The Learning resource centre (LRC) has:

Over 65,000 books
More than 300 periodicals
Over 180 networked computers

All students, whether full or part-time, based in the College, in work or at an outreach centre, are entitled to use the LRC.

Opening Hours

Term-time opening hours are:

Monday - Thursday 8:30am – 8:45pm
Friday   8:30am - 4:45pm
Saturday  9:00am - 12:45pm

During vacation time the LRC is normally open from 8:45am – 4:45pm Monday – Thursday, and 8:45am – 4:15pm on Friday.  It is, however, advisable to telephone in advance to check opening times on 0191 375 4375.

Facilities

The LRC offers a wide variety of study facilities ranging from areas for small group work to areas set aside for quiet study.

You may borrow up to 10 items from the LRC at any one time.  The standard loan period is normally 4 weeks, but this may be extended at the issue desk, by telephone or via the ‘Unicorn’ remote access facility, providing the materials in question have not been reserved by another borrower.

A request/reservation service and Inter-Library Loan facility are available free of charge if you require materials which are out on loan or not held by the LRC.

The networked computers provide access to the internet, the College Intranet and email facilities, the NCD Online and Office 2003 programmes.  Specialist sensory support software and reduced height desks are also available.

At the start of each academic year you will be given a print allocation of 300 copies, after which you will need to purchase print ‘top-ups’.

Assistance

Provision is made for all new students to visit the LRC during their first weeks at College.  This visit includes an orientation tour of the LRC, registration as a borrower, induction into the Information Learning Technology (ILT) programmes available to you and an opportunity to meet members of the Centre’s staff.

Staff in the Centre are always on hand to help if you need any assistance – just ask.

A ‘Guide for Users’ is available as well as a variety of more detailed leaflets.

Logging in and out

In order to log-on to a College computer, you need a username.  Please contact a member of the Centre’s staff who will help you set your own password.  The password must be 5 characters or more, letters and/or numbers but no space or punctuation marks.

DO NOT share your password with anyone.  Likewise, you must log-off when you have finished using a computer to prevent others from using it.

Unacceptable use of facilities

Notices are displayed in the Centre