University of South Africa (UNISA) Library FAQs

Go to Branch Locator for a list of Branch Libraries

Go to Branch Locator for a list of Branch Libraries

Membership of the library begins with registration for the current academic year and it automatically expires soon after completion of the final examination of the same year. If you are not a registered student, you may apply for other membership categories

• Community Members
• Diverse users and donors
• Lectures of other South African universities / universities of technology
• Master’s and Doctoral students of other South African universities / universities of technology
• Prospective honours, master’s and doctoral students of Unisa
• Unisa Retired staff
• Unisa Master’s and Doctoral graduates (at a fee cost)
• Unisa External Markers, Supervisors and Translators, Temporary staff members, Unisa Tutors and Guest Lecturers, Professors Extraordinarius, Affiliated Lectures

Any queries? Contact us: +27 12 429 3133

Students who visit the Unisa Libraries in person need to purchase a Library access card at a cost of R45.00. This card must be presented to gain admission to the Library. Students have to present their Student cards when they purchase a Library admission card.

Unisa registered students purchase a library card for R45.00 Special members can enquire at the Library regarding special membership packages. Visitors can pay R50.00 for a day visit; this does not include photocopying or borrowing of books.

Report the missing card to the Library immediately to block the use of the lost card.

In order to search the electronic information resources and the library’s catalogue, off-campus users need to: Log into the Library catalogue via https://oasis.unisa.ac.za using your student number and myUnisa password and search the Catalogue or Encore Quick Search to find electronic resources or use the online services. The guidelines document makes recommendations about the hardware and software required to access electronic resources. Please note that the configurations of individual computers, mobile phones and / or Internet browsers may affect the ability to access resources and it is your choice whether you save any recommended changes once you have finished searching.

Yes, depending on the Branch you are visiting

• All registered Unisa students may borrow library material. The borrowing of library material is subject to the Library’s lending regulations
• Students may use the Library system to check which items have been issued to them by visiting the Library’s webpage and logging into MyLibrary

• Search for it in the catalogue to establish if the Library has it
• If the Library has it in the Catalogue, search on the shelves
• Ask a librarian to assist you
• Attend library training sessions to acquire library skills

• In person – You create a Library PIN at the library and self-issue at the Self Check-out machine desk (you can ask for assistance at the Information desk)
• Electronically / Online – Access the library catalogue and Request a library item by clicking the purple tick icon; you need to use your myUnisa username and password to authenticate yourself
• Fax a completed request card to the Muckleneuk library +27 012 429 8128
• On the Mobile Bus: You can bring your paper student card and ID or driver’s licence to present to Library staff to take out books
• Attend library training at the Branches to acquire skills

• Undergraduates: 8 items
• Postgraduates: 16 items, including audio-visual
• Undergraduate music students: 12 items
• Postgraduate music students: 20 items
• Other membership categories: 8 items

Yes, but some of them can only be used for short loans in the library, usually for 2 hours only

Ask any librarian to help you

No. Material may be sent to students who live in South Africa by Post Office or by courier to a collection point, a community centre or regional office with which the University has an agreement

Material is sent by airmail only to students who live outside South Africa

The Unisa administration must be informed as soon as possible. You can change your personal information by visiting myUnisa.

Yes. Some material may only be consulted in the Library. These include periodicals, archival material and items in special collections, art colour slides, reference works such as encyclopaedias, dictionaries, yearbooks, law reports and any other items as determined by the Library. Photocopies of publications that may not be borrowed are obtainable on request.

If the item requested is available in the library, it will take 3 weeks depending on the method of despatch used

Yes, you can submit your ILL request to: libr-ill@unisa.ac.za This service is limited to Unisa staff and registered Masters’ and Doctoral students