Alternatively enquiries can be sent via this website using our ‘Ask a Librarian’ facility. This provides a knowledge base of recent questions which may include the answer to your question but if not, simply complete the form and a member of the library staff will respond as soon as possible.

If your request is complicated we may need to contact you to discuss it further. We usually respond to your request within two working days, but we will try to get the information to you as soon as we can. If you have a deadline, please give us as much notice as possible.

Library staff can help you with general enquiries, such as information about the library services and resources, help finding books, journals, reports or guidelines, checking references or help finding statistics. They can also offer advice on searching for information, including tips to improve your search strategies and the best resources for your enquiry.

The library can conduct literature searches on your behalf, if you cannot access the databases you need or have insufficient time to do your own search. See Literature Searching, Literature Searching Guides

Registered library users may borrow a maximum of 8 items. Books and dvds are loaned for either 28 or 14 days.

Reference books and journal issues may not usually be borrowed.

Items can be borrowed during or outside staffed hours. A paper form must be completed for each item borrowed outside staffed hours (available in each library).

Search the SWIMS Library Catalogue

You may renew books and dvds up to 3 times via SWIMS online or by phone, email or in person. Items reserved by another reader cannot be renewed.

Please either hand returned items to a member of library staff or leave them in the “returned books box” near the door of each library. Items can be returned to any of the OHFT libraries.

Items may be returned through internal or external mail, but borrowers are held responsible for items on loan to them until the loan has been discharged by library staff.

Reservations can be placed on any item that is on loan to another borrower. Please ask library staff to do this for you.

Items are subject to immediate recall if needed for patient care.

Reminders of overdue items will be sent to borrowers. After three reminders, the borrower will be invoiced for the full replacement cost of the item.

All the Trust libraries provide access to PCs for NHS staff with an Oxford Health NHS Trust computer logon. Most other library members may access PCs during staffed hours.

All library computers have access to the internet, email, Microsoft Office and CareNotes. Additional facilities (e.g. DVD/CD writers) are also available.

Library computing facilities can also be used by Trust staff to undertake e-learning modules for statutory and mandatory training. At present there is no booking system for PCs in the libraries. We can provide headphones for use in the libraries (available from library office at each site).

Printing is available from all of the computers. The library supplies printer paper free of charge for all database searches and work related printing. If you plan to do large print runs of CVs or other personal printing, please either bring in your own paper or purchase paper from library staff. Paper can be purchased at a rate of £1.50 for 100 A4 sheets. Please help save paper by printing only essential items.

There are MFDs available to library users in all the Trust libraries.

Charges for photocopying are not made to Trust staff at present although this may change in future. Charges are applicable to other library members in accordance with service level agreements and in line with Service Charging policy.

All copying must be done in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. Advice on copying permitted by the act is displayed by the photocopiers and on library notice boards. If in doubt, please consult library staff.

The NHS has a licence with the Copyright Licensing Agency that allows NHS staff to make copies in addition to limits permitted under the copyright act. A leaflet is available from the Copyright Licensing Agency.

Users are expected to do their own photocopying from library material whenever possible. However, if you are unable to get to the library, you can request photocopies from library staff. Please see our Service charges for the cost of mediated photocopying.

To request a mediated photocopy, please download, print and complete an ILL Request Form   for each photocopy you require, then send the form to the library. Please ensure that you sign the copyright declaration on the form. Your request may be returned to you if it is incomplete or the copyright declaration is not signed. Forms are also available at each library site.