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Explore Our Services

We offer a comprehensive range of services to support your academic and research needs. Explore our services below.

Ask a Librarian

Submit queries via our online form, live chat (Tawk.to), or visit the Reference Desk. Personalised research assistance available.

  • Query Submission
  • Tawkto
  • FAQ

How to Search the Library Catalog (OPAC)

How to search books from Mzuzu University Library using Online Public Access Catalog:

Steps to follow:

  1. Open any browser
  2. Type the OPAC web address “opac.mzuni.ac.mw”
  3. Type the search terms on the search bar and click go
  4. On the results click the title and check the location, call number, and status
Lending Services

Mzuzu University Library lends out materials in stock mainly in hardcopy to its clients. Users are entitled to access loan services as follows:

a). Long loan
The following loan entitlements apply to different categories of clients:

Patron Category

No. of Books

Loan Period

Academic Staff

8

8 Weeks

Administrative Staff

6

8 Weeks

Non-Academic Staff

4

4 Weeks

Undergraduate Students

4

2 Weeks

Postgraduate Students

6

4 Weeks

b). Short loan
Users are allowed to borrow books from the Short Loan collection for two hours in the library and overnight from 4pm.

c). Malawiana
The Malawiana collection can only be accessed within the library for a period of 2 hours.

RENEWALS

Loan extension by users will only be allowed after confirming with the library staff if the material has not been reserved by another user.

RESERVATIONS

Reservation of a book is subject to confirmation by library staff.

Internet services

Mzuzu University Library provides users with access to internet services. This service allows users to browse and utilize various types of digital content, including e-books, e-journals, research papers, articles, multimedia resources, and other digital materials.

Access points

The library has several access points from which users can access internet services

E-library access point

  • It is an e-library room that is setup mainly for online academic referencing.
  • Computers are installed with an internet café management system used to manage time assigned to each user.
  • Users need accounts to login to the computers.

Accessing computers in the E-Library

Steps:

  1. Bring an ID to e-library Section to facilitate opening of account
  2. Enter your registration number in lower case without space
  3. Click the activation button to open a session
  4. Start browsing the Internet when session is activated
  5. Every patron has 2hours of free internet access each day
  6. The 2hours is noncumulative meaning that unclaimed hours cannot be claimed

Note: At times the E-library Section is used for Information Literacy instruction that may disrupt internet access sessions.

Outreach Service

Outreach is one of the activities that are carried out by modern universities as a way of giving back to the communities they are operating in. Mzuzu University Library is equally involved in outreach activities that are mainly done through the Children’s Library and the American Corner Library.

Children’ s Library

This is a facility that opened in 2004 with financial support from the Beit Trust. The Library provides services to children from the ages of 4 to 14 years. Most of the patrons are drawn from surrounding primary schools such as Viyere, Mzuzu Demonstration and St Augustine. The Library also hosts special needs children and street-connected children from St John of God.

Services

Services provided include:

  • Reading clinics
  • Computer games
  • Cartoon shows
  • Making of mats and homecrafts
  • Drawings
  • Traditional dances

The Library hosts a Culture Open Day once a year to give a chance to patrons to showcase their talents.

 American Corner Library

This Library is housed in the Children’s Library Complex. It is run as a partnership between Mzuzu University and the American Embassy. The Library opened in 2004 and has been in existence for a period 20 years.

Services

These are services which are offered at the American Corner:

  • Public lectures and panel discussions
  • Computer lessons 
  • Reading service
  • Access to extensive advising resources for those wishing to study in the USA including planning on education and career in the USA.
  • Providing information on over 3500 accredited institutions of higher learning in the USA.
  • Advice on how to finance U.S. education

 

Book and other resource purchase requests

Users may use the purchase request form to suggest materials to be purchased by the Library to beef up the collection. The form below may be used:

(Purchase request form)