Library material is issued at the lending sections of the JS Gericke Library and the branch libraries.  Clients may also personally check out items at the self check-out unit on the upper level of the JS Gericke Library.

The lending privileges and the lending period are determined by the membership category and the type of material required.

Clients may check My Account at the top of the library website to determine how many items they have on loan.

Please note that library material may be recalled before the due date, and the normal loan period therefore shortened, should the material be urgently required.

A fine of 50c per item per day will be charged for overdue items. A receipt will be issued as validation of returned items.

Clients will be notified of overdue items by e-mail.

A daily shuttle service transports library material to and from the three University campuses, i.e. Stellenbosch, Bellville and Tygerberg.  Library material housed at any of the libraries on these campuses may be requested at the respective lending sections and will be delivered to the preferred library. The barcode of the item in question - as indicated on the library catalogue - must be supplied when submitting a request. Please note that material is not shuttled among libraries on the same campus.  Material available at another library on the same campus must be collected in person.

Library material neither on loan nor on the designated shelf should be reported to the lending section of the library concerned.  The staff will try to locate the missing item and report back to the client.  Missing items may be requested via interlibrary loans if it is urgently required.

Clients who do not return or renew borrowed items within six weeks of the due date will receive an account for the replacement cost of the items.  On receipt of the account, items should be returned immediately or the replacement cost paid at the lending section of the library concerned.  Lending privileges will be suspended until overdue books are returned.

Clients who have lost library material should report this to the library concerned immediately.  Clients will have the option to pay the replacement cost of the item or to offer a matching replacement copy in its place.

Material may be returned during library hours at either the JS Gericke Library or any of the branch libraries, irrespective of where the initial loan took place.

A book deposit box is available at the entrance to the JS Gericke Library for after hours returns, as well as at the Theology Library (Stellenbosch) and USBI (Bellville Park campus).

Library material may be renewed twice unless requested by another client. Once the renewal limit has been reached the material must be returned to the library.

Clients may renew their own books online. Go to Renew Books at the top of the library website. 

Library material currently on loan may be requested online via the library catalogue. For instructions go to How do I reserve a book currently on loan?

Library material may also be reserved at the lending sections of the respective branch libraries.

All new books are placed on a designated shelf for new books at the respective libraries for one week. These books may not be borrowed during this period but may be reserved at the lending section of the library concerned. These reserved books may be collected from the respective lending sections at the close of the display period.

A letter of permission is required when material is collected at the JS Gericke Library on behalf of someone else.