Library

Medical Library

The Nairobi Hospital Library is a fully equipped medical resource centre located on the ground floor of the new doctors consulting rooms. Managed by the Cicely McDonnell School of Nursing, the library is strategic in supporting medical research as it is equipped with the latest books, videos, articles and journals that give the medical fraternity an international point of view.

There is access to the internet which assists in online research as well as communication.

Rules and Regulations

Use of the Library

• Admission to the use of the Library is restricted to The Nairobi Hospital Employees, Nursing Students and Members of the Admitting Staff only.
• All users must carry a valid Staff or Student card or be dressed in official uniform
• The Librarian reserves the right of admission

Business Hours

The Library is open from Monday to Saturday (except on Public/National Holidays)

Monday – Friday: 8.00 a.m. – 7.00 p.m.
Saturday: 8.30 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.

Conduct

• The Librarian may exclude a user from the Library for any willful or persistent infringement of the Regulations, or for acting in any way which may interfere with the convenience of other persons using the Library, or with the work of the Library.
• Willful damage to Library materials will result in payment of a penalty charge and the cost of replacing damaged material. A report of the incident will be made to the THM management of the individual concerned. Depending on the seriousness of the damage the person responsible may also be suspended from the use of the Library for an appropriate period of time.
• All readers are expected to maintain silence and act with decorum. Use of mobile phones in the library is not allowed
• Smoking, eating and drinking are strictly forbidden in the Library.
• All official notices will be displayed in the Entrance Hall of the Library and carry the full force of the Regulations.

Borrowing and Use of Material

• All loan transactions, including refusal to lend, will be at the discretion of the Librarian, though borrowing facilities will not be denied without good cause.
• The user shall be responsible for the safety of any items used for reference or borrowed from the Library and shall be liable to pay the cost of repair or replacement, plus an administration fee, for any item which has been lost or damaged, or which cannot be produced when requested.
• Bone fide members shall borrow a maximum of TWO(2) books for a period of TWO (2) weeks with an option of renewal for a similar period. Videos, CDs, and other electronic resources shall be borrowed overnight (extension of period depended on the circumstances, e.g. Training)
• A fine shall be levied on overdue books at the rate of KShs. 3 per day on ordinary books, KShs. 5 per day on Short loan books and KShs. 10 on Videos, CDs, DVDs
• Internet search shall cost KShs. 100 per search, printing will cost KShs. 10 per page and articles downloaded will cost KShs. 20 per article.
• Computer games are not allowed
• Downloading and installing unauthorized software(s) is not allowed
• Personal items like bags/briefcases are not allowed into the reading area. Readers shall take full responsibility of their valuable items, e.g. laptops, mobile phones, cameras etc

LIBRARY SERVICES

·         Literature search services
The library provides literature search service from the following medical databases (see also e-resources): Library Services

·          www.who.int/hinari/

·         www.ajol.info/

·         emedicine.medscape.com/

·         www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed

* Internet and e-mail Services

The computers are primarily for literature searches. Using the computers for e-mail services is discouraged.

* Selective Dissemination of Information
Library users can select topics of interest which they would like to receive information updates on whenever the medical/health databases are updated. Other pieces of information are disseminated selectively to registered users.

* Current awareness service
New acquisitions of books are listed in the library Accessions and New journal titles and books are always displayed on the library notice board.

* Training sessions
The library offers training to all first year students, and other new users, as a way of introducing them to the library resources and regulations.

Collections

The library’s rich collection includes Journals, Books, CD-ROMs, and video tapes.

E- Resources

The main health/medical e-resources are:

·         Free Medical Books

·         The Merck Manual 

·         Gray’s Anatomy of the Human Body

·         Methods in Malaria Research

·         Response to Infectious Diseases

Enquiries should be addressed to the Medical Librarian.