Find answers to commonly asked questions here…
General Library Questions
How can I contact the library?
You can contact the library using any of the following details or use the contact form on this website
Sandwell Library,
Education Centre,
Sandwell General Hospital,
Lyndon,
West Bromwich,
B71 4HJ
Tel: 0121 507 3587 (internal 3587)
Email: swbh.library@nhs.net
Twitter: @swbhlibrary
Where are the libraries?
Sandwell Library is located in the Education Centre and City Library is located in the Postgraduate Centre.
Can I join the library?
All members of staff, volunteers and students on placement at both Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust can join the library. Patients and members of the public are welcome to use the library for reference during the staffed hours of the library or are welcome to join for a fixed fee. Please contact the library to discuss this further.
How do I join the library?
Pick up a form from one of our libraries and bring in your trust ID or fill in the online form at https://www.healthlibrariesmidlands.nhs.uk/ and we will post your library card to your department.
When are the staff in the library?
Staff are based at Sandwell Library Monday—Friday 08.30—16.30 and at City Library Monday – Thursday 08.30 – 16.30 (hours may vary).
Can I access the library at any time?
24hr access is available at both libraries. At City use your hospital swipe card, at Sandwell use your PAC fob. We have a self-service kiosk at both libraries so you can borrow, renew and return items.
How can I make a comment on Library Services?
There are feedback slips in both libraries and we are happy to receive any comments via email, telephone, twitter or pop in to the library and have a chat with us.
I have just left another trust, can I keep my library and OpenAthens accounts?
If you have an existing HeLM library and/or OpenAthens account we can update your details and move both accounts to us.
I have lost my library card, how can I get a new one?
Please come in to the library with your Trust ID or email the library and we will issue a new card whilst you wait or post it to your department.
Books
How many books can I borrow and for how long?
Membership allows you can borrow 16 items for up to 6 weeks. These are automatically renewed by the system up to 5 times (as long as no one else has reserved them and your account is still active and in date).
Where can I find out what books you have?
The book catalogue can be searched online at https://www.healthlibrariesmidlands.nhs.uk/ As well as searching Sandwell and City Library collections the catalogue also contains the collections of all HeLM consortium libraries and these can be requested and collected from either Sandwell or City. We also have a collection of e-books available. For further information there is a library guide for searching the catalogue available here https://swbhlibrary.wpcomstaging.com/library-guides/.
Can I make suggestions of what books you buy?
If the library does not stock the item you are looking for you can suggest it for purchase. Go to https://www.healthlibrariesmidlands.nhs.uk/
Log in to your account and click on the Make a purchase suggestion link and enter as many details about the book as possible. The library will be notified of your request and will contact you to confirm if it will be purchased or if we have any questions. We are also happy to take recommendations via email (swbh.library@nhs.net), telephone (0121 507 3587) or pop in and have a chat!
If you haven’t got the book I want, can you get it for me?
Books can be ordered free of charge from https://www.healthlibrariesmidlands.nhs.uk/ and can be collected from Sandwell or City or posted to your work department. If the required book isn’t available locally, contact your librarian to arrange a loan from the British Library for a charge of £12.
I’ve found a book that I want to borrow but I can’t locate it on the shelf – what can I do?
Please ask the library staff and we will investigate or request a copy from another library if available. If the library is unstaffed, please email us.
How can I borrow a book if the library is unstaffed?
We have a self-service kiosk at both libraries so you can borrow, renew and return items. If you are collecting books that you have requested from another library you will need to do this when the library is staffed.
Can I return books from other libraries?
You can return books from any other HeLM Library. Both libraries have secure book return boxes that you can place the books in if the library is unstaffed.
Services
Can you search for information for me?
We offer a literature searching service where library staff will look for journal articles, reports or statistics on your behalf. Fill in the form on our website https://swbhlibrary.wpcomstaging.com/literature-search-request-form/ or contact us by email swbh.library@nhs.net or telephone extension 3587 with the details of your search. We aim to complete searches within five working days. We do not provide a Literature Search Service for University or College Assignments. We can offer help for assignments or if you want to know how to do a search we offer 1-2-1 or group training. Details can be found on our Information Skills Training page.
How can I get the fulltext of a journal article?
If you are looking for the fulltext of a particular article then please email the library at swbh.library@nhs.net with the details and we will try and source it from another library.
You can also access journals online and you will need an OpenAthens account to access journals subscribed to by the library. You can register for one here. You can view what we have access to by going to https://browzine.com/libraries/2231/subjects and then signing in with your OpenAthens account. If you cannot get access to a particular article then please email the library at swbh.library@nhs.net with the details and we will try and source it from another library.
Can you show me how to search for evidence or information using databases like Medline or CINAHL?
You can book time with a member of library staff to learn how to search the databases. We don’t schedule particular sessions, if you tell us when and where you are available we will arrange a suitable time.
I need to appraise a paper, can you help?
We offer an introductory session on critical appraisal and this is offered monthly or can be arranged on a different day for a group. We will need at least 5 working days’ notice for this session and more details can be found on our Information Skills Training page.
I need some help with referencing, can you help?
We offer bitesize training sessions on referencing that last between 20-30 minutes and can be booked as a group or on a one-to-one basis. There is also a library guide to referencing on our website https://swbhlibrary.wpcomstaging.com/library-guides/. Paper copies of this guide and many others are also available in the library.
We are running a Journal Club, can you help?
The library can support you by identifying a range of evidence, including full text articles, which could then be used for critically appraising them during the journal club sessions.
We can also advise on capturing knowledge created by these sessions or looking for additional evidence on topics discussed at the meetings.
Do you have computers in the library?
There are computers in both libraries for drop in use, they can’t be booked. A trust username and password is required for access. Your line manager must place a request for you with the IT department if you don’t already have one.
Can I print or photocopy?
Photocopying and printing is available at both libraries. There is a charge for this service and prices start from 5p. Photocopying and printing works at both libraries using an app (Kuario) where you can load money on to and then print from your phone or from a computer in the library. Instructions are available in the libraries.
Can I scan?
Scanning is available using the app Kuario that operates both photocopiers.
OpenAthens
What is an OpenAthens account?
An OpenAthens account will give you access to the collection of electronic resources such as books, journals and databases purchased by the trust whether you are at home, work or on the go.
If you have had an account with a previous trust this can be moved to your current organisation to get our resources.
To register follow the instructions here or if you need your account moving please contact us.
If you are a university student you may already have an NHS OpenAthens account. Whilst you are on placement you are also eligible to register for a trust OpenAthens account.
How can I register for OpenAthens?
Go to http://library.nhs.uk/swbh and click on Register for OpenAthens.
To gain instant access please use a Trust computer or NHS email address. If you are not using either of these, you will need to wait for a member of staff to authenticate your account, which may require us to contact you for further details.
I’ve forgotten my Athens password can you help?
You can reset your password by following this link https://openathens.nice.org.uk/ForgotPassword/Reset or you can contact the library and we will reset it for you and email you the new password.
I have just left another trust, can I keep my library and OpenAthens accounts?
If you have an existing HeLM library and/or OpenAthens account we can update your details and move both accounts to us.
Electronic Resources
How do I get access to electronic journals?
You will need an OpenAthens account to access journals subscribed to by the library. You can register for one here. You can view what we have access to by going to https://browzine.com/libraries/2231/subjects and then signing in with your OpenAthens account. If you cannot get access to a particular article then please email the library at swbh.library@nhs.net with the details and we will try and source it from another library.
How do I get access to electronic books?
Electronic books purchased by the library will be available through the library catalogue https://www.healthlibrariesmidlands.nhs.uk/ and the link will be shown as ‘SWBH Athens users click here’. You will need an OpenAthens account to access the e-books purchased by the library. You can register for one here.
How do I get access to electronic databases like Medline & CINAHL?
You will need an OpenAthens account to access the electronic databases. You can register for one here. You can access the databases by going to http://library.nhs.uk/swbh . The library can help by either doing the search for you (please use the form on this website or email the library on swbh.library@nhs.net) or we can show you how to use them. We don’t schedule particular sessions, if you tell us when and where you are available we will arrange a suitable time.
How do I search for Cochrane Reviews?
The Cochrane Library is available for all NHS staff and students at www.cochranelibrary.com. A guide on how to search is available here.