LIBRARY SERVICES OF THE NORTH-WEST UNIVERSITY

Loan services

How do I borrow books?
You must present your valid university card for all borrowing transactions. Take your university card and the items you want to borrow to the Lending Desk.

Who may borrow books and for how long?
The loan period of the books are dependent on the user category.

Membership category	Number of items	Loan period (days)
Undergraduates	6	14
4th-year degree and Honns	10	30
Post-graduates (M and PhD)	15	30
Academic staff	30	90
Support staff	10	30
Professional staff	15	30

Do members of the public have access to the library?
Yes, members of the public can gain access to the Library. Please contact the Library you want to make use of for more details.

Mafikeng Campus	018 389 2105
Potchefstroom Campus	018 299 2800
Vaal Triangle Campus	016 910 3170

Where do I see which books I have already borrowed?

Access your library record via your home library: Mafikeng Campus Library / Potchefstroom Campus Library / Vaal Triangle Campus Library.
Select "Patron record" from the menu.
Type your surname and university number.
Click on "Items currently checked out".
You can also ask your nearest Loans Desk to print a list of your checked out books.

When are my books due?

Access your library record via your home library: Mafikeng Campus Library / Potchefstroom Campus Library / Vaal Triangle Campus Library.
Select "Patron record" from the menu.
Type your surname and university number.
Click on "Items currently checked out".
The "Status" will give you the due date of a specific book.
You can also ask your nearest Loans Desk to print a list of your checked out books and their due dates.

What if I do not return my loan by the due date?

You will receive a notice reminding you that you have items outstanding.
Overdue items will accrue fines and will result in the suspension of borrowing privileges until the items are returned / renewed and fines paid.

How do I avoid Library fines?

Return or renew your loans on or before the due date.
Avoid giving your loans to others to return.
Treat your university card as a credit card. Report it immediately if lost/stolen. Do not let others use it.
Remember: if you share your Library items with others, you will be responsible for any fines, losses or damages incurred.

How do I renew my loan?
All items from the general collection can be renewed twice if the item has not been reserved by another user. Please note: items from the Reserve collection cannot be renewed. Items from Interlibrary Loans are renewed seperately. Please contact your Interlibrary Loans staff for more information on renewing Interlibrary Loan books .

Mafikeng Campus

Items may be renewed via the web. Go to the Mafikeng Campus Library catalogue and click on "Patron record" to renew your books.
Items may be renewed via e-mail by sending a message to Elsie Legwale.
Items may be renewed by telephone at 018 389 2105.
Visit the lending desk and provide your card. Ask the staff to renew items for you.

Potchefstroom Campus

Items may be renewed via the web. Go to the Potchefstroom Campus Library catalogue and click on "Patron record" to renew your books.
Items may be renewed via e-mail at fpbleen@nwu.ac.za.
Items may be renewed by telephone at 018 299 2800.
Visit the lending desk and provide your card. Ask the staff to renew items for you.

Vaal Triangle Campus

Items may be renewed via the web. Go to the Vaal Triangle Campus Library catalogue and click on "Patron record" to renew your books.
Items may be renewed via e-mail at vtcloan@nwu.ac.za.
Items may be renewed by telephone at 016 910 3170.
Visit the lending desk and provide your card. Ask the staff to renew items for you.

How do I return my loan?

Mafikeng Campus

Items must be returned to the lending desk on the campus where they were borrowed.
Contact Me Elsie Legwale at 018 389 2105 for more details.

Potchefstroom Campus

Items must be returned to the lending desk on the campus where they were borrowed. A postal service exists between Potchefstroom Campus Library and Vaal Triangle Campus Library.
After-hours books may be returned at the Potchefstroom Campus Library by placing it in the after-hours book box near the entrance of the Library.
Per registered post to the Ferdinand Postma Library, Private Bag X05, Noordbrug, 2522. Contact Mrs Hester Spoelstra at 018 299 2783 for more details.

Vaal Triangle Campus

Items must be returned to the lending desk on the campus where they were borrowed. A postal service exists between Potchefstroom Campus Library and Vaal Triangle Campus Library.
After-hours books may be returned at the Vaal Triangle Campus Campus Library by placing it in the after-hours book box near the entrance of the Library.
Per registered post to the Vaal Triangle Campus Library, PO Box 1174, Vanderbijlpark, 1900. Contact Mrs Yvonne Engelbrecht at 016 910 3170 for more details.

10.

May I borrow books from any campus library?
All registered staff and students of the North-West University may borrow books from any campus library. A postal services exists between the Potchefstroom Campus Library and the Vaal Triangle Campus Library.

11.

What if an item I want is already issued to someone else?

You may place a hold on the item.
Searh for the item on the library catalogue .
When found, click on the "Request" button.
Type in your surname and university number and clink on "Submit".
Please note: A hold cannot be placed if you have fines/overdue books outstanding.
You can also ask your nearest Loans Desk to place the hold for your.

12.

What if the item I want should be on the shelves, but I cannot find it?

Go to the Lending Desk and report the book missing.
The Library staff will search for the item and place it on hold for you if found.
If not found, the item will be indicated as "Missing" on the catalogue.