The Balme Library, established in 1948 is located on the main campus of the University of Ghana. The Balme Library was named after David Mowbray Balme, the first Principal of the University of Ghana. The Balme Library is the main library of the University of Ghana and is also the largest within the University of Ghana Library System (UGLS). It is endowed with information resources, IT infrastructure and expert staff. Since its establishment in 1948, the library has gone through successive growth with its printed book collection totaling over 400,000 volumes. The library subscribes to an increasing number of online databases including electronic journals (e-journals) and electronic books (e-books).

The Balme Library together with the various satellite libraries in schools, institutes, faculties, departments and halls of residence of the university, form the University of Ghana Library System (UGLS).

Membership The primary clientele of the Balme Library includes the following: Faculty of the University of Ghana Students of the University of Ghana Researchers of the University of Ghana Administrators of the University of Ghana

The clientele may be grouped into two main categories: Those who have the right to borrow from the collection. This category includes Senior members Graduate students and teaching assistants Undergraduate students and non-degree students Those who can use the library for reference only: University workers (who have been recommended by their heads of departments to use the library) Alumni of the university National Service personnel Others, including students form other universities

Main sections of the library

Ground floor Library users/visitors are required to deposit their bags, coats, umbrellas, etc. in the lockers provided at the main entrance. The library is not responsible for the security of the contents of such items deposited in the lockers.

Reference Hall The library's enquiry desk is located here with library staff, who will answer all your questions about the library and its resources. Books to be borrowed or returned are also done in the Reference Hall.  There are also PCs exclusively for searching for books in the UGCat (the library's online catalogue). Reference books including Encyclopaedias, Dictionaries, and Almanacs are also kept in this area.

East Stack Arts and Social Science books, (Call Nos. A-L), are kept in this area

West Stack This area has study carrels and is mainly for reading

United Nations Depository Library (UNDL) The Balme Library is a depository for most United Nations publications, including that of its specialized agencies.  Publications deposited in the library are mainly for reference purposes.

Arabic Library Arabic books are kept in the Arabic Library to satisfy the information needs of students offering Arabic from the Department of Modern Languages.

Mezzanine Floor

East Mezzanine (above East Stack) Houses the Arts and Sciences collection. These cover Call Nos. M – V.

West Mezzanine (above West Stack) Bound volumes of Arts and Social Science periodicals with Call Nos. A-P are located in this section.

First Floor

Periodicals Hall Current periodicals are displayed in the Periodicals Hall.  Previous issues are bound and kept in the West Mezzanine.

The Students' Reference Library (SRL) The SRL is a collection of selected and current textbooks of all the subjects taught in the University of Ghana.  As much as possible, multiple copies of such textbooks are housed in this library. These are for REFERENCE ONLY.

Africana Library This is also for reference only. It specializes in books and periodicals on Africa. It also has its own reserve collection of books and other library materials. Books on Africa may be duplicated in the main stacks, and these may be borrowed.

Reserved Collections The library has two reserved collections, SRL and Africana. The collections consist of books and photocopies of journal articles, which have been recommended by lecturers. Such materials are reserved on request because they are basic texts for the various courses. Materials in the Reserved Collection may be used only within the library. Readers need to consult the staff in the enclosures at the entrance of both the SRL and Africana to access materials in these collections.

Departments in the Balme Library There are five departments and one special library for students with special needs in the Balme Library.

These departments include: Acquisitions Cataloging Periodicals Reference Technical Services Braille Library

Services, Resources & Facilities

Services

Binding of Books The Technical Service Unit of the Balme Library (located on the Ground floor, West Wing Extension) provides bindery service to the university community and the general public. Students may send their long essays, project works, worn-out books, etc. to the bindery to be bound for a fee.

Photocopying The library provides photocopying service that enables users to copy pages of library materials and personal documents. Charges are fairly cheap and neat work is always assured. Locate the unit in the Reference Hall.

Consultation of Thesis and Past Examination Questions Masters and Doctoral theses as well as past university examination questions may be consulted online on the library's website (http://balme.ug.edu.gh/) or upon request for hard copies at the Reference Desk. An Identity card and, in some cases, introductory letters would be required before consultation of these documents.

User Education User education in the library takes the form of the annual orientation programme organized for freshers at the start of the academic year. Subject librarians also organize periodic user education for their constituents.

Library Instruction

The library organizes workshops on the UGCat, electronic databases, reference management software and other resources. Such workshops will be advertised to allow those interested to register for them. In addition, training on any specific resource may be requested by contacting your Subject Librarian.

Off-Campus Access to Databases Databases may be accessed off-campus by students after registering at http://ezproxy.ug.edu.gh/. Staff of the university are to use their staff email and password to access the service.

Online Chat You may have a chat with a librarian online by accessing the "click to chat" on the library website.

Article Request Access the article request service by clicking on "article request"

RESOURCES

Online Databases The library provides access to electronic articles and books. Links to these databases are available at http://balme.ug.edu.gh/index.php/research-tools/databases-quick-a-z and on Subject Guides created by subject librarians.

Ebooks In addition to books, the library also provides access to e-books in a variety of subject areas. Available at http://balme.ug.edu.gh/ are Myilibrary eBooks and Elsevier E-books.

Reference Management Software Reference management software makes it easier for you to cite and reference materials that you use for your assignments, essays, project work, dissertation and thesis. The library provides access to both Mendeley and Endnote Reference Management Software. Kindly consult your Subject librarian for more information.

Theses collection A copy of each thesis accepted by this university is kept in the Balme Library. All theses are catalogued and records of all UG theses may be searched from the UGCat (http://library.ug.edu.gh/ ) or full text accessed in UGSpace (http://ugspace. ug.edu.gh/ ). Hard copies of these can be consulted in the Theses Room.

UGSpace UGSpace is UG's Institutional Repository where you can find in digitised form, some theses, links to peer reviewed articles written by members of the UG community, inaugural lectures etc. Access this resource at http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh/.

Facilities

Braille Library The Soroptimists International Club of Accra donated the Braille Library to the university in 1989. It serves the visually handicapped students. Materials available include books in Braille and other equipment used by the students to facilitate their academic work. It is located on the West Wing Extension Ground Floor.

Research Commons (RC). The Research Commons (RC) is a technology-equipped research environment, intended for exclusive use by faculty, graduate students and researchers. Locate the RC on the second floor, East Wing Extension in the Balme Library. Biometric registration is required before use of the facility is allowed. Knowledge Commons (KC). This is a Computer Laboratory for undergraduate students located at the East Wing of the Ground Floor. Computers and other facilities have been provided here to assist students in their studies. Digitization & IR Unit. The Digitization and IR unit is responsible for the preservation of library materials through digitization and electronic archiving. The Unit scans books, newspapers and other print materials of the Balme Library and publishes academic thesis and faculty publications on it UGspace website for free access and use. Faculty Research Commons (FRC). The Andrew Carnegie Faculty Research Commons is a reserved area for Faculty only. The FRC is equipped with computers and internet connectivity, scanner and printers for faculty research needs. Information Access Center (IAC). The lAC is on the second floor, West Wing Extension of the Balme Library. It consists of a training Lab, a computer lab and seminar rooms. The facilities are for the use of the university community, other educational institutions and the general public. A valid ID card is required to use the computer lab. 24-Hour Reading Room. The 24-Hour reading area is a dedicated space for University of Ghana students. The facility is equipped with wireless internet connectivity, tables and chairs ideal for reading and research. Users are allowed to bring their personal laptops for studies. West Stack Study Area. This study area replaces the section that used to house science bound journals. It is located on the West Ground Floor, adjacent to the Z room. It consists of reading carrels that promote individual study.

Collections in the Balme Library The Balme Library has special collection libraries namely;

United Nations Depository Library The United Nations depository library collects UN documents and publications through a special arrangement with the Dag Hammarskjöld Library. Since 1946, the Dag Hammarskjöld Library of the United Nations Secretariat in New York has arranged for the distribution of United Nations documents and publications to users around the world through its depository library system. The Balme Library is a depository for most United Nations publications, including that of its specialized agencies. Publications deposited in the library are mainly for reference purposes.

Arabic Library Arabic books are kept in the Arabic Library to meet the information needs of students reading Arabic languages, Modern Languages and Religious Studies.

Students' Reference Library The SRL is a collection of selected and current textbooks of all the subjects taught in the University of Ghana. As much as possible, multiple copies of such textbooks are housed in this library. These are for REFERENCE ONLY.

Africana Library