Using the Library

Niven Library Access Policy

Security considerations make it necessary for the library to be locked at all times. Library hours are 8h30 to 12h30 and 13h30 to 16h30 Monday to Friday, library users may ring the bell to gain access.

The Niven Library collection is available for research purposes to the following individuals:

• Staff, research associates and students of the Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology
• Staff, research associates and students of the Zoology Department
• Staff, research associates and students of the Animal Demography Unit
• Card holding members of BirdLife South Africa
• Staff, research associates and post graduate students of the University of Cape Town
• Members of the public who have made a prior arrangement with the Niven Librarian

Please ensure that you have identification on you at all times, either a UCT ID card or, in the case of the 4th and 6th category on the above list, your ID book or drivers license.

Borrowing Procedures

Monographs (except material on reference shelves) may be borrowed from the Niven Library by MSc and PhD students and staff members of the Percy FitzPatrick Institute, Zoology Department and the Animal Demography Unit (ADU). All journals, newsletters, theses and reprints are only to be used in the Library unless a special arrangement is made with the librarian. New staff and students wishing to borrow from the Niven Library must register as borrowers with the Librarian.

View Niven Library Users' Guide For 2011 [PDF - 61KB]

Photocopy/Scanner Facilities

Anyone wishing to copy Library material may make use of the photocopier/scanner in the Library. Photocopying can either be done using a code against a UCT entity, or using a cash code. In the latter case, the charge is R0.40 per page. Personal photocopying codes are issued to staff and students wishing to charge photocopying to an entity. Application forms for a photocopier code are available from the Librarian. Scanning to an e-mail address can be done free of charge.