How do I consult a document?
Consulting via the Lectura portal:
Lectura allows you to simultaneously access the catalogues and data bases of the public libraries of the Rhône-Alpes central cities, so that you can search amongst the:
- Document References
- Digitized Documents
- Document References held by Lectura include the identification of the library or libraries which hold the document which is being searched for. Starting from the choice of a library, the description of one or more copies of the document can be displayed, together with the identification of where each document is physically held within the library network (main library, annexe, other site, etc.).
The site user can click from the same page on practical information and the specific methods of access to documents for each library, so as to get to the description of the services available.
- Digitized Documents are accessible from the Lectura catalogue by means of a link contained in the description of each document. This link leads to the display of the document itself and a detailed description of it.
Consulting each of the height libraries:
Foreword
The municipal public libraries are public services which make a contribution to everyone's leisure, learning and cultural activities. The library staffs are willing and able to help library users to make the best use of the wide variety of resources and services on offer.
The consultation of documents on library premises is unrestricted and free of charge. Registration as a reader is only necessary for those wishing to borrow documents and use some of the available services.
Internet sites and reader guides give details of the documentary resources and the different ways of gaining access to the documents. The guides also mention other services which the libraries have developed, such as information services, multimedia areas, services for associations and other local bodies, services for disabled people or those unable to get to the premises, external services, etc.
Reader Registration. Prices
The libraries issue individual Reader Registration Cards. To obtain one, a reader must show documents which prove who they are and where they live. These cards are often valid for all the libraries or annexes in the network. Some libraries offer just one type of card which gives access to all or some of the libraries in their urban area.
The type of library card that the user selects makes it possible for him or her to borrow, according to the category, books, magazines or newspapers, musical scores, CD-ROMs, audio discs, videos, language learning materials, CDs, DVDs, works of art, etc.
The cost of the cards varies according to where the reader lives (in the local area, in the wider urban area, or elsewhere). Certain types of users will get their cards free of charge or for a reduced price (children, students, people with a limited income…).
On-site Consultation
It is not necessary to have a library card to consult the documents on the premises of the eight libraries, where a large part of their collections can be freely consulted. However, specific consultation conditions are applied to certain types of document, such as rare or valuable heritage documents, multimedia documents (videos, audio discs, CD-ROMs, software packages, etc.), Internet and data bases.
Seats are provided for document consultation in all the public areas.
It is not necessary to have a library card to consult the documents on the premises of the eight libraries, where a large part of their collections can be freely consulted. However, specific consultation conditions are applied to certain types of document, such as rare or valuable heritage documents, multimedia documents (videos, audio discs, CD-ROMs, software packages, etc.), Internet and data bases.
Seats are provided for document consultation in all the public areas.
Specific areas are set aside for the consultation of reference documents, magazines, and documents for which appropriate reading equipment is necessary (computer terminals, reading devices, etc.).
Borrowing Documents
A wide variety of documents can be borrowed from the eight libraries, such as posters, cartoon books, audio books, films on video cassettes and on DVDs, CD-ROMs, audio discs,
magazines and newspapers, books, contemporary works of art, books, music scores, language-learning materials, etc.
You need to have a library card to be able to take these items home. As a general rule, if you have a library card, you can borrow things from any of the library departments.
Borrowing conditions (number and type of documents loaned, length of loan, return conditions) are specific to each library.
It is possible:
- to reserve documents,
- to lengthen the loan period,
- sometimes, to return items outside the usual opening times or to another library which is part of the network.
It is also possible to suggest documents which the libraries might like to purchase.
Loans Between Libraries
The service of inter-library loans (known as the PEB) depends on the goodwill between the networked libraries. It makes it possible for a reader to get a document – or a copy in some cases (antique books, periodicals) – which is not available in his or her local library, from another library where it is available.
A valid library card must be held to be able to make use of this service. Search, photocopying or transport/postage costs are sometimes requested by the lending library. Special local documents and old documents are only sent (or copied) if they are in a good enough state for this to be possible.
Services Associated with Consultation and Borrowing
The eight libraries offer various possibilities for making copies of documents for personal use and subject to the laws concerning intellectual and artistic property:
- photocopies of extracts,
- printing of data held on a local computer or on Internet,
- digitization of documents which may not be borrowed but which are no longer protected by copyright.
The documents are only reproduced if their condition, their format and their binding are compatible with the operation. Photocopies and hard copies produced by multimedia stations are not free of charge.
Another service associated with the loan of documents is the production and distribution of bibliographies as hard copy and on the Internet (new titles, highly recommended items, thematic lists, etc.).
Specific Public Services
These services are part of the effort made by the eight libraries to include all types of readers in their comprehensive ‘customer base’.They include services for groups of adults and young people (schools, homes for the elderly, social services, etc.), services for the handicapped and disabled (documents delivered to home addresses, reading equipment for the blind and those with poor sight, specially adapted collections, etc.), and external services (for prisons and hospitals, etc.).
On-line Services
The eight libraries have each developed their own Internet site which supplies practical information (opening hours, addresses, etc.), announces special events, suggests certain documents, supplies the catalogue of on-line resources (which is often the catalogue for a network of libraries), selections of useful sites, etc.
The Internet site is a new and integral ‘area’ of the library. It often offers on-line conferences and exhibitions, digitized elements, and even news or question-and-answer facilities.
The on-line services on offer to Internet surfers include application forms, borrowing account updates, advance reservation of documents, document loan renewal, interlibrary loans, sending a "basket" of document descriptions by e-mail, ordering certain types of copies, the loan of digitized books, etc.
