UCT Libraries suffered a devastating fire on Sunday 18 April 2021. We are still assessing the damage and loss.
Please note that the library holdings for Special Collections (African Studies Library, Government Publications, Rare Books and Manuscripts) may no longer be accurate.
Please note that the library holdings for Special Collections (African Studies Library, Government Publications, Rare Books and Manuscripts) may no longer be accurate.
Location Symbols are the letters preceding the numbers on Library materials’ Shelf Numbers. These symbols stand for specific Branch Libraries, Collections, and sometimes the format of the material as well.
| Symbol | Collection | Location |
|---|---|---|
| B | RARE BOOK COLLECTION | Rare Books & Special Collections |
| BA | AFRICAN STUDIES | African Studies |
| BAA | AFRICAN STUDIES AFRICANA | African Studies |
| BAAP | AFRICANA PAMPHLET COLLECTION | African Studies |
| BAL | BALLOT COLLECTION | Rare Books & Special Collections |
| BAO | AFRICAN STUDIES OUTSIZE BOOKS | African Studies |
| BAP | AFRICAN STUDIES PAMPHLET COLLECTION | African Studies |
| BBL | BLEEK COLLECTION | Rare Books & Special Collections |
| BBZCD | SPECIAL COLLECTIONS ELECTRONIC FORMAT | Rare Books & Special Collections |
| BC | MANUSCRIPTS | Manuscripts & Archives |
| BCZA | MANUSCRIPTS MICROFILM | Manuscripts & Archives |
| BCZB | MANUSCRIPTS MICROFICHE | Manuscripts & Archives |
| BCZCD | MANUSCRIPTS ELECTRONIC FORMAT | Manuscripts & Archives |
| BCZD | MANUSCRIPTS 4 x 5 NEGATIVES | Manuscripts & Archives |
| BCZH | MANUSCRIPTS SLIDES | Manuscripts & Archives |
| BCZTC | MANUSCRIPTS TAPE CASSETTES | Manuscripts & Archives |
| BCZVT | MANUSCRIPTS VIDEOTAPE | Manuscripts & Archives |
| BDB | BOWLE-EVANS COLLECTION | Rare Books & Special Collections |
| BDC | MOSSOP CHINESE COLLECTION | Rare Books & Special Collections |
| BDD | JOHN DAVIDSON PHRENOLOGICAL COLLECTION | Rare Books & Special Collections |
| BDE | SA SPELAEOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION COLLECTION | Rare Books & Special Collections |
| BDG | CAMERON-SWAN SCOTTISH COLLECTION | Rare Books & Special Collections |
| BDJ | MACLEAN COLLECTION | Rare Books & Special Collections |
| BDK | KIPLING COLLECTION | Rare Books & Special Collections |
| BDM | MCGREGOR C20TH POETRY COLLECTION | Rare Books & Special Collections |
| BDR | RARE BOOKS & SPECIAL COLLECTIONS REFERENCE | Rare Books & Special Collections |
| BDW | WILLIS NAVAL & AERONAUTICAL COLLECTION | Rare Books & Special Collections |
| BJ | HISTORICAL CHILDREN’S LITERATURE COLLECTION | Rare Books & Special Collections |
| BJA | SOUTH AFRICAN CHILDREN’S LITERATURE COLLECTION | Rare Books & Special Collections |
| BM | AFRICAN STUDIES MAPS | African Studies |
| BR | AFRICAN STUDIES REFERENCE | African Studies |
| BRB | AFRICAN STUDIES BIBLIOGRAPHIES | African Studies |
| BRP | AFRICAN STUDIES REFERENCE PAMPHLETS | African Studies |
| BSF | SPECULATIVE FICTION | Chancellor Oppenheimer Library, Research Wing, Level 6 |
| BU | UCT STAFF PUBLICATIONS | Manuscripts & Archives |
| BUT | UCT ARCHIVAL THESIS | Off-campus Store |
| BUZB | UCT THESES ON MICROFICHE | African Studies |
| BUZD | MANUSCRIPTS UCT PUBLICATIONS NEGATIVES (STRIPS) | Manuscripts & Archives |
| BUZE | MANUSCRIPTS UCT PUBLICATIONS NEGATIVES (ROLLS) | Manuscripts & Archives |
| BUZVT | UCT STAFF PUBLICATION (VIDEO) | Manuscripts & Archives |
| BZA | AFRICAN STUDIES MICROFILM | African Studies Library |
| BZB | AFRICAN STUDIES MICROFICHE | African Studies Library |
| BZCD | AFRICAN STUDIES ELECTRONIC FORMAT | African Studies |
| BZD | MANUSCRIPTS NEGATIVES (STRIPS) | African Studies |
| BZDV | AFRICAN STUDIES DVD | African Studies |
| BZE | MANUSCRIPTS NEGATIVES (ROLL) | Manuscripts & Archives |
| BZG | MANUSCRIPTS 16 MM. FILMS | Manuscripts & Archives |
| BZH | AFRICAN STUDIES SLIDES | African Studies |
| BZM | AFRICAN STUDIES MAPS | African Studies |
| BZN | AFRICAN STUDIES COMPUTER SOFTWARE | African Studies |
| BZTC | AFRICAN STUDIES TAPE CASSETTE | African Studies |
| BZVT | AFRICAN STUDIES VIDEOTAPE | African Studies |
| BZW | AFRICAN STUDIES POSTERS | African Studies |
| BZX | AFRICAN STUDIES GRAMMOPHONE RECORD | African Studies |
| BZZ | AFRICAN STUDIES KIT | African Studies |
| CC | CRAWFORD COLLECTION | Chancellor Oppenheimer Library Basement |
| CR | REFERENCE | Main Level, Chancellor Oppenheimer Library |
| CRZCD | COMMERCE ELECTRONIC FORMATS | Loans Desk, Chancellor Oppenheimer Library |
| CRZN | COMMERCE COMPUTER SOFTWARE | Loans Desk, Chancellor Oppenheimer Library |
| DA | BUILT ENVIRONMENT LIBRARY | Built Environment Library |
| DAB | BUILT ENVIRONMENT RARE BOOKS | Built Environment Library |
| DAPAM | ARCHITECTURE/BUILDING PAMPHLETS | Built Environment Library |
| DAR | ARCHITECTURE LIBRARY REFERENCE | Built Environment Library |
| DART | BUILT ENVIRONMENT TECHNICAL REF. MATERIAL | Built Environment Library |
| DAT | BUILT ENVIRONMENT THESES | Built Environment Library |
| DAZA | BUILT ENVIRONMENT MICROFILM | Built Environment Library |
| DAZB | BUILT ENVIRONMENT MICROFICHE | Built Environment Library |
| DAZCD | BUILT ENVIRONMENT ELECTRONIC FORMAT | Built Environment Library |
| DAZD | BUILT ENVIRONMENT 4 X 5 NEGATIVES | Built Environment Library |
| DAZH | BUILT ENVIRONMENT SLIDES | Built Environment Library |
| DAZM | ARCHITECTURE MAPS | Built Environment Library |
| DAZN | BUILT ENVIRONMENT COMPUTER SOFTWARE | Built Environment Library |
| DAZTC | BUILT ENVIRONMENT TAPE CASSETTE | Built Environment Library |
| DAZVT | BUILT ENVIRONMENT VIDEOTAPE | Built Environment Library |
| DAZZ | BUILT ENVIRONMENT KITS | Built Environment Library |
| DH | LAW LIBRARY | Law Library |
| DHG | GILFILLAN COLLECTION | Law Library |
| DHR | LAW REFERENCE | Law Library |
| DHT | LAW THESES | Law Library |
| DHZ | VAN ZYL COLLECTION | Law Library |
| DHZCD | LAW ELECTRONIC FORMAT | Law Library |
| DS | Obsolete symbol. (Ignore symbol and just use class number to locate material.) | Chancellor Oppenheimer Library |
| DSL | SCI-TECH LEISURE READING | Chancellor Oppenheimer Library, Undergraduate Wing, Upper Level |
| DSR | REFERENCE | Main Level, Chancellor Oppenheimer Library |
| DST | SCIENCE & ENGINEERING THESIS | Chancellor Oppenheimer Library, Research Wing, Upper Level |
| DSRZCD | SCIENCE & ENGINEERING: ELECTRONIC FORMATS | Loans Desk |
| DSZA | SCIENCE & ENGINEERING MICROFILM | Upper Level North, Chancellor Oppenheimer Library |
| DSZB | SCIENCE & ENGINEERING MICROFICHE | Upper Level North, Chancellor Oppenheimer Library |
| DSZH | SCIENCE & ENGINEERING SLIDES | Chancellor Oppenheimer Library |
| DSZM | SCIENCE & ENGINEERING POSTERS | Chancellor Oppenheimer Library |
| DSZN | SCIENCE & ENGINEERING COMPUTER SOFTWARE | Loans Desk |
| DSZX | SCIENCE & ENGINEERING GRAMAPHONE RECORD | Chancellor Oppenheimer Library |
| DSZZ | SCIENCE & ENGINEERING KIT | Upper Level North, Chancellor Oppenheimer Library |
| EA | CAPE TOWN DIOCESAN LIBRARY | Rare Books & Special Collections |
| EJ | JEWISH STUDIES | Chancellor Oppenheimer Library |
| EJR | JEWISH STUDIES REFERENCE | Chancellor Oppenheimer Library |
| EJZA | JEWISH STUDIES MICROFILM | Chancellor Oppenheimer Library |
| EJZB | JEWISH STUDIES MICROFICHE | Chancellor Oppenheimer Library |
| EJZCD | JEWISH STUDIES ELECTRONIC FORMAT | Chancellor Oppenheimer Library |
| EJZTC | JEWISH STUDIES TAPE CASETTES | Chancellor Oppenheimer Library |
| G | GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS | Government Publications Dept. |
| GR | GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS REFERENCE | Government Publications Dept. |
| GZA | GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS MICROFILM | Government Publications Dept. |
| GZB | GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS MICROFICHE | Government Publications Dept. |
| GZCD | GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS ELECTRONIC FORMATS | Government Publications Dept. |
| GZM | GOVERNMENT PUBS MAPS | Government Publications Dept. |
| GZN | GOVERNMENT PUBS COMPUTER SOFTWARE | Government Publications Dept. |
| GZVT | GOVERNMENT PUBS VIDEOTAPE | Government Publications Dept. |
| GZW | GOVERNMENT PUBS POSTERS | Government Publications Dept. |
| H | HIDDINGH HALL LIBRARY | Hiddingh Hall Library |
| HL | HIDDINGH HALL LIBRARY GLASS CASE (DONATION) | Hiddingh Hall Library |
| HO | HIDDINGH HALL OUTSIZE BOOKS | Hiddingh Hall Library |
| HR | HIDDINGH HALL REFERENCE | Hiddingh Hall Library |
| HSA | HIDDINGH HALL AFRICANA | Hiddingh Hall Library |
| HT | HIDDINGH HALL THESES | Hiddingh Hall Library |
| HZA | HIDDINGH HALL MICROFILM | Hiddingh Hall Library |
| HZB | HIDDINGH HALL MICROFICHE | Hiddingh Hall Library |
| HZCD | HHL ELECTRONIC FORMAT | Hiddingh Hall Library |
| HZD | HIDDINGH HALL 4 x 5 NEGATIVES | Hiddingh Hall Library |
| HZDV | HIDDINGH DIGITAL VIDEO DISK (DVD) | Hiddingh Hall Library |
| HZTC | HIDDINGH TAPE CASSETTE | Hiddingh Hall Library |
| HZVT | HIDDINGH HALL VIDEOTAPE | Hiddingh Hall Library |
| HZX | HIDDINGH HALL GRAMOPHONE RECORDS | Hiddingh Hall Library |
| HZZ | HIDDINGH HALL KITS | Hiddingh Hall Library |
| K | BOLUS HERBARIUM LIBRARY | Bolus Herbarium Library |
| KR | BOLUS HERBARIUM LIBRARY REFERENCE | Bolus Herbarium Library |
| KRB | BOLUS HERBARIUM LIBRARY RARE BOOK ROOM | Bolus Herbarium Library |
| KZA | BOLUS HERBARIUM LIBRARY MICROFILM | Bolus Herbarium Library |
| KZB | BOLUS HERBARIUM LIBRARY MICROFICHE | Bolus Herbarium Library |
| KZCD | BOLUS HERBARIUM LIBRARY ELECTRONIC FORMAT | Bolus Herbarium Library |
| L | Obsolete symbol. Ignore symbol and just use class number to locate material. | Chancellor Oppenheimer Library |
| LOEB | LOEB COLLECTION. NOT FOR LOAN | Chancellor Oppenheimer Library |
| M | HEALTH SCIENCES LIBRARY | Health Sciences Library |
| MH | HEALTH SCIENCES HISTORY COLLECTION | Health Sciences Library |
| MHA | HEALTH SCIENCES AFRICANA COLLECTION | Health Sciences Library |
| MHB | HEALTH SCIENCES RARE BOOK COLLECTION | Health Sciences Library |
| MHPAM | HEALTH SCIENCES HISTORY COLLECTION PAMPHLETS | Health Sciences Library |
| MPAM | HEALTH SCIENCES PAMPHLETS | Health Sciences Library |
| MR | HEALTH SCIENCES REFERENCE | Health Sciences Library |
| MSLC | HEALTH SCIENCES: SHORT LOAN | Health Sciences Library |
| MT | HEALTH SCIENCES THESES | Health Sciences Library |
| MU | HEALTH SCIENCES STAFF PUBLICATIONS | Health Sciences Library |
| MX | INSTITUTE OF CHILD HEALTH | Institute of Child Health Library |
| MXR | INSTITUTE OF CHILD HEALTH REFERENCE COLLECTION | Institute of Child Health Library |
| MXZB | INSTITUTE OF CHILD HEALTH MICROFICHE | Institute of Child Health Library |
| MXZCD | INSTITUTE OF CHILD HEALTH ELECTRONIC FORMATS | Institute of Child Health Library |
| MXZH | INSTITUTE OF CHILD HEALTH SLIDES | Institute of Child Health Library |
| MXZVT | INSTITUTE OF CHILD HEALTH VIDEOTAPES | Institute of Child Health Library |
| MXZZ | INSTITUTE OF CHILD HEALTH KITS | Institute of Child Health Library |
| MZB | HEALTH SCIENCES MICROFICHE | Health Sciences Library |
| MZCD | HEALTH SCIENCES ELECTRONIC FORMATS | Health Sciences Library |
| MZH | HEALTH SCIENCES SLIDES | Health Sciences Library |
| MZN | HEALTH SCIENCES COMPUTER SOFTWARE | Health Sciences Library |
| MZTC | HEALTH SCIENCES TAPE CASSETTE | Health Sciences Library |
| MZVT | HEALTH SCIENCES VIDEOTAPES | Health Sciences Library |
| MZZ | HEALTH SCIENCES KITS | Health Sciences Library |
| OS | CHANCELLOR OPPENHEIMER LIBRARY | Chancellor Oppenheimer Library |
| R | REFERENCE | Main Level, Chancellor Oppenheimer Library |
| RK | KNOWLEDGE COMMONS | Knowledge Commons |
| RKZCD | KNOWLEDGE COMMONS ELECTRONIC FORMATS | Knowledge Commons |
| RP | HUMANITIES PAMPHLETS | Short Loans Centre, Chancellor Oppenheimer Library |
| RR | RECREATIONAL READING | Chancellor Oppenheimer Library (Upper Terrace) |
| RZA | HUMANITIES MICROFILM | Chancellor Oppenheimer Library |
| RZB | HUMANITIES MICROFICHE | Chancellor Oppenheimer Library |
| RZCD | ELECTRONIC FORMATS | Loans Desk, Chancellor Oppenheimer Library |
| RZDV | DIGITAL VIDEO DISC (DVD) | Loans Desk, Chancellor Oppenheimer Library |
| RZH | HUMANITIES SLIDES | Chancellor Oppenheimer Library |
| RZM | HUMANITIES MAPS | Chancellor Oppenheimer Library |
| RZN | HUMANITIES COMPUTER SOFTWARE | Loans Desk, Chancellor Oppenheimer Library |
| RZTC | HUMANITIES TAPE CASETTES | Chancellor Oppenheimer Library |
| RZVT | VIDEOTAPE | Short Loans Centre, Chancellor Oppenheimer Library |
| RZZ | HUMANITIES KITS | Chancellor Oppenheimer Library |
| SLC | SHORT LOANS CENTRE | Short Loans Centre, Chancellor Oppenheimer Library |
| SM | SMUTS MEMORIAL COLLECTION | Chancellor Oppenheimer Library |
| SMR | SMUTS MEMORIAL REFERENCE COLLECTION | Chancellor Oppenheimer Library |
| SMZCD | SMUTS MEMORIAL ELECTRONIC FORMAT | Chancellor Oppenheimer Library |
| T | MUSIC LIBRARY | Music Library |
| TA | MUSIC BOOKS SOUTH AFRICAN COLLECTION | Music Library |
| TB | MUSIC BOOKS RARE OR VALUABLE | Music Library |
| TJ | MUSIC JAZZ BOOKS | Music Library |
| TP | MUSIC SCORES | Music Library |
| TPA | MUSIC SCORES SOUTH AFRICAN COLLECTION | Music Library |
| TPB | MUSIC SCORES RARE OR VALUABLE | Music Library |
| TPJ | MUSIC SCORES JAZZ | Music Library |
| TPJS | MUSIC SCORES JAZZ STORE | Music Library |
| TPR | MUSIC REFERENCE SCORES | Music Library |
| TPS | MUSIC SCORES STORE | Music Library |
| TPW | MUSIC SCORES FOR TEACHING | Music Library |
| TPZ | MUSIC SCORES ELECTRONIC FORM | Music Library |
| TR | MUSIC REFERENCE BOOKS | Music Library |
| TT | MUSIC THESES | Music Library |
| TW | BOOKS ON MUSIC TEACHING | Music Library |
| TZA | MUSIC MICROFILMS | Music Library |
| TZCD | MUSIC COMPACT DISC | Music Library |
| TZCRM | MUSIC BOOKS ELECTRONIC FORMATS | Music Library |
| TZDV | MUSIC DIGITAL VIDEO DISK (DVD) | Music Library |
| TZT | MUSIC REEL-TO-REEL AUDIOTAPES | Music Library |
| TZTC | MUSIC TAPE CASSETTES | Music Library |
| TZVT | MUSIC VIDEOTAPE | Music Library |
| TZX | MUSIC GRAMOPHONE RECORDS | Music Library |
| UT | UCT THESIS | Chancellor Oppenheimer Library Research Wing, Upper Level |
| WH | Obsolete symbol. (Ignore symbol and just use class number to locate material.) | Chancellor Oppenheimer Library |
| WHJ | CLASSROOM COLLECTION | Chancellor Oppenheimer Library Research Wing, Level 6 |
| WHT | SCHOOL TEXT BOOKS | Chancellor Oppenheimer Library Research Wing, Level 6 |
| WHTH | UCT THESIS | Chancellor Oppenheimer Library Research Wing, Upper Level |
| WHU | UNESCO EDUCATION COLLECTION | Chancellor Oppenheimer Library |
| ZAQ | ACQUISITIONS PROFESSIONAL WORKS (NOT FOR LOAN) | Acquisitions Department |
| ZC | CATALOGUING PROFESSIONAL WORKS (NOT FOR LOAN) | Bibliographic Access Department |
| ZCZCD | CATALOGUING PROFESSIONAL WORKS ELECTRONIC FORMATS | Bibliographic Access Department |
| ZCZVT | CATALOGUING PROFESSIONAL WORKS VIDEO (NOT FOR LOAN) | Bibliographic Access Department |
| ZD | DIRECTOR’S OFFICE (NOT FOR LOAN) | Director’s Office |
| ZE | COMPUTERISATION PROFESSIONAL WORKS (NOT FOR LOAN) | Library IT Department |
| ZGP | GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS PROFESSIONAL WORKS (NOT FOR LOAN) | Government Publications Department |
| ZM | MANUSCRIPTS & ARCHIVES PROFESSIONAL WORKS (NOT FOR LOAN) | Manuscripts & Archives |
| ZMD | HEALTH SCIENCES LIBRARY PROFESSIONAL WORKS (NOT FOR LOAN) | Health Sciences Library |
| ZMZVT | MANUSCRIPTS & ARCHIVES PROFESSIONAL WORKS VIDEO (NOT FOR LOAN) | Manuscripts & Archives |
| ZR | RESTORATION PROFESSIONAL WORKS (NOT FOR LOAN) | Restoration Unit |