The Library facilities at the Institute of Tourism Studies offer a wide range of books on every subject taught at the Institute. The Library's mission is to support the Institute of Tourism Studies' teaching and research programmes by providing adequate scholarly information resources, emerging technologies and user support services.
As a customer-oriented and service-driven organisation, the library is actively committed to teaching all customers and users how to actively use all materials supplied and offered, as well as disseminating information on how to make the utmost use of the services provided.
The Institute of Tourism Studies Library houses print and electronic resources on catering, hospitality, tourism studies, and Maltese culture (Melitensia collection). Specialising in food technology and techniques, tourist guiding, food and beverage service, and other courses connected to degree programmes, M.B.A., and Master's levels. It provides its customers with books, journals and reference materials.
The objective of the Institute of Tourism Studies (I.T.S) Library is to provide appropriate resources to all of its patrons, whether in print (books) or open access (Pro-Quest e-journals platform), to ensure that their needs are satisfied to the greatest of standards. The library strives to have all of the most recent book versions available to meet the needs of both academics and students.
The various collections are arranged on shelves in numerical sequences by their Dewey classification number. The labelled bookcases and shelves indicate the respective collections to help library users find what they are looking for more easily. Most of this collection can be taken out on loan for a maximum period of three (3) weeks. A range of periodicals related to catering, hospitality and tourism studies are also available for library users.
In recent years, the Library has expanded its electronic resources and maintains a catalogue of its collection, as well as access to electronic journals. The Library is always striving to improve electronic accessibility to introduce a fully-fledged knowledge management and information environment.
There is also a Resource room with additional computers for student use.
The services offered by Library staff include the management of the print and electronic collection, answering reference questions, direction to specific research sources, instructions on the use of electronic resources (ProQuest), and guidance on copyright issues. There is also a photocopier machine that can be used through printing credits using the student’s access card.
- Assistance by Qualified Library Staff
- Access catalogue (VSmart)
- Shelve Signs for collection
- PCs for general use including Internet
- PC Printing facilities B/W (€0.10/page)
- PC Printing facilities colour (€0.30/page)
- Photocopying facility B/W (€0.10/page)
- Photocopying facility colour (€0.30/page)
- Individual Study areas
- Group Study areas
- Lockers for Student bags
- First aid
- CCTV security coverage
To fulfil its function as the I.T.S.'s information centre, the Library aspires for excellence in the following areas:
- Acquire and provide information resources which could be accessed physically and virtually.
- Extend the best customer service towards all Library users.
- Cater for the current and future teaching programs and research needs of patrons.
- Ensure the most efficient use of resources and employ creative methods of disseminating them.
- Being a pleasant and welcoming gathering space for all of its patrons.
- Participating actively in campus life.
- Having a collaborative, creative, and upbeat staff that is focused on the interests and needs of library consumers.
- Giving patrons immediate, equal, and equitable access to library materials.
- Maintaining the confidentiality of library patron records.
- Defending the freedom of everyone to intellectual liberty.
Library Users can make a Library Card at the Circulation Desk. Erasmus students (who do not get a stipend) can have a Library card against a 50.00Euro deposit which is fully refundable at the end of the course. This ensures that any damages/lost books can be paid from that amount – if applicable.
- At any one time authorized Library patrons may have in
their possession not
more than the number of items specified below
- A member of the I.T.S. Lecturers - (an academic year)*.
- All Library Patrons 3 (3
weeks)*.
*The Chief Executive Officer (C.E.O) may adjust these allocations at his discretion.
- Without prejudice to the provisions of this regulation, a loan may be renewed for a further period or periods.
- The Director may, at his discretion, restrict borrowing to short loans. The period for short loans shall be specified by the Director.
- All items required for loan must be presented together with the patron's Library card at the circulation desk.
- Patrons may not take any item out of the Library without executing the appropriate loan procedure. In the case of items which are not yet covered by the Library's computerised system, their circulation and renewal shall continue to follow the 'manual borrowing' procedure of the circulation desk.
- The stamped date-label indicate when an item is due for return, unless this date is subsequently superseded by a recall notification. It is the responsibility of the borrower to ensure that items on loan are duly returned to the Library.
- Any item on loan may be recalled, if required by another patron, or if required for teaching purposes, or if so requested by the Director. Such items must be returned within one week from notification that the item is required by another patron, unless the date due for the return of that item falls beforehand.
- All items must be returned to the Library site from which they were borrowed by the date specified.
- Library patrons returning an item shall wait at the circulation desk for the library staff to tell him/her that the book has been returned. Any dumped books left at the circulation desk or any other place without being accounted for be considered as negligence by the library patron.
- Library patrons shall be deemed to be in possession of an item computerised borrowing data have been removed from the Library's files.
- A Library item shall not be transferred to another Library patron unless the item is returned and re-issued in the manner prescribed in these regulations.
- If a book is retained beyond the loan-period without renewal, or kept beyond a recall deadline, a system of fines shall be applicable. Non-settlement of fines shall lead to a blocking of the patron's borrowing account until fines due are settled accordingly.
- Without prejudice to the provisions of paragraph (16) of this regulation, any item on the open shelves may be borrowed on application to the circulation desk, provided that the item has been catalogued, classified and properly processed before being issued.
- Notwithstanding the status of an item, the Director may, at his discretion, designate whether an item should be retained for in-house consultation only. Such items may not be borrowed.
- Registered students of the Institute must return any Library items still in their possession upon termination of their course of studies. The Institute may preclude students who do not abide by this regulation from graduating.
- Library patrons who borrow or consult an item are responsible for its safekeeping. Mutilation of items is seriously offensive.
- It shall be strictly forbidden to make or erase any mark in any printed item, make tracings or turn down the leaves.
- Library patrons may not use ink while using items in such parts of the Library as designated by the C.E.O.
- Any reproduction of Library material, in whatever manner, is subject to the provisions of copyright law and the permission of the C.E.O.
- Library patrons shall be required to make good to the satisfaction of the C.E.O any loss or damage which they may cause to any Library property including borrowed items.
- Library patrons shall be held liable for any damages caused through misuse of the Library's electronic services, systems and equipment.
- Except for those areas where group work is permitted, silence shall be maintained at all times in the Library. Mobile phones should be kept on silent mode.
- Smoking, food and drinks are strictly forbidden in the Library.
- Hand-phones must be switched off or put to silent mode within the Library premises.
- Bags and parcels are not allowed inside the Library. We encourage students to use the lockers.
- Other materials such as bags, umbrellas, laptop cases, crash helmets, etc., are not to be brought into the library.
- Users are not allowed to use other person's library card.
- Hiding or intentionally misplacing books or library materials is prohibited.
- Library staff shall not accept articles for safekeeping. The Library shall not be liable for any loss or damages incurred to the private property of patrons.
- The C.E.O shall be responsible for the administration and the internal discipline of the Library, and shall be authorised to exclude from the Library, and from all rights and privileges of membership, any patron infringing these Regulations or behaving inappropriately.
- Library management accepts no responsibility for loss or damaged of any personal belongings left unattended in the Library.
- Customers are not allowed to remove or change the placement of chairs, tables or any other furniture in the Library.
- Users found mutilating or stealing Library materials/properties are liable to strict disciplinary action.
- All articles left in the reading area after the Library is closed can be claimed at the Circulation Counter. The articles will be handed over to the Security Department if not claimed within a week.
The Library shall open on those days and hours as prescribed by the C.E.O from time to time.
The Institute shall deposit a copy of student dissertations and theses to the lectures/co-ordinators prescribed by I.T.S. statutes and regulations. The provisions of copyright law on the use of these dissertations and theses shall be respected.
All communications regarding the use of the Library shall be addressed to the C.E.O.
Charges (fines) for overdue items:
Regular Loan - Three (3) weeks (Undergraduate) €1.16 per book
per week
Short Loan - Per Day €0.58 per book per day
ProQuest is committed to empowering researchers and librarians around the world. Its innovative information content and technologies increase the productivity of students, scholars, professionals and the libraries that serve them. Through partnerships with content holders, ProQuest preserves rich, vast and varied information – whether historical archives or today’s scientific breakthroughs – and packages it with digital technologies that enhance its discovery, sharing and management. For academic, corporate, government, school and public libraries, as well as professional researchers, ProQuest provides services that enable strategic acquisition, management and discovery of information collections.
Why SAGE and Emerald E-Journals Matter for Tourism Students?
If you're studying tourism, e-journals like SAGE and Emerald can be a real game changer. These online resources give you access to reliable, up-to-date research written by experts from around the world. Whether you're looking into tourism development, sustainability, cultural exchange, or visitor behaviour, you'll find a wide range of useful topics covered.
For anyone working on a dissertation or a long essay, these journals are especially helpful. They’re full of peer-reviewed articles that make great, trustworthy references to support your ideas. Not only do they improve the quality of your writing, but they also show that you’re using proper academic sources—something lecturers look for.
You'll also find plenty of real-life case studies, examples and data that can add depth to your work. This is particularly useful when tackling more complex subjects, like how tourism affects local communities or how businesses respond to changes in the industry.
Using resources like SAGE and Emerald shows you’re engaging with high-quality academic material and keeping up with the latest research and trends in tourism. That deeper understanding can make a big difference in both your coursework and future career.
In short, e-journals from SAGE and Emerald are essential tools for tourism students. They help you write stronger, smarter essays and build a solid base for your academic journey.