The twelve Wits libraries are what make up the Wits Library network. These libraries are on-campus libraries that serve the entire University.
Since I have already written about the entire Wits Library System, I will go ahead and provide information on the individual libraries.
These are the twelve Wits libraries:
- Architecture Library
- Library of Management
- Wartenweiler Library
- William Cullen Library
- Health Sciences Library
- Law Library
- Historical Papers Archive
- GeoMaths Library
- Engineering Library
- Education Library
- Commerce Library
- BioPhy Library
Wits Architecture Library
The Architecture & Built Environment Library is on the first floor of the John Moffat building. It is strictly for only students so students get automatic access with their students ID.
The library holds a collection of materials to support the study and research for the Architecture & Built Environment.
There is also an electronic classroom in the library for individual class sessions or workshops. This e-classroom has 16 student workstations and an instructor’s station.
You can also find out more about the Library from the official website.
Loan Periods
Below are the loan terms and conditions governing the use of this library.
| Status | Number of items allowed | Loan Period (Days) |
| Undergraduates | 6 | 7 |
| 4th Grade and Honours students | 8 | 14 |
| Masters Students | 12 | 30 |
| PhD Students | 15 | 30 |
| University Staff | 30 | 45 |
There are also inter-library loans available for students to loan books from other library branches. But for that, you have to check the Inter-Library loans webpage for more of the rules governing that.
Library Working Hours
| Days | During Term | End Of Year Break |
| Monday | 8:00 AM To 9:00 PM | 8:00 AM To 5:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 8:00 AM To 5:00 PM | 8:00 AM To 5:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 9:00 AM To 9:00 PM | 9:00 AM To 5:00 PM |
| Thursday | 8:00 AM To 5:00 PM | 8:00 AM To 5:00 PM |
| Friday | 8:00 AM To 5:00 PM | 8:00 AM To 5:00 PM |
| Saturday | 8:30 AM To 12:30 PM | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed | Closed |
You can also access this library’s online resources using this link.
Library of Management
The Library of Management is in the Donald Gordon Building on the Management campus of the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management.
This library serves Wits Business school and Wits School of Governance in collaboration with the Commerce Library.
The library works Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The Library is closed on Weekends and Holidays. You can check the Library’s full resources from the Library webpage.
Wartenweiler Library
This is one of the major libraries in the University. The Library serves many Faculties of the entire University.
It has essential materials that support learning and teaching in the university. This is the reason why most of the other libraries rely on this one.
This Library is opened from Monday to Friday and closed on Weekends. The Library also opens from Monday to Friday during vacations.
You can get more information about this library from the official website.
William Cullen Library
William Cullen Library according to history, is the first permanent library of the University of Witswatersrand.
The Library was named after Willian Cullen due to his great contribution to the Library and the entire University as a whole.
The Library is on the East Campus of the University of Witswatersrand, Braamfontein, Johannesburg.
This library opens from 9:00 AM to 4:00 AM from Monday to Friday. The Library is closed on Weekends and public holidays.
You can also lookup more information including library catalogues from the official website.
Health Science Library
This is Wits Science Library with lots of materials to support the learning and teaching of Medicine and Dentistry.
This library is on the Ground floor of the Medical School Building, 7 York Road, Parktown, Johannesburg.
This library has online resources that are accessible via the official website.
Library Working Hourse
| Days | Time |
| Monday | 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM |
| Thursday | 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM |
| Friday | 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM |
| Saturday | 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Sunday | 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM |
Law Library
This is Wits Law Library serving the Law Faculty. This library contains essential research materials to support learning and teaching in Wits School of Law.
The Library is in the Oliver Schreiner building, 1 Jan Smuts Ave, Johannesburg.
You can also check the Library’s online resources from this link.
Library Working Hours
| Days | Time |
| Monday | 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Thursday | 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Friday | 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Historical Papers Archives
The Historical Papers Archives is part of the William Cullen Library. This part of the Library preserves historical records and it operates independently from the William Cullen Library.
The Historical Papers Archives has its own reading room where all types of researchers can visit and make use of the collections.
Users are required to sign up on first visits. Users can also access the online resources from the Historical Papers Archive’s Official Webpage.
GeoMaths Library
This is the main library serving the School of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies, School of Geosciences, School of Mathematics and the School of Statistics and Actuarial Sciences.
The Library is located at the Braamfontein Campus, Jorrisen St, Johannesburg. You can access all the online major resources of this library through their website.
Library Hours
| Day | Term | April, Mid Year & End of Year Break | Winter Vacation Break |
| Monday | 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM | 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM | 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM | 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM | 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM | 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM | 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Thursday | 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM | 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM | 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Friday | 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM | 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM | 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Saturday | Closed | Closed | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed | Closed | Closed |
Loan Periods
Overnight loan period start from 12:00 PM and ends the following morning from Monday to Thursday.
On Fridays, the period starts from 12:00 PM and ends on Monday morning at 9:30 AM.
Other loan periods are as follows:
| Status | Items Allowed | Days |
| Undergraduate | 6 | 7 |
| Postgraduate / Honours | 8 | 14 |
| Postgraduate/ Masters, PhD | 12 | 30 |
| Staff | 20 | 45 |
Engineering Library
The Engineering library has resources that serve the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment. The Library is in the same building as the Architecture Library.
The Library has the same facilities as the Architecture Library including an Electronic classroom, study rooms, etc.
You can access the online resources from the Engineering Library’s website.
The Library opens from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM from Monday to Friday excluding Weekends and Public Holidays.
Loan Periods
| Status | Items Allowed | Days |
| Undergraduate | 6 | 7 |
| 4th Year and Honours | 8 | 14 |
| Masters | 12 | 30 |
| PhD | 15 | 30 |
| Staff | 30 | 45 |
Education Library
The Education Library has a variety of materials to cover the entire education system. It has both materials for learning and teaching under “Education” as a course and a system on its own.
The collections include courses from Primary school to High School and course materials to support the University Students in their Studies.
The Library is on Wits Education Campus, Jubilee Rd, Parktown, Johannesburg.
The Library opens from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM from Monday to Friday and is closed on Weekends. All the online resources of this Library are on the official Website.
Commerce Library
The Commerce Library is on the West Campus of the University together with the Library of Management and Law Library.
The Library serves the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management. You can check the online collection of the Library from the official website.
The Library opens from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM from Monday to Friday and is closed on Weekends.
BioPhy Library
The BioPhy Library is the Scientific Library of the University of Witswatersrand. The Library serves the following schools: Animal, Plant & Environmental Sciences (APES), Chemistry, Molecular & Cell Biology (MCB) and Physics.
The Library opens from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM from Monday to Friday and is closed on Weekends. You can also check the online resources of the Library from the official Website.
Conclusion
These are all Wits Libraries. While this will contain a bit of information about the libraries, it is important to check the official websites for more information.
You might also find the Wits Library Contacts useful. This list contains all the contacts of the 12 libraries, their physical addresses and their email addresses.
If you have questions or suggestions, leave a comment below.
