HDFT Library & Information Service is a multidisciplinary service available to all employees across Harrogate & District Foundation Trust. We contribute to the provision of outstanding care across the NHS in both North and West Yorkshire, and extending to Teeside by enabling access to the best evidence to support both clinicians and managers. Our aim is to put evidence at the heart of decision making and provide resources to support healthier communities.

While we carry out the traditional library role of supplying both traditional and electronic books and journal articles, we do much more than this. We can offer evidence searches and information syntheses on defined topics to address complex clinical, research and management information needs. We can also train NHS staff in how to carry out these searches for themselves. In the near future, we aim to provide a series update services for selected clinical and non-clinical departments. Many of our services can also be accessed remotely, so you do not need to visit the library in person.

How to join

Membership is free and open to all NHS staff both working in Harrogate and surrounding districts, and for associated NHS staff working with the Trust. Access to an electronic membership form is available to eligible staff via the HDFT intranet.

How do I find out what e-resources are available?

We have also curated this special collection of our electronic resources for staff to access from the internet

Opening Hours and Contact Details

The service is staffed between the following times:

Monday to Friday 9.00am – 4.00pm

24/7 access is available using a door code available by applying for a library membership. See the staff intranet for details.

We are located on the 3^rd Floor of F Wing on the main Hospital Site. Access to this floor is controlled by NHS swipe card out of hours.

Library & Information Service

Library & Information Service
Strayside Education and Clinical Skills Centre
Harrogate District Hospital
Lancaster Park Road
Harrogate
HG2 7SX

Contact details:

Telephone: 01423 553104

Email: [email protected]

FAQ: Frequently asked questions 

How do I know what books and journals you have in the library?

The library has an online catalogue where you can search and reserve books: http://hdft.nhslibraries.com/

Can I request books and journals that you don’t have in the library?

We can look for books and journals from other NHS libraries for you by completing a request form or via the NHS Knowledge and Library hub request facility. Links to these forms are available to qualifying staff via the intranet. Please note, there is no guarantee that we will be able to find what you want, but we will endeavour to do our best for you!

Can I borrow fiction books too?

Yes! The library has a small fiction collection including a selection of Health Education England’s excellent ‘Mood boosting’ books to help staff members to unwind. Please see our library catalogue for details.

How many books can I take out?

HDFT and associated qualifying NHS staff can borrow up to 10 items. The loan period is for 3 weeks.

How many times can I renew my books?

All items may be renewed in person, by telephone or e-mail up to 10 times, after which time we will need to see the books to verify you still have them in your possession. Please note that after the initial loan period (3 weeks) an item may be recalled when reserved for another reader, at any time. There may be additional time and borrowing restrictions on items obtained for you via the inter library loan system.

Can I email the Library?

Yes. The main email address is [email protected]

How can I request items?

Any loan item can be requested and sent to your work base or held for collection. Simply search the online library catalogue: http://hdft.nhslibraries.com/, and ask us to reserve this for you at: [email protected]

For items not held in our libraries, it may be possible for the library to obtain these via our Document Delivery and Inter Library Loan service. Suggestions for stock to purchase are always welcome

Can I take the books out when the library is closed?

Library members can check out, return and renew their own books using the self-issue system. Please be aware that CCTV and alarm systems operate within the library for security purposes.

How do I find out what e-resources are available?

The library subscribes to a number of key electronic resources. Visit Health Education England’s NHS Knowledge and Library Hub to:

• Access and browse e-books and journal articles
• Search healthcare databases, including Medline, Embase and CINAHL
• Review clinical decision support resources, including NICE Guidelines and BMJ Best Practice

You’ll need to sign in with your NHS OpenAthens account to access the resources. Using this link will let you register for an account. You can also change your NHS organisation if you have moved healthcare trust by logging in on the top right-hand side of the page.

Can I arrange an information skills training session?

The library offers a series of training sessions in finding and appraising evidence, and a course in health literacy awareness approved by the Royal Society of Public Health as part of its Information Skills Programme. Please contact the library for courses and dates. To book a session you will need to use the Online Course Booking on the Learning Lab section of the Intranet.

Can you do a search for me?

We can search our health literature databases and find reports and journal articles for you if you are an eligible NHS staff member working within Harrogate and District Foundation trust or as part of our service level agreements with other NHS organisations. Please email [email protected]  to verify your eligibility. If applicable, we will then forward you a search request form.

We aim to respond to most requests in 5-10 working days. If your request is complex or time-consuming, we may need to contact you again for clarification and to discuss how and when your request can be answered.