Dear students and staff

The announcement on Sunday, February 28 by President Cyril Ramaphosa of the national move from Lockdown Level 3 to Level 1 has the following implications for UCT Libraries and its services. I wish to reassure you that every effort is made to adapt our thinking and efforts towards the way we access the Libraries as a study and workplace so that no person, service or place is compromised.

• The network of UCT Libraries across campuses and faculties will re-open as self-study spaces
  Strict access controls and protocols have been put into place for access to limited self-study spaces (max. 100 people) available in designated area. The number of users will be capped as per national (100) and institutional regulations (50). 24/7 facilities will not be available due to the current curfew limitations. To enter the library, please produce your student/staff card and the result of your UCT Daily Health Screening App.
• Commencement date Monday, 08 March 2021
• Library hours
  • Mon-Fri, 09:00-15:00 (COLC, BMHSL, Law)
  • Mon, Wed, Fri, 09:00-15:00 (Music, Hiddingh, EBE, ICH except Bolus)
• Borrowing of library materials will continue to be facilitated by the online request-pick up-go method
  • Materials may be collected from the designated sites at agreed times (COLC, BMHSL, Law, Music, Hiddingh, BEL, ICH, Burnage)
  • Extended loan periods with automatic renewals will continue to apply
• Request, scan and email will continue as part of the virtual services with greater access to physical materials and collections, which were previously not accessed such as those located in off-site storage sites
  • This will also apply to ILL however there will be no posting of books
• Returning library materials
  All library materials may be returned at the central drop-off point at CPS Burnage and/or book drop boxes located at all library sites. No borrowed material may be returned as an in-person transaction to the Libraries
• Quarantining of returned materials
  All returned materials are collected from the book drop boxes and transferred to a central fumigation room where they undergo a decontamination process and held for 72 hours before being processed for return to the shelves
• Staffing
  The Libraries will continue to be staffed by small core teams according to a roster as determined for the services currently on offer
• Special Collections
  • Working hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 09:00-15:00
  • Scan and email service to continue with reasonable access to materials from the African Studies collections and Primary collections for use in the COLC by prior arrangement via email (24-48 hours notice for materials held in the Jagger building but a longer lead time for materials held in off-site storage).
  • Staffing – a core group of Special Collections staff will locate and prepare requested materials for use on site and ensure the application of quarantine protocols for materials after use.  
• Limitations
  • Short loan service is suspended at this stage, due to frequency of use, handling and quarantine considerations.
  • General browsing of the physical collections will not be permitted. Users are encouraged to virtually browse the catalogue online and/or work in consultation with a librarian.

Our joint responsibility is to continue being aware of our movements, engagements and use of spaces so that the spread of COVID-19 is minimised

• Wear a mask at all times
• Maintain a physical distance of at least 1.5m from others
• Wash and/or sanitise your hands regularly
• Maintain a sanitised personal workplace as the CCS will only be responsible for common areas.

UCT Libraries will continue responding appropriately and responsibly to the prevailing conditions and circumstances to ensure the well-being of both our staff and users.

Best regards

Ujala Satgoor

Executive Director: UCT Libraries
5 March 2021