Melitensia Special Collection A nation s treasure here to explore.
What is our mission? The mission of Melitensia Special Collection is to collect, safeguard, and provide access to library materials and artifactual items documenting the social, cultural, economic, historical, medical and scientific aspects of the Maltese islands. The main objective is to support the course programmes of the University of Malta by preserving its past and by providing source materials which will further scholarship and research.
What to find in our collection Monographs and reference works Periodicals Dissertations Audiovisual material Cartographic material Newspapers Government publications and other grey literature Various prints and reproductions Ephemera Artefacts
Services offered by us Research assistance Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) Print and Online Dissertations Issuing and returning books Self-service photocopying machines Colour photocopying Self-service scanning
Reference Works and Periodicals Reference works are found under shelf-marks MZ1-MZ5. Examples of these works are: yearbooks dictionaries bibliographies statistical publications biographical dictionaries Periodicals published in Malta (both current and archival) are found under the shelfmark MZ6. A subject index to periodical articles since 1983 can be found at the back of the Malta National Bibliography for the corresponding year.
Dissertations A vast range of dissertations are available in this department. You may search for print and online dissertations by degree from the Online Catalogue (OPAC) by using the Browse facility. The dissertations with the URL icon are available in electronic format and may be accessed from workstations in the said department. Print dissertations are available on request. The Melitensia collection also embraces foreign dissertations of Maltese interest. This material is strictly subject to intellectual property rights legislation.
Circulation of Melitensia Material A special form has to be filled for each item required In those cases when multiple copies of books are available, patrons are allowed to borrow the item for a period of three weeks. Books can be renewed or reserved at the Melitensia circulation desk or online. Periodicals, newspapers and rare and out-of-print items may not be borrowed from the library.
Things to remember Always present your student or identity card upon request for all Melitensia holdings. Do not leave any Melitensia books on the counter unattended. On returning any item to the loans desk, make sure that the request form has been cancelled in your presence as proof that the item has been returned. In case of returning a book issued on the computer, please make sure to get a return slip. The return slip is a proof that the book has been returned. Works in use are the responsibility of the user and should not be transferred from one person to another. It is not permitted to make photocopies from bound newspapers, the Government Gazette, reference copies and other old material. Very restricted photocopying is allowed in Melitensia, however we encourage the use of cameras and other digital material.
Photocopying Black and white photocopies of material can be produced in the Library by utilising the photocopying card that can be purchased from the Circulation Desk or the Melitensia.
For further information you are welcome to contact us by calling on telephone number 2340 2314 or by e-mail melitensia.lib@um.edu.mt