How do I process a store request?
Answer
Overview
Library users can request items held in the library stores or gallery via the Library Store and Gallery Request form. This can be found under the 'Finding Resources' menu on the Library website.
There is also now a separate Thesis Request form (for print and online thesis) on the 'Thesis Collection' page, also listed under 'Finding Resources.'
The requests are dealt with by different teams - see below.
Procedure
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Check that the item is actually in a store or the gallery as it may have been requested incorrectly as e.g. a hold request or new book request
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Check which specific store or gallery the item is located in:
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Store8 (Octagon) journal back-runs are dealt with by us, the Enquiries Team
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Rare books and other special collections forward to archives@qmul.ac.uk and advise of 10 working days response time. This applies to the following catalogue locations: Closed Access Store 1 OR Archives Reading Room OR Smithfield Closed Access Store 1 OR 2 OR Whitechapel Closed Access Store (Gallery)
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Print thesis requests go to openresearch@qmul.ac.uk
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QM requests/invoices for items from other institutions to be digitised via EthOS go to openresearch@qmul.ac.uk
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Online thesis requests (incl. EthOS digitisation) go to openresearch@qmul.ac.uk (PhD thesis only)
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Store8 (Octagon) journal back-run requests - procedure for Enquiries Team staff
- Collect the Octagon key from the key cabinet in the DS Office
- The key opens the doors into the Octagon and the metal gate doors at the bottom of the spiral staircases to the bookshelves
- Collect item
- Either scan the article required to send as email, or place item in Welcome Desk store for reference viewing.
- Ask an Enquiries Supervisor if assistance is needed.
Rare books and other special collections
Books classified as rare books or in the archives reference book collection are viewed in the Archives Reading Room by appointment and under supervision by the Archives team. The Archives Reading Room is on the second floor of the Mile End Library and is open for appointments Monday-Thursday 9.30am-1pm & 2-4.30pm.
To book an appointment the enquirer needs to email archives@qmul.ac.uk with a time and date within those hours, and they will confirm that appointment once they've checked their availability. They will only accept an appointment a minimum of two working days in advance and they can view up to 12 items per day. They can accommodate external visitors.
Their service level agreement is to provide a first response in ten working days, in reality this should be a lot shorter assuming we have no staff shortages at the time.
Print theses
Please note all thesis since 2013 are online via QMRO (Queen Mary Research Online) and are not accessible in print copy.
Requests for all print theses are forwarded to the Open Research Team. It does not matter which library site they are stored at. The Open Research Team then check to make sure that we have a copy of the thesis and if there are any embargoes in place that would affect access.
If the thesis is available to be viewed, the Open Research Team respond to the user asking them to contact the Archives team to make an appointment to view the thesis in the Archives Reading Room. If the thesis is not available to be viewed, they will respond to the user explaining why.
They usually aim to respond to all emails within 3 working days, but this can on occasion take slightly longer for thesis requests because of the initial checks required.