Library
LIBRARY
The Goldsmith Library (ground floor, Block L) is an integral part of AIT and plays
a central role in academic life. It supports the educational and research activities
of the Institute by providing a comprehensive information service. In recent years
the library has taken on an educational role by providing instruction in the use of
information technology. AIT has a purpose-built modern library which contains 400 study places and has a
total book stock of over 28,200 volumes. It currently subscribes to over 260 print
journals covering subjects in business, engineering, humanities and science.
Information is also available in electronic format.
The library subscribes to a number of databases which are accessible through the Internet.These web
databases provide access to a range of subjects in business, engineering,
humanities and science.They contain full-text articles from hundreds of journals,
and the databases and the subjects covered are as follows:
RAPRA: information sources for plastics and polymers
ABI/Inform: the premier source for information in business studies
Emerald: contains full-text articles from 100 leading international
management journals
InfoTrac Onefile: access to over 4,000 journals covering subjects in engineering,
science, health, social studies and business
ScienceDirect: premier source of scientific, technical and medical information
containing over 2 million articles.
The computer room in the library contains open access PCs and internet access,
and information sessions are conducted here for students. Students are
encouraged to conduct research by using the web databases on these PCs.
Students may book a machine and request individual instruction on searching the
databases and the internet. Group information sessions are also provided for
students in collaboration with lecturers.
The library also has 20 open access PCs with internet connections.These are not
subject to booking and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.There are
also 10 PCs with internet connections in the computer room, which must be
booked at the Information Desk.Two photocopiers are available for student use
and these are located in a room adjacent to the entrance.
Opening Hours
Monday-Thursday (during term): 9.15am to 9.45pm
Friday (during term): 9.15am to 5.00pm
Monday-Friday (during academic vacation) 9.15am to 1.00pm
and Saturday (October-June) 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm
Details of borrowing procedures are available from the library desk.
The library has an automated circulation system and the computerised catalogue
can be searched by means of three public access terminals (OPACs) within the
Library or through the web (www.ait.ie). Library staff are always ready to help
students to use the search facility and to answer information queries. Any material
not held in the library can be obtained from other libraries using the inter-library
loan facility.There is a charge per item for this service, but registered final year
students are entitled to four free inter-library loans per year. Details of inter-library
loan allocations for staff and postgraduate students are available on request from
the library.
Further information on library services can be obtained through the library
section at www.ait.ie.The homepage provides access to the library catalogue
(OPAC) and contains links to useful information sources on the web.
Library Regulations
• A student card is required to gain entrance to the library and to borrow
books.
• The library is to be used solely for education/academic pursuits.
• Food and drink are prohibited and silence must be observed at all times.
• A notice from the Librarian requiring the return of books in demand shall
receive compliance within 24 hours.
• All library books must be returned before the end of June each year.
Students who fail to observe this rule will not receive notification of their
examination results.
• Users must not reserve reading/study places by leaving their belongings on
tables and desks.
• Briefcases and large bags must not be taken into the library.
• Mobile phones must be switched off on entering the library.
• Library stock and fittings must not be damaged or defaced.Any such damage to,
or loss of, any library items must be reported to the library staff immediately.
The user responsible may be required to make good this loss or damage.
• Additional regulations may be issued by the Librarian from time to time.
Users who do not abide by the above regulations, or any other regulations made
by the Librarian, are liable to a range of penalties including fines, withdrawal of
library services and non-notification of examination results. Serious breaches of
the regulations will be dealt with under the Institute’s Code of Discipline.