Library Friquently Asked Questions (FAQs)

FAQs for the Serial Control Management
FAQs for the Book [Scientific, Non-Scientific (General) and Hindi] Acquisition
FAQs for the Technical Processing
FAQs for the Circulation
FAQs for the Maintenance
FAQs for the Library Technology (Digital Archival, Website, Library Automation)
FAQs for the Library Budget
FAQs for the Library General Information
FAQs for the Library New Initiatives
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FAQs for the Serial Control Management
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Q.1    How many journals are subscribed to for the year 2024?
Q.2    How does the library select which journals to be subscribed for PRL Library?
Q.3    How can patrons request a journal that is not currently subscribed by the PRL Library?
Q.4    Can patrons access back volumes of journals?
Q.5    Does the library provide online access to journals?
Q.6    Can patrons suggest cancellation of a journal subscription?
Q.7    Are there provisions for accessing journals not subscribed to by the library?
Q.8    How often is the journal list reviewed?
Q.9    How does the library manage journal renewals?
Q.10    What is/are the name(s) of panel vendor(s) or aggregator(s)?
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Q.1    How many journals are subscribed to for the year 2024?
The PRL Library subscribes to approximately 57 serials for the year 2024.These journals have been selected to align with the research and academic needs of PRL faculty, researchers, and students.

Q.2    How does the library select which journals to be subscribed for PRL Library?
The selection process includes the following steps:
1. Input from faculty, researchers, and library users is collected periodically to identify required journals.
2. The Library and Information Services Committee evaluates requests based on relevance, usage statistics and budget constraints.
3. The committee's final recommendations, including subscription renewals and new requests, are approved by the Director, PRL.

Q.3    How can patrons request a journal that is not currently subscribed by the PRL Library?
Patrons can request a new journal subscription by submitting a justification for the request, including its relevance to their research or academic needs. Requests are reviewed by the Library and Information Services Committee during the next review cycle.

Q.4    Can patrons access back volumes of journals?
Yes, back volumes of journals are available in both physical and electronic formats, depending on the subscription terms. Patrons can access back volume (print) in the library or online via the library website.

Q.5    Does the library provide online access to journals?
Yes, the PRL Library offers online access to subscribed journals through its e-resources platform .

Q.6    Can patrons suggest cancellation of a journal subscription?
Yes, patrons can suggest cancellations by providing a valid reason, such as low usage or outdated content. These suggestions are reviewed by the Library and Information Services Committee during the annual subscription review process.

Q.7    Are there provisions for accessing journals not subscribed to by the library?
Yes, the PRL library provides Interlibrary Loan (ILL) and Document Delivery Services (DDS) to access articles not available in the PRL Library's collection. Patrons can submit their request to [email protected].

Q.8    How often is the journal list reviewed?
The journal list is reviewed annually by the Library and Information Services Committee. The review considers budgetary constraints, relevance and usage statistics

Q.9    How does the library manage journal renewals?
The library typically negotiates annual subscriptions through a panel vendor, aggregator, or directly with the publisher.

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FAQs for the Book [Scientific, Non-Scientific (General) and Hindi] Acquisition
===========================================================================================================================
Q.1    How many journals are subscribed to for the year 2024?
Q.2    How does the library select which journals to be subscribed for PRL Library?
Q.3    How can patrons request a journal that is not currently subscribed by the PRL Library?
Q.4    Can patrons access back volumes of journals?
Q.5    Does the library provide online access to journals?
Q.6    Can patrons suggest cancellation of a journal subscription?
Q.7    Are there provisions for accessing journals not subscribed to by the library?
Q.8    How often is the journal list reviewed?
Q.9    How does the library manage journal renewals?
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Q.1    How many journals are subscribed to for the year 2024?
The PRL Library subscribes to approximately 57 serials for the year 2024.

Q.2    How does the library select which journals to be subscribed for PRL Library?
The selection process includes the following steps:
1. Input from faculty, researchers, and library users is collected periodically to identify required journals.
2. The Library and Information Services Committee evaluates requests based on relevance, usage statistics and budget constraints.
3. The committee's final recommendations, including subscription renewals and new requests, are approved by the Director, PRL.

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FAQs for the Technical Processing
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Q.1    How many journals are subscribed to for the year 2024?
Q.2    How does the library select which journals to be subscribed for PRL Library?
Q.3    How can patrons request a journal that is not currently subscribed by the PRL Library?
Q.4    Can patrons access back volumes of journals?
Q.5    Does the library provide online access to journals?
Q.6    Can patrons suggest cancellation of a journal subscription?
Q.7    Are there provisions for accessing journals not subscribed to by the library?
Q.8    How often is the journal list reviewed?
Q.9    How does the library manage journal renewals?
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  • How can I get library membership ?

  • Where do I check-out documents (books/bound volumes)?

  • How Can I renew documents (books/bound volumes)?

  • What can I do if a book I need is already checked out?

  • Can I get a list of the items I have checked-out / checked-in?

  • How does library notify me when I have overdue books?

  • Can I get library notification e-mail of checked-in/checked-out items ?

  • Who can use the interlibrary loan services (for access to materials outside of the PRL library)?

  • What kinds of materials may be borrowed via interlibrary loan?

  • Is there a fee for interlibrary loan services?

  • Will I be notified when interlibrary loan items arrive?



    • Q.1        How can I get library membership ?
    PRL staff members and scholars are welcome to use the Library facility. For borrowing documents from the library, membership is required. To become a member of library, one should fill-up membership application form and submit to the Library along with the joining letter of PRL.

    Q.2    Where do I check-out documents (books/bound volumes) ?
    Documents may be checked out at any PRL campus library circulation desk. Please note that reference books, rare books and Maps are to be used in the library's reading room only.

    Q.3    How Can I renew documents (books/bound volumes)?
    Please contact your campus library staff to renew library items. Renewal of items can be done in person or through e-mail (see Library Borrowing Policy & "Timings & Contacts" for campus library e-mail Id).

    Q.4    What can I do if a book I need is already checked out?
    Library user can reserve the “checked-out” item(s) by placing “on hold” which can be done in person or e-mail request through the library staff. Holds can also be placed online through the “My Account” feature of the OPAC (Online Public Access Catalogue) interface.

    Q.5    Can I get a list of the items I have checked-out / checked-in?
    PRL library staff can provide you with such a listing of all the items that have been checked-in /checked-out to/from your library account or you can check the “My Account” feature of the OPAC (Online Public Access Catalogue) interface.

    Q.6    How does library notify me when I have overdue books?
    Overdue item(s) will be notified by the e-mail notification from koha software system itself.

    Q.7    Can I get library notification e-mail of checked-in/checked-out items ?
    Yes, you will get system generated notifications through the Koha software for each transaction.

    Q.8    Who can use the interlibrary loan services (for access to materials outside of the PRL library)?
    All registered library users can avail the facility of interlibrary loan.

    Q.9    What kinds of materials may be borrowed via interlibrary loan?
    Mainly research articles and books can be borrowed via nterlibrary loan.

    Q.10    Is there a fee for interlibrary loan services?
    No fee is charged by the library from the users for this service.

    Q.11    Will I be notified when interlibrary loan items arrive?
    Yes, Library will contact you upon the receipt of the item.