Q: How do I access library resources off campus?
A: When you select a link to one of our electronic resources (articles, e-books, databases, etc.) and you are off campus, you will be prompted to log in with your RCSI network credentials. After login, you should be connected through our proxy server.
Q: What are my RCSI network credentials?
A: Your RCSI network credentials for accessing electronic resources is the first part of your email before @rcsi.com, / ie Firstnamesurname@rcsi.com. Firstnamesurname is your login and the password is the same as for your email.
Q: I cannot access a journal article, how do I know if RCSI subscribes to this resource?
A: Search the E-Journal Portal for the journal title to determine if RCSI has access to this journal, checking the coverage dates include the right year. If the journal is listed and you're still unable to access it, please clear your web cache and try to use a different browser. If this hasn't resolved the issue, please contact library@rcsi.ie.
Q: I am being asked to pay a fee to read an article online. Should I pay?
A: You should not be asked to pay fees to access resources RCSI subscribes to if you are entitled to access electronic resources. Please search the E-Journal Portal to determine if RCSI has access to this journal, remembering to check the coverage dates. If we subscribe to this resource and you are still unable to access it, please clear your cache and try to use a different browser. If this hasn't resolved the issue, please contact library@rcsi.ie.
Q: My login and password are not working and I cannot access electronic resources off-campus.
A: Contact IT to reset your RCSI network credentials.
Q: I have googled BMJ and tried to access it off-campus, but my subscription is not recognized. I am sure RCSI has access to this resource.
A: You must always start from the RCSI Library website, to be recognized as an RCSI user by any of the electronic resources when off campus. RCSI Library uses a proxy server to authenticate users, which means accessing resources through Google will not associate your access with RCSI's subscriptions. Always access resources through the Library website and A-Z Resources.
Q: I have downloaded the UpToDate app, but access seems to have lapsed. How do I renew access?
A: You have to authenticate the app on-site every 90 days.
Q: Why do I have to authenticate access to some resources on-site?
A: This is how some publishers ensure that only authorized users can access the resources licensed to RCSI.
Q: I am an alumni of RCSI. Do I have access to electronic resources through RCSI?
A: Unfortunately, RCSI Library is not in a position to provide offsite access to electronic resources for alumni due to licensing restrictions. You will be able to benefit from access to resources onsite if you attend one of our Library locations. We would encourage you to explore our extensive Open Access collections in the A-Z Resources.
Q: I need a book which is on my reading lists, but I cannot find it in the catalogue. Can RCSI purchase this?
A: RCSI Library makes every effort to ensure resources on reading lists are available to students. Please forward your reading list to library@rcsi.ie and one of the members of the Content & Metadata Management team will be in contact with you to discuss this further.
Q: I need access to a journal, but RCSI currently has no subscription. How can I access the content?
A: RCSI Library is very happy to accept suggestions for resources. Please see more information in our Recommend a Resource Guide. Alternatively, you can also utilize our Document Supply Service.
Q: I have supplied my students with a module reading list, but I cannot find the titles in the library catalogue/E-Journal Portal/A-Z Resources.
A: RCSI Library makes every effort to ensure resources on reading lists are available to students. Please forward your reading list to library@rcsi.ie and one of the members of the Content & Metadata Management team will be in contact to discuss this further with you.
Q: How often do you review a wishlist?
A: The book wishlist gets reviewed periodically throughout the year. The electronic resource wishlist is reviewed at the end of each calendar year. For more information please see Recommend a Resource Guide.
Q: How many books are in RCSI Libraries?
A: RCSI Library houses over 10,000 print items at York Street and 4,500 at Beaumont Hospital library. We also have access to over 15,000 electronic journals, and over 70 databases and other electronic resources. RCSI Heritage Collections house the RCSI Archive and a collection of antiquarian books and art.
Q: How do I link to journal articles in Moodle?
A: Please use the Permalink feature in Primo. More details about this feature and how to use it in our video:
https://rcsi.cloud.panopto.eu/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=7ab73813-e66b-456a-be5d-ac98010bb9d8
Q: Can we post a PDF of an article on social media?
A: Due to copyright restrictions, it is not possible to post a PDF of an in-copyright article on social media, unless you are the copyright holder or the article is published under one of the Creative Commons licenses. There is further copyright guidance on Moodle.
Q: I am trying to borrow a title, but it is always on loan. This title is on our reading list and I believe the library should consider purchasing more copies.
A: We are very happy to accept suggestions to enhance our collections. For more information please see the Recommend a Resource LibGuide.
Q: How do you determine how many print copies are purchased for the library?
A: RCSI Library uses a ratio of roughly one copy per 20 students.
Q: How will I know if a title I have suggested to the Library has been chosen for purchase?
A: A member of the Content and Metadata Management staff will email you to update you.
Q: I need access to a particular resource for a course I am teaching, but the Library does not have access to it. Can I share PDFs of articles for my students in Moodle? I have access to this resource through my other affiliation.
A: RCSI Library is very happy to accept suggestions for purchase. For more information please see the Recommend a Resource LibGuide. Unless you are the copyright holder of that article or it is licensed under one of the Creative Commons licences, you would be breaching copyright to publish it in Moodle. You should instead add the permalink from the library catalogue to Moodle. There is further copyright guidance on Moodle
Q: Can I donate books to the library?
A: RCSI Library is delighted to accept any materials relating to medicine and surgery. For more information please see RCSI Library Donations Guide.
Q: What happens with the donated books?
A: All donations are assessed by our team in line with our Collections Management Statement. If a donated item fits our collection, is of recent publication date, is not a duplicate copy of an item in our collections, and is not damaged, it might be added to our collections. Damaged, duplicate, outdated, or irrelevant titles are sold off on our behalf.
Q: What happens with the proceeds of the funds from donations?
A: The proceeds are used on book repairs and the purchase of new materials.
Q: I have a large book collection that I would like to donate to the library.
A: Please contact Eliska Komarkova, the Content and Metadata Management Librarian to discuss.
Q: I have a collection of historical significance that I would like to donate to the library.
A: Please contact Susan Leyden, the RCSI Archivist to discuss.
Q: How do I search for theses in the catalogue?
A: You can search our Theses through Primo VE
Type the title, author, or keyword into the main search box. As you do so, you will notice that the option appears in a drop-down menu to limit your search to Theses, allowing you to target your searches to retrieve these items only.
Q: Can I include in-copyright content in my thesis? I have to publish it in the repository.
A: Please be advised that by submitting your thesis to the institutional repository, RCSI Library is effectively publishing your thesis under a Creative Commons license. We are not allowed to publish any intellectual property that we have not been given consent to under the Copyright Act 2000. You, as the author sign a Copyright Declaration Form, which allows us to publish in the repository, however if there is any other content that you are not the rights holder, that will restrict us from publishing your work.