| Information Systems and resources division oversees the, Collection Development & Management, E-Resources Discovery Systems, Special and Digital Collections and Research Commons and multimedia centre. The division coordinates the procurement of library materials; managing the cataloguing and classification of library materials. It also oversees the e-resources lifecycle by establishing and maintaining intellectual control over content and assisting with resolving issues related to acquisitions, licensing, access, and billing. |
The Collection Development and Management section is responsible for the management of the library collection. It oversees the selection, acquisition, cataloguing and classification, and the streamlining of the library’s collection through weeding. The section also coordinates the library’s gifts and donation programme.
The e-Resources section is responsible for facilitating and managing access to electronic information resources for the University of Zimbabwe community. The section is involved with all aspects of e-resources, including; acquiring, maintaining, and providing access to the library’s online materials, including research databases, online journals, and eBooks. The section also organises trials, demonstrations and evaluations of potential electronic information resources.
The library e-resources include;
Subscription Based Resources
‘Free’ Online Resources (Funded by different bodies such as WHO, UN)
- Access to Global Online Research in Agriculture (AGORA)
- Access to Research for Development and Innovation (ARDI)
- Global Online Access to Legal Information (GOALI)
- Access to Research for Health (HINARI)
- Online Access to Research in the Environment (OARE)
Locally Digitized Resources
- Institutional Repository (IR)
- UZ Electronic Theses and Dissertations Database
- Past Exams Online
- Digital Collections Repository
For assistance on how to access the library e-resources click on the link:
You can also find subject specific e-books and e-journals by visiting the link:
| The Library recognizes the various information needs of different library user groups and their information needs. The Research Commons aims to balance those needs and conveniences with a host of opportunities from a quiet research space to collaboration and interaction. Located in the Main Library, the Research Commons provides quality services and seamless access to research for undergraduate students. The facility has about 250 networked computers that are available for use by undergraduate students for research. The Research Commons includes the availability of a teleconferencing room which allows for online interaction and collaboration between students and teachers; DSTV educational channels viewing; Educational DVD viewing and Undergraduate Collaborative room designed to allow students to hold discussions and share ideas and information. |
Special and Digital Collections preserves and provides access to unique manuscripts University of Zimbabwe’s (UZ) research output, and archival collections held by the University of Zimbabwe Library. The digital Collection is part of the Library’s commitment to enriching digital resources and supporting teaching and learning and research at the UZ.
The Special and digital collections houses rare, fragile, and unique materials ranging from a collection of Greek and Roman coins, memoirs, books and manuscripts, theses and photographs . The pioneering collections dating back to 1959 were donations by Sir Stephen Courtauld, W.A. Godlonton and Professor C.M. Doke who generously donated their own collections of books, manuscripts, memoirs to the library. The collections bear the names of the donors in recognition of their generosity. Over the years the number of collections has grown to 11 and these are Godlonton Collection., Doke, African Writers, Arts, Papadopoulos, Astor, Courtauld Coin Collection Thesis Collection, Government Publications, International Organizations and Rarebook Collection, Microfiche Collection and Photographs Collections. The digital collection currently has 8 broad communities.
Location
The Special Collections Department is located on the Mezzanine Floor of the Main Library,
Opening Hours
Monday to Thursday 08:00hrs to 16:30hrs
Fridays 08:00hrs to 16:00hrs
Closed: Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays
Contacts
Subject Information Specialist
Special and Digital Collections
University of Zimbabwe Library
P.O. Box MP45
Mount Pleasant
Harare
Zimbabwe
Telephone: 0242 303211 Ext: 12033
Email: amazhude@uzlib.uz.ac.zw
How to use Special Collections
The Special Collections is a closed area and users do not enter beyond the Issue Desk from where they are served. Special and Digital Collections material is consulted within the library except for some publications in the African Writers Collection and Doke Collection which are issued out for a loan period of two weeks.
Materials in the Government Publications/International Organizations are borrowed on short term loan basis.
Borrowing Procedure:
- User gets bibliographic details from the catalogue, i.e. author, title class mark, name of collection
- Fills details on “Application for Use” form available at the departmental issue desk and hands to staff at the desk.
- Surrender a current University of Zimbabwe Identity Card The U.Z. I.D. card will be given back to the user when the publication is returned.