LIBRARY OPERATING HOURS DURING COVID-19 LOCKDOWN

Library Operating Hours: The Library is currently operating under COVID 19 Protocols as pronounced by the Government.

All users are required to adhere to COVID19 protocols which are:

1. Mask Up at all the times and no mask no entry
2. Sanitise upon entering the Library
3. Temperature check at the entrance
4. Maintain physical distance of at least 2meters
5. Do not move around furniture in the Library as they have been organised to allow physical distancing

Main Library Operating Hours (Semester Time)

MAIN LIBRARY

BRANCH LIBRARIES

WHO MAY BORROW BOOKS?

Any current student, faculty or staff of the University of Zimbabwe with a valid University of Zimbabwe ID.

HOW TO BORROW LIBRARY MATERIALS

For borrowing of Library books, please submit a list of your requirements through the email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and the Circulation Staff will get the books for you.

Alternatively, please use the Library WhatsApp No. 0717 888 696 or send a text/sms on the same number.

• Circulation times 1000 hours to 1500 hours Monday to Friday

Closed during the Weekend

LENGTH OF BORROWING PERIODS

OVERDUE FINES

• Overdue fines are sent as a courtesy. Failure to receive a notice does not absolve the borrower of the responsibility of returning overdue materials

Users with outstanding fines will not be allowed to borrow books.

LOST AND FOUND

Ask at the Circulation Desk for lost materials.

LIBRARY RULES AND REGULATIONS

Library users:

• Should show UZ ID card on entry to the Library.
• Must not put on hats, caps, and overhead hoods.
• Are responsible for all items borrowed on your ID card and for knowing the date when they should be returned.
• Must renew or return all items on or before the date due back or earlier if asked to do so.
• Must not lend your ID to any other person. You should report lost card immediately.
• Must never attempt to remove material which has not been issued to you.
• Must not deface, mutilate or damage any item of Library Material. >
• Should not make noise in the Library.
• Must not smoke, eat or drink in the Library.
• Should leave your bags and satchels in the baggage area.
• Should not bring or leave valuables such as money, IDs, cell phones, etc in the baggage area or in bags. The Library will not be responsible for loss of users belongings.
• Must not bring into, or possession inside the Library building:
  • weapons, including firearms
  • inflammable or explosive article or substance.
  • Any pet animal
• Will not be granted access to any UZ Library building if he/she is under the influence of liquor or drugs.
• Must switch off mobile phone before entering the Library.

SPECIFIC FINES ARE IMPOSED FOR BREACH OF ABOVE RULES AND REGULATIONS

Students

Undergraduate and post graduate, part-time and occassional students with a valid ID card are registered to use the library at the Information Desk.

Staff

Academic staff,visiting researchers and contract staff with valid UZ ID can be registered for borrowing at the Information Desk.

Approved Reader Membership is currently suspended due to COVID-19

These are non-University customers. Membership comes with a fee paid in the bursar's department. This membership is vetted by the Head-Reader Services. Academic staff and all staff spouses and children and emeritus professors, ambassadors can be registered as Approved readers without paying the designated fees. An Entry Pass is given upon registration at the Reader Services Reference Desk. This membership does not come with borrowing previleges.

ELECTRONIC INFORMATION SERVICES

The UZ Library provides electronic access to a wide range of Electronic Information resources including full content journals, Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETD), Database of African Theses and Dissertations (DATAD) abstracts only, Online Past Exams, Institutional Repository database (IR), full-content databases, indexing and abstracting databases.

These resources can be accessed via the library website. The subject resources databases are links created by faculty subject librarians. These are gateways to resources in the various subject areas. Here you will find details of journals available through the Programme for the Enhancement of Research Initiative (PERI) programme as well as others in various subject areas.

INTERNET SERVICES

• Internet facilities and services are available to all current registered UZ students.
• Undergraduates and other students are allowed to use public workstations in the main hall for 60 minutes per session per day.
• Application for permission to use the Public Workstation shall be made to the Librarian on duty on the information Desk.
• Students should abide by the University of Zimbabwe Email and Internet use Policy.

The library also offers the following Internet services

• Individual or group training is provided by professional librarians in a well-equipped computer lab.
• Training on effective use of information services.
• Searching specific document for customer.
• Document delivery services
• Assisting library users search online journals, e-books and the internet in general

STUDY SPACES

The UZ library offers pleasant and inviting reading environment for the purpose of study and research. These include lower and upper reading rooms, stack room 3 and Q-section study spaces.

BINDING MATERIALS

The Library offers binding services for students’ Theses and Dissertations at a fee. At a cost of $10.00 per copy equivalent to prevailing RBZ Auction Rate.

INFORMATION DESK

The Information Desk is located on the ground floor and is manned by Library professionals during the day and in the evenings. Do not hesitate to consult the desk on:

• How to use the Library, its resources and services
• Using electronic resources
• Subject information sources and resources
• Subject/faculty Librarians
• Use of public computer workstations
• Borrowing Information etc

THE ONLINE PUBLIC ACCESS (OPAC)

The catalogue is a large database listing most of the material in the Library. You can use OPAC from any of the computers in the Library or from any PC with access to the campus wide network. You can find books by author, title, key word and or subject.

The entry will give you the location and full bibliographic record. The map in the Main Hall will tell you where to find that location number. If you know how to use the OPAC you will make better use of the library and also save yourself a great deal of time.

What Library services are available for Persons with Special Needs?

The UZ Libraries is committed to providing services and facilities that support access to library resources by all users including persons with special needs. There are assistive devices and services for users with special needs available in the Main and Disability Support Services (DSS) Libraries.

Retrieval of Information

For users whose condition prevents them from using the Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) machines in the library, to search and retrieve library materials, library staff can assist to locate required items. Library staff can also assist in retrieving known library items from the library shelves. Visit or contact the Main Circulation Desk in the Main Library on Extension 12012 for assistance.

Special Needs Corner

The Main Library has a Disability Support Services Corner (DSS) with a Desktop Magnifier and five desk top computers equipped with assistive devices for persons who are visually impaired. Located in the Main Hall, it is reserved for users with special needs only. The computers are equipped with the following tools:

• Job Access With Speech (JAWS). JAWS Professional is a powerful accessibility solution and screen reading software that reads information on screen using synthesized speech. It provides many useful commands that make it easier to use programs, edit documents, and read web pages. JAWS enable the Visually Impaired to use computers to access electronic resources such as the OPAC, e-Resources and lectures recorded in electronic formats.

• Access Apps. A suite of over 60 open source and freeware Windows applications which run from a USB stick. Access Apps provides a range of solutions to support writing, reading and planning as well as specific disabilities.

• MAGIc Screen Magnification Non Speech Software: Available on the computers is this software that enables low vision users to magnify text on a computer screen.

• Merlin Desktop Magnifier: Facilitates improved viewing and reading of text images captured from physical books or print materials

For assistance on accessing the Special Needs Corner, contact the Circulation Librarian (mailto: smlalazi@uzlib.uz.ac.zw)

DSS Library

This is a branch of the UZ Libraries established to provide more customised services for people with special needs in the form of assistive technologies, support services and training. The Library is located in the DSS Building at the UZ Main Campus and it hosts an assortment of assistive devices, computers and laptops equipped with software that empowers the blind and the low vision to independently access information in the Library. For details on services and materials available, visit the page Disability Support Services Library.