When I say UCC I refer to my alma mater of University College Cork, Ireland. Since the library extension circa 2006 on entering the building there is a turnstyle that only unlocks when an RFID card is put near a reader.
The automatic way to get a card is to become
- a student
- a member of staff
But what happens after graduation, what if you want to consult some works of excellence from time to time? Well, the Graduates Association website boasts one can then one must be engaged in scholarly research but
- it cannot be for profit
- it cannot be part of one work
- it cannot be research required as part of a course in another college
- personal interest reading does not meet the criteria for membership
Those criteria exclude everything for example
- writing a book? (that would be for profit)
- researching family history?/local history? (that would be personal interest reading)
Needless to say when I make my (further) millions I will not be donating any to the Cork University Foundation.
If you have managed to get a card please let me know how you swung it.
Is the turnstile designed to accomodate wheelchair users?
I am researching my ancestors the famous or infamous McCarthys of Cork..
I have researched up to Daniel of Novahal , now im stuck. The clan id from Drishane. Because i live in Australia, it is doubly hard getting any info.
Fort Knox would be an apt description.
The Rev florence McCarthy, titular Bishop of Cork Was the brother of my ancestor.
Surely you could supply any info you have., im sure it would not break the bank.
it’s actually a barrier like a sliding gate that comes from a recessed pillar, so when its open you could drive a Segway (TM) through if you wanted to
janice,
ambrand.com is a just website about things we are interested in
We have no interest in genealogy
We are not called McCarthy
We don’t understand why you are so angry with us (talking about “break[ing] the bank” and sending us an email in capital letters demanding something)
We don’t work for UCC, indeed if you read the article you will see we can’t even enter their library.
I suggest you contact a Co Cork genealogist, we have heard good things about http://www.duchasresearch.com/about.html although naturally he charges a fee for his services.
Good luck in your search
Yes, UCC library has an access control system, as do all other academic library in Ireland and many others worldwide. It is hardly unique in this regard. In fact it was the students union who insisted that access be controlled to prevent non UCC students taking up valuable study spaces especially during the busy exam period, again not unique.
UCC library is statute bound and its obligation is to serve the research needs of the staff and students of UCC and to maintain its collections. The needs of others are secondary to this role.
In any given year UCC Library accepts between 700 and 800 external readers and issues 400-500 day passes to visitors.
Yes, it is true that you have to be engaged in scholarly research, but not for profit or as part of your work. However writing a book is scholarly research and the profit may or may not come later, local history adds to the overall regional knowledge and is to be encouraged. Those doing Postgraduate degrees in other Universities can get access through various reciprocal schemes. Undergraduates in other colleges can get access during vacation periods. This also applies to our students trying to access other college and university libraries.
Yes we do restrict access and we insist that people who apply to join the library must meet our criteria for membership. Also the needs of any external members cannot conflict with the needs of staff and student s of UCC. This is not unreasonable.
So while the facts you have put forward are in general true, your assumptions on the application of the library rules are very far from the truth and do not reflect the actuality on the ground.
Sincerely
UCC Library