Library FAQs

Access to electronic resources

Q: I want to make use of the electronic databases / electronic journals..
A: From the library home page, select electronic databases (or electronic journals)  and decide whether you're a campus or off-campus user. Off campus users need to authenticate themselves making use of their surnames and library patron numbers:

You now also have to specify a PIN (personal identification number).  This can be any number that you WILL REMEMBER.  On the next screen you will be asked to retype your PIN.  The next time you want to make use of this service you will need the PIN again

Q: How can I access the CD ROM databases on the network (LAN)?
A: Send an email to cornelle@ufs.ac.za requesting this and containing your student number / staff network ID (eg cornelle.bib).

Library access

Q: Do I have access to the Frik Scott Medical Library with my student card?
Q: To which libraries do I have access with my UFS student card?
A: Your UFS student card gives you access to the main campus library, the Frik Scott medical library, the music library, the Vista campus library and the Qwaqwa campus library.

Q: Can someone not affiliated to the UFS use the library?
A: Day visitors can access the library by paying R30. No help may be asked from the library staff unless a R50.00 search coupon has been bought.

Q: How do I become a paying external client of the library?
A: External clients become members for one year, and this membership can be renewed. 10 books can be taken out for 2 weeks, and three renewals are allowed. Membership costs R642 for the first year. Of this R300 is a deposit, R300 is the membership fee, and R42 is VAT. The membership fee includes 2 x R50 search coupons. No Inter Library Loans are allowed. The membership card, available at the card Division, costs R22. The membership fee for subsequent years is R342.

Q: I am a prospective Doctorate student and I would like to make use of the library in writing my research proposal.
A: Prospective masters and Doctorate students become members for 6 months. They can borrow 10 books for 2 weeks, renewable three times. The membership cost is R492 - R300 deposit, R150 membership fee, R21 VAT and R22 for a membership card. The membership fee includes 1 x R50 search coupon. You can make use of this type of membership only once - after 6 months you can become a normal postgraduate member if you have registered, or alternatively you can become a normal external client.

 Taking out books

V: Where do I take out books?
A: Books are taken out at the issue desk on level 3.

 Q: How many books may I take out and for how long?
A: Undergraduate students are allowed 10 books for 2 weeks. Postgraduate students are allowed 15 books for 1 month and staff can take out 25 books until the end of the year.

Q: The book I need has already been taken out by someone else. Is there any way that I can get the book?
A: You can reserve the book at the issue counter of any of the UFS libraries and the book will be recalled in your favour.

Q: Why are the fines for overdue books in the study collection so high?
A: Books are placed in the study collection so that they are accessible to as many students as possible. If you keep a book too long you are defying the purpose - therefore the high fines.

 Inter Library Loans

Q: How do I go about ordering a book or journal article that is not available in the library?
A: Every request costs R5.00 (handling fee) and a request form has to be filled out for every request. Request forms are available on the library web site Students: print out the request form, complete it and send it, together with payment (cheque, postal order or proof of direct deposit), to

 Inter Library Loans
University of the Free State
PO Box 301
Bloemfontein
9300

The bank account details for direct deposits are:

ABSA Brandwag Branch 632005
UOVS Nr 1 Account 1570 850071

Please supply your student number as a reference. Completed request forms, together with proof of payment, can be faxed to (051) 444 - 6368.

UFS staff members can complete the form online and quote an entity number.

 Q: Why is the ILL money not refundable if a source can't be provided?
A: It's an administration fee and is therefore not bound to successful document delivery.

 Resources in the library

Q: On which levels do I find the different shelf numbers?
A: Shelf numbers starting with 0, 1, 2, 3 and 9 are on level 5 (in other words Dewey numbers 000 - 399 and 900 - 999). Shelf numbers starting with 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are on level 7 (in other words Dewey numbers 400 - 899)

 Q: Where can I make photocopies?
A: You can make copies on levels 3 and 8.

 Q: I would like to browse through old exam papers.
A: The old exam papers are kept on Level 3. They are not available electronically or through Inter Library Loans.