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No return to campus without authorisation The University of Cape Town’s COVID-19 Return to UCT policy framework guides faculties and departments on the institution’s phased return to campus.
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Library Services during COVID-19

Graphic of coronavirus

What is COVID-19?

On 31 December 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported a cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan City, China. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was confirmed as the causative agent of what we now know as Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Since then, the virus has spread to more than 100 countries, including South Africa. Learn more

Visit the COVID-19 SA Resource Portal UCT Campus COVID-19 updates

Library book drop off at CPS Burnage

Return to Research Service

UCT Libraries is currently providing a comprehensive virtual library service. The Library’s Return to Research Service is scaffolded on the current virtual library to support the RtR programme.

Please download the Return to Research Service document for more information.

Our Libraries are closed but we are open for Virtual Support

UCT Libraries closed its doors on Wednesday 18 March 2020 to restrict COVID-19 transmission through social distancing and limiting physical contact with materials. We are now open for virtual support for teaching and learning, and research.

Reference and information hotlines have been created and will be available from 08h30 - 17h00 Monday to Friday.

Virtual Library Support

Online Library Resources

assignment & project orientation guide for remote learning poster

Free access to UCT Libraries website, Open Journals & OpenUCT on certain mobile networks

The following Libraries websites have been zero-rated on certain mobile networks. This will enable online learning at no cost to students.

  1. The Library website (http://www.lib.uct.ac.za) on Cell C, Telkom, MTN and Vodacom
  2. OpenUCT website (http://open.uct.ac.za) on Telkom and Cell C
  3. UCT open access journals (https://journals.uct.ac.za ) on Vodacom and MTN

A dedicated webpage has been created on the ICTS website that will be updated regularly when and if additional sites are zero-rated. In addition to the zero rating agreements,UCT has purchased pre-paid data for students.

Please note Third party links are not zero-rate. If the zero-rated site has a link to another website unfortunately it won’t be zero-rated.

We need your Help

Collecting newspapers for Special Collections

UCT Libraries Special Collections want to keep their collections of print newspapers (local, national and community) as complete as possible during the COVID-19 lockdown. Our normal routes of acquisition are closed and uncertain whether publishers will be able to supply back copies.

Our appeal to the University community

Keep any print newspapers that have been delivered/purchased and donate them to Special Collections upon your return to campus.

Newspaper list

The Cape Times, The Argus, The Weekend Argus, Mail & Guardian, The Voice, The Sun, Business Day, all the weekend papers and community newspapers.

Thanking you in advance

Mandy Noble
Principal Librarian: Published Collections
UCT Libraries: Special Collections
mandy.noble@uct.ac.za

Photo by Suzy Hazelwood from Pexels

COVID-19 Resources

We have made available COVID-19 related resources for academic research purposes. Visit our COVID-19 LibGuide.

COVID-19 LibGuide

Frequently Asked Questions | COVID-19

As a physical entity, UCT Libraries is closed for the duration of the lockdown.

You have virtual access to the Libraries resources via http://www.lib.uct.ac.za/.

You may borrow eBooks only during this time. General borrowing rules will apply eg. an eTextbook may only be borrowed for a day.

Library material currently out on loan will be renewed until further notice. However, if you wish to return your books, a central UCT Libraries book drop has been installed at Burnage, adjacent to Leo Marquard Hall. The dropbox is walking distance from the Jamie shuttle stop at Tugwell and Leo Marquard residence.

All fines on overdue materials will be waived. However, if you wish to return your books, a central UCT Libraries book drop has been installed at Burnage, adjacent to Leo Marquard Hall. The dropbox is walking distance from the Jamie shuttle stop at Tugwell and Leo Marquard residence.

UCT Libraries extensive online resources are available from our website. These resources include:

Contact us at libraries@uct.ac.za or Ask a Librarian for assistance with access issues or to find a resource.

NB: you must be logged in with your UCT ID and password to access the many resources available to you.

As your information and learning partner, UCT Libraries is offering a Virtual Library Service which enables library staff to support you and your studies/research online.

It is important for you to explore the various guides that have been developed to simplify your online learning. UCT Libraries has a Student Orientation Guide for Remote Learning, which shows you how to search for, find, collect, analyse, interpret and evaluate information relevant to the subject you are studying, as well as becoming familiar with the key research elements and processes for ethical academic writing.

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