UCT Libraries remains closed and continues as a comprehensive Virtual Library Service due to the continued lockdown status of UCT and completion of the 2020 academic year using remote teaching. With a few exceptions identified in support of the UCT Return to Research Plan, the physical reopening of UCT Libraries will now coincide on the academic calendar with the resumption of contact teaching and learning.
In light of the library closure due to COVID-19 and to help you manage your library loans, all library material currently on loan will be renewed until further notice. All fines on overdue materials will be waived. Please keep the material with you and return it to the library when we are open for business again.
Borrow
Use your student card to borrow books, DVDs or CDs at the Loans Desk or use our self-checkout machine.
Loan Limit
Loan Period
Renewal Period
Undergraduates
6 items
7 days
28 days
Postgraduates
12 items
35 days
140 days
Staff
30 items
90 days
180 days
CDs, DVDs and journals are issued for 3 days and are renewable.
Items that have been requested by another library user may not be renewed.
Can't find a book on the shelf?
Request the book online. You will receive an email when the book is available for you to collect.
Can journals be borrowed?
Postgraduate students and staff members may borrow 6 bound journals for 3 days, in addition to the items listed above. Journal loans may not be renewed.
Request
You can request a library item that's out on loan, from a branch library or another university.
The person who has it out on loan will be given a maximum of 7 days to return the book. For urgent requests, visit the Loans Desk staff who will do their best to retrieve the item as quickly as possible.
Request a book from a Branch Library
Request the book online. Specify a pick-up location for the book and the book will be transferred on your behalf. You will receive an email when the book is available for you to borrow.
Theses and Dissertations
Visit OpenUCT for a digital copy of a UCT master's dissertation or doctoral thesis.
Registered UCT postgraduate students and staff may borrow books for extended loan periods over the long mid-year and year-end vacations.
The Loans Desk staff will issue books to you with a condition that the Library can recall a book at any time.
If someone else requests a book that you have out on vacation loan, the Library will recall the book and you must then return the book at once, even if that means using a commercial courier.
Fines & Fees
A courtesy notice is emailed 3 days before your books are due to be returned.
The notice is to remind you of the due date and inform you that a fine will accrue should your books not be returned in time.
What happens if I return my books after the due date?
Late returns: R2.00 per day.
Late returns on recalled books (requested by another borrower): R5.00 per day
Fines accrue to a maximum of R50 per item.
Fines R50.00 or more: Triggers an automate system "block" which prevents you from borrowing further items until the fine is paid.
Lost a library book?
Go to the Loans Desk and inform the staff.
Lost library materials must be paid for by the borrower who has lost them.
An additional handling charge of R250 (to cover the costs of reordering, cataloguing, and processing) will be payable per item.
