1. MCA Library Operating Hours

The Library is closed on all public holidays unless otherwise communicated by the College.

2. Library Membership and Access

The Library may be used by registered Postgraduate, Undergraduate and Professional students, teaching staff, administrative staff and other authorised members of the College community.

Visiting users may be granted access in accordance with the Visiting Users provisions of these regulations.

Users must comply with the applicable Library registration, identification and access requirements.

3. Library Services

The Library & Learning Resource Centre provides the following core services:

4. Digital Library and Electronic Resources

The Library provides access to electronic resources through the following platforms and services:

5. Borrowing Privileges

Borrowing privileges vary according to the user's category and the type of Library material.

6. Materials Restricted to Library Use

The following materials are restricted to use within the Library unless specific permission is granted:

• Reference books
• Newspapers and newsletters
• Journals and magazines
• Dissertations

Restricted materials may be temporarily released for authorised purposes, such as photocopying, subject to the Library's procedures and applicable charges.

7. Kinds of Books and Loan Conditions

7.1 Non-Fiction Books

Library materials in the Circulation Section may be borrowed for three (3) days where there is no demand, subject to the applicable borrowing privileges and the discretion of the Librarian.

Depending on demand and the nature of the material, books may be designated for home use, room use, hourly use, overnight use or use during Library hours.

7.2 Fiction Books

Fiction books may be borrowed for one week and may be renewed for a further week where there is no demand for the item.

7.3 Periodicals and Newspapers

Periodicals and newspapers are not available for home use and must be used within the designated periodicals area.

7.4 E-Books

E-books are accessible electronically, subject to the access conditions of the relevant platform and licence.

8. Use and Care of Library Resources

Users are responsible for taking proper care of all Library materials, equipment, furniture and facilities.

• Do not write in, underline, tear, fold, mutilate or otherwise damage Library materials.
• Do not remove Library security devices or otherwise interfere with Library security systems.
• Do not alter the arrangement or organisation of Library resources in open-access collections.
• Do not move Library chairs, desks or other furniture without permission.
• Users should inspect materials when receiving them and immediately report any existing damage to Library staff.
• Users must comply with applicable copyright requirements when reproducing Library materials.
• Problems involving Library computers, software, equipment, viruses or system settings must be reported immediately to Library staff.

9. Conduct and Library Environment

The Library is intended to provide a clean, safe and conducive environment for learning, teaching, research and academic work.

• Users must remain quiet and avoid disruptive behaviour.
• Excessive noise and loud discussions are prohibited.
• Smoking is prohibited within the Library.
• Eating and chewing gum are prohibited within the Library.
• Drinking, including bottled water and other beverages, is prohibited within the Library.
• Users must keep Library spaces clean and tidy.
• Mobile phones must not be used in restricted areas and should be kept on silent mode where permitted.
• Disorderly, disruptive or drunken behaviour is prohibited.
• Users must not damage Library furniture, equipment, buildings or other College property.

A person engaging in disorderly or disruptive behaviour may be required to leave the Library and may have Library privileges suspended for two weeks.

10. Depository Section and Personal Belongings

10.1 Items to be Deposited

Users entering the Library may be required to deposit envelopes, bags, cases and other items designated by Library management with the designated Library personnel.

Food and beverages, including bottled water, minerals, juices, take-away meals and biscuits, are not permitted in the Library.

10.2 Valuables

Users must not leave valuables such as cash, purses, ATM cards, passports, licences, calculators or other valuable personal property in the depository section.

10.3 Numbered Tags

A numbered tag will be issued when belongings are deposited. The same tag must be presented when collecting the belongings.

10.4 Lost Tags

Users are responsible for the loss of numbered tags, particularly where loss of the tag contributes to the loss of deposited belongings.

10.5 Unclaimed Property

Unclaimed belongings will be transferred to the Registrar's Office for disposal after sixty (60) days.

10.6 Claiming Belongings

Users should collect all personal belongings when leaving the Library. The College will not accept responsibility for valuables that users leave in the Library or depository.

11. Lost and Damaged Library Materials

11.1 Reporting a Lost Book

A lost Library book must be reported immediately to the Librarian to prevent the continued accumulation of overdue fines.

11.2 Replacement

A book reported lost must be replaced with the latest edition of the same title within two (2) weeks of notifying the Librarian, unless the Librarian approves an alternative replacement or settlement.

11.3 Damaged Materials

A borrower may be held responsible for missing pages or other damage discovered when an item is returned where the damage occurred during the period of the user's responsibility.

Lost or damaged materials must be replaced with an identical or Library-approved equivalent edition, or settled financially in accordance with applicable College procedures.

12. Recall of Library Materials

The Library may recall any material on loan where:

• College officials have an urgent need for the material;
• the material is required for placement on Reserve or for a shorter loan period;
• the material is overdue; or
• the Library is conducting an authorised stocktaking or inventory exercise.

Users must return recalled materials within the period specified by the Library.

13. Overdue Fines and Library Charges

Fines may be charged where Library materials are not returned within the prescribed loan period or following an authorised recall.

14. Additional Overdue-Fine Schedule

The Library regulations also provide the following charges for specified collections:

15. Mutilation, Theft and Misuse of Library Property

Any person who defaces, mutilates, appropriates, steals or otherwise unlawfully removes or damages Library materials or property may be required to:

1. Replace the material or property, or pay its current replacement value; and
2. Pay a fine of not less than MWK 50,000.00 and not less than 50% of the current cost of the book, whichever is higher.

This provision is without prejudice to any additional disciplinary action, including suspension or expulsion, that may be imposed by the Principal following due process and on the recommendation of the Librarian.

16. Identification Cards

16.1 Loss of Identification Card

A College member who loses an identification card must report the loss immediately to Library personnel and the relevant College office.

An application for a duplicate identification card must be made through the Registrar's Office and presented to the College Librarian for appropriate validation where required.

16.2 Falsification or Use of Another Person's Identification Card

Falsification of an identification card may, following due process, result in suspension from the College for one semester.

Using another person's identification card may result in suspension of Library privileges for one semester.

17. Visiting Users

17.1 Users with Written Referrals

Visiting users with a written referral from the Librarian of their institution may be permitted to use MCA Library facilities for study or research, subject to the approval of the College Librarian.

Visiting users shall use Library materials within the Library premises only unless specific permission is granted.

17.2 Users without Written Referrals

Visiting users without written referrals shall be referred to the College Librarian for consideration and a decision on access.

18. Library Registration

Users registering for Library services are required to comply with the applicable College and Library registration requirements.

• Be appropriately enrolled or authorised.
• Meet applicable College fee and registration requirements.
• Present the required student or staff identification.
• Professional students must meet the applicable professional-student membership requirements.
• Provide any additional registration information required by the Library.
• Read and familiarise themselves with the Library Rules and Regulations.

19. User Rights and Responsibilities

Users are entitled to access Library services in accordance with their eligibility and the applicable Library rules.

Users are responsible for:

• Caring for Library materials, equipment, furniture and facilities.
• Presenting their identification when required at Library access points.
• Returning Library materials within the prescribed loan period.
• Returning all Library materials before the end of the applicable academic or professional programme period.
• Clearing Library obligations before leaving the College, going on applicable leave, retiring or resigning.
• Informing the Library of changes to contact details where required.
• Not lending, transferring or allowing another person to use their College or Library identification credentials.
• Observing Library notices, signs, procedures and instructions issued by authorised Library personnel.
• Reporting problems involving Library resources, facilities or equipment promptly.

20. Library Clearance

Students and other users with Library obligations must settle outstanding Library accounts and return all required Library materials before clearance can be issued.

Students with unsettled or delinquent Library accounts at the end of the applicable academic year will not be cleared until their obligations have been resolved.

Users leaving the College, including staff who retire or resign, must return all Library materials and settle outstanding obligations as part of the applicable College clearance process.

21. Unsettled Library Accounts and Obligations

Any person who, after due notice, refuses or fails without just cause to settle Library accounts or other Library obligations may:

• be prevented from registering where applicable;
• be restricted from using College Library facilities; and
• be denied College clearance until the outstanding obligations are settled.

22. Library Rights and Obligations

22.1 The Library has the right to:

• Establish and periodically review Library Rules and procedures.
• Determine the terms and conditions governing access to Library resources and facilities.
• Establish applicable fee-paying services and charges, subject to College approval requirements.
• Apply appropriate sanctions where users violate Library Rules, within the authority granted by College policies, regulations and procedures.
• Recall Library materials where necessary for academic, operational, inventory or other authorised purposes.

22.2 The Library shall:

• Deliver Library services in accordance with approved Library policies, rules and guidelines.
• Inform users about available Library services and applicable charges.
• Maintain appropriate conditions for study, teaching, learning and research.
• Provide reasonable guidance to users concerning the use of Library resources and services.

23. Non-Compliance and Sanctions

Users who violate these Library Rules and Regulations may be subject to appropriate sanctions, including fines, restriction or suspension of Library privileges, recovery of the cost of lost or damaged materials, or referral to the appropriate College disciplinary authority.

Where a matter may constitute a disciplinary offence under College regulations, the Library may refer the matter to the appropriate College authority for consideration in accordance with due process.

24. Related Library Information

25. Source and Authority

This page presents the Malawi College of Accountancy Library & Learning Resource Centre Rules and Regulations for the information and guidance of Library users.

Where this webpage differs from a subsequently approved College policy, regulation, circular or formal Library directive, the latest approved institutional instrument shall prevail.