Ask a Librarian: Returning Library Material

Library material can be returned on or before the due date of the loan period in the following ways : 

• in person at a Regional Branch Library or at a Partner Library,
• by post, or
• by courier.

Please note :

• Students are liable for the cost of returning Library material by courier or by post (SAPO)
• Library material may be returned in person at any of the following Regional Branch Libraries: Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, East London, Ekurhuleni, Ethiopia, Florida, Johannesburg, Nelspruit, Pietermaritzburg, Polokwane, Rustenburg, or Sunnyside. The Branch Libraries will then return the items to the Pretoria Library on your behalf free of charge
• Alternatively, Library material may be also returned in person at one of the following Partner Libraries
• When you return Library material in person, you must get a receipt that you keep as proof of return
• Return library material in strong, secure packages to avoid damage or loss in transit
• When returning assistive devices,please return the device in its original packaging and ensure that all the contents are safely included and returned

Postal address for returning material:

Request Services, Unisa Library
PO Box 392
UNISA, 0003

Important to Note :

Damaged or lost Library material is replaced at the student’s or staff member's cost.

If you have any unreturned Library material or an unpaid Library fine against your account, you will:

• be temporarily blocked from accessing the Library’s various electronic resources
• may have your examination results withheld
• may not be able to register for the next semester or academic year of study

Pay close attention to any reminders or messages from the Library.

Students who cancel one or more of their courses must return all library material for the relevant courses without delay.

Students who are obliged to suspend their studies due to ill health or other circumstances should immediately return all library material in their possession.

The material may be requested again after re-registration.

Note: Library fines are subject to change.

The amounts for Library fines are as follows:

Overdue items: R5.00 per day per item.

Lost items: The Library prefers the student to provide a replacement copy in good condition, or, to pay the replacement cost of R1066.00  depending on the actual cost of the item. If the item costs more than R1066.00, then the student is liable for the exact amount of the replacement cost and the cost of delivering the item to the Library if the student cannot come in person.

Damaged items: If the item is repairable, then binding costs will be levied. If the item is not repairable, the Library prefers the student to provide a replacement copy in good condition, or, to pay the replacement cost of R1066.00  depending on the actual cost of the item. If the item costs more than R1066.00, then the student is liable for the exact amount of the replacement cost and the cost of delivering the item to the Library if the student cannot come in person.

A comprehensive list of courier service points is available on the Library's home page. At the bottom of the page, click Library services and then Lending services. Under Delivery of requested material click the down arrow next to Courier services.

An additional note about courier services: A courier service provided by a private company, for a fee, is available between the Main Library in Pretoria and the branch libraries in Akaki campus - Ethiopia, Cape Town, Durban, Polokwane, the Regional offices in Bloemfontein, East London, Kimberley, Mthatha and Nelspruit, the Morula Community Library in Mabopane, the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (South Campus) Port Elizabeth and the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (Vista Campus) Port Elizabeth.

A courier service is also available between Muckleneuk (Pretoria, Main campus) Library and centres in, Zimbabwe, Mauritius, Botswana and Swaziland.

A courier service is also available at various registration points in Namibia.

For more information on the above, see the Courier services section under Delivery of requested material, on the Lending services section.

All Library material must be returned immediately after the examinations, regardless of further study plans and / or expiry dates.

The examination results of students who fail to return library material by the due date will be withheld until the material has been received or until the replacement cost of each item as well as all outstanding administrative costs have been paid in full. Re-registration will also be prevented.

Students who qualify for supplementary or aegrotat examinations will be notified to this effect in a letter from the University. These students should submit a copy of this letter to the Main Library or the relevant branch library so that their membership can be extended until after the examinations.

Please inform the Library immediately if an item is damaged or lost. Damage includes marking, underlining and making notes in an item.

The student has to pay the replacement cost or supply the Library with a new copy if library material is damaged or lost.

If the Library is not immediately notified about the damage to or loss of an item, an account for the standard item price will be posted to the student. See Fines and Payments for more information.

The student will not be allowed to borrow any other library material until this account has been paid or the item has been replaced. 

Students may use the Library catalogue to check which items have been issued to them. Log in onto your myLibrary (https://oasis.unisa.ac.za/patroninfo) and check the items out on your name