Library Service updates
Self-study spaces and hours
Visit our Library Opening Hours for the latest times and seating capacity.
The number of users will be capped as per national and institutional regulations available in a designated area.
To enter and study in the library:
- Show your student or staff card
- Show the result of your UCT Daily Health Screening app
- Wear a face mask at all times
- Abide by the strict seating arrangement in place
- Sanitise your hands before and after using a computer
- Sanitise a keyboard with available wipes
The following restrictions have been put in place to minimise risk:
- No onsite reference / professional support. Direct queries via email, Ask-a-Librarian, telephone or scheduled online sessions with a librarian.
- Short loan service is unavailable, due to frequency of use, handling and quarantine considerations.
- Group study facilities are unavailable.
- Group work will not be permitted.
- General browsing of the physical collections will not be permitted. Users are encouraged to browse the catalogue online and/or work in consultation with a librarian
- 24/7 facilities will not be available due to the restricted opening hours and current curfew.
Scan and email services
Our scan and email service continues as part of the virtual service with greater access to physical materials and collections, such as those located in off-site storage sites.
- Please inform librarians via email or Ask-a-Librarian of research resource needs 24 hours in advance so that print materials may be scanned (within copyright legislation) and sent via email to the researcher within 48 hours.
- The scan and email service will be delivered by a small team working from all of the libraries except the Bolus Library. In the event there is a need for materials from the Bolus Library, staff have been rostered to deliver the service.
- This will also apply to ILL however there will be no posting of books.
Scan and email requests from Special Collections
Scan and email requests for publications can be made via the following departments directly or Ask-a-Librarian:
African Studies Collection: mandy.noble@uct.ac.za
Government Publications: laureen.rushby@uct.ac.za
Primary Collections (archives): michal.singer@uct.ac.za
Request & Collect Books
Onsite collection
Request books via Primo and select one of the pick-up locations below to collect books at agreed times.
- Chancellor Oppenheimer Library
- Bongani Mayosi Health Sciences Library
- Brand van Zyl Law Library
- WH Bell Music Library
- Hiddingh Hall Library
- Built Environment Library
- Institute of Child Health Library
Offsite collection (CPS Burnage House)
Request books via Primo and the book/s will be prepared for collection from a central point located at CPS Burnage on Fridays from 11h00 to 14h00. Learn more about offsite book collection.
All library materials may be returned at the central drop-off point at CPS Burnage House or book drop boxes located at all library sites. No borrowed material may be returned as an in-person transaction to the Libraries. Extended loan periods with automatic renewals will continue to apply.
Health Sciences Campus
In addition, provision has been made to accommodate the return of health sciences students to the Health Sciences Campus. This includes:
- Access to the Impilo Junction (student study space). This facility will be managed by CPS on the proviso that such a responsibility is accepted by CPS. The space will be opened from 08h00 to 22h00, Monday to Sunday.
- Book requests via Primo from the Bongani Mayosi Health Sciences Library will be collected at the Health Sciences campus.
- Book collection will be on a Wednesday and a Friday between 12h00 and 13h30.
Our Virtual Library Service continues
Since 27 March 2020, UCT Libraries successfully migrated to a comprehensive virtual library service, which will continue as the primary service until such time we resume a full return to campus.
Online Library Resources
- Search Primo, the libraries search engine to find e-books, articles, journals and more.
- Search Databases A-Z for all your research needs.
- Get Referencing help from referencing style guides.
- Find more eBooks or visit our Finding Ebooks LibGuide.
- Explore our Subjects Guides for resources by subject or topic
- Planning, collecting and managing your data is now available as a video or audio download.
- Explore our guide to the manuscripts & archives collections
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.Visit the COVID-19 SA Resource Portal UCT Campus COVID-19 updates