Academic staff, visiting researchers and contract staff with valid UZ IDs can use Library facilities and services.

UZ STAFF

Non- academic staff with valid UZ IDs can also use library facilities and services.

APPROVED READER MEMBERSHIP

These are non-University of Zimbabwe members. Approved Readers are required to pay an annual membership fee before using the library facilities, recourses and services. Approved Readers have no borrowing privileges but may use the library for reference purposes. Academic staff spouses and children, emeritus professors and ambassadors can register as Approved readers without paying membership fees. Daily passes are also issued to Approved Readers for a fee.

Library Services

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

READING ROOMS

The UZ library offers pleasant and inviting reading environment for the purpose of study and research. These include lower and upper reading rooms, carrels and adjoining reading rooms in the stack rooms.

INTERLIBRARY LOANS Services

Publications that are not held by the library may be requested through the Reader Services Division ILL unit. An application form is completed in each request, which should include all bibliographic details. Payment by the applicant is required if the library supplying the materials charge.

PHOTOCOPY MATERIALS

Photocopies can be made in the library by a commercial vendor subject to the provision of the Copyright Act.

STUDY CARRELS

Private, lockable study carrels are available to postgraduate students. To use this facility, postgraduates should collect and sign for the keys from the Information Desk

BINDING MATERIALS

The Library offers binding services for students’ Theses and Dissertations at a fee.

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

LIBRARY COLLECTIONS

The Main Library has over 500 000 books and periodicals. A limited number of multiple copies of prescribed student contents are provided in the Reserve and Core contentbook Collection Units and on the open shelves.
Most contentbooks are available for overnight (Reserve) 3 day loan (Core contentbook Collection) 2 weeks (long term). Reference books including encyclopedia and Dictionaries are shelved in the Lower and Upper Reading rooms.
Special collection materials e.g. Theses and Dissertations, African Writers Series, Art etc are provided in Special Collection Unit.
Government Publications, UN and International Organization materials are found in Government Publications Unit.
Periodicals current and archival copies of newspapers are available in periodicals Unit.

MAIN SUBJECT DISCIPLINES COVERED IN THE MAIN LIBRARY

RECENT ACQUISITIONS

New books are displayed in the Main Hall. Staff and students are requested to submit their suggestions of purchases to their respective Faculty Librarians

LIBRARY BORROWING

The online borrowing computer is located at the Main Library Circulation Desk.

UZ ID Card

You use your valid UZ ID card for borrowing. If you loose your UZ ID card report it immediately to the Librarian at the Information Desk as you are responsible for anything borrowed on your card/account.

Reservations

Heavily used books may be requested to be put on Reserve Collection.

Fines

Fines are charged on all overdue materials. You will not be able to borrow or renew books if you have overdue fines or outstanding fines. Consult fines schedule on the Library website.

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.

LIBRARY RULES AND REGULATIONS

Library users:

• Should show UZ ID card on entry to the Library
• 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