Access and membership
1 Access
1.1 Access to the Rhodes University Library is not limited to its members but anyone wishing to borrow items or make REGULAR use of the professional services of the Library Staff must apply to the Director: Library Services for registration as a member in one of the categories outlined in section 2.
1.2 The Main Library building is normally open as follows:
Terms:
Monday - Thursday : 08h30 - 22h30
Friday : 08h30 - 18h00
Saturday : 09h00 - 21h00
Sunday : 13h30 - 17h30
Vacations:
Monday - Friday : 08h30 - 17h00
Saturday : 09h00 - 12h30
1.3 Rhodes staff and student members of the Library have access to its general and specialised collections, online databases, the inter-library loans service, the facilities of the Cory Library for Historical Research, and the advice and expertise of the Library staff, and may borrow circulating material from the Library. Other members have access subject to the prior needs of staff and students but do not have access to the Inter-Library Loan service, and the online database searching service will be available to them only in the Library by special arrangement.
2 Membership
2.1 Membership of the Library is open to all staff of Rhodes University and to all registered students.
2.1.1 Rhodes staff include:
• permanent members of staff as defined by the Human Resources Division of the University
• leave substitutes for permanent staff
• exchange lecturers
• Fellows of Rhodes University
• Research Associates of Rhodes University
By resolution of Senate, Graduate Assistants are regarded as postgraduate students and not staff.
2.1.2 Persons employed in University departments who do not qualify for staff status under 2.1.1 (e.g. Researchers paid from funds other than those of the University) may be recognised as staff by the Director: Library Services on production of a letter of introduction from the head of the department concerned. Such letters must indicate that the department takes responsibility for the persons introduced and for meeting any Library debts incurred by them.
2.1.3 Honorary membership of the Library is open to the following categories of user, provided that they are resident in Grahamstown:
• Professors Emeriti
• Retired members of staff
• Members of the University Council
• Members of Convocation
2.1.4 Students include all undergraduate and postgraduate students registered as such with the Registrar's Division for the current year. Student membership terminates at the end of the calendar year but may be extended to the commencement of the first term of the following year on application to the Director: Library Services. Such extended membership falls away if the student concerned does not then re-register.
2.1.5 Students are regarded as Undergraduate or Postgraduate students depending on whether they are registered for undergraduate or postgraduate courses. Students registered for a 4 year degree will be regarded as postgraduates in their final year of study.
2.1.6 Postgraduate students living in Grahamstown who are not receiving tuition but wish to make use of the Library service must register with the University as postgraduate students or register with the Library as either Visiting or Honorary Members.
2.1.7 The Director: Library Services may extend membership of the Library to bona fide residents of greater Grahamstown who do not otherwise qualify for membership, on application. Such members will be known as Visiting Members and will be asked to supply a small photograph of themselves and pay an annual registration fee determined by the Director: Library Services. They will receive limited borrowing privileges and access to Library services.
2.1.8 The study, teaching and research needs of staff and student members of the University will take precedence over the borrowing and other needs of Visiting or Honorary Members. Visiting Membership will not normally be extended to school children or persons under the age of 18 years.
2.1.9 Staff members of the Research Institutes and Units associated with or affiliated to Rhodes University are regarded as staff members of the University. These institutes and units are listed in the University Calendar.
2.1.10 Membership in any category comes into effect only after registration in the Library. No person may be registered in more than one category of membership.
Student members may normally only register after they have been issued with Student Identity Cards (which contain bar codes) but Temporary Membership Cards can be arranged, on application, for students needing to borrow from the Library before their ID Cards are available.
All other categories of member may register at any stage of the year.
Library staff able to carry out the registration procedures will be available during the hours of full Library service. Outside these hours intending members may not be able to register.
2.1.11 Staff, Honorary Members and Visiting borrowers are required to sign acceptance of Library Rules on registration. Students are deemed to have accepted them as part of their acceptance of the University's Rules.
2.1.12 All borrowers are required to inform the Library of any changes in the addresses supplied to it on registration.
2.1.13 The Director: Library Services may require any applicants for membership to prove their identity.
