Carnegie Research Commons
Carnegie Research Commons
The main aim of the Research Commons is to enhance the Library's contribution to postgraduate throughput and research output by providing an environment conducive to research, and offering services which directly support research endeavours of postgraduate students and researchers.
The facility is reserved for students at masters and doctoral level as well as academic staff and researchers of Stellenbosch University by means of controlled access. You will need a Stellenbosch University student/staff card to gain access to the Carnegie Research Commons.
Opening hours
The library's opening hours are adjusted according to the requirements of the academic year.
Where to find us
Stellenbosch University Library, lower level
Contact us
Services
- Dedicated research support
- Access to electronic resources
- Personalised assistance by skilled librarians
- Faculty librarian services for subject-specific assistance and guidance
- Continuous consultation and collaboration opportunities with cognate partners for expert research support
- Workshops and seminars to enhance academic writing and research techniques
- Research discourse activities
Staff and assistance
Send us any suggestions and comments about the Research Commons.
Equipment and facilities
- 32 individual computer workstations
- Printing, photocopying and scanning facilities. Click for Printing information on how to print from the library's computers or your laptop, as well as how to manage your printing account.
- Wireless internet connection. Click for Student/Staff guide to RegisterMe!
- Reading material, including reference works and brochures
- Lockers
Spaces
- Four seminar rooms for group discussions and meetings, writing boards, digital screens. Click Room bookings for more detail.
- Work areas for laptop users
- Lounge area
Background and funding
The momentum for the creation of the Research Commons was set-off by funding from the Carnegie Corporation of New York (CCNY). CCNY funded the Research Libraries Consortium in South Africa. There were three different components in the Consortium which included the development of specialised facilities (the physical construction of a Research Commons), shared technologies and highly-trained professional librarians. Each of these components was considered significant in growing a new core group of researchers in South Africa.
The University recognised the potential of a highly sophisticated postgraduate research environment supporting its mission of increasing postgraduate throughput and research output by contributing more than eighty percent of the funds for the construction of the Research Commons. This cutting-edge and stimulating environment is supported by the development of a core group of skilled research librarians, as well as improved access to information resources via the search function, Library Search.