CHELSA member guide

​Qualifying institutions

All universities that are members of the Committee of Higher Education Libraries of South Africa (CHELSA).

A CHELSA letter of Introduction from the home library and appropriate identification are required for access and borrowing privileges for academic and research staff and Masters and Doctoral students. This does not include permission to use the library for study purposes.

Access

All libraries of the Library and Information Service are accessible free of charge subject to positive identification with a valid identification document (photo identification is essential). Food and beverages are not allowed. Water from spill-proof containers only. See Library hours.

Borrowing privileges

  • Number of loans: 6 items
  • Borrowing period: 14 days per item
  • Renewals: 2 per item (within maximum renewal period of 42 days) unless someone else has requested it. Renew online or ask a staff me​​mber.
    In person, enquire at Client Service at the SU Library or the lending desk of any of the branch libraries.
  • Returns: To Client Service at the SU Library or the lending desk of any of the branch libraries. It is possible to return books by putting them in the drop boxes at the libraries’ entrances.
  • Fines and payments - Only SnapScan and EFT payments are accepted
    Overdue items: R2.00 per item per day
    Fine limit: R30.00 (borrowing privileges will be suspended when this limit has been exceeded)
    Lost/damaged books: Replacement value payable to the Library and Information Service
  • Reserving books currently on loan: Free and unlimited. Reserve online or ask a staff me​​mber.
    In person, enquire at Client Service at the SU Library or the lending desk of any of the branch libraries.
  • Material available to borrow: All items marked "Loanable"

Services

Finding books, articles and other information resources

Do a Library Search on the library homepage or choose Databases or E-journals from the FIND menu. 

Guidelines are available at Find, access and use information effectively: a step by step guide. See Find information.
 

 

Services restricted to SU staff and registered students

  • Short loans
  • Interlibrary loans
  • Due to licensing agreements, access to some electronic resources is restricted to currently registered students and staff members of Stellenbosch University

Other services

CHELSA members are able to print, copy or scan at Maties Copy and Print Shop that is situated in the Neelsie Student Centre.
CHELSA members may have internet access from their own devices with wireless access.
Internet via the Eduroam world-wide Wi-Fi roaming access service for the international research and education community, are accessible for visiting students, researchers and staff from participating institutions.