A Helpdesk serves all users on a daily basis and efficiently runs all of the Library and Information Centre’s services.

Users can submit queries or requests directly to the Library Staff in various ways:

• by telephone at 2251036036
• by email to the central email address: lib-helpdesk@lib.aegean.gr or the individual email addresses of each library service and
• through the electronic platform accessible through the Library’s portal or directly at the link: http://zammad.aegean.gr

The electronic Helpdesk platform enables users to submit requests on the organization of the Knowledge Base, downloads and troubleshooting. Through the platform they can also follow the progress and the history of their requests and/or be updated by mail.

Η ηλεκτρονική κατάθεση των τεκμηρίων γκρίζας βιβλιογραφίας γίνεται μέσω της πλατφόρμας του Ιδρυματικού Αποθετηρίου «Ελλάνικος» («Hellanicus»). Για την κατάθεση απαιτείται να γίνει είσοδος του χρήστη στο σύστημα του αποθετηρίου, χρησιμοποιώντας το όνομα χρήστη και τον κωδικό πρόσβασης που έχει από το Πανεπιστήμιο.

Η κατάθεση γίνεται σε τέσσερα βήματα:

• Βήμα 1: Είσοδος στο Ιδρυματικό Αποθετήριο «Ελλάνικος» μέσω του συνδέσμου: https://hellanicus.lib.aegean.gr όπου οι ενδιαφερόμενοι συνδέονται με το όνομα χρήστη (username) και τον κωδικό (password) που διαθέτουν ως χρήστες του Πανεπιστημίου Αιγαίου. Κατά την είσοδο ζητείται η ενημέρωση του Προφίλ.
• Βήμα 2: Επιλογή συλλογής Γκρίζας Βιβλιογραφίας, είδους διατριβής (πτυχιακή, μεταπτυχιακή, διδακτορική), Τμήματος και Προγράμματος Σπουδών.

• Βήμα 3: Συμπλήρωση φόρμας υποβολής νέου τεκμηρίου και αποστολή αρχείου μέσω της επιλογής Υποβάλλετε ένα νέο τεκμήριο σε αυτή τη συλλογή.

• Βήμα 4: Λήψη της αντίστοιχης άδειας διάθεσης (Άδεια διάθεσης αποκλειστικού δημιουργού για πτυχιακές και μεταπτυχιακές εργασίες, Άδεια διάθεσης και εξουσιοδότηση ομαδικού έργου για πτυχιακές και μεταπτυχιακές εργασίες, ή Άδεια διάθεσης για διδακτορικές διατριβές και άλλο υλικό), η οποία θα πρέπει να συμπληρωθεί χειρόγραφα και αφού υπογραφεί ιδιοχείρως να κατατεθεί ή να αποσταλεί στο αντίστοιχο Παράρτημα Βιβλιοθήκης

Θα θέλαμε να ενημερώσουμε τους καταθέτες που λόγω απόστασης ή άλλου κωλύματος δεν μπορούν με φυσική παρουσία να υποβάλλουν ή ταχυδρομήσουν τις σχετικές άδειες, ότι υπάρχει η δυνατότητα χρήσης της υπηρεσίας gov.gr Ψηφιακή βεβαίωση εγγράφου. Η ψηφιακή βεβαίωση που θα εκδοθεί είναι νομικά ισοδύναμη με έγγραφο που φέρει το γνήσιο της υπογραφής και μπορούν είτε να την αποστείλουν ηλεκτρονικά (mail), είτε να την εκτυπώσουν και να την καταθέσουν σε έντυπη μορφή στο αντίστοιχο Παράρτημα Βιβλιοθήκης.

Σημείωση: Από 5 Σεπτεμβρίου 2017 μετά από σχετική απόφαση της Συγκλήτου (79/05/09.2017, θέμα 6.1) δεν υφίσταται πλέον υποχρέωση κατάθεσης των τεκμηρίων της γκρίζας βιβλιογραφίας στην Βιβλιοθήκη σε έντυπη μορφή. Αντίθετα, παραμένει υποχρεωτική η ηλεκτρονική κατάθεση των τεκμηρίων στο Ιδρυματικό Αποθετήριο «Ελλάνικος». Η πρόσβαση στο περιεχόμενο των πτυχιακών και μεταπτυχιακών εργασιών θα είναι υποχρεωτικά ανοικτή, στο πλαίσιο υιοθέτησης εκ μέρους του Πανεπιστημίου Αιγαίου Πολιτικής Ανοικτής Πρόσβασης.

Reading rooms are available to users at all the Library branches during opening hours. Reading rooms provide direct access to the Library collections (main book collection, print journals, etc) equipment and facilities (workstations, library terminals, photocopiers, etc). The Library also offers individual study rooms.

Personal items like bags or umbrellas are not allowed in reading rooms or other areas of the Library. Users can store their personal items in special lockers that are located at the library reception. However, users are allowed to use in the reading rooms portable devices like tablets and laptops, their personal books and other material such as notebooks, which are necessary for the purpose of study and research.

To ensure smooth operation of the reading rooms and maintain a peaceful study environment, users must follow the following rules:

• Talking and making noise is not allowed
• Cell phones must be turned off or be on silent mode
• Headphones are required for the use of audio-visual material (tablets and laptops)
• No eating or drinking (coffees, soft drinks, etc) is allowed and
• Users may use only one vacant seat for their study. Also, users are advised not to leave their seat unattended for a great length of time, if planning to return.

The interlibrary service of the University of the Aegean Library and Information Centre enables users to borrow materials that are not available in the Library collection from other Libraries and Information Centers. Interlibrary loans are performed between Libraries and Information Centers and not between the lending library and the user.

The University of the Aegean Library has a dual role within the interlibrary loan context. The Library may be either a responder or a requester:

• as a responder, the Library accepts loan requests from other Libraries and Information Centers whereas
• as a requester, the Library submits loan requests to other Libraries and Information Centers

For more information about the Interlibrary Loan service, please contact the staff of Library Branches.

The University of the Aegean Library enable users to borrow material that is located in any of the Library Branches (Lesvos, Rhodes, Samos, Syros and Lemnos) through Interbranch lending.

Interbranch lending procedure
To borrow an item located at a Library Branch, users must complete and submit an interbranch loan request form at the Branch where the item is located. The Library Branch will either approve or reject the user’s request. In any case, the Library Branch will notify the user either by email or by telephone.

Interbranch items are posted from one branch to another at no charge to the user, unless users prefer a courier service for the delivery of the material, in which case they are charged with the delivery fee.

Interbranch borrowing policies

Users must be authorized members of the Library (i.e. member card holders) to use the Library interbranch loan service. Interbranch loan requests may not exceed the allowed number of items per user.

The number of items which may be borrowed by the members of each Library Branch is determined according to the general lending regulations. The loan period is defined to:

• one (1) week for undergraduate students of the University
• two (2) weeks for for faculty members, postgraduate students and the administrative staff of the University

To renew an interbranch loan, users should contact the lending Branch. A loan will be renewed by the lending Branch, if no other user has reserved it. A loan can be renewed up to two (2) one-week period times.

The general responsibilities and fines for users are defined by the Library Regulation.

The interbranch loan service concerns the Library material that falls within the general Library borrowing policies. Therefore, users cannot borrow the following material:

• Reference books
• Journal issues
• Audiovisual material
• Certain books that are in high demand by users, only for that period of high demand as this is determined by the Branch head or upon consultation with members of the Faculty
• Material in damaged condition that needs preservation
• Items of the Grey Literature Collection (graduate and postgraduate theses, doctoral dissertations, technical or research reports)
• Rare material and
• New entries before they have been fully documented and processed in the Library catalogues

The Library’s printed material consists of the main book collection, the collection of printed journals and special collections.

A printed item can be located by using the Library’s electronic Main Catalogue displaying information about the location, availability and the call number. Searching the Library’s Main Catalogue is possible through the Library Terminals that are available in every Branch.

How to locate a printed item on the shelf

To find an item on the shelf you need to know the call number, which you can find in the electronic Main Catalogue. All printed items are assigned a unique call number that can be found on the spine of the book.

Call numbers are a combination of numbers and letters.

The University of the Aegean Library uses the Dewey Decimal Classification System used to classify and place items on the shelves, starting from 000-999 according to the subject of the item. (Dewey Table)

Collections are distinguished by the prefix before the call number. Some indicative prefixes are described here:

• Printed journals have the prefix SER
• Reference material has the prefix REF Π
• EUDOXUS textbooks have the prefix EUDOXUS

An example of a call number with a prefix is: REF Π 025.32 AAC

What actions can a user take if a printed item is not located on the shelf?

• check the book carts, study tables (as another user might have left it there) and photocopy machines.
• check if the call number is correct
• check if the item has been borrowed on not
• check if the item is on a waitlist
• check in special collections that are usually located in special areas of the Branches

Users can always address the Library staff for assistance.

Rights

• Users should ask the Library staff for information about resources, services and operation issues.
• Users can use the computers and the technical equipment of the Library for study, research and academic needs.
• Users can use their personal portable computers (e.g. tablets and laptops) for study, research and academic needs.
• Users, who do not have a personal portable computer and wish to use the Library’s reading rooms, can borrow a portable computer (e.g. tablet or laptop) from the Library.
• Users can make photocopies of the material they are interested in (excerpts of books etc) or of non-circulating materials (journal articles, excerpts of items of grey literature etc), abiding by the relevant copyright or other intellectual property terms and conditions.
• Users with special needs are served by order of priority

Obligations

• Acceptance of the Library member card implies compliance with the Library Regulations.
• Users are expected to follow instructions provided by the Library staff, respect library facilities, and treat the Library staff and other users with respect.
• Users must handle books, materials and equipment carefully. Otherwise, should a user damage any item, the user is obliged to replace or repair it.
• Users are not allowed to bring personal items, such as bags or umbrellas, into the reading rooms or other areas of the Library. Users can store their personal items in special lockers that are located at the Library Reception.
• Talking and making noise is not allowed in reading rooms and stacks.
• Mobile phone use is not allowed inside the Library. Eating or drinking (coffees, soft drinks etc) is not allowed inside the Library, either.
• Smoking is forbidden inside the Library.
• Usersare not to enter unauthorized areas of the Library unless they are escorted by a member of the Library staff.
• Users should notify the Library staff about changes in their personal data.
• Users should check their institutional email account for updates about the Library.

About E-Learning
E-learning is the use of electronic educational technology in learning and teaching, using modern tools such as computers. Students can control their own progress through the courseware, while teachers are available to provide support. As a teacher-led training it defers from self-access learning where practice is assisted with resources such as books or educational CD-ROMs.

E-learning is based on interaction between students and teachers and among students, likewise learning in traditional classroom. E-seminars take place in a virtual “classroom” through a computer as the teacher and students are not in the same physical location. It is ideal for asynchronous or synchronous interactions or personalized courses.

Asynchronous learning allows both students and teachers to follow the curriculum anywhere and at any time and be able to engage in the exchange of ideas or information with each other.

Synchronous learning allows students and teachers not sharing the same physical location to interact in a virtual classroom (through the Internet, LAN). Synchronous learning includes online real-time live teacher instruction and feedback, audio and video conferences where everyone is online and working collaboratively at the same time.

Personalized courses combine educational resources like books, CD-ROMs, sound and video applications. Students can use these resources anywhere and at any time. Students with personalized courses are not in direct contact with other students or their teacher.

About the Blackboard Learning System – Vista Enterprise License platform
The Blackboard Learning System – Vista Enterprise License platform ranks first globally for Academic Enterprise Systems (AES). It is an innovative solution that delivers distance learning and offers a full suite of e-learning solutions to academic enterprises and helps them reform traditionally delivered lessons and seminars into new virtual, electronic lessons.

The Blackboard Learning System – Vista Enterprise License platform advances the creation of an e-learning system that adopts and embraces the complete pre-existing structure of the University of the Aegean by providing a multiple prism e-learning platform that combines all the tools that are required for the creation, management and renewal of teaching courses as well as the interconnection with the existing computerization of the University.

Offered services

• Communication: chat, whiteboard, discussion board, course mail, "who's online" instant chat tool
• Learning: οffers tools for the centralized management of exercises for individuals or groups, based on default criteria and the special characteristic of students.
• Monitoring skills and knowledge: the Blackboard Learning System – Vista Enterprise License platform embeds quizzes, self-tests, surveys and questions (multiple choice tests) in an easy-to-use interface which connects to a database. The questions and the answers are automatically added to this distributed database allowing the reuse of the content.
• Dynamic Data Management: the Blackboard Learning System – Vista Enterprise License platform collects learning data at academic enterprise level and gives access to teaching material while supervises its distribution. Teachers have access to an integrated program to inspect on the progress of students, grading and in general manage grades, courses, workshops and students.
• Personalized e-Learning Portal: the Blackboard Learning System – Vista Enterprise License platform has developed myWebCT, a fully personalized web page with links to all the WebCT courses in which students are enrolled. It can be adjusted to the identity of the academic enterprise and position as an operational academic portal.

The main services that the Blackboard Learning System – Vista Enterprise License platform offers for the management of materials are: Drag-and-drop Content Acquisition, Sharable Media Library, Interactive Course Map, HTML Editor with Spell Check, Equation Editor Search Capabilities

Mission and goals
The University of the Aegean utilizes the new e-learning service called 'Plato©' to upgrade the teaching procedure with new technologies, ideas and methods and to expand the offering of technical resources for academic studying. At the same time, it minimizes barriers to communication in geographic distance among the islands hosting the different Units (Schools and Departments) of the University of the Aegean, by replacing or supplementing the physical presence of teachers in flexible ways.

This new e-service, which is available to the academic community of the University of the Aegean, enables the execution of courses especially adjusted to the study programs of the Units (Schools and Departments), postgraduate programs and the inter-departmental study programs using the Blackboard Learning System – Vista Enterprise License platform. The University of the Aegean Library purchased this e-platform to actualize the e-reserves service in the frameworks of the EPEAEK II (Operational Program "Education and Primary Vocational Training") “Upgrading the Library of the University of the Aegean”, which is co-funded by European Union (75%) and National Funds (25%).

So as to facilitate users who do not have their own personal portable device, the Library provides users tablets and laptops for use on each Branch premises to support their study, research and academic needs. Library tablets and laptops enable wireless access (Wi-Fi) to the internet and to the electronic sources and services of the Library through its Portal. The authorized use of workstations must conform to the Library’s mission and academic role.

Tablet and laptop loans are provided to all the authorized Library users who are members of the academic community of the University of the Aegean (undergraduate and postgraduate students, faculty members, researchers and administrative staff).

Library Terminals (SunRays) are available at all the Library and Information Centre Branches and are primarily intended for information retrieval for study, research and academic needs of Library users. These Sun Rays allow internet access to the electronic resources and services of the Library through its Portal. The authorized use of Sun Rays must respect the Library’s mission and academic role.

Sun Rays are available to Library users for free with no additional login required. The use of Sun Rays has no time limits.

External USB floppy are available for use on Sun Rays.

DC/DVD-Rom drives are not available for use on Sun Rays.

Print stations are not available at Sun Rays.