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*COVID-19: Guidelines for accessing the Library*
To comply with social distancing and hygiene measures, our services are subject to the following guidelines:
- Face coverings must be worn in the Library.
- Access to books is by request only. Please direct all search and title requests to Library staff. Returned books will be quarantined before being put back into circulation.
- Computer and study space capacity is limited owing to social distancing and must be booked in advance.
Follow WCS Libraries on Twitter for news and updates
Contact us on library@wcs.ac.uk for more information.
Our libraries offer a welcoming and comfortable learning environment and are well-equipped to support your studies. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff are always on hand and happy to help.
Membership is automatic and your Digital Student ID Card on MyDay is also your Library Card. Look for the Library tiles on MyDay to find information, check your loans and computer availability:
- Teams Sessions
- Library staff can provide guidance and tutorials via Microsoft Teams, including how to access OpenAthens and search online resources. Book a session by emailing library@wcs.ac.uk
- PCs with Microsoft Office and Internet access (inc. reservation service)
- Each campus library has a suite of Microsoft Windows PCs, all with internet access and Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, Access, Powerpoint and Publisher.WiFi access will allow you to connect your smartphone, tablet device or laptop using eduroam. Log in with your college email address e.g. studentNumber@live.wcs.ac.uk and your college password. Note: this WiFi network does not permit access to college printers.
- Group and Personal study spaces
- Each library has an area for private study or group work. These areas are noise controlled areas but may not be silent.
- Password Reset Services
- Should you have problems getting logged in the Library staff will be able to assist with resetting your password. Note: Student Card or other Photo ID required
- Laptop Loan
- The library at our Finnart St. Campus in Greenock has a laptop day-loan service. This allows students and staff to loan a laptop for the day, for use on campus. Each laptop is issued fully charged and with WiFi access.
COVID-19 Information: Library Guidelines
Library Guidelines
To comply with social distancing and hygiene measures, our services are subject to the following guidelines:
- Face coverings must be worn in the Library.
- Access to books is by request only. Please direct all search and title requests to Library staff. Returned books will be quarantined before being put back into circulation.
- Computer and study space capacity is limited owing to social distancing and must be booked in advance.
The Scottish Government have specified that face coverings must be worn in the Library.
Borrowing books
- Access to bookshelves is restricted to Library staff only. Please direct all search and title requests to Library staff.
- Email library@wcs.ac.uk with your request, including the name of your campus in the subject line. You can search and check availability of items on the Library online catalogue
- Library staff will contact you when your item(s) are ready to be collected.
Returning books
- Please deposit items in the returns box available near the entrance of the Library so that they can be safely quarantined before re-issue.
Online Resources and Ebooks
- These are available outside the library and college using an OpenAthens account login. Click on the Online Resources tab or CLICK HERE for more information
Computer use and Study Space
- These will be limited due to social distancing so we strongly recommend booking in advance. You can use ‘MyPC’ in your MyDay app to see computer availability. Please contact Library staff to book, stating the campus you wish to use.
- We will also have signage displaying current availability outside the library itself and if we have PC terminals available it may be possible to use one without a booking.
Stationery
- We recommend library users bring their own pens, pencils, paper etc. as we may not be able to loan these items due to hygiene concerns and limited supply. Unfortunately, the bookshop at Clydebank campus will not be open for purchasing stationery.
Please remember Social Distancing and Hygiene measures are in place throughout the college and we ask all library users to help maintain as safe an environment as we possibly can to ensure everyone’s good health within the college and outside of it. Unfortunately, this means that we cannot currently offer group study space.
Online Resources
You can search your Library online for books you need. We also provide access to a range of online resources to help with your studies.
Library Resources
- Each library has at least one multi-function printer allowing you to print in colour, double sided and in A3 or A4 sizes.
Note: each student has a monthly free print allowance. Each time you print, the remaining balance will reduce. The college allows a small overspend each month. If you find that your course related printing requirements is more than your monthly allowance, speak to the Curriculum Quality Leader (CQL) in charge of your course as they may be able to request an increase in your monthly printing allowance.
You can search your Library online for books you need. Books for your courses are accessible 24/7. Find out more about Heritage in this video HERE
You can use Heritage to reserve and renew your books online with your student number and pin number HERE
- There’s an extensive collection of print materials, including course textbooks, revision guides, past papers, quick reads, fiction, graphic novels, local history and journals. Each month, your campus library will have a display that focuses on a specific subject area.
You can borrow books from any West College Scotland campus library. Search our Library Catalogue, Heritage Online, for books you need or ask a library staff member to search for books for you. If the books you are interested in are at another campus, ask a Library Assistant to request them to be delivered to your library. Books from other campuses normally arrive within three working days.
If a textbook of interest is not currently stocked, ask a Library Assistant if it would be possible to order a copy. New books take approximately 2 weeks to arrive and be input into the library management system for loaning.
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Ebooks: digital copies of textbooks, can be read online or downloaded to your mobile device via Open Athens. https://www.openathens.net/
Library staff are happy to demonstrate how to access ebooks via Open Athens. Email library@wcs.ac.uk to arrange a time.
eBooks, video content, online reference works, journals and newspapers are amongst the range of electronic resources available. These resources can be accessed through OpenAthens
Library staff can provide a demonstration of how to access Open Athens and start searching the resources. Email library@wcs.ac.uk to arrange a time.
You can access these resources through our Open Athens portal so it’s probably easiest to login to OpenAthens (this VIDEO will show you how) before clicking on the following links:
eBooks: Digital copies of textbooks, these can be read online or downloaded to your mobile device. Find core texts and other suggested reading on
Videos: Find educational videos relating to your subject, watch curated film and television content, and upload and organize your own video content on
Images: Find rights-cleared images that can be freely used in your class assignments on Image Quest
Reference sources: Use 
Britannica Academic and Credo Reference for the background information to begin your research on a topic.
Newspapers: Find full-text articles all local and regional newspapers from the UK and Ireland on Newsbank. Including local titles such as The Clydebank Post, Greenock Telegraph and Paisley Daily Express, and national titles such as The Guardian, The Telegraph and The Herald. Search across titles or topics.
Journals: Full-text articles from multi-disciplinary journals can be read online or downloaded from SAGE Journals. Cambridge Core provides access to full-text journal articles and content from Cambridge Companions Online and the Shakespeare Survey. My Dynamic Learning provides access to current and past issues from Biological Sciences Review, Chemistry Review, Modern History Review, Politics Review, Psychology Review and Modern History Review. Useful for those studying Highers in these subjects.
Subject specific resources include Drama Online, CINAHL, and TV
Most resources can be accessed by signing in with your College network username and password, either through OpenAthens or directly into the resource itself, for example, ClickView. One exception is My Dynamic Learning: access by clicking on this link or self-register for an account.
Find the most up-to-date list of digital resources here:
We have also created subject guides to highlight resources that could help with your course of study. Find these on our Wakelet Library profile: https://wakelet.com/@WCSLibraries and on the LIbrary pages on Moodle.
Wakelet is best viewed on Google Chrome or the most up-to-date version of Microsoft Edge
Our Library video will tell you everything you need to know from accessing books, study areas and printing
Subject Guides
We have also created subject guides to highlight resources that could help with your course of study. Find these on our Wakelet Library profile: https://wakelet.com/@WCSLibraries and on the LIbrary pages on Moodle.
Wakelet is best viewed on Google Chrome or the most up-to-date version of Microsoft Edge
We have created guides to highlight digital resources that could help with your course of study . Click on the links below to find resources for your subject:
- Acting and Technical Theatre
- Art, Design, Graphics and Animation
- Beauty and Complementary Therapies
- Business, Administration and Accounting
- Childcare
- Construction and Building Services
- Computing and Games Development
- Dance
- Engineering
- ESOL and Languages
- Hairdressing
- Health, Social Care and Nursing
- Hospitality and Professional Cookery
- Interior Architecture and Architectural Design
- Learner Development
- Make Up Artistry
- Media, TV and Radio
- Motor Vehicle
- Music
- Photography
- Science
- Social Sciences
- Sport and Fitness
- Travel and Tourism
Contact library@wcs.ac.uk for more information and help.
Opening Hours
*Opening Hours*
Due to circumstances, staffing is currently limited. Opening hours may be subject to change without prior notice.
Library Opening Hours
Paisley Campus Library
Paisley Campus Library is located over two floors in the Renfrew North building. The first floor holds books, 2PCs and 2 Macs. The upper floor holds 32 PCs.
Opening Hours (term-time)
*Opening hours may be subject to change at short notice*
Contact Us
For more information please contact:
Greenock Waterfront Campus Library
The library within the Waterfront campus is located on the first floor.
This library has electronic security gates. Please observe the medical advisory signage on the library door before entry.
Opening Hours (term-time)
*Opening hours may be subject to change at short notice*
Friday – 8.50am – 4.30pm
The Issue Desk at the Waterfront Campus Library will close daily 1 pm – 2 pm to allow the Library Assistant to take a lunch break. This will not impact access to library for computer use, printing, scanning, photocopying, reading or study.
Contact Us
For more information please contact:
Greenock Finnart Street Campus Library
The Finnart Street Campus library is located on the ground floor, at the main entrance, next to the Taste dining area
Opening Hours (term-time)
*Opening hours may be subject to change at short notice*
Friday – 8.50am – 4.30pm
The Library will close daily from 1 – 2pm to allow for staff to take a lunch break.
Contact Us
For more information please contact:
Clydebank Campus Library
The Clydebank Campus library and bookshop is located on the 1st floor, directly above main reception.
Opening Hours (term-time)
*Opening hours may be subject to change at short notice*
Friday – 8.50am – 4.30pm
The Library will close daily from 1 – 1:45 pm to allow for staff to take a lunch break.
Contact Us
For more information please contact:
Our Library video will tell you everything you need to know from accessing books, study areas and printing
Contact the library
Feel free to contact us face-to-face or by any of the methods below
Clydebank campus library
Greenock campus library
Paisley campus library
Waterfront campus library
News and Announcements
The Libraries are OPEN! , Mon, May 17th, 2021 - Library Opening Hours Our Libraries are open Monday to Friday, from 10am to 2pm. Safety and hygiene measures are in place but most services are available. For all enquiries, class […]
Future Design Competition , Wed, February 3rd, 2021 - Following our Book Week Scotland event with Metaphrog, we’re running a competition for students to design a cover for a book, graphic novel or zine based on the Book Week Scotland theme of ‘Future’: It […]
Our Library Staff are Here to Help! , Tue, January 19th, 2021 - Our physical library spaces may be closed but WCS Libraries are still here to support you! OpenAthens: activate your OpenAthens account to access our online resources. Watch this video to find out how to […]
UCAS Application Support Workshops – Book Now! , Thu, October 8th, 2020 - Thinking about going to university in autumn 2021? Applications for university courses are made through UCAS. Now is the time to start thinking about your application. The applications deadline for […]
Library Survey , Wed, November 13th, 2019 - We want to hear what you think about our Libraries Click here to take our quick survey
How to Guides
Our video guides show you how to access and search our resources. These can also be found on ClickView in the folder WCS Libraries: How to Guides – please check there for new guides and updates.
- How to sign into Office365
- How to search the library catalogue
- How to activate OpenAthens (desktop version)
- How to activate OpenAthens (mobile version)
- How to find library subject and help guides on Wakelet