Circulation guide: LOAN PERIOD

LENDING

Lending conditions

1. The majority of materials in the Library are open access and may be freely borrowed.
2. Library users must produce their identity cards when borrowing Library mater

Number of books and loan period

1. Staff members are allowed to borrow 5 books for a period of 6 months at a time.
2. Students are allowed 5 books for 14 days, while external members are allowed 2 books for two weeks at a time.
3. All items borrowed are subject to a loan period prescribed for the particular type of material. Some loan periods are subject to change due to assignments and projects, and the onus is on the borrower to check the date when the item(s) are due back in the Library.
4. The loan period for a given item may be changed from time to time according to demand.

Return of Library materials

1. All materials must be returned on or before the due date stamped on the date sheet. The Library system is programmed to send reminders (SMS or e-mail ) two days before due date.
2. Towards the end of examinations, when all materials should be returned, notices to students with outstanding Library materials are posted on the notice boards. Staff members will be permitted to renew their loans at this time.
3. A borrower who fails to return an item after three (email/sms) reminders will be summoned to return the items by stated date, failing which the item will be consideredlost, and the borrower will be blacklisted.
4. Information on borrowers who have materials outstanding and/or owe the Library any outstanding monies, will be kept in the university database and used to withhold examination results in the case students, and noted on the clearance form in the case of staff.

Fines

1. Materials returned after the loan period has expired will attract a fine calculated at R2.00 per day per item for students, and R5.00 per item for staff.
2. At Short Loans Section all items overdue after an hour are charged a penalty of R1.00 per hour until the item is returned.

Lost or damaged material, books and software

1. Lost or damaged materials must be replaced at the current replacement cost of the lost item which includes the cost of inflation plus the processing charges of R50.00.
2. Student accounts will be debited directly. The Library must be informed of all staff resignation so that a clearance certificate can be issued.
3. The user has an option of buying and replacing the exact version and edition of the book. The new book must be submitted to the Circulation Librarian.
4. The Circulation Librarian will clear the name of the borrower from the borrower record.
5. If a staff member owes materials, the replacement will be subtracted from his/her salary