MERIC BROCHURE

UNIVERSITY LIBRARY (Mona Campus) Email: helpdesk.library@uwimona.edu.jm

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What is MERIC?

Mona Electronic Reference and Information Centre (MERIC) is the Library’s computer-based research facility.

Where is MERIC ?

In the Main Library, MERIC is located in the refurbished reference room on the ground floor, while in the Science Library, MERIC is on the first floor. In the Medical Library, MERIC is in the H.P. Hopwood Medical Computer Centre.

There are additional computers in the Overnight Reading Room and the Postgraduate Reading Room.

What services are available in MERIC?

• Internet via the World Wide Web
• CD ROM products
• Electronic journals
• The Library’s OPAC (Online Public Access Catalogue)
• Full text commercial databases
• In house databases
• New computer facilities and special software for the visually impaired (Main Library).
• Word processing and statistical software (SPSS)
• Printing (available at a cost of $5.00 per page). Payment and account activation should be done at RESU: 9:00am – 7:00pm weekdays; Saturdays 9:00am – 4:00pm.
• Printed Reference Sources (Main Library only)
• Past examination papers (online and in print)

Who has access to MERIC?

All users registered with the University Library have access to MERIC. Users are required to have UWI or Library identification cards at all times and may be requested by library staff to show them.

What are the guidelines for use of MERIC?

• MERIC is provided primarily for users to conduct academic research in the Library, it is not a general computer laboratory. Users are asked to refrain from excessive use for e-mail communication and personal internet searching.
• Users will have access only to what is explicitly offered on the workstations, and altering what is available is strictly forbidden.

Failure to comply with this and any of the conditions of use of MERIC will be considered a serious offense, which may result in the suspension of Library privileges and other University sanctions.

• Users may book online in advance for sessions of twenty minutes, one hour or two hours. Each user will be allowed no more than three sessions in one day.
• Users are not allowed to use their own equipment to connect to the network in MERIC.
• Data can be saved only to floppy discs.
• Playing games is not permitted

Are Training sessions offered?

• Training in various topics related to the Internet are offered each semester. For more information visit our web site at wwwlibrary.uwimona.edu.jm:1104 or contact the Reference Librarians at the Main Library or the Librarians in Charge of the Science and Medical Branch Libraries.

Please note:

Although the Library provides workstations in order to access the University’s on-line services, the Library is not responsible for these systems nor for network connectivity outside the Library. Comments or questions regarding these services should be directed to the Mona Information Technology Services (MITS).

MITS Help Desk can be contacted by:

Tel: 927-2148/935-8436/935-8442
Campus Ext. 2436/2442
Email: helpdesk@uwimona.edu.jm

HOURS OF OPENING

MAIN LIBRARY, SCIENCE & MEDICAL BRANCH LIBRARIES

Semester:

Mon. - Fri.: 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Saturdays: 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Vacation:

Inter-Semester
Mon. - Fri.: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturdays: 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon

Summer
Mon. - Fri.: 8:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Saturdays: 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon

Overnight Reading Room
Mon. – Fri. 10:00p.m. – 6:00a.m.
Saturdays: 4:30p.m (or noon*)- Monday 6:00a.m.

The Library is closed on Public and University Holidays throughout the year, on the Saturday during the Easter Weekend and before Independence Day, at noon* on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

2004