SPECIAL COLLECTIONS - A Brief Introduction

The foundations of the Special Collections date back to 1959 when Sir Stephen Courtauld, a philanthropist presented a collection of Greek and Roman coins to the then University College of Rhodesia in celebration of the founding of that University. This collection was meant strictly for purposes of teaching and research. The pioneering example set by Sir Stephen Courtauld was followed by W.A. Godlonton and Professor C.M. Doke who generously donated their own collections of books, manuscripts, memoirs etc. 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. Thesis Collection, Doke, African Writers, Arts, Papadopoulos, Astor, Courtauld Coin Collection, Government Publications, International Organizations and Rarebook Collection, Microfiche Collection and Photographs Collections.

Location and Opening Hours

The Special Collections Department is located on the Mezzanine Floor of the Main Library, University of Zimbabwe, Churchill Avenue.

OPENING HOURS

Monday to Thursday 08:00hrs to 16:30hrs
Fridays 08:00hrs to 16:00hrs
Saturday & Sunday 08:00hrs to 16:00hrs
Public Holidays Closed

Contacts

STAFF  

Assistant Librarian :Mr. A. Mushowani
Library Assistant: Mr.F. Handinachangu

How to use Special Collections

Consulting Material No special Collections material is held on the open shelves. The Special Collections is a closed area and users do not enter beyond the Issue Desk from where they are served. Special Collections material is consulted within the library except for some publications in the African Writers Collection.

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 publications is returned.

Material in the Government Publications/International Organizations is for consultation in the library only, some African Writers and Doke Collection Publications are issued out for a loan period of two weeks.

Government Publications

Government Publications endeavours to maintain a comprehensive collection of publications of the various arms of government: the statutory, legislative, constitutional, executive, administrative and judicial bodies. The publications can be produced by the state, regional or inter-governmental bodies, municipality, city and town councils, district councils and non-governmental organisations and parastatals.
Materials include International Organizations Publications

Borrowing Rules

Material from this section can only be used in the library.
Government publications may not be borrowed.

Staff

SLA1: Mr. K. Damba
Library Assistant: T. Matepo

Opening Hours

Monday to Thursday : 08:00HRS to 16:30 HRS
Fridays : 08:00HRS t0 16:00HRS
Saturdays : 08:00HRS to 12:00HRS

The Collection

This is a research collection consisting of a variety of official publications emanating from the government of Zimbabwe collection, governments of countries, of Eastern and Southern African and Britain.

International Organisations Publications

Also included in the Government Publications is a section on International Organisations, with a collection of material published by the different U.N. agencies e.g. FAO, WHO, UNICEF, UNESCO, IMF, IFC, IBRD, IAEA etc.

Borrowing Rules

Material from this section can only be used in the library. Government publications may not be borrowed. Like all other collections in the Library, Government Publcations are included in the Main Library catalogue although a separate catalogue on the Mezzanine floor can be useful