Borrowing books
Answer
As a UFS staff member or registered student you may borrow books from all the UFS libraries. However, lending privileges may vary from library to library and different collections.
How many books may I borrow?
| Books allowed | Loan period | |
| Academic staff | 25 | End of year |
| Undergraduate students | 10 | 2 weeks |
| Distance undergraduate students | 15 | 1 month |
| Postgraduate students | 15 | 2 months |
| Distance postgraduate students | 20 | 6 weeks |
| Prospective postgraduate students | 15 | 2 months |
| External Masters/PhDs (CHELSA) | 15 | 2 months |
| CUADS students | 10 | 1 month |
| Post-doctorates, Research fellows | 25 | End of year |
| Guest researchers | 10 | 2 weeks |
| Management staff | 25 | End of year |
| Support services staff | 15 | 3 monts |
| Temporary academic staff | 10 | 1 month |
| Temporary support staff | 5 | 2 weeks |
| Alumni | 10 | 2 weeks |
How do I know when my books are due?
Check the date stamp on the date slip in the front of the book. You can also check your due dates by logging in to your library record. Go to the Kovsiecat (https://wagtail.ufs.ac.za) and select Patron Record in the top right-hand corner. Log in with your library credentials:
Surname
Library patron number (student number with 10 added or staff number with 01 added)
PIN
Where should I return my books?
You can return your books to any campus library.
Will I get a fine if my books are late?
You will be charged a fine for overdue books. A fine of R20 or more will automatically block you from taking out any more books.
Fines for Open Shelves books
You will be charged a fine of R2.00 from the day after the expiry of the loan period. This will accumulate with R2.00 every day until the information resource has been returned.
Fines for Reserved books
Prescribed/textbooks and recommended/supplementary books that are placed on short loans:
- An overdue fine of R2.00 will be charged after 2 hours, accumulative after every two additional hours. A total of R51.00 is payable after 24 hours.
- A fine for overnight use (information resource(s) returned after 10 pm) will be charged at R20.00 per hour. A total of R51.00 is payable after 24 hours.
- A fine for lost information resources will be charged at R100.00 (inconvenience fine) + R70.00 (processing cost) + replacement cost of the information resource(s).
- A fine for failure to return information resources that were recalled will be R50.00,
Fines for books Lost and Paid
You will be charged for the replacement cost of the information resource + R100.00 processing cost. Alternatively you can purchase the information resource(s) and pay only the R100.00 processing cost.
See more on paying fines.