Finding your way around is key when you are new. This is the best NWU Library Guide for all NWU students. Everything you must know about the library system is here.
This guide will help you to find what you are looking for and will also point you in the right direction so that you can find the best of information.
About NWU Library Services
NWU library system is made up of three major academic libraries. These three major libraries have all the necessary materials to help make learning and teaching easy in the North-West University.
While the physical library rooms are the best places to get information, there is also an online catalog that will help find what you are looking for.
Individual Library Locations
Since there is more than one library, it is key to know where to locate each of them. You should also be able to know which of them actually deals with what.
Mahikeng Library
The Mahikeng Library is on the Mahikeng Campus. The building consists of three floors which are a basement, ground floor, and a first floor.
Basement
The basement is where the information desk is and that is the place you also see special collections. If what you need is information, then you have to get to the basement.
Ground floor
On the ground floor, the library has an ultra-modern conference room. Loan services and interlibrary loans services are also on this floor.
The major part of the entire library is on this floor. What you will find in addition to what I mentioned above includes;
- Library administration
- New books shelves
- Periodicals section
- Faculty Librarians
- Course reserves / Short loan collections
- Research commons (Senior and junior commons)
- Postgraduates study units
First floor
On the first floor, you will also find the following;
- Information literacy skills training centre
- Law section
- Loan collection
- Study carrels
- Law group study units
If you want to reach this library by phone, then the number to call is 018 389 2017
Vanderbijlpark Library
This particular library is on North-West University’s Vaal Triangle Campus. The library consists of four floors and two split levels. All the floors house different service centers and materials.
Lower ground floor
The lower ground floor has a 24 hours computer center and study room. It is also where you will find IT Support and the SI room.
Ground floor
On this floor, you will find;
- Information resources
- Coffee shop
- Course reserves
- Interlibrary loans
- Journal section
- Loan services
- New books shelves
- Print & photocopy services
Split Level 1
This floor has the following;
- Computers
- Facilities for people with disabilities
- Faculty Librarians
- Honours rooms
- Loan collection
- Study area
First floor
This floor is where Library administration is. There is also a study area and a training room.
Split Level 2
You will find the following on this floor;
- Group study units
- Individual study cubicles
- Information librarians
- Reference works
- Research wing
- Seminar room
- Study area
Second floor
The whole floor is for Water Archives
Potchefstroom Library
This library is also known as Ferdinand Postma Library. The library is in a five floors building on the Potchefstroom Campus.
This particular library has four branch libraries which are;
- Education Library
- Music Library
- Natural Sciences Library
- Theology Library (Jan Lion Cachet Library)
All the five floors of the Ferdinand Postma library have services they provide.
Basement
The basement is where all printing and photocopy services are. It is the publishing part of the entire library.
Ground floor
The major services of the entire library are on this particular floor. You can find the following service centers;
- Loan services
- Interlibrary loans
- Library administration
- New books shelves
- Periodicals section
- Faculty Librarians
- Course reserves / Short loan collections
- Research commons (Senior and junior commons)
- Postgraduates study units
- Conference room
First floor
This is where you find;
- 000-999 Publications from 1980-
- Library administration
- Seminar rooms
- Study areas
- Theses and dissertations
Second floor
This particular floor also has a nice coffee shop and the following service centers;
- FW de Klerk collection
- Journal collection
- Law section
- Reading corner
- Seminar rooms
- Special collections
- Study areas
Third floor
Since this is the final floor, it is more like the room for the “big guys”. This part of the library houses the Fourth-year and Honours commons. Africana is also on this same floor as well as Research commons.
Branch Libraries
Since all the branch libraries are Faculty libraries, it is just right to also know their locations and what are in there.
Education Library
Education Library is also on the Potchefstroom campus in Building C6c. There is an ongoing expansion to the building but that won’t affect library sessions in any way.
Phone Number: 018 299 1578
Email: [email protected]
Music Library
This is another library on the Potchefstroom Campus. The library is in Building K1 (Konservatorium) serving the School of Music.
Since this is a Music library, most of the materials in the building have to do with music. Below are the things you can find in the library;
- Books and journals devoted to music
- Music scores
- Sound records, CD’s and DVD’s (Library use only)
- ISAM collection (Information Centre of South African Music)
- Sound equipment: record players, CD players and TV’s
- Study space
- Computers
- Print & photocopy facilities
Natural Sciences Library
This is another Branch library on the Potchefstroom Campus. This library is in Building G1, serving the Faculty of Natural Sciences. It also serves the Faculties of Engineering and Health Sciences.
Theological Library
The Theological Library is also known as the Jan Lion Cachet Library. The library is in Building K11, serving the Faculty of Theology as well as ministers of the Reformed Churches of South Africa (RCSA).
Phone Number: 018 299 2809
NWU Library Catalogue
While most academic libraries limit their online catalog to students only, this one is accessible without any account. You can only view or download if you have an account tho.
There is also an EDS search bar where you can search popular databases including JSTOR.
This is the NWU Library Catalogue link.
All library online accesses can also be found on the NWU Library’s webpage.
Conclusion
In short, the NWU Library Network is made up of Seven Libraries serving the entire university. Since this is an academic library, you must be a student to be able to access certain features of their website.
If you have any questions or suggestions, you can leave a comment below.