Frequently Asked Questions

J R D Tata Memorial Library which we call compact storage of knowledge was and is being used by thousands of users in campus and outside. There will be some users daily and some regular users. Daily they will be having problems starting from getting a book to its renewal time. So there will be thousands of questions asked by the users, some general and some specific and typical library related ones. we have gathered some of them and tried to give some convincing answers to a few. Any comments and questions will be welcomed at webman@library.iisc.ernet.in

General Questions

Q1. How can I become member of Tata Memorial Library?
A. A library card will be given to students and staff members as part of the IISc registration procedure from their respective departments. The card will normally cover the duration of the course . After the student gets the card from his/her department , he will have to register in the J R D Tata Memorial Library's reception counter to be eligible to borrow books.

Q2. Is it possible that I can use the library card of my friend on his behalf ?
A. No person is eligible to borrow book from the library on someones behalf. On special conditions with the permission of Librarian and a letter from the library card owner,Others are eligible to borrow books.

Q3. Who other than belonging to IISc can use the Library ?
A. Old students of IISc, old staff, alumni can refer the books in the library but are not allowed to borrow the same. People from other organisations like NAL, HAL etc can use and borrow books provided they possess our library cards.

Q4. Are visitors out of state and country allowed to visit the Library ?
A. Visitors are allowed to just see the library provided they get permission from the Incharge. They can just view the books but reference and borrowing is not allowed.

Q5. Who are authorised to use the Library facilities ?
A. Students doing their Post Graduation in IISc, staff members , Alumini members are allowed to use library facilities. People from other organisations are allowed to use library on Inter Library Loan(ILL) basis.

Q6. How can a user recommend a book for purchase?
A. Users can recommend a book to be purchased by the library through their department heads and personal request is not accepted. But if the book is requested by many people and if the book is really useful then library may consider it .

Q7. What Should I do if the book I borrowed got lost?
A. If the borrowed book is lost then immediately you should give a letter to the Librarian stating the cause. If the book is available then you should replace the same otherwise you have to pay for the same. You can also replace the book with its Photocopy copy if it is available in some other libraries.

Q8. Whom to contact for Queries regarding finding Books and Journals?
A. There is a help desk in the ground floor for queries regarding finding a book or a journal. OPAC gives the accession number of the book or the journal and if u are not able to locate the book, please contact the help desk for the same.

Borrowing Books and Journals

Q1. Which are the books that will be issued to the members ?
A. Not all the books are issued to members . Books and journals that are inscribed REFERENCE are not allowed to be borrowed. These books and journals meant for reference are to be read in the library itself and are not allowed to be carried outside.

Q2. How do I borrow a book or a journal?
A. 1.You should take the book you wish to borrow, together with your library card, to the Issue Desk.

2. The book will be issued to you and the date it is due for return will be stamped on the date slip inside.

There is a limit to the number of books you can borrow at any one time and that depend on whether you are a student or a staff. Books that are reserved are not permitted to be borrowed.

Q3. How do I find a perticular book or a journal in the Library?
A. Library catalogue is one thing used to find a book or a journal manually. Since its a tedious process, we are using OPAC (online access to library books and journals ) . Here user can search for any book on a particular subject or of a particular author or the combination of these two.

To know how to use OPAC take help from help desk. Searching in OPAC is possible either titlewise, authorwise or a combination of both.

Q4. How do I renew a book/journal and for how many times can i renew the same book?
A. Users who have borrowed books from library can renew the same by filling a renewal form available in the circulation counter. They should be knowing the details of book for renewal and it is not necessary to bring the book at that time

Users are permitted to renew the books and journals any number of times provided there is no reservation for the same.

Users can renew the book without bringing the book to the circulation counter two times but should bring the same if they want to renew for the third time.

Q5. What is the fine I have to pay, if I would not return book within the date?
A. Users , if they don't return books in time should pay fine to library and no consideration shall be made. The details of the fine is as follows

No of days after due date	Fine to be paid
1 to 15 days	1. Rs
15 to 31 days	2. Rs
After 31 days	5. Rs

Other Services

Q1. How do I get books and journals Photocopyed in Library?
A. Photocopying of materials available in the library is provided on payment basis. Photocopy coupons are available from the library office during working hours. This service isfor for IISc Faculty , Students and staff only. The Photocopy machines are located in each floor of the llibrary. Users are requested not to take out the materials from one floor to another floor for Photocopying. Also, Self Operating Machines are located on Tier -1 and current periodical display section.

Q2. How can an outsider get library materials Photocopyed?
A. Additional xerographic facilities are available to outsiders and institute users from a commercial Photocopy center located in the ground floor. Further, INSDOC REGIONAL CENTRE and campus Photocopy center situated on the campus may be approached.

Users can Photocopy (maximum of 30 pages) using self operating machines located in Tier-1 and current periodical display section from 9 A.M to 5 P.M on monday to Saturday. Users are requested to bring good quality paper. This service is limited only for IISc students , Faculty and staff.

You must comply with the copyright law which is explained on notices by the machines. If you have a problem with a photocopier or your photocopy card, or the paper runs out, please ask for assistance - do not attempt to do anything to sort it out yourself.

*Please remember that Photocopying a complete document is violation of copyright act

Q3. How do I get an Inter Library Loans(ILL) to get books from other Libraries than IISc Library?
A. Material which is not available anywhere in the library system here may be obtained from other libraries in Bangalore using the Inter-Library Loan service. This service is available to all academic members of staff, postgraduate students. Non-academic members of staff should talk to the inter library loans staff or staff in their branch library before making requests. The list of libraries coming under this servises.

1. Tata Institute of Fundamental Research(TIFR, IISc Campus)
2. National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL,Bangalore)
3. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO,Bangalore)
4. Raman Research Institute (RRI, Bangalore)
5. Central Power Research Institute (CPRI,Bangalore)
6. University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS,Bangalore)
7. Bangalore University (BU, Bangalore)
8. Indian Institute of Management (IIM, Bangalore)
9. National Institute of Mentalhealth and NeuroSciences (NIMHANS, Bangalore)
10. Indian statistical Institute (ISI, Bangalore)
11. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL, Bangalore)

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