Joining and Using the Library

MFT Libraries are joining NoW, a network of NHS libraries across the northwest. By sharing our physical resources and library management system with other NHS libraries, we hope to provide a better service for our users, while at the same time making more efficient use of NHS resources. 

What does this mean for you? 

• Your NHS library account now gives you access to over 45,000 additional print books. That’s more than three times as many as before! 

• There is a new interface for finding, requesting and renewing your library books. We think it’s more user-friendly than the last one. Check it out here. 

• When you search the NoW catalogue, you will be able to choose whether to search across all libraries, or only your current location. Scroll down to ‘Groups’ to search across all libraries within MFT. 

• If you request a book from another Trust, it will be sent to us. You can pick it up at your MFT library site. This is whichever of our sites we have on file as your primary location. If you’re not sure what this is or want to change it, please get in touch. 

• If you already have a library account, you don’t have to do anything. We will migrate your account to the new system. You may need to update your password – we will contact you if this is required. 

• If you don’t have a library account, there’s no better time to join. 

• This change only affects access to paper books – ebooks and journals re unaffected. 

• If you go to work at a different Trust within NoW, you can keep the same library account. 

• As the library service of the country’s largest NHS Trust, we are a major voice within NoW, and user satisfaction is important to us. If you have feedback about the way things work in the new system, please let us know.  

 

More information 

• This move is in line with a strategy developed by Health Education England to provide more efficient and joined-up Library and Knowledge Services to NHS staff. 

• The new library management system runs on Koha, the world’s first completely free and open-source Library Management System. 

• This blog post (6 minute read) goes into more detail about NoW and why it’s a good idea for users and the NHS. 

 

In short 

You get the same local, personal-touch library services you are used to, but the range of physical books available to you has more than tripled.  

As much of this expanded collection is physically located somewhere else, you will need to request it and wait for it to be sent to your library. 

If you don’t want to wait, simply choose your current location from the drop-down menu next to the search bar in the library catalogue. 

You can join the library if you are:

• employed by MFT
• a student on placement at MFT
• a university member of staff based at MFT
• a registered volunteer at MFT

Online Registration Form 

You can also join in person at any of the four library sites.

There are four libraries you can use: Oxford Road Campus, Wythenshawe Hospital, North Manchester General Hospital and Trafford General Hospital.

All four libraries offer a full range of services such as literature searching page, training, document supply and outreach.

To find out more about the libraries and their facilities click here.

All books and journals, including e-books and e-journals can be searched via the online integrated library catalogue.

You can borrow up to 10 books at any one time. The loan period is 4 weeks.

You can renew up to a maximum of 3 times after which time you will have to bring the item(s) to the library. The item(s) can then be re-issued to you provided they have not been reserved by another library user.  You can renew by email, phone, in person, by logging into your own library account or via the library app.

If an item on loan is not returned 14 days after the due date, you account will be blocked.

If an item is returned damaged or you report that you have lost the item, you will be required to replace or pay for a replacement copy.

​If an item is not returned, you will be invoiced for the value of the replacement.

An OpenAthens account will give you access to a whole range of online resources such as e-books, e-journals, databases and point of care resources.

OpenAthens registration form

Change your organisation – to MFT if you already have an active account linked to your previous Trust.

Forgotten password?

Accessing your personal library account will enable you to view and renew the items you have on loan, place reservations and update your personal details.

You can access your account via the library catalogue.  You will need your reader code and PIN.  Please contact us if need a reminder of either of these.

How to renew your loans guide.