For many students, the university library is simply a quiet place to study before an exam. In reality, it offers far more than desks and bookshelves. It is one of the most useful resources on campus.
Libraries offer study space, textbooks, computers, research help and online resources. The challenge is that few first-year students are shown how to use them properly. This guide explains how South African students can make the most of their university library.
Start With a Tour and an Orientation Session
The best way to start is to learn your way around the library early. Many libraries offer short tours or orientation sessions at the beginning of the semester, and these are worth attending. A tour shows you where different sections are, how the shelves are organised and where to find study areas and help desks.
During orientation, find out how to join the library and what you need to borrow books. Most libraries ask you to register with your student card, and some have a short online form to complete. Ask about opening hours, including whether hours change during exam periods.
Learn How to Find Books and Articles
A university library can feel confusing at first because its collections are much larger than a school library. The catalogue is your starting point: it tells you whether the library has a book, where it is shelved and whether it is available to borrow. Learning to search the catalogue saves a great deal of time, so practise with a book from your reading list during your first visit.
Your lecturers usually list prescribed and recommended reading for each subject. Check whether the library holds copies and whether some books are kept in a short-loan section, which means they can only be used for a few hours at a time.
Use the Library as a Study Space
One of the simplest benefits of the library is a quiet, comfortable place to work. Unlike a busy home or residence room, a library study area is designed for focus. Many students find that studying in the library helps them concentrate and keeps their study time separate from rest and social time.
Try out different areas to see what suits you. Silent zones work well for reading and writing, while group areas are better for discussions and group projects. If your library has computer labs, use them when you need to type an assignment or access the internet.
Borrow, Renew and Return on Time
Borrowing books from the library is free, and it can save you a great deal of money on textbooks. Most libraries let you borrow several books at a time for a set loan period, and you can usually renew a loan online or at the desk if nobody else has requested the book. Always check the due date, because late returns can lead to fines or a block on further borrowing.
Treat borrowed books with care. Keep them away from food and drink, and do not write in them or fold the pages. If you lose or damage a book, tell the library as soon as possible rather than waiting until the due date. Libraries are usually more understanding when students report a problem early and honestly.
Ask Librarians for Help With Research
Librarians are trained to help students find and use information, and asking them for help is one of the smartest things you can do. If you cannot find a source for an assignment, or you are unsure whether a website is reliable, a librarian can show you how to search properly and how to judge the quality of what you find.
Many libraries also offer short training sessions or one-to-one help with research, referencing and online databases, which are useful when you start writing longer essays and research assignments. Ask how to log in to the library’s online journals and e-books from home. There is no need to feel embarrassed about asking; helping students is a central part of a librarian’s work.
Conclusion
Your university library is far more than a quiet room with books. It offers study space, free textbooks, research help and online resources that can support you throughout your degree. Take a tour early, learn how to find what you need and ask for help when you are stuck.
