Library - Ghana Institute of Journalism

Welcome

Welcome to the Richard McMillan Library of the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ). With our user-friendly interface, we aim to provide easy navigation and access to the variety of materials in our collection. The Library also seeks to serve students and lecturers in the University Community, the Ghanaian public and the entire African continent. It is the Library’s aim to meet the information needs and provide services to facilitate academic and research work. To this end, our collection has been carefully selected to reflect the core programs of the Institute, i.e. Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, Advertising and Communication Studies. The Library is also aligned with the Institute’s vision of becoming the preferred communications training institute in Africa, upholding high academic standards and producing world class professionals for the transformation of society. Hence, we go out of our way to ensure availability of relevant and up-to-date information materials to our patrons. You are welcome to make suggestions and show concerns as to how to make your experience with our services better. Kindly reach out to any of our affable staff with your feedback. Thank you for coming and I wish you an enjoying and rewarding patronage. – Mrs Lydia Nyantekyi-Baah (Head Librarian)

Brief History

The Institute’s LIBRARY was established in 1960 and named after the first director of the Institute, Mr. Richard McMillan. It was reorganised in 2007 to help serve the needs of the Institute in its new role as a degree awarding university. The Library provides information in print format for its patrons in support of teaching, learning, research and publication. About 70% of the library holdings are on communication studies and the English language. The Library collection is made up of books, periodicals and electronic resources. There are approximately 9,000 reference textbooks and 4,000 students’ dissertations. It is also a member of the Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Ghana (CARLIGH) which gives access to several electronic databases. The Library has a seating capacity of 100 and an automated circulation system. In addition, the library has 70 computers. The graduate students’ library also has seven computers and resources for their academic and research work. The Library now has over 5000 registered users and is staffed by four professional and three para-professional library workers.

Vision & Mission

Vision

The Richard McMillan Library, by means of modern skills in managing academic libraries will insure optimum access and delivery of information to the Institute. As associates in teaching and research, we will excel in: collecting, preserving, and providing access to the best scholarly and educational resources; providing high quality, innovative services; and creating a welcoming and comfortable physical environment. We will foster an atmosphere that encourages diversity, excellence, and continued growth in finding ways to achieve the Institute’s goals.

Mission

The Library serves the knowledge and information needs of the Institute and the general public.
The Library provides quality resources and innovative services to stimulate creativity, intellectual curiosity, lifelong learning and research.
The Library is receptive to students and their instructional needs, to faculty and their teaching and research needs, and to administrators and their information needs.
The Library offers an environment conducive to creating and sharing of information and conducting scholarly research.

Core Values

We believe the Library is central to the intellectual and creative lives of the people we serve.

We are committed to:

- Prompt response
- Mutual respect and civility
- Quality service
- Customer satisfaction
- Life-long learning
- Collaboration
- Responsible stewardship

Collections

Africana Collection – Materials on Sub-Saharan Africa and Africa, including materials on Ghana.

Reference Books – Quick reference materials such as Encyclopedias, Dictionaries, World books, Almanacs, Yearbooks, etc.

Lending Books – Textbooks and other print materials registered users are permitted to borrow.

Periodicals – Print Journals, Magazines, Newsletters, Newspapers, Reports, Government publications, etc.

Development Information – publications by the United Nations, World Bank and other international organisations.

Dissertations & Theses – A collection of GIJ students’ final year project work on various topics over many years.

Past Questions – A collection of past semester examination questions at various levels over many years.

Government Publications –

Library Publications –

List of Departments

We currently run the following departments:

Collection Development/Cataloguing Department
E-Resources/Research Support Services
Reference and Reader Services Department

Library Policies

Membership

The primary clientele of the library includes the following:

Faculty Staff
GIJ Students
Administrators of the Institute

The general public is also allowed to use resources of the library.

Registration

All categories of users are required to register with the library as (borrowers) at the Circulation Desk.

Borrowing Privileges

Category	Total No. of Items	Loan Period
Faculty Staff	3 books	30 days
Students	3 books	14 days
Non-faculty Staff	2 books	14 days

Reference Books

Reference books are not borrowable. Periodicals, newspapers, journals, past questions, dissertations and project works may also not be borrowed.

Borrowing Procedures

Student ID shall be requested in all forms of borrowing.

Users need to complete all the information provided in the borrowers’ book.

Return books to the circulation desk and make sure your name is signed off by the Officer at the circulation desk.

Renewals

Items may be renewed again and again provided no reader requests for the material.

Fines

Overdue materials 50p per item per day.

Lost materials – thrice the current price of the item plus processing charge of GH¢10.00

Care of Books

No book is to be written in, cut, or damaged in any way.
Readers must not trace any picture or figure from any book/material.
Readers and borrowers will be held responsible for any damage to a book in their charge and will be required to pay the appropriate cost of such damaged books.

Offenses and Sanctions

The following shall constitute library offenses:

For unlawful acquisition or stealing of library materials, the following sanctions shall be applied:

Ordinary books – The member shall lose borrowing rights for one semester.
Reference books – The member shall lose borrowing rights for one semester.
Rare Books – The member shall lose the right to use the library for two semesters.
Mutilation of books and related materials – The member shall lose borrowing rights for two semesters.
Failure to return books and other materials on demand (i.e. when a book is recalled) – The member shall lose borrowing rights for one semester.

General Regulations

Silence must be observed at all times.
Smoking is forbidden in all parts of the library.
No food or drink is allowed in any part of the library, toffees, fruits, etc. are not exempted.
Do not reserve a seat.
Books would not be issued to borrowers without student ID card.
Library books used should be left on the reading tables. Readers should not attempt to shelve any book after use.
Orderly conduct must be maintained at all times in the library.
Users must take out valuables and leave their bags with the security at the entrance of the library.
Take off caps and hats while in the library.

Library Services