University of Zimbabwe Libraries Handbook

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FOREWORD

This Handbook outlines the services and products available in the University of
Zimbabwe Libraries. This Libraries Handbook has seven major sections focusing on:

1. Access to the UZ Libraries

2. Library Services and Facilities

3. Library Resources

4. Using the OPAC

5. Plagiarism and Copyright

6. Opening Hours

7. Library Staff Contact Details

The University of Zimbabwe Libraries exist to facilitate and support the teaching,
learning and research work through the provision of a number of information
products and services. To this end, the Library provides access to books, journals
and other information resources needed in print, non-print and electronic formats.

The Library will continue to review and evaluate its services in line with the University
Strategic Plan and the ever changing technological and learning environment. It is
my hope that you will find this booklet informative and a useful guide to the services
offered by the University.

The Libraries Handbook is kept up to date through a process of continuous revision

and maintenance. For any comments on this document and services provided by
the University of Zimbabwe Libraries, please feel free to contact the Librarian at
librarian@uzlib.uz.ac.zw

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Table of Contents
Foreword

INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................ 5

1. Overview of the University of Zimbabwe Libraries ........................................... 5

2. Obtaining Access to the UZ Libraries .............................................................. 6

3. Library Services & Facilities............................................................................. 6

3.1 Circulation Services ......................................................................................... 6

3.2 Borrowing Privileges ........................................................................................ 7

3.3 Loan Rules ...................................................................................................... 7

3.4 Reference Services ..........................................Error! Bookmark not defined.

3.5 Inter Library Loan (ILL) Service ....................................................................... 8

3.6 Conducive Study Environment ........................................................................ 9

3.7 Computers for Internet Access ........................................................................ 9

3.8 Special Needs Corner ................................................................................... 10

3.9 Multi-Media Centre ........................................................................................ 11

3.10 Research Commons ...................................................................................... 11

3.11 Information Literacy (IL) Training .................................................................. 12

3.12 Binding of Theses and Dissertations ............................................................. 13

3.13 Photocopying and Printing Services .............................................................. 13

4. Library Resources ......................................................................................... 13

4.1 Books ............................................................................................................ 13

4.2 Reference Materials and Past Examination Papers ...................................... 14

4.3 Special Collections ........................................................................................ 14

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4.4 International and Local Organisations Publications ....................................... 14

4.5 Print Periodicals............................................................................................. 14

4.6 Electronic Resources..................................................................................... 15

4.7 E-books ......................................................................................................... 15

4.8 E-journals ...................................................................................................... 15

4.9 Online Reference Materials ........................................................................... 16

4.10 Accessing E-Resources ................................................................................ 16

4.11 Accessing e-Journals on Campus ................................................................. 16

4.12 UZ Institutional Repository (IR)...................................................................... 18

4.13 Electronic Past Examination Papers.............................................................. 18

5. Using the Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) ...................................... 18

5.1 How to Retrieve an Item from the Stack Rooms ............................................ 19

5.2 How to read a call number: ............................................................................ 20

5.3 Viewing Your Library Account........................................................................ 20

6. Selecting a Database .................................................................................... 20

7. Finding Peer Reviewed Articles ..................................................................... 20

7.1 What is Peer Review? ................................................................................... 20

7.2 Importance of Peer Review ........................................................................... 21

7.3 Locating Peer Reviewed Material .................................................................. 21

8. Plagiarism ...................................................................................................... 21

9. Copyright ....................................................................................................... 21

10. Library Hours ................................................................................................. 22

11. Library Staff Contact Details .......................................................................... 22

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INTRODUCTION
This handbook is meant to inform users of the library about the services and
products that are provided by the University of Zimbabwe Libraries. The handbook
outlines most of the activities that take place in the various divisions of the University
of Zimbabwe Libraries. Where more information can be found on the University of
Zimbabwe Libraries website, links to pages with detailed information are provided.

1. Overview of the University of Zimbabwe Libraries

1.1 Mission

To provide access to scholarly information resources required to meet the

learning, teaching, and research and service needs of the University of
Zimbabwe.

1.2 Vision

To maintain the UZ Library as a leading academic library in the country and

in the region and beyond.

1.3 Branches of the UZ Libraries

The University of Zimbabwe Libraries comprises of the Main Library and

branches located around and off Campus. The branches are as follows:

1.3.1 College of Health Sciences (CHS)-Parirenyatwa Hospitals

1.3.2 Education Library- Main Campus, Faculty of Education

1.3.3 Institute of Mining Research (IMR)- Main Campus, Institute of

Mining Research

1.3.4 Law Library- Main Campus, Faculty of Law

1.3.5 Map Library-Main Campus, Department of Rural and Urban

Planning

1.3.6 Mpilo Library- Mpilo Hospital, Bulawayo

1.3.7 School of Social Work- School of Social Work, Harare City Centre

1.3.8 Veterinary Sciences- Main Campus, Veterinary Science

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2. Obtaining Access to the UZ Libraries
Library users should be registered with the University of Zimbabwe Libraries
to have access to the Library, its resources and services. Undergraduate, post
graduate, part time and occasional students with a valid University of
Zimbabwe ID qualify to register to use the Library. Academic staff, visiting
researchers, contract staff and all University employees with a valid staff ID
can also be registered to have access to the Library. When entering the
Library, users are required to present their valid students/staff ID.

The UZ Libraries are also accessible to Approved Reader members. An

Approved Reader is an individual who is not part of the University Community,
but is allowed to have access to the University of Zimbabwe Libraries without
any borrowing privileges. Such membership comes with a fee. This
membership is vetted by the Head-Reader Services. University staff spouses
and children, emeritus professors, and ambassadors can be registered as
Approved Readers without paying the designated fees. An Entry Pass or
Approved Reader Card with a passport size photo is issued upon registration
in the Reader Services Division.

3. Library Services & Facilities

3.1 Circulation Services

Library patrons receive assistance in checking– out and checking- in books
and other Library materials at the main Circulation Desk. The main Circulation
Desk is responsible for check-out and check- in of the following items: books
from the Open Shelves, books in the Reserve Collection, publications from
the International and Local Organisations Depository, Library computers in the
Main Hall and study carrel keys. It is very important to ensure that all Library
items are properly checked out when leaving the Library. Library materials
checked-out from branch libraries and other specific Library sections should
be returned to their respective check-out points

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3.2 Borrowing Privileges
To have borrowing privileges, Library users should be registered with the UZ
Libraries. All UZ staff and students registered with the UZ Libraries can
borrow Library materials. To borrow Library items, users must present their
valid UZ ID cards.

3.3 Loan Rules

The loan rules for patrons and items apply as follows:

Undergraduate
Graduate Academic/Senior
Books Students/Junior
Students staff
staff
Ordinary
14 Days 14 Days 60 Days
Loan
Short-term 3 Days 3 Days 3 Days
4 books from Open 10 books from 10 books from Open
shelf Open shelf shelf
Book limit
1 book from 1 book from 1 book from
Reserve Reserve Reserve

Books Loan Rule

Reserve Materials • 2 hours to read within the Library
• Overnight borrowing starts from 14.00 hrs Monday-
Thursday
• Over the weekend borrowing starts from 0930 hrs
on Friday

International and • 3 days

Local Organisations
Depository
Publications
African Writers and • 3 days
Doke Collection

The following materials are for Library use only:

• Newspapers
• Print Journals
• Printed Past Examination Papers
• Reference materials

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• Special Collection materials: Thesis and Dissertations, Godlonton, Art ,
Astor, and Papadopolous Collection
Please note fines are charged on all overdue materials. Users will not be
able to borrow books if he/she has overdue fines or outstanding fines

Fine payments are done at main Circulation Desk in the Main Library from
Monday to Friday.
3.4 Reference Services
The Information Desk What does the label say? is available to assist Library
users so that they make effective use of the Library resources and services.
The Reference Desk is always manned by a professional Librarian. At the
Desk, Library users receive the following services: in alphabetical order

• Assistance on accessing UZ Library electronic databases

• Assistance on how to use the library, its resources and services
• Assistance on searching the UZ Library OPAC
• Directions to the location of library resources
• General enquiries
• Help on accessing library computers
• Library registration

Library users with subject specific enquiries are referred to Faculty Librarians.
To get in touch with the Information Desk, users can visit the Main Library in
person, or call on +263 4 303211 Ext 12017.

3.5 Inter Library Loan (ILL) Service

Inter-library loan is available upon request for Library materials that are not
owned by the UZ Libraries. ILL service is offered to staff and post graduate
students only. Materials from closed access collections are not part of the ILL
service. These are materials from reserve section, periodicals section and
materials from special collections. Where materials need to be sent by post,
requesters have to pay for the postage of materials.

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3.6 Conducive Study Environment

The Library provides a conducive reading environment in the form of the

following reading space:

• Lower and Upper Reading rooms equipped with chairs and study desks
• Open reading space and facilities outside the Main Library
• Small reading spaces in Stack Rooms
• Quiet study carrels for post graduate students only. Study carrel keys are
borrowed from the main Circulation Desk.

3.7 Computers for Internet Access

All UZ students registered with the Library have access to Library computers
located in the Library Main Hall, Lower Reading Room and the Research
Commons. The computers are for the purposes of accessing the Internet for
research and study. Students should check-out and check-in a computer at
the main Circulation Desk and the Research Commons Circulation Desk. A
help guide is available on each computer to assist users to log on to a
computer. To log on to a computer for the first time, follow the steps below:
• Enter Student ID as the username
• Leave the space for password blank
• Press OK, or Enter
• A new template appears
• Leave the space for Old password blank
• Create new password
• Confirm the new password
• Click OK

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Special Needs Corner

The Library caters for patrons with special needs by providing a reserved
space and tools for accessing computers. Patrons with disabilities have
access to computers in the Special Needs Corner in the Reserve Section of
the Library. The Special Needs Corner is equipped with desktop computers
and Jaws Professional software to enable the visually impaired to access and
use computers in the Library. Jaws Professional is a screen reading solution
that reads information on a screen using synthesized speech. It provides
many useful commands that make it easier to use programs, edit documents,
and read Web pages.

Students Accessing Special Needs Facilities

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3.9 Multi-Media Centre
The Multi-Media Centre is located in 2nd floor of the New Wing in the Main
Library. It is made up of three rooms, two of which are equipped with
television sets (one set connected to DSTV) and DVD players while the third
room is equipped with state of the art computers which are meant for viewing
multi-media academic materials. The computers are connected to web
cameras and headsets.

Students conducting video conferencing

Access to the Multi-Media Centre is open to all members of the University of

Zimbabwe Community. A user intending to use the Multi-Media Centre simply
borrows the key to the room that they want to use from the Multi-Media
Circulation desk. A user is allowed access to the Multi-Media Centre for up to
3 hours per day.

3.10 Research Commons

The Main Library also hosts the Research Commons which provides space
and computer resources for research, self study and collaborative research

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activities. The Research Commons is accessible to all UZ Library Users.

Students in the Research Commons

3.11 Information Literacy (IL) Training

Information Literacy training is provided to both undergraduate and post
graduate students. Information Literacy training is meant to impart users with
skills to search, retrieve, evaluate and use information effectively. All first year
undergraduate students are required to enrol for an IL course. IL is examined
as Part II of the Communication Skills course. The Library also conducts
customized e-Resources training to post graduate students, the Academic
and Administrative Staff

Each Faculty and Programme at University of Zimbabwe has a designated

Faculty Librarian Faculty Librarians serve as the principal liaisons for U.Z.
Faculties and departments to provide tailored Library services to individuals,
specific classes or groups in support of their research, learning and teaching.
Users are free to contact their Faculty Librarians for any subject specific
related enquiries. (see p21)
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 3.12 Binding of Theses and Dissertations
The Library provides binding services for theses and dissertations. Individual
students or staff can submit their theses or dissertations for binding to the
Readers Services Division Secretary. Payment should be made at the
Cashier’s Office (Administration Building) before the theses or dissertations
are bound.

3.13 Photocopying and Printing Services

Photocopying and printing services are provided by private companies. Users
of the Library are charged for photocopying services. The photocopying is
done in the Q-section of the Library and in the baggage area. Photocopying
services are also available in the basement of the Law Library and near the
entrance of the Education Library.

4. Library Resources

The University of Zimbabwe Libraries house over 500 000 items in its physical
collection, and provides access to over 95,000 e‐books, over 100 000 e-
journals in more than 50 online databases. The Library also provides access
to a substantial collection of government and international publications made
available through the Local and international Depository section.

Print Collection

4.1 Books

The Library’s collection of text books is housed in the Stack Rooms as well as
Branch Libraries. The books are arranged on shelves according to subject
classification. The arrangement of books in the Stack Rooms is as follows:

• Stack Room 4: Items with call numbers ranging from A-G. This section
includes materials related to the study of General works, Philosophy,
Psychology, Religion, History, America and Geography.

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• Stack Room 3: Items with call numbers ranging from H-N. This section
includes materials related to the study of Social science, Economics,
Sociology, Political science, Law, Education, Music and Art.
• Stack Room 2: Items with call number P. This section includes
Languages and Literature textbooks.
• Stack Room 1: Items with call numbers ranging from S-Z. This section
includes materials related to the study of Agriculture, Engineering, Library
and Information Science, Medicine and Military Science.
• Items with call number Q are housed in the Q-Section; this section
includes materials related to the study of natural sciences.

4.2 Reference Materials and Past Examination Papers

Reference materials are located in the Lower and Upper Reading Rooms of
the Library. The Upper Reading Room also houses Past Examination Papers.
These items are available for use in the Library only.

4.3 Special Collections

The Special Collections section is made up of the Doke, Godlonton, African

Writers Series, Art, Astor, Papadopolous, Library Science Collection, and
Theses & Dissertations. Please note, this is a closed access

4.4 International and Local Organisations Publications

The International and Local Organisations Depository houses government

publications of Zimbabwe and other countries and documents from the United
Nations and its affiliated organisations.

4.5 Print Periodicals

Print Journals are found in Stack Rooms by discipline, whereas Newspapers

and Magazines are found in the Multi-Media Section of the Library.

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4.6 Electronic Resources

Library E-Resources are accessed through the University of Zimbabwe

Library Website (www.library.uz.ac.zw). Users select resources relevant to
them from the long lists of e-book and e-journal databases provided on the
page.

4.7 E-books

E-book databases subscribed by the UZ Libraries are accessible via the

Library homepage www.library.uz.ac.zw. The Library page provides a list of
the e-book databases available for users. To access e-books:

• Visit the Library website page www.library.uz.ac.zw

• Point the cursor on E- Resources section
• Select and click on E-books
• Accept the Appropriate Use Policy statement
• A page with a list of e-book databases appears. Select a Database and
click on the link
• Conduct a search using simple search by typing your keyword on the
search box provided or advanced search by keyword, author, title, subject
etc.

4.8 E-journals
An extensive list of e-journal databases provided by the Library and covering
different subjects is available on the Library website page. Below is a list of
some of the E- journals subscribed by the UZ Library: in alphabetical order
please

• Ebsco Host Research databases

• Emerald group Publishing
• Taylor & Francis
• JSTOR
• Cambridge Journals

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• Springer e-journals

4.9 Online Reference Materials

The Library website page also provides links to online reference databases
such as the Oxford Reference Online and the Gale Reference Library. These
are databases of online dictionaries, encyclopaedias and specialised
reference sources.

4.10 Accessing E-Resources

All Library e-resources are accessed via UZ Library homepage
www.library.uz.ac.zw

The e-Resources are accessible both on-campus and off-campus.

4.11 Accessing e-Journals on Campus

Access is mostly provided through IP authentication meaning that users are
not required to log on using a combination of username and password when
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accessing the e-Resources on Campus.

From the Library home page, put your cursor on “e-resources” and then click
on “e-journals on campus access”. Accept the copyright statement and then
click on any journal database from the provided list.

NB. E- Journals are arranged in alphabetical order

Basic or quick search
Enter your key word or phrase in search box provided
Advanced search
Click on the “advanced search” icon
Enter your keywords or phrases in search boxes provided
Use Boolean operators to combine your key words (AND, OR NOT)
AND – results contain all of the terms entered
OR – results contain any one of the terms entered
NOT – results contain one term but do not contain another
Accessing e-journals off campus
Off-campus access requires users to log on using a combination of username
and password. This is necessary because only registered users of the UZ
Libraries are entitled to have access to the resources. To log on, the surname
is used as the username while the barcode on the member’s UZ identity card
is used as the password.From Library home page, put your cursor on e-
resources, and then click on “e-journal off campus access”. Choose the
journal of your choice from the displayed list.

For off campus access you need to be registered with the Library as you
make use of your Library account to gain access.
Username - surname
Password - barcode on student ID
Local E-Content

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 4.12 UZ Institutional Repository (IR)

Unpublished material deposited by members of the University of Zimbabwe,

including peer-reviewed journal articles, published conference papers, books
and book chapters, working papers, research reports and seminar papers.
The full text of these publications is made freely through the direct link
http://ir.uz.ac.zw/jspui/ or via the Library web page.

4.13 Electronic Past Examination Papers

Electronic past examination papers are accessed via the Library web page.
The past examination papers database provides a search facility to search
using paper code or paper title. An advanced search facility is also available
and users can search by paper code, paper description, paper type and/ or
year. Please note past examination papers are only available on the LAN.

5. Using the Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC)

The Online Public Access Catalogue is an online database of UZ Libraries

print resources which helps users to search, identify and retrieve Library
resources. Access to the OPAC is through the Library website or direct link
http://uzlibsys.uz.ac.zw/. OPAC provides a facility to search for materials
available in the Library using author, title, subject, call number or keyword
search options.

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After performing a search command, take note of the location, call number
include example and availability status of the displayed item/s to retrieve the
items from the Library shelves.

5.1 How to Retrieve an Item from the Stack Rooms

Items in the Library collection are arranged according to Library of Congress

Classification. The Library of Congress Classification System is an
alphanumeric classification system in that it uses a combination of letters of
the alphabet and numbers.

The call numbers indicate where an item is located on the shelf. The letters
tell you what shelf the item is on. The numbers tell you where the item is
located in relation to the others around it. The alphanumeric combination
reflects the subject of the item.

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 5.2 How to read a call number:

Example: HG 1385 THO, where HG is general subject Commerce, 1385 is

specific subject, and THO is first three letters of the author’s surname
Thomas.

The “HG” tells you that the item is located on the HG shelf. Read the letters in
alphabetical order, and the numbers in numerical order. HG will always come
after HF, and 1411 will always come after 1385.

5.3 Viewing Your Library Account

The My Millennium Tab on the OPAC allows users to view their Library
accounts. To view your Library account, log on to OPAC and click on the My
Millennium tab. Enter your name and student barcode on the space provided
and click submit.

6. Selecting a Database

To identify a database that is relevant to your area of research or study, there

is a description for subject coverage of each and every database listed on the
library E-Resources page. Some databases cover a wide range of academic
disciplines, while other databases are subject or Faculty specific.

Browse the E-resources list on the Library page and read the description
beside each database to identify databases relevant to your area of research.

7. Finding Peer Reviewed Articles

Peer Reviewed publications are also known as scholarly articles. As an
academia, it is important to understand how to separate peer reviewed
articles from newspapers, trade journals, and popular magazines articles.

7.1 What is Peer Review?

Peer review is a process designed to ensure the quality of published
research. When a researcher submits a manuscript to a peer reviewed
publication (e.g. a journal), a panel of the author’s peers evaluates the
manuscript to assess the quality of research. These peers are recognized
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 leaders in their fields who are selected to serve on the editorial board of the
journal. To ensure that no personal bias influences the acceptance or
rejection of articles, the identity of the author is usually unknown to the
reviewers.

7.2 Importance of Peer Review

The use of peer reviewed publications is an effective means of ensuring the
quality of sources cited in a paper, presentation, or research project.

Peer reviewed publications are more likely to back their conclusions with
primary research and verifiable statistical analysis.

Articles in peer reviewed publications are less likely to be subject to the

biases of their authors or editors.

7.3 Locating Peer Reviewed Material

Users can use the following guidelines to help determine whether or not an
item is peer reviewed;

• Peer reviewed items are usually substantial in length, often 10 pages or

more.
• Peer-reviewed articles usually contain extensive discussion of the
research methods used by the author.
• Peer-reviewed articles usually have an extensive list of works cited at the
end of the article text.
• Peer-reviewed articles often contain substantial statistical analysis.

8. Plagiarism
The University of Zimbabwe Library trains staff and students on how to avoid
plagiarism. This is done to promote academic honesty and integrity.
Plagiarism detection software known as Ephorus is used for detecting
plagiarism.

9. Copyright
The University of Zimbabwe respects intellectual property laws. All users of
the Library are therefore discouraged from violating copyright. The
reproduction of printed books by users should be limited to photocopying a
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 few pages within a book. The reproduction of entire chapters or entire books
is not permitted. The Library cannot be held liable for users who violate
copyright.

10. Library Hours

Library Opening hours are as follows:

Semester: Monday- Friday 0800hrs- Midnight

Saturday – Sunday 0800hrs- 1600hrs

Vacation: Monday – Thursday 0800hrs- 1630hrs

Friday 0800hrs- 1600hrs

Saturday 0800hrs-1200hrs

Sunday Closed

Public Holidays: Closed

11. Library Staff Contact Details

AREA NAME OF TEL. EMAIL
PERSON IN
EXT.
CHARGE

A/ACQUISITIONS Mr P. Kativhu 12015 pkativhu@uzlib.uz.ac.zw

LIBRARIAN

AGRICULTURE Mr T. Mataranyika 12006 tmataranyika@uzlib.uz.ac.zw

LIBRARIAN

ARTS LIBRARIAN Mr A. Mushowani/ 12026 amushowani@uzlib.uz.ac.zw

Mr B. Mutape
12025 bmutape@uzlib.uz.ac.zw

A/BIBLIOGRAPHIC Mr L. Kusekwa 12039 lkusekwa@uzlib.uz.ac.zw

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SERVICES HEAD

BINDERY Mr R Charakupa 12007 rcharakupa@uzlib.uz.ac.zw

SERVICES

CIRCULATION Mr J. Munyoro 12011 jmunyoro@uzlib.uz.ac.zw

LIBRARIAN

A/COLLEGE OF Mr M. Muziringa 70770 mmuziringa@gmail.com

HEALTH SCIENCES 7
(CHS)

COMMERCE Ms Mlalazi 12027 smlalazi@uzlib.uz.ac.zw

EDUCATION Mr G. Chichewo 16101 gchichewo@uzlib.uz.ac.zw

ENGINEERING Mr. C. Nhendo 12010 cnhendo@uzlib.uz.ac.zw

Mrs E. Mlambo emlambo@uzlib.uz.ac.zw

INSTITUTE OF Mr O. Mutamba 15128 omutamba@uzlib.uz.ac.zw

MINING RESEARCH

INTERNATIONAL Ms A. Mazhude 12035 amazhude@uzlib.uz.ac.zw

/LOCAL
ORGANISATIONS

LAW LIBRARY Mr D. Musemburi 12064 dmusemburi@uzlib.uz.ac.zw

MAP LIBRRARY Mrs R. Zidya rzidya@uzlib.uz.ac.zw

READER SERVICES Ms Y. Chimuka 12008 ychimuka@uzlib.uz.ac.zw

HEAD

A/SCIENCE Ms M. Shoko 12028 mshoko@uzlib.uz.ac.zw

LIBRARIAN

A/SOCIAL SCIENCE Mrs J. Phiri 12027 jdphiri@uzlib.uz.ac.zw

LIBRARIAN

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A/SCHOOL OF Mr M. Mutanga mmutanga2000@yahoo.co.u
SOCIAL WORK k
LIBRARIAN

SPECIAL Ms P. Mwatsiya 12033 pmwatsiya@uzlib.uz.ac.zw

COLLECTIONS
LIBRARIAN

VET SCIENCE Ms S. Tazibona 19048 ibongitaz@gmail.com

LIBRARIAN

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