordering Periodicals
11. Ordering Out-of-print books 
12. Gifts 
13. Duplicates
14. Weeding 
15. Replacements
16. Dissertations and Theses
17. Local Author Publications
18. Electronic Resources
     a. Internet-based Resources
     b. Freely available Internet Resources
     c. Electronic Serials
     d. Electronic Formats Collection Development Policy
19. General Policy Evaluation
 

1. Objectives
University of Nicosia/Intercollege library provides support for the teaching and research functions of the various academic programs offered at the university/college. The general criteria used for the acquisition of library materials are listed below in priority order.

1. curriculum support
2. standard source availability (i.e., standard or “core” materials on subjects studied at the college.
3. faculty research support
4. graduate student research support
5. subject representation (i.e., representative materials on major trends in scholarship)
6. inter-institutional needs (i.e., agreements for certain projects)
7. collection continuity (i.e., maintenance of strong existing collections)

The Library’s objectives are achieved through the development of a collection of materials (monographs, serials, audio-visual materials, computer software and instructional materials) related specifically to all the academic program areas. English language materials predominate in nearly all program areas, except for those specifically taught in Greek or other language programs. Current (still in print or recent) publications will predominate in most areas, unless it is deemed essential for the subject area to purchase out of print materials.

The scope of interest (local, regional, national, or international) will be specified in each subject’s collection development statement.

2. Core Collections and Subject Collections
There are two types of collections, core collections and subject collections

a. Core collections are the most basic materials needed to support the general needs of the College users. They include: essential reference sources such as encyclopedias, directories, handbooks, indexes, interdisciplinary periodicals, newspapers, databases and web sources.

b. Subject collections are the departmental collections that are the main focus collection. Departmental faculty must work closely with the Collection Development Office staff to assure that the subject collections support the curriculum, service and research needs of the college. Allocation of the funds needed for the subject collections should be based on the various needs of the collection as well as the fair procedure established by the university.

3. Information Included in All Subject Policies 
All subject specific collection development policies will follow the following outline:

1. Subject
2. Overall Collecting Level
3. Purpose of the program of study; Degrees granted; Number of students and Faculty.
4. General collection guidelines; Preferred language, chronological guidelines, dates of publication, geographical areas, preferred
    publishers, formats, materials and formats excluded.
5. Other considerations
6. Statement of collection strengths and weaknesses
7. Listing of subdivisions of subject
8. Related subject areas
9. Impact or influence of cooperative collection programs.

4. Collection Levels
The comprehensiveness of subject coverage within the collection will vary in accordance with the library’s stated objectives. The library will decide to acquire resources in a specific subject area that are sufficient to constitute a collection on one of the levels defined below from the ALA’s Guide for Written Collection Policy Statements:

1.  Library does not collect
2.  Minimal Level. Few selections made beyond basic works
3.  Basic Information Level. Provide resources that introduce and define a subject. It includes basic reference works,
     explanatory works, historical descriptions of the subject e.g. dictionaries, encyclopedias, handbooks, bibliographies, indexes.
4.  Study or Instructional Support Level. A collection adequate to determine the current knowledge of a subject in broad outline
     and the most important historical aspects of the area. It consists of a limited selection of: monographs and serials, general
     reference materials and basic journals.
5.  Research Level. A collection which supports in-depth study and independent research in the major published source materials
     for dissertations for the needs of most graduates.

5. Selection Criteria
Specific factors that will strongly influence the selection of particular types of material are:

1.  Suitability of the subject in relation to its intended level of coverage.
2.  The style should be appropriate to the level of materials collected.
3.  The English language will be preferred for all collections, with the exception of some courses where Greek will
     be preferred over English. In some cases only the Greek course materials will be purchased for Evening courses taught in
     Greek. Items in languages other than English and Greek will be acquired only when the nature of particular courses and
     projects warrant such an acquisition.
4.  Study or Instructional Support Level. A collection adequate to determine the current knowledge of a subject in broad outline
     and the most important historical aspects of the area. It consists of a limited selection of: monographs and serials, general
     reference materials and basic journals.
5.  Research Level. A collection which supports in-depth study and independent research in the major published source materials
     for dissertations for the needs of most graduate students. 

6. Additional Criteria

a. Monographs:
- Authority
- Comprehensiveness and depth of treatment
- Objectivity
- Clarity, accuracy, and logic of presentation

b. Periodicals:
- Appearance of periodical title in indexing and abstracting journals
- Ease of acquisition
- Completeness of holdings 
Subscriptions to periodical titles new to the library are placed to begin with the current volume. The purchase of back runs will be considered if a reasonable demand and price is expected.
 

7. Materials Budget and the allocation of funds
Money budgeted for library materials are allocated in the following manner:

50% General fund allocation
This includes current periodical subscriptions, microforms, electronic databases, general standing orders.
30% Program allocation
These funds are divided among all the programs of the university according to a program estimate developed by the Librarian.
20% Discretionary allocation
Discretionary funds are used for programs which have special needs, are scheduled for accreditation, or are clearly underfunded by the program allocation formula. When planning for new courses or programs, faculty members consult with the Librarian to discuss the need for additional library resources and the Librarian in turn submits requests for discretionary funds. 

8. Program Profile Formula
The following data are considered in devising a formula for the allocation of funds to programs:

• Number of students enrolled in a program
• Size of Library’s current collection (books, AV, periodicals, electronic formats) in the program area
• Actual use of library materials
• Cost of materials, using average prices
• Special needs of program
 

9. Ordering Audiovisual materials
Audiovisual materials are purchased from established vendors or distributors. Before ordering the Department Head and the Librarian should be consulted for approval.

10. Ordering Periodicals
Periodicals are mainly ordered from a periodicals vendor subscription service. Periodicals that cannot be supplied through a vendor are ordered directly from the publisher or through a local Bookseller.
Because of the College’s technical and professional programs needs, the Library subscribes free of charge, to a number of technical and professional periodicals unavailable through traditional vendors. Some periodicals are acquired through faculty whose membership in professional organizations entitles them to receive professional publications. 
 

11. Ordering out-of-print books 
The Library generally does not attempt to purchase materials through the out-of-print marketplace. Exceptions may be made for certain items identified as classic or for certain collections e.g. Cyprus Collection, for which there is a compelling reason for purchase. 

12. Gifts
Gifts are judged by the same criteria as purchased materials; they will be screened before acceptance is made possible. If gifts are found to be unnecessary duplicates or are otherwise not required for the collection, the Library reserves the right to dispose of them in a manner it deems suitable to the particular material at hand.

13. Duplicates
Extra copies of some titles of exceptional interest or for titles on high demand due to large number of students, (above 40) will be obtained for the collection.
Second copies of periodical titles are purchased only for those titles with high loss rates depending always on the cost of the item.

14. Weeding
Selection for removal of material no longer useful to the collection requires the same degree of attention as selection for acquisition. Judgments are made based on the same intended levels of coverage and the same selection criteria. The following categories of materials are subject to weeding:

1. Duplicates of titles purchased when the book was in heavier demand.
2. Material of no current significance to the university.
3. Badly damaged or worn material.
4. Material that is inconsistent with selection criteria.

Periodical cancellations generally result from one of the following circumstances:

• Changes in University of Nicosia/Intercollege programs/projects.
•  Budgetary constraints.
• Insufficient use.
• Shortage of physical space in the Library.
• Availability of items in other libraries –or extravagance.

15. Replacements
The library does not automatically replace missing or damaged items. Consideration is given both to the current value of the item to the collection, and other evidence of demand for the item. Replacement will often depend on the existence of more current material that renders the item obsolete, by shifts in programs at the university and by emerging strengths in other libraries.
Whenever possible, missing issues of current periodicals will be replaced unless replacement proves impossible or too expensive. All replacements are dependent on funds being available.

16. Dissertation and Theses
The Library does not purchase dissertations or theses. These may be borrowed through Interlibrary Loan.
Dissertations of faculty and administration are accepted as gifts to the Library and are handled in accordance to the gift policy.

17. Local Author Publications
The library does not automatically purchase any works that are published by local authors unless they meet the established selection criteria. The library accepts selected gifts of works of the community if they fulfill the general selection criteria.

18. Electronic Resources
General collection development principles apply to all Library resources regardless of format and which can be delivered to students at all campuses. The Library considers these materials based on General Selection Criteria and availability of funds. The library will collect in the most current technology available when resources are available:

a. Internet-Based Resources
- Licensed resources and databases
- Selected freely available internet resources
- Selected electronic serials

Selection Criteria
This includes:
- relevance to curriculum
- reliable and verifiable
- demand by users
- recommendation by faculty
- cost (initial, ongoing/maintenance cost, comparison of access vs purchase cost)
- currency of data
- extent of cumulative coverage
- production quality 
- training requirements 
- ease of use 
- novice and expert searching levels
- ease of exiting from one point in database to another
- index browsing
- documentation
- hardware requirements
- capability of networking
- vendor reliability
- customer support
- licensing requirements

b. Freely Available Internet Resources 
- Reliability of website
- Authority of author and sponsor
- Accuracy of content
- Amount and comprehensiveness of content
- Currency of information and frequency of updates
- Accurate hyperlinks with website
- Ease of use
- Uniqueness
- Accessibility through standard and widely available browsers and software

c. Electronic Serials
Serial publishers often give access to an electronic version of a current subscription. The library will routinely check with serial publishers to determine if access to this additional format is licensed for general patron use.
- Ease of access, e.g. IP recognition
- Full text
- Access to back issue or archives
- Indexed or abstracted in available databases
- Reliable hyperlinks
- Reliability of website, e.g. PURL (persistant url)
- Ease of use, e.g. printing and document delivery options
- Accessible through standard and widely available browsers and software 

d. Electronic Formats Collection Development Policy

1.  This policy is intended for the selection and acquisition of electronic resources and all publicly accessible electronic resources
     acquired for the trial, in consultation with the Computer Supervisor, the Library Director and the appropriate subject
     specialist for the discipline involved. For the purposes of this document "electronic format" refers to that category of
     materials which require computer access, either through a microcomputer or a mainframe, the Internet, or the World Wide
     Web e.g. CD-Rom products, machine-readable data files, and Internet and Web site resources. 
2.  Materials in electronic format will be considered for purchase on the basis that some value will be added by the electronic
     format that will be in agreement to the collection development policy of the library.
3.  Consideration must be given that the hardware for the item requested is available or if it needs to be purchased.
4.  The method of accessing a product will be determined by its level of user access, type of computer support, type of
     collection, staff support levels, user assessment of products, etc.
5.  Requests for new electronic formats will be reviewed by the the Library Committee and the Head of Electronic Information
     Resources.
6.  Electronic format items will be processed for purchasing by the Library who will function as the institutional contact with all the
     vendors. If the item is to be purchased on a subscription basis, it will be paid from the serials fund.
7.  Online library products (e.g. OCLC, Firstsearch, etc.) may be funded under contractual services funded out of the library
     materials budget.
8.  If an individual desires to evaluate electronic formats on a trial basis, the vendor should be contacted and the product
    valuated by both the Information Resource Manager and the library faculty with expertise in the subject area involved. 

19. General Policy Evaluation
The collection development policy will be evaluated and changed as necessary by a committee appointed for that purpose.

1. How do I borrow an item that cannot be loaned out?
2. Is there internet/wireless service in the Library?
3. What if the Library does not have the item I need for my research?
4. What happens if I did not receive my overdue notice and I’m being fined?
5. What happens if I damage or lose a library book?
6. What happens if there is an item in my account that I did not check out?
7. What happens if I moved, went abroad or was ill?
8. What happens if I have a problem connecting to a specific electronic resource or service?
9. How do I access the library catalog from home?
10. How do I borrow a book?
11. How do I avoid fines?
12. How do I search for journal articles?
13. What do I do if I have a reference question?
14. Whom do I contact for library policy questions?

1. How do I borrow an item that cannot be loaned out?

Photocopiers are available for making copies of articles or chapters you need from materials that cannot be loaned out.

For Art students and lecturers a photocopy machine is available for full colour copies. For more information please contact the Circulation Desk.

2. Is there internet/wireless service in the Library?

Computers are available for searching the various databases or other search engines. There is a half-hour time limit for computer usage and where users fail to use the internet for research, library staff has the right to ask them to leave the library. Materials accessed can be printed, can be downloaded or sent to your e-mail address.

Wireless access (WiFi) is also available in any part of the library. Ask at the Circulation Desk for a wireless password. Laptops can also be used in various areas of the library. Make sure you have enough battery storage for access, as there is a limited number of plugs available.

3. What if the Library does not have the item I need for my research?

Use our Interlibrary Loan Service (ILL).

4. What happens if I did not receive my overdue notice and I’m being fined?

Overdue notices are sent as a courtesy by mail or over the phone. The library does not take the responsibility of overdue notices being received late or not being received at all. Overdue notices are not the only means of knowing when you need to renew or return your books. You can check your return dates either on the due slip at the back of your books or on-line in your own account. In the event that overdue notices are not received you are responsible for paying your fines.

5. What happens if I lose or damage a Library book?

If you damage or lose an item, you need to report it right away to the Circulation Desk. In the case of damage you need to pay for its repair or if lost you need to pay for its replacement cost as it stands today, with an additional processing fee of €17. (see our Library Code of Conduct).

6. What happens if there is an item in my account that I did not check out?

Write up the book’s title and author with your name, address and a phone number where you can be reached. Explain in a few sentences the reason why this item cannot be yours and hand it in at the Circulation Desk. The library will investigate and reach you within a few days.

7. What happens if I moved, went abroad or was ill?
   If you move or change address, you must update your records at the Circulation Desk. You are responsible for any fines as you must return your items either before moving or going abroad and before fines are generated by the system. If you become ill you should submit a doctor’s certificate of illness

8. What happens if I have a problem connecting to a specific electronic resource or service?

Can’t connect to the University of Nicosia/Intercollege Library web site: Contact: libithelp@unic.ac.cy

Need help logging in to use research databases: Contact libithelp@unic.ac.cy

My University of Nicosia/Intercollege Library Card Number will not authorize me to access My Library Card: Contact libithelp@unic.ac.cy

Can't renew your books online: Contact libithelp@unic.ac.cy

Need help to retrieve information from a specific electronic resource: Contact libithelp@unic.ac.cy

Need help or training to search a specific database regarding formulating a search strategy for my research:
Contact libithelp@unic.ac.cy

Can't connect to on-line resources from home: Contact libithelp@unic.ac.cy

9. How do I access the library catalog from home?

Go on our web page www.library.unic.ac.cy. You can search for material in the search box or click in the Catalog button for print books. Print journals available in our library and at our other two campus libraries.

The library catalogue as well as all Databases, eJournals and eBooks can be accessed from anywhere on campus as well as from your office or home (click on Off-Campus Access  for more details on how to get connected).

In the case where you find materials available in another campus library, you can call the Circulation Desk and ask to have them placed on hold for two days before you can pick them up. After the two days, they will be put back on the shelves, if not requested by you.

10. How do I borrow a book?

Click on Borrowing Information.

11. How do I avoid fines?

Click on Loss of Privileges / Fines.

12. How do I search for journal articles?

Click on eJournals and go to Journals Collection to find general information on on-line journals. You can, also, search for journals in databases by clicking on Databases.

13. What do I do if I have a reference question?

Contact: libithelp@unic.ac.cy

14. Whom do I contact for library policy questions?

Contact: libithelp@unic.ac.cy

UNIC Library & Information Center is primarily committed to serving the research, teaching, and academic needs of its students, faculty, and staff.  Access to collections, borrowing privileges, and use of computers are limited to those affiliated with UNIC. 

Access Privileges

UNIC Library & Information Center is open to visitors and external users but access to specialized collections in prohibited.  In addition, due to our licensing agreements, off-campus access to electronic resources to non-UNIC individuals is restricted.

Borrowing Privileges

Borrowing of UNIC materials are limited to members of the UNIC community and affiliates of the Institute.  Please visit our Borrowing page for more information. 

Alumni

Members of the Alumni Association are eligible to borrow materials from the library.