History
The Library of the Open University of Cyprus (OUC) first operated in 2006.
Since then, the library has developed the main collection of electronic information resources, which were provided from peer-review publishers.
The OUC Library is also a member of the Cyprus Libraries Consortium (CLC). At the same time, the Library has developed a collection of conventional material and constantly adopts innovative educational tools.
Today the OUC’s Library is an innovative distance learning library aiming to support its users through e-learning tools and online communication platforms.
Collection
The OUC Library is an electronic library – based on its operation - as well as a hybrid library – based on its content. Its collections include printed digital and audiovisual material.
The basic subsystems of the digital/virtual library are the following:
Online Public Access Catalogue (Web-OPAC) which includes a collection of 19.500 book titles and is constantly being enriched. The total copies of all book titles are now approximately 23.800.
Database Subsystem: 167 International Databases which originate from the greatest peer-review publishers of the international scientific community.
Through the 167 databases users can access:
- over 27.000 full-text journals
- 693.000 electronic books
- 219 book series
- ~15.000 Conference Proceedings
- ~3 million dissertations from American and English Universities
The access to the databases is mainly provided by the Consortium of Cyprus Libraries (CLC), of which OUC Library is a Founding Member.
Subsystem of 100 virtual collections on several websites includes:
- ~ 700 e-books,
- Online theses,
- 100 open access e-journals etc.
All subsystems are accessible from any personal computer connected to the University network through the library’s website: (Library Catalogue).
OUC Library also offers access to users via the intermediate provider “My Athens”.
Μethodology
The methodology used by the Open University of Cyprus and, subsequently by its library, is open and distance education. By using this methodology, the OUC Library provides its users with 24hour access to electronic sources and the opportunity to choose the time and place of study and research without the need for physical presence at the library premises. The distinctiveness of the OUC Library compared to all other conventional libraries is the method used, that is training/educating its users through the e-learning platform, which allows for synchronous and asynchronous web seminars.