Library & Rural Learning Centre

Come and enjoy learning in the Barony College Library and Rural Learning Centre.

This modern, comfortable room is designed to ensure an effective and enjoyable learning experience.

We provide for a wide range of dedicated learners, including full time students, distance learners, trainees, visitors from partnership colleges and members of the rural community of Dumfries and Galloway.

We aim to maintain an efficient and effective service by...

• Providing a range of stimulating and up to date books, journals and other resources to support teaching and learning.

The library houses a wide collection of books, journals and audio-visual materials that support student studies. All items in the collection are recorded and issued through the library's automated catalogue. The collections are on open access, and are arranged by Dewey Decimal Classification.

• Ensuring that all books, journals and other information sources are readily available to all library users.

Students have access to the library 9am-4.30pm Monday - Friday to borrow resources and for private research and study.

Members of the public can access the library during the college term to consult resources on a reference basis. This is by appointment only.

Spending time in the library is a popular activity at Barony College, particularly during the winter evenings!

• Linking up with other providers

To provide access to a full range of resources available locally and nationally we have established links with the British Library, the local Public Library network and Joint Information Services Council (JISC), which allows us to find what you need and have it arrive when you need it!

• Providing a comfortable area for relaxing reading and enjoyable study

Inductions to the library are carried out throughout the academic year, to enable students to familiarise themselves with the working of the college library. The Library is a quiet study area with seating for up to 20 students.

• Supporting and promoting the use of information technology (IT) to access 'on line information'.

The library is developing online learning resources to compliment its wealth of books and journals. All students and trainees are taught how to use computers and how to find useful information on the internet. Popular website addresses are collected and held on the college intranet under subject folders and can provide useful additional information for a project.

Every student is issued with a user password allowing them to access both the internet and college intranet resources. The library has 4 computers available and an additional 30 in the Rural Learning Centre annex.

Rural Learning Centre (RLC)

We have a Rural Learning Centre annexed to the library. The Centre contains 30 computers, which are used as a drop-in suite for students to access e-mail, internet and Microsoft Office applications throughout the College day.

It is a very spacious and attractive facility, situated in the calm surroundings of the conservatory looking out over the College grounds.

I.T. short courses from an introductory level are frequently available in the day time and evenings in the Rural Learning Centre. They tend to be popular and are heavily subscribed.

The Rural Learning Centre can be hired as a facility for a club or society booking. This is an ideal location for running a programme of IT courses for your members.