Library FAQs
Who can access IfE’s library?
Full-time, part-time members and
persons on a contract for service with the Institute for Education, as follows:
i.
Members of the Institute’s Advisory Board;
ii.
All full-time employees;
iii.
Academic members of staff;
iv.
Course participants who follow learning
programmes at the Institute;
v.
Researchers to whom a temporary borrowing permit
may be issued by the Senior Manager Administration.
How can I borrow books from the IfE library?
The library at the Institute for
Education forms part of the Malta Libraries and any borrowing of books from the
IfE library can only be done through the Malta Libraries’ portal. In order to be a library member and
borrow books from IfE library, one has to be in possession of both the Malta
Libraries (orange card) and the IfE library card.
How can I apply for the Malta Libraries card?
To obtain the Malta Libraries card one has to
apply through the Malta Libraries website: www.maltalibraries.gov.mt. The card will be received at the
applicant’s home address. Once the applicant receives the Malta Libraries Card,
he/she will be able to activate the Library Account.
What can I do if I
apply for the Malta Libraries card but I do not receive it?
If one applies for the Malta Libraries card and
does not receive the card, the applicant can send an email to customercare.cpl@gov.mt or phone on 25983500.
How can I apply for the IfE Library card?
To apply for the IfE library card one has to
send an email to ife.library@ilearn.edu.mt. The IfE Library card will
generally be ready for collection within three (3) working days from when
request for card is received except for extraordinary circumstances. However,
as soon as the card is available for collection, the applicant will be informed
through email.
How can I access the Malta Libraries website and
what is the procedure for borrowing a book?
To familiarise with the procedure kindly
click here (Library Policy and Procedures, section 7.2). An
email to borrow books must be sent by the library member three (3) working days
before actually the library member needs to pick up the book/s from IfE. The
library member shall wait to be notified by IfE library in order to collect the
books requested. When the library member comes to pick up the books, he/she
needs to present his/her Malta libraries card and the IfE Library Card.
What are the library opening
hours?
Opening hours are between 9.00am and 4.15pm
from Monday to Friday.
How many books can I borrow?
You can borrow up to a maximum
number of four (4) books.
What happens if I have other books borrowed from apublic library?
If the library member would have
already borrowed books from a public library within the Malta Libraries, the
number of books that one can borrow will vary accordingly. For example; if one
would have already borrowed two (2) books from the public library in Floriana,
the library member can only borrow two (2) books from IfE library (to limit the
number of books to four (4) books as permitted by Malta Libraries).
How long can I keep a borrowed book and how can I extend the loan
period?
The period allowed for the loan
of each book is three (3) weeks/21 days. Renewals can be done online by the
library member for up to two (2) times by accessing their library account
through the Malta Libraries website. Borrowers can borrow up to three (3) times
the same book (a total of 9 weeks).
Can I send someone else to collect the books on my behalf?
Books may be collected only by
the library member in possession of both the Malta Libraries and IfE library
cards and not by any other person unless a power of attorney is available.
Can I transfer a book to someone else?
A book shall not be transferred
to another member unless the book is returned and reissued as per our policy
and procedure.
What happens if I fail to return a book after the loan period has
expired?
If a book is retained beyond the
loan-period without renewal, or kept beyond a recall deadline, a charge of
€0.20 per day shall be applicable. Charges shall be settled through an IBAN
number provided by an IfE’s administrative officer. Non-settlement of fines
shall lead to a blocking of the member from borrowing books.
Can I reserve a book that is already on loan?
Books which are already on loan
may be reserved by another member by sending an email to ife.library@ilearn.edu.mt
or the library member can himself/herself reserve the book through his/her
library account of the Malta Libraries website. When returned, reserved books
will be available for collection for a limited period only (9 working days).
What happens if I loose a book borrowed from the IfE library?
Members will be liable for any
loss of, or damage to books while in their charge. Any loss or damage must be
reported immediately to the Institute’s administrative staff. Library members
may replace lost and/or damaged books with another identical publication.
Alternatively, members may also pay for the lost/damaged
publications via bank transfer. The refund amount for the book to be paid will
be advised by IfE. The library member can either decideto refund the book or
replace the book by another identical publication within two (2) months from
the reported loss/damage of the book.
What is the procedure to return a borrowed book?
Returns of books which have been
borrowed from IfE library, may be effected from Monday to Friday between 9.00am
and 4.15pm. The person who returns the book shall ask for an IfE’s administrative
officer who will guide the borrower to the ‘Returns box’ present in the library
where he/she can deposit the book(s).
Can someone else return the book on my behalf?
Yes, returns can be effected by
other persons on behalf of the library member.
How will the IfE library function during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, IfE library will
not be open for the library members as per normal procedure. Therefore, the
following procedure will be adopted:
The library members who are already in
possession of the Malta Libraries (orange card) and who have already applied
for the IfE library card, will come for the first time to collect the IfE
library card between Monday and Friday (9.00am to 12.30pm). If pick up cannot
take place during these hours an email has to be sent to ife.library@ilearn.edu.mt and pick-up will be arranged accordingly.
Although
the IfE library will not be open as per normal procedure, library members can
still search online for the books which they would like to borrow.
Where can I contact the IfE should I have further queries?
If you have any further queries, you can send an
email to ife.library@ilearn.edu.mt , call on 25982001 or refer to the Library
Policy and Procedures.