LibrariesOnline.
  • Home
  • About
  • Services
    • Borrow Books
    • Check Your Details
    • Fines and Payments
    • Renew Books
  • Electronic Services
    • Overdrive
    • Britannica
    • Educational Resources
    • Sabinet
  • Contact Us
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Log Out

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What are your Library Hours?

    All libraries

    Mondays to Fridays 10:00 – 16:15

    Saturdays closed

    Sundays & Public Holidays closed

  • Are you closed during load shedding?

    All libraries

    Yes

  • What are your members fees?

    Community libraries

    0 - 11 years (Free of charge)

    12 - 99 years (R48-00)

    Reference & Research Section

    There are no fees applicable to use reference material, but identification must be provided (ID / student card / driver's license)

  • What are your members' fees for external members living outside Bloemfontein?

    Community libraries

    R128 per person (juvenile, teenagers and pensioners)

    Reference & Research Section

    There are no fees applicable to use reference material, but identification must be provided (ID / student card / driver's license)

  • Do I pay for a lost card and how much?

    Community libraries

    Yes, and the replacement fee is R21-00.

    Reference & Research Section

    No, because this section does not issue out library cards.

  • What do I need for a new membership application?

    Community libraries

    ID Book or Passport or Birth Certificate

    Official proof of physical address not older than 3 months

    All applicants must be present for photos

    Reference & Research Section

    Nothing is needed, as one does not need to be a member too make use of this section's services.

  • Is there a waiting period?

    Community libraries

    Yes, 2 days or 48 hours

    Reference & Research Section

    Not applicable

  • Why does a patron have to wait two days for a new membership card?

    Community libraries

    To verify patron information and to prepare the membership card.

    Reference & Research Section

    Not applicable

  • How many books may I borrow?

    Community libraries

    20 books

    Reference & Research Section

    No books or any other material are allowed to be borrowed from this section. All material must be used in the section only.

  • May I borrow CD's and Magazines at your Library?

    Community libraries

    Yes, 4 magazines and 2 CDs for adults and pensioners and 4 magazines and 1 cd for teenagers. (I.e. you may take out 14 books plus 4 magazines plus 2 cd's)

    Reference & Research Section

    This section has study books, handbooks, encyclopedias, newspapers, journals, government gazettes, provincial gazettes, government publications, law reports, and other non-fiction that may only be used in the section.

  • May an adult or teenager take out large prints?

    Community libraries

    No, only pensioners 60 years and older and visually impaired members with a Dr's letter.

    Reference & Research Section

    Not applicable

  • May an adult or pensioner take out children's books?

    Community libraries

    Yes, 6 children's books can be issued.

    Reference & Research Section

    Not applicable

  • Can a visitor take out books and at what cost?

    Community libraries

    Yes, R128 per person. Have to fill in all the necessary applications forms, and documentation needed. No temporary cards will be issued.

    Reference & Research Section

    Not applicable

  • How many days after the due date do, I get a fine and how much?

    Community libraries

    The system gives you two days grace to bring back your books and calculate the fine from the due date until return of books. The fine is R1 per book per day from the due date.

    Reference & Research Section

    Not applicable

  • Can I take books out with an outstanding fine?

    Community libraries

    If a member's fine is more than R20-00 no books can be issued.

    Reference & Research Section

    Not applicable

  • Can I make a down payment on outstanding fines?

    Community libraries

    Yes, but if the fines stay more than R20-00 no books can be issued.

    Reference & Research Section

    Not applicable

  • Do I pay to reserve a book in your Library and at what cost?

    Community libraries

    Yes, R32 per book (children included)

    Reference & Research Section

    If a certain handbook is not available in the Reference and Research Section, it may be borrowed via Inter Library loans. If the book is available at one of the Reciprocal Libraries, e.g. CUT, UOFS, Provincial Library, Educational Library, etc., it is free of charge, but if it is at another library in another province, the fee is R80.00.

  • Can I reserve a book from other Public Branch Libraries in Bloemfontein and at what cost?

    All libraries

    Yes, it is free of charge.

  • Can I return books to any other Library than the one from which I borrowed them?

    All libraries

    No

  • How long is the loan period for books?

    Community libraries

    30 days for adults, teenagers and juveniles and 30 days for pensioners and 30 days for external members. The books can be extended for another 14 days but not longer than 45 days. (exceptional circumstances for example going on holiday)

    Reference & Research Section

    Not applicable

  • Can I renew my books telephonically?

    Community libraries

    Yes, for an extra two weeks.

    Reference & Research Section

    Not applicable

  • How many times may I renew my books telephonically?

    Community libraries

    Twice

    Reference & Research Section

    Not applicable

  • Do I pay for damage or lost material?

    Community libraries

    The borrower is responsible for all items issued on his/her card. Parents will be held responsible for the material issued to their children.

    Reference & Research Section

    Not applicable

  • Can I take books out if I have an unpaid damage or lost book on my card?

    Community libraries

    No books can be issued until lost or damaged books is fully paid.

    Reference & Research Section

    Not applicable

  • Can the toys in the Toy Library be borrowed?

    Community libraries

    No

    Reference & Research Section

    Not applicable

  • Can you keep a book for me?

    Community libraries

    Yes, but it must be collected within 3 days.

    Reference & Research Section

    When a patron / student is using a book and wishes to use it again for a few days, the book can be kept in a cupboard behind the enquiry desk with the patron's name and telephone number for easy access when the patron / student comes in to use it again.

  • Do you have recent UNISA books at your Library?

    Community libraries

    No, unfortunately you must contact the Adelaide Tambo Library, Reference & Research Section for the latest issues.

    Reference & Research Section

    The Reference & Research Section does not have all the UNISA study handbooks available, but a UNISA student can order the required handbook through his student profile on the UNISA website, after which UNISA will courier the handbook to the Reference section free of charge. The book can only be collected and returned at the Reference & research Section. Additional information about UNISA's rules: Students may borrow books for 21 days / 3 weeks. 8 Items may be borrowed. Post-grad students may borrow 16 items. A student may request 3 extensions / renewals. Renewals are for an additional week. Renewal requests will be declined when: 1) a student has too many renewals, 2) the student owes money, or 3) there is a hold on the book. Fines are R5 per day. Students should allow for 3 weeks for the courier service from Pretoria. They must request the books 2 months in advance. Students must follow up with the Post Office. The book will be returned to Pretoria after 3 months, if the book is not picked up at the Post Office. Even if the student does not collect the book, he will still be penalized. Students can only request books that says: Pretoria Study Collection - Postal Coll Request only Not: Pretoria Campus Tutorial Collection

  • Do you make photocopies and prints and what is the cost?

    All libraries

    Photocopy and printing facilities are available at certain libraries.

  • Can you scan or fax documents?

    All libraries

    No

  • Do you have Internet access and WIFI and what is the cost?

    All libraries

    Yes, free access to Internet. Students / patrons are allowed 1 hour par day on the computers. No social media (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, downloading of video's are allowed). Only pay for the printouts. WiFi is also available to all registered patrons of the Adelaide Tambo libraries.

  • Do you have study areas for students?

    All libraries

    Yes, all libraries have designated study areas and in the Reference and Research Section there is a Downstairs and Upstairs section with cubicles where the students can study with power outlets at each cubicle to charge laptops, etc.

  • Can I buy the Libraries books?

    All libraries

    No, under no circumstances.

  • Do you have a Library hall for hiring and at what cost?

    Community libraries

    Yes, the hall can be leased during office-hours only. No parties, political and religious gatherings. R594 in the mornings and R594 in the afternoons.

    Answer - Reference & Research section

    This section does not have a hall or separate space for group discussions.

  • Do you have other languages in you Library?

    All libraries

    Yes, we have Sotho, Tswana and Xhosa books for Adults and Children.

  • Do you have a Reference section?

    All libraries

    Yes, for inhouse use only.

  • Can books be donated to the Library?

    All libraries

    We accept donated material, but it remains the prerogative of the Library and Information Service whether donated material will be added into the library collection.

  • Do you have an Information desk at your Library?

    All libraries

    Yes

  • Do you provide information for school projects? Who can use the library for assignments / research?

    All libraries

    Yes, but we do not compile and type the project. Everybody is welcome to come and do research for assignments in the Research and Reference Section. There are librarians who are able to assist with study / handbooks and also to give assistance on the computers in the computer lab. The Reference Librarian can also assist students with information for assignments and can be contacted at michelle.botha@mangaung.co.za

  • Is it possible to inquire about books or reference questions via email, letter of telephonically?

    All libraries

    Yes

  • Do you have computers available for typing?

    All libraries

    Yes. Students / patrons are allowed 1 hour per day on the computers at the Adelaide Tambo Library and 2 hours at branch libraries.

  • Do you have a notice board and what is cost?

    Community libraries

    Yes, free of charge.

    Reference & Research Section

    No

  • Do you have a drop box for returning books after hours?

    All libraries

    No

  • Do you have tape aids for the blind?

    Community libraries

    No

    Reference & Research Section

    The Reference & Research Section has a Computer for the Blind / partially sighted facility which is housed in a separate room. It has a computer with software for blind and partially sighted patrons, as well as a scanner which reads books.

  • Do you have a suggestion box for new books?

    All libraries

    Yes

  • Do you receive new books at your Library?

    All libraries

    Yes

© Copyright Department of SACR. All Rights Reserved
Designed by BootstrapMade