Faculty of Natural Sciences: Library Services

WSU Libraries are offering sessions of Information Literacy to train users on how to use the library and its resources. These sessions include but are not limited to:  use of online databases, internet sessions, basic research skills (referencing & citing for assignments and projects), assignment writing skills and effective use of information sources. 

An Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) is accessible to all library users.  It is web-based and is the most up-to-date catalogue of the WSU libraries holdings. 

A newly released electronic discovery catalogue called Summons is accessible from the WSU webpage. This upgraded catalogue retrieves a combination of records on a given topic. One search can retrieve records for books, e-books, journals electronic resources available to WSU, as well as theses and dissertations.

To gain access to online material subscribed to by WSU Libraries, one needs to be a registered library user, and also register on My Library link on OPAC. Thereafter, one will be able to retrieve online information accessible to WSU, and will also be able to manage one’s book loans.

Mobile phones can be used to search WSU library holdings. The URL is http://m.opac.seals.ac.za.

• Library users can use their mobile devices to access internet through Eduroam Wifi. This service is free.
• The Library offers following trainings: Reference Management Tools - Endnote, Mendeley.
• Trainings are offered for Electronic Resources and Databases.

1. Library material will be issued out only on production of a valid WSU staff/student identity card (valid passport or S.A. ID in the case of external borrowers or community members).  All these documents are not transferable.
2. Each member is responsible for all items borrowed in his/her name.  The onus is therefore on the member to report lost or stolen identity documents to the Library immediately, to prevent unauthorized use thereof.
3. All items borrowed are subject to the loan period prescribed for that particular type of material.
4. Members are advised to ensure that the material they return is given to Library staff and the loan record is cancelled.  Materials borrowed may not be left on the counter unattended, as the Library will not take responsibility for lost materials.
5. Alumni and external borrowers / community members will sign a binding legal document regarding the borrowing of library material.

Loan periods and the maximum number of library items per user are determined by the borrower’s category/status thus:

Category / Status                                       No. of Items               Loan period

WSU Council members                                     5                                   30 days

Academic Staff (FT & Contract)                        20                                60 days

Academic Staff (PT)                                          8                                 30 days

Admin, Library & Tech Staff                              10                                30 days

Post-grad students * Level 1                            10                                14 days

Post-grad students * Level 2                             10                                30 days

Under-grad students                                        8                                 14 days

External Borrowers                                           3                                 14 days

CHELSA                                                           6                                 14 days

Visiting Lecturers                                              5                                 14 days

Visiting Students                                               3                                 14 days

Alumni                                                             3                                 14 days

* Level 1:       B. Tech, Honours, Post Grad Diploma etc.

* Level 2:       Masters & Doctoral

The above categories may vary according to site; contact your local library for details.

1. Two renewals will be allowed on / before the due date.
2. Personal or telephonic renewals can be done at the Circulation Desk by providing proper user identification and the item barcode.
3. Online renewals are also acceptable on the My Account option on OPAC.

Books / Documents already out on loan to another user may be reserved at the circulation desk.  The book will be kept at the circulation desk for two (2) days from the date of return, so that the person who made a reservation may collect it.  After two (2) days, the book may be returned to the shelves or given to the next user on the reservation list.

Reference material and books marked “FOR LIBRARY USE/REFERENCE ONLY” may not be issued out of the library, except with the special permission of the Librarian in charge.

Items may be put on short loan, because of high demand. These consist of recommended reading lists, textbooks and photocopies of journal articles, reprint pamphlets and handouts required to be read for tutorials, essays, tests or examinations.

Items in this collection can be used in the library for a period of 1-3 hours per user. This period, however is renewable unless the item is booked by another user.

Course Reserves

These are items put on short loan by lecturers for a certain period that include personal copies, lecture notes etc.

These may be retrieved using:

• Lecturer’s name
• Author & Title or
• Course codes.

Short loan items can be loaned overnight and returned at 09h00 the following day. They can also be loaned over weekends to be returned on the following Monday. Such items may be collected 2 hours before closing time.

1. Fines will be levied on all overdue items at R1.00 an item per day, for all books from the open shelves.
2. A fine will be levied on all short loan items returned late at R1 per hour.
3. Failure to pay library fines will result in inter alia, final examination time - table / exam results being withheld.

Users losing or failing to return books, or returning items in a damaged condition are subject to replacement and processing charges as determined by the library.

• Books in print = Current price + Administrative costs.
• Out of Print Books = Original purchase price + Inflation rate + Administrative costs.

A replacement copy of the same or latest edition will be accepted provided that, it is in good condition.

 A clearance certificate from the Human Resource Department will be signed by the Manager: Library Services or Head Lending, in the event of a staff member terminating his/her services with the University. Where library books are owed a replacement cost shall be calculated.

Library material not held in the WSU Libraries can be obtained from other libraries for staff or postgraduate students.  Requests may also be placed online from remote workstations through OPAC.  This service is costly and has to be used with care.  Books acquired through this service may be issued subject to the regulations of the lending library.

The WSU Institutional Repository is hosted by the SEALS Digital Commons, amongst the other member libraries’ collections. It contains WSU theses and dissertations, lecture series as well as articles and conferences emanating from the institution. These may be accessed via the WSU Vital Repository link on the library page