Client Services

University students and staff

The University of Zimbabwe Library is accessible to registered students with a valid University of Zimbabwe ID,staff, academics and visiting researchers/fellows/lecturers or professors.The Library’s facilities, collections and vast online resources can be accessed by the University community either by physically coming inside the Library or remotely from the comfort of their home or office.

Non-University Clients

The University of Zimbabwe Library offers Approved Readership Membership to non-university clients at a fee. For detailed information clients can get in touch with Client Services Manager or the Office Manager on library@uzlib.uz.ac.zw. An Entry Pass is given upon registration at the Client Services Office Manager. This membership does not come with rights to borrow out of the Library resources. Members can use the resources in the Library only.

Who May Borrow?

Borrowing of materials is limited to registered students and staff members with a valid University of Zimbabwe ID.

How to Borrow Library Materials

Use Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) system on a computer to search a book by title, author, subject, or call number. Once you locate your title with the search, copy the call number and location to pull the book from the Open shelves. To retrieve books in closed access i.e. Core Textbook Collection, Reserve and Special Collections; or seek assistance from the Librarian on duty.

 

Books on Display can be borrowed upon request to the Subject Information Specialist or Information Consultancyon duty. The Display Cabinet is in the Library Main Hall.

 

 

 

Materials Which May Be Borrowed	Materials Which May Not Be Borrowedout of the Library
1.   Open Shelve books 2.   Core-text books 3.   Reserve books 4.   Special Collections books 5.    Government Publications	1.    Reference materials 2.    Rare books 3.    Current/unbound periodicals 4.    Dissertations and theses

 

Loan Periods

Books	Undergraduate	Post Graduate	Academic& Senior Staff
Ordinary Loan	14 Days	14 Days	60 Days
Short-term	3 Days	3 Days	3 Days
Reserve Books	Overnight	Overnight	Overnight
Core-Text Books	3Days	3 Days	3 Days

NOTE: Overdue Library resources will attract a fine. Users with outstanding fines will not be allowed to borrow Library resources until fines are cleared.

Study Spaces

The University of Zimbabwe Library offers a variety of research and study facilities which suit individual and collaborative learning needs. These are displayed below:

 

Study Space	Purpose	Location
Upper Reading Room	Conducive environment for individual study	First Floor
Stack Room 3 Reading Room	Conducive environment for individual study	Second Floor
Q Section Reading Room	Conducive environment for individual study	Second Floor
New Collaborative Learning Centre	Offers space for collaborative learning, discussions and research consultations. It also provides cell phone booth for communication purposes whilst in the library without disturbing other users.	Ground Floor
Undergraduate Collaborative	Offers space for collaborative learning and discussions	First Floor
Postgraduate Collaborative Learning	Offers space for collaborative learning and discussions, group presentations.	Second Floor
Study Carrels	Private study rooms for postgraduate students	Second Floor

 

Computing Facilities

The Libraryprovides computer workstations to support access toelectronic resources and computer related activities. Computer facilities available include:

• Personal Computers located in the Library Main Hall
• Research Commons located in the 3^rd floor
• Undergraduate 24-Hour Study Facility in the basement of the Library
• Postgraduate 24-Hour Study Facility located in the Library basement.
• Postgraduate Computer Laboratory in the 2^nd

Due to increased demand for the use of computers, undergraduate students are limited to two (2) hours to use the computers in the Main Library public laboratories.

Wireless Access

Wireless network access is also available in the Libraryto enhance accessibility of research and learning material using personal devices such as laptops, smartphones and tablets.

BYOD (Bring Your Own Device)

The Library has spaces where users can bring their own devices (laptops, smartphones and tablets) for research. These spaces have power sockets and one can connect to Wi-Fi.

DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES

The Library caters for persons with special needs by offering a variety of devices and servicesdesigned to enhance their ability to use the Library fully and independently. The Library is equipped with Assistive Technologies (AT) gadgetsused to increaseand improve the functional capabilities of persons with disabilities.  Library services available for patrons with special needs are as follows:

Assistive Technology

The Main Library hosts a Special Needs facility providing access to desktop computers equipped with a screen reading software tool called Job Access With Speech (JAWS); a screen magnification software (MaGic Screen Magnification) and a Desktop Magnifier.Students with special needs also have access to one set of Pearl Reading Camera and Open Book. Additional assistive devices are available in the Disability Support Services Library.

 

 

 

 

Retrieval of Information

Users with disabilities that prevent them from using Online Public Access Catalogue and retrieving library materials may request for assistance at the Information or Circulation Desk. The Assistant Information Specialists will assist them in the retrieval of information.

Research Consultation

Specialised research support is available to users with special needs to assist them in conducting in-depth research activity; assignments; research projects; dissertationsand theses. For assistance on research, students with special needs can contact the Client Services – Subject Information Specialist Mr J Munyoro, Email: jmunyoro@uzlib.uz.ac.zw.

Training

End user training in assistive technology use and application is offered to enhance the learning of students with special needs and improve their digital literacy.

BINDING SERVICES

The Library offers binding services for students’ Theses and Dissertations at a cost of USD$10.00 per copy or the ZWL $ equivalent at the prevailing Interbank Rate. Other books or materials requiring binding will be assessed before given the cost.

 

LIBRARY RULES AND REGULATIONS

Library users:

• Must not bring into, or be in possession inside the Library building of the following:
• inflammable or explosive substance
• weapons such as firearms
• Any pet animal

 

• Must put mobile phones on silent when in the Library and speak at designated places in the Library
• Should leave bags and satchels in the baggage area.
• Will not be granted access to any UZ Library building if he/she is under the influence of liquor or drugs.
• Must not put on hats, caps, and overhead hoods.
• Are responsible for all items borrowed on their ID card and for knowing the date when they should be returned.
• Must never attempt to remove material which has not been issued to them.
• Must not deface, mutilate or damage any item of Library Material.
• Must not smoke, eat or drink in the Library.
• Must respect the rights of others