Services

Inter-Library Access

These services apply to registered students and staff of NCAD only.

Letters of Introduction

Users who wish to carry out research in another college or research library should ask for a letter of introduction. This is a formal letter from NCAD Library to another library requesting that access be granted to a named individual. Letters are only given to those who have checked that the material required is not available at NCAD.

The Assistant Librarian, at her discretion, issues these letters. Applicants must fill out a brief application form. (These are available from the Assistant Librarian's office). Letters are ready for collection at 11.30 a.m. on the working day following the request.

This service is primarily intended for students doing thesis research.

Students with research interests which are not fully supported by the Library and who are unsure of how to proceed with their research can also ask for help.

ALCID Cards (Alcids, a family of diving seabirds)

The Library is a member of ALCID, a cooperative scheme involving a group of Irish libraries, which allows staff and postgraduate students (Doctoral and Masters by research and examination) to have access, on a reference basis, to the collections of the participating libraries. NCAD staff and postgraduate students can apply for an ALCID card at the Issue Desk.

The following institutions take part in the scheme:

Dublin City University Dublin

Institute of Advanced Studies Dublin

Institute of Technology Mary Immaculate College, Limerick

Mater Dei Institute, Dublin

National College of Art and Design

National University of Ireland, Galway

National University of Ireland, Maynooth

Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

Royal Irish Academy

Saint Angela’s College, Sligo

Saint Patrick’s College, Drumcondra

Trinity College Dublin

University College Cork

University College Dublin

University of Limerick

When receiving a new ALCID card, applicants are asked to check that all the details have been filled in, and that they have signed their card before leaving the Issue Desk.

Loans

Users can request that books, serials and theses be borrowed from other libraries on their behalf. These materials can only be read in NCAD Library. They must not be removed from the Library premises. Users can also order photocopies of serial articles. Photocopies may be kept by the requester.

Users must complete an Inter-Library Loan Request Form for each item required. There is a charge of €5 per item, payable in advance.

Users must indicate a location for the item requested. Most NCAD inter-library loan requests are supplied by the British Library. Requests for books should be checked for availability on the British Library website (under the Search option). All searches should be made in the category of Document Supply Materials Only.

Checklist of information needed to order a book:

Author/Editor/Organisation
Title
Place of Publication
Publisher
Date of Publication
ISBN (where available)

In the case of a request for a serial/serial article, users should check if the serial required is held by the British Library. This information can be found here

Checklist for information needed to order a periodical:

Serial title
Article title
Author
Volume
Issue Year
Pages
ISSN (where available)

If the material required is held by the British Library, the request will be sent there. If the material cannot be obtained through the British Library, but is held by another institution, NCAD Library will apply for the material on the requester's behalf. However, lending policies vary from library to library, and not all libraries make their holdings, or all categories of holdings, available through inter-library loan.

Users should allow at least a fortnight for items to arrive..