SMS Library
Quiet study space, a focused medical collection and access to the clinical and research databases our students and staff rely on every day.
About the Library
The SMS Library supports teaching, learning, research and clinical practice across the School of Medical Sciences, University of Cape Coast. It serves students on the MBChB and other programmes of the School, together with academic, research and administrative staff.
The Library is primarily a reference library. Most materials are meant to be used on site, and borrowing is granted at the discretion of the librarian under the rules set out below.
Our two libraries
SMS Library
Laboratory Complex Building, First Floor, School of Medical Sciences.
The main library, holding the core medical textbook collection, past questions and dissertations, and individual study carrels.
CTC Library
Administration Block, Clinical Teaching Centre.
Serves students and staff during clinical rotations, close to the wards.
Opening hours
| Period | Hours |
|---|---|
| During the semester | 9:00 am to 10:00 pm |
| Examination period | 9:00 am to 5:00 am the following day |
| Vacation | 9:00 am to 4:30 pm |
Collections
Print collection
Together, the two libraries hold close to 5,000 books and other items, covering the basic medical sciences, clinical specialties, public health and medical education. The collection is arranged on open shelves by subject, so readers can browse freely.
Past questions and dissertations
Past examination questions and student dissertations are available in two forms: in print on the library shelves and electronically in the library repository. Ask a member of library staff for help finding a particular paper or dissertation.
Electronic resources
The School subscribes to the following resources for students and staff:
Library staff will show you how to sign in to each resource and how to search it well.
Research and writing support
- Referencing: the Library supports the APA referencing style and can help you format citations and reference lists correctly.
- Turnitin: the Library provides Turnitin similarity checks for assignments, dissertations and manuscripts before submission.
Borrowing
| Category of user | Maximum items | Loan period |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate students | 6 | 2 weeks |
| Graduate students | 8 | 2 weeks |
| Academic staff | 10 | One semester |
| Senior members (faculty, research and senior administrative) | As for academic staff | One semester |
| Other registered users | 5 | As advised by the librarian |
Renewals
Students may renew an item once, for a further two weeks, provided no one else has requested it. After that single renewal, the same item cannot be renewed again and must be returned.
External borrowers
Readers from outside the University may borrow only when introduced by a staff member of the University, who serves as their guarantor.
Fines and lost items
| Situation | Charge |
|---|---|
| Overdue book | GH₵1.00 per day, for up to 21 days |
| After 21 days overdue | The item is recorded as LOST |
| LOST item later returned | GH₵10.00 processing fee |
| LOST item not returned | GH₵10.00 processing fee plus three times the current cost of the book |
| Failure to return an item on recall | GH₵5.00 per day until the item is returned |
Facilities
- 100 reader seats across the SMS and CTC libraries, including individual study carrels.
- An air conditioned, quiet environment for private study.
- There are no bookable group study rooms at present.
- Printing and photocopying services are not available in the Library.
Meet the library team
Contact the Library
Mr Ibrahim Yahaya-Jaafar
Junior Assistant Librarian and Head of Library, School of Medical Sciences
Email: uccsmslibrary@uccsms.edu.gh
Visit us on the First Floor of the Laboratory Complex Building, or at the CTC Library in the Administration Block.