The Arts & Multimedia Library offers a wide variety of information services to all; public, students, and researchers. The library also offers computers, study rooms, and other services. These services are described in more detail in the following sections:
We Answer information queries. If you are in need of a specific piece of information, we will be glad to try to answer your query. We use the best, most authoritative resources, in print and online in our searches.
We assist users with their searches. Users are often frustrated by not being able to find the exact the materials they require when they need them. The reference desk librarians will help you to use the library catalog and other computerized search tools more effectively to find the information you need. We can help you refine your procedures for searching and help you to find exactly what you need without wasted effort.
We Identify and circulate materials in our collection. If the items you need is not in our collection, we can identify other libraries, in Egypt or abroad, that hold them. If you need a specific title and it is not found in the BA collection, please fill in the suggestion form. When the material is received, we will notify you.
We Correct citations .
Often students and other users do not have full or correct citation for an item they need or have used for their research. Our staff are trained to search for the correct form of the citation, ensuring that you get the material you need.
Computers are available by reservation only, on a first-come, first-served basis. Computers reserved for browsing the internet can be reserved for only one hour at a time and are not renewable. PCs reserved for watching DVDs or self-teaching materials are reserved for the duration of the selected material, up to a maximum of two hours.
There are several different types of PCs available at the Arts & Multimedia Library for different purposes:
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Network Computers:
There are 21 networked PCs in the Arts & Multimedia library equipped with headphones which can be used for the following purposes:
- Internet browsing (reserved for one hour)
- Browsing through the selected web links from the 4 Mmediaview databases: General, Music, Alexandrina, and Self-teaching
- Playing DVDs, Audio CDs or CD-ROMs located on the server.
- Sending your notes by e-mail to your personal address.
- Selecting desired pages to be printed out.
- Stand Alone Computers:
There are 4 stand alone PCs equipped with headphones that may be used for the following purposes:
- Listening to Audio CDs which are not located on the server
- Playing CD-Roms incompatible with Network Computers such as Windows 95, 97 and 98.
- Playing Audio CDs or CD-ROMs or floppy disks accompanying self-teaching kits.
- Search Computers Stand OPAC:
There are 3 PCs specified for searching the BA catalog, the library's databases, or other specific library resources.
- Print Computer:
One PC is provided for printing. Printing is available by Smart Cards, or prepaid cards, which may be purchased at the Membership Desk on the entrance level (E).
Study rooms are available by reservation, on a first-come, first-serve basis. The Arts & Multimedia Library has thirty Study Rooms outfitted with different kinds of equipment. Study rooms can be used for different purposes depending on the type of materials selected by the user.
The following types of study rooms are available in the Arts & Multimedia Library:
- Satellite Study Room:
- There are six study rooms equipped with Satellite TV for watching fifteen different channels: Egyptian Channels 1 & 2, Nile news, MBC, Dubai, Al Jazira, Al Arabia, CNN, BBC world, Space Toon, TGI, ESC1, Rotana, MBC2 and TV5.
- Satellite Study Rooms are reserved for one hour at a time and may be renewed depending on the room availability.
- Video Study rooms:
- There are ten study rooms equipped just with monitors, for watching videos selected from the library collection.
- There are two rooms equipped with monitors and video players which are for educational purposes (self-teaching material) only.
- Video Study Rooms may be used by only one person at a time and are reserved for the duration of the selected materials.
- DVD Study rooms:
- There are four study rooms equipped with DVD players for watching DVDs selected from the library and not located on the server.
- Cassette Study rooms:
- There are four study rooms equipped with cassette players for listening to audio tapes selected from the library collection.
- Cassette study rooms are to be used by only one person at a time and are reserved for the duration of the selected material.
- Research Study rooms:
- There are ten study rooms equipped with PCs and other devices, such as video players, cassette players, or satellite TV, that are available especially for research purposes.
- Research Study Rooms may be used by only one person at a time and can be reserved for the duration of the research project.
Groups are welcome. Group Study Rooms are reserved for either four to eight persons depending on study room availability.
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There is one research study rooms available for groups, the maximum reservation time is 2 hours per group.
To reserve a group study room, you must submit an official letter from the university, institute, or organization identifying the subject matter of the research as it relates to the Arts & Multimedia Library Collection. This letter should indicate the need for group research and designate number of researchers and their names.
The printing charge is 0.50 EGP per page. The charge is applied whether the
user brings his/her own paper or uses the library's paper. Patrons may only
print from a library computer with a Smart Card. Smart Cards, or prepaid cards,
may be purchased at the Membership Desk on the entrance level (E). The BA is not
responsible for any loss of data that may occur while printing.