Lending
Do I need to pay for borrowing DVDs and audiotapes?New arrivals
How do I know which new books have been added to the library collection lately?Overdue materials
Can I borrow if I have some overdue books?Internet service
How do I use the Internet service?Library visit
I want to bring a friend who is not a member to the library.Events and activities
How do I know what events are taking place at the library?Other questions
How are the books arranged in the library?Membership
I am an old member. Why do I have to pay the new membership fee when I join the library again?
If your membership has been expired for more than a year, we will charge you as a new member. Renew your membership within a year from the expiry date printed on your card to enjoy the renewal fee. Back to top
I lost my member card? Can I have a new card?
Yes, you can have a duplicate membership card by paying a small fine (K-5 000). We will also need to see your NRC or student ID, to ensure there are no mistake, and a photo for the card. Back to top
Family member card can be used by 3 persons from the same family and borrow 10 books and 3 DVD (without using the service card). Internet access allowance for each card is 10 hours per month. All members can use other services of the library. Family membership is more cheaper than three persons joining as individual members and it is particularly suitable for parents with younger children. Back to top
My son/daughter is 5 years old? Can s/he join the library?
All children can join the library, as an individual member or a part of the family membership, so long as they can care for the books. We have quite a number of books intended for younger learners. Back to top
I lost my service card. Can you give me a new one?
Unfortunately, if you lose you service card you will have to buy a new one. We do not issue duplicate service card. Back to top
If you want to use other services apart from borrowing books, you will be asked for a service card. It can be used for DVD borrowing, doing reservations, paying fines and many other services. Back to top
Lending
Do I need to pay for borrowing DVDs and audiotapes?
Yes. We will charge you by ticking the boxes from your service card if you borrow DVDs, CDs and audiotapes. Back to top
Can I borrow the Encyclopaedia Britannica?
You cannot. Books from the reference section are not for loan. Please ask a staff if you are not sure which are the reference books. Back to top
I want to keep the books for I have borrowed for more than two weeks. How can I renew them?
You can extend the return date of the books via an online form on our website or you can bring the books to the library to have them renewed manually. Back to top
I don't know how many books I have borrowed or when I have to return them?
We can check that for you in our system. You need to give us your member card number so we can check the number of books in your record. Back to top
Can my friends return my books?
Yes, they can. But you need to give them your membership card as well as the books to return. But your friends cannot borrow on your behalf. Membership cards are not transferable. Back to top
Can I borrow the audio tapes from the Self-access Centre?
No, you can't. But we do have some audio tapes and CDs that you can borrow. You can find them on the mezzanine floow outside the Self-access Centre. Back to top
Why are the DVDs from the library not playing on my DVD player?
Most of our DVDs are region 2 coded to be played on certain players. So if your DVD player is not configured to play region 2 code DVDs you will not be able to watch our collection. Fortunately, many DVD players available in Rangoon can play DVDs from all regions. Please ask the dealer whether the machine you are buying can play region 2 DVDs so you can enjoy our fabulous British films. Back to top
I don't know how to use the OPAC (online public access catalogue)? How do I look for the books that I want?
The best way to find the books that you want is through the OPAC and we will be more than happy to show you how to use it. But if you do not know how to use the computer, we have printed lists of books available for most major subjects. You can find the book lists beside the OPAC terminal. We can even send you the list you want by email. Contact us for this service. Back to top
New arrivals
How do I know which new books have been added to the library collection lately?
In the first week of every month, we printed out the titles we have added to the collection in the previous month for your reference. The list is filed near the library registration desk. Alternatively, you can check our website www.britishcouncil.org/burma for a listing of new arrivals. Back to top
The book that I want to borrow is never on the shelf. How can you help me find it?
Reservation service will be useful in this situation. You can reserve those books (such as IELTS books) that are always out on loan. You will need to have a service card and a contact telephone number to use the reservation service. We will contact you by telephone when the books you reserved are ready to be collected. Back to top
Overdue materials
Can I borrow if I have some overdue books?
You cannot borrow any book or DVD if you have an overdue item in your record. Our library management software is configured that way to encourage members to return the materials they have borrowed on time. Back to top
I have an overdue DVD. Can I borrow some books today?
If you have an overdue item in your record, you cannot borrow any more books/DVDs until you have returned the overdue item. Back to top
I can't find a book that I need to return today. What do I do?
If you have misplaced a book and that book is overdue, you cannot borrow any books or DVDs until you have returned it. If you are sure that you have lost it, you will need to pay the cost of the book as a fine. Some books can be rather expensive, so please be careful with the books that are under your care. Back to top
Internet service
How do I use the Internet service?
You can use the Internet immediately if a terminal is available. But you will need to wait for about an hour if all the terminals are in use. Back to top
Why is there a time limit for Internet usage?
Because we only have 16 computers for about 7 000 members. Back to top
Why do I have to wait to use the Internet?
Because we only have 16 computers for about 7 000 members. Back to top
Library visit
I want to bring a friend who is not a member to the library.
You are welcome to bring your friends to the library to show them around. However, if they want to come to the library regularly they will have to join the library. Back to top
Can I use the library services from home?
You can use our e-library and some online services from your home or office if you have access to the Internet. Visit our website www.britishcouncil.org/burma for details. Back to top
I am a member of the British Council Mandalay. Can I use my card in Rangoon centre?
You can use our Mandalay Centre card for using the Self-access Centre and reading reference books in the library. However, you cannot use other services unless you also join the Rangoon Centre separately. Back to top
Can I use my British Council Burma library card in other countries?
No, you cannot use our library card in other British Council offices. Back to top
What do I have to bring if I want to visit the British Council?
You will need to bring your NRC or student identity card when you visit us. If you are not a Burmese citizen, you will have to bring your passport for identification. Back to top
Events and activities
How do I know what events are taking place at the library?
All events are posted on the bulletin boards in the library. Read the boards when you visit the library. otherwiser visit our website www.britishcouncil.org/burma to find out what's happening at the library. Back to top
How do I register for a library event?
You can register for our events at the library desk or online for most of our events. Please note that some activities such as conversation club do not require registration. Please ask a library staff if you are not sure. Back to top
Other questions
How are the books arranged in the library?
The books are shelved according to Dewey Decimal System. You can check the location of the books by the decimal numbers on the spine of the books.
We have placed all the books on management issues in the Management Collection, EFL in the EFL Collection and the exams in the Exams Preparation section, so you can find them in a single location.
Fiction and books for young learners shelved differently. If you have trouble finding the books you want, ask a librarian for help. Back to top
Can the library buy the book I want from UK?
We do no sell books to the general public. However, if you want to have a particular book added to the library collection, you can request it by writing to us. Back to top
I will be sitting for IELTS examination in a few months? How can the library help me to get better score?
We have a fully-equipped Self-access Centre for those sitting for IELTS exam and a large number of books that you can borrow in the Lending Section. Many IELTS candidates use our Self-access Centre before sitting for the exam.
You can also attend an IELTS preparation course at our Teaching Centre. Please contact British Council Teaching Centre for more details. Back to top
How do I make a general enquiry?
If you are visiting the library in person, contact a librarian. Otherwise, contact us by emailing to library.enquiries@mm.britishcouncil.org Back to top
The British Council do not handle visa enquiries. Please contact the British Embassy Consular Section for all enquiries regarding UK visa application. Back to top
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