Who We Are

A Library Built on Excellence

The LLRC started its operations in January 1999 upon the opening of Mzuzu University. Currently operating in temporary premises following a fire disaster in December 2015, the Library continues to deliver outstanding services to its community.

The Library has grown from fewer than 10 staff at inception to a vibrant team of over 33, comprising professional librarians, paraprofessional librarians, ICT staff, security personnel, and administrative staff.

A new ultra-modern library building funded by the Malawi Government with a seating capacity of 5,000 is currently under construction and is expected to be completed in 2027. This will be one of the most significant library facilities in the region.

Our Core Values

These values guide our work and interactions with the university community.

User-centred: The library is primarily focused on the needs of its users.
Equity: The library promotes information access to all deserving users.
Diversity: The library strives to provide information resources and services to clientele of different backgrounds.
Intellectual freedom: The library promotes the right of every individual to seek and receive appropriate information from all viewpoints without restriction.
Collaboration: The library invests in local and international partnerships to achieve shared goals.
Excellence: The library is committed to providing timely and quality services to the satisfaction of its users.

Our Vision

A leading, dynamic, inclusive and innovative library.

Our Mission

To provide up-to-date and relevant information resources; promote the effective utilisation of those resources; and facilitate rapid access to information held within and in remote places through conventional and electronic means to Mzuzu University community and other stakeholders.

Our MOTTO

“Service as a gateway to satisfy thirst for knowledge”

33+

STAFF MEMBERS

40

NEW SEATING CAPACITY

1999

YEAR ESTABLISHED

Operating Hours

The library is open throughout the week during the academic year. Extended hours may be available during examination periods. Please check with the library for any changes to the regular schedule.

Monday - Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Public Holidays

7:30 AM - 10:00 PM

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Closed

Library Staff

Our library is staffed by qualified professionals who are committed to providing excellent service. Our team includes:

Team

Meet Our Staff

we offer carefully designed programs that nurture your child’s curiosity.

View Details

Library Sections

The LLRC is organised into six specialist sections, each headed by an Assistant

Administration

Administration is responsible for the overall administration of the Library. It is headed by the University Librarian.

Readers Services Section

Readers Services Section is responsible for service provision. The section handles the provision of lending and renewal of books, registration of library members, issuing of clearance and maintaining statistical information pertaining to library use. It maintains the Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) where users can search the holdings of the library materials. It also has the SMS alert system whereby borrowers are sent an SMS alert whenever they borrow books giving them information about the due date of the book borrowed. This SMS alert is also used as reminder to users who have overdue loans. Readers Section also houses the Reference Desk that handles users’ individualised instructional sessions and reference queries. The section is headed by Readers Services Librarian.

Malawiana Section

This Section keeps in stock information resources written by Malawians and about Malawi. These include theses and dissertations, books, newspapers and magazines. Rare materials which the Library acquires are also kept in this Section. Malawiana Section also maintains a collection of bound volumes of newspapers compiled on annual basis in order to preserve the national heritage. The section is headed by the Malawiana/Special Collections Librarian.

IT Support Section

Responsible for all Library Information Technology innovations and systems support. It provides Internet Services, PC, Network troubleshooting and systems development, Information Technology based training facilitation to both students and staff and during workshops. The Electronic library lab is also run by the IT section personnel. The section is headed by Senior Computer Technician.

Periodicals and E-library Section

Periodical/Serials Section is responsible for providing resources that are published periodically. Periodicals/Serials Section manages e-resources subscription and organises user training on how to access and retrieve these materials effectively. The section is headed by Periodicals Librarian.

Technical Services Section

Technical Services Section has three units namely: Acquisitions, Cataloguing and Classification and Institutional Repository.

Acquisitions Unit is responsible for the selection and purchase of library materials. Recommended book lists are submitted by each department which undergo duplicate checking against Library holdings. Once received, books are accessioned and entered into the system by this section which is then transferred to Cataloguing and Classification Unit. Cataloguing and Classification is entrusted with the activities such as classification, cataloguing and assignment of subject headings where they are processed for transcribing and barcoding and then released for circulation. Technical Services Section also houses the Institutional Repository Unit which is responsible for collecting all electronic documents originating from local authors and staff of Mzuzu University, preserving and disseminating them. The Technical Services Section is headed by the Technical Services Librarian.

Children’s Library and Outreach Services

The Children’s Library and Outreach Section has three subsections, namely Children’s Library, American Corner, and Reprographic Sections. Children’s Library is responsible for handling the information needs of children in and around Mzuzu City. The other section, American Corner, helps the Library in fulfilling its outreach objectives with the community. The section has a small print collection with the complement of computers providing information needs on American society, culture and history. It also offers education advisory services for education opportunities in the United States of America.

The Reprographic Unit

This unit provides photo-copying, printing, lamination, spiral binding and passport sized photographs. These three units are headed by the Children’s and Outreach Services Librarian.