The University of Botswana Library provides a conducive integrated learning environment where print and electronic information resources are readily accessible. The Main library is located in the main campus (Gaborone); The Centre for Continuing Education (CCE) and Okavango Research Institute (ORI) libraries located in Francistown and Maun respectively. The Library has a wide range of services and resources for academics, researchers, and students.
The University of Botswana Library is a full service academic and research library offering a variety of services to complement your learning, teaching and research needs. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff is ready to welcome and assist you.
Learning Commons
This is a comfortable and flexible learning space which allows for collaborative learning through group discussions, tutorials and workshops. Our social corner provides you with access to newspapers and subscription TV for your leisure, relaxation and awareness of current affairs. Come check it out!
For more information or to book this space for tutorial sessions, contact….
Disability support
Our fully accessible library is committed to providing inclusive services to all users. We provide an array of assistive technologies for your convenience and independent use of the library. These include reading cameras, braille printers, etc.
Visit the library Circulation Desk to learn more.
Photocopy and printing services
Our library provides affordable self-service photocopying and printing. Student printing is provided at the learning commons area. Photocopiers are found on all floors for your convenience.
Visit the library reprographics office for more information.
Research support
We are committed to assisting you with your research needs. Let us help you hone your research skills and empower you to make meaningful contribution to the body of knowledge. Our subject librarians are available to provide training to individuals and groups on database searches, citation management, etc.
To UB researchers and graduate students, our open access institutional repository is available for archiving and disseminating your research output online. By using this service you will increase your citations and readership.
Contact your subject librarian for assistance.
Inter-library loans (ILL)
Do you require reputable and authoritative research material to make your work comprehensive? Is it not available within our library? We will readily and timeously source it at no cost to you from other partner libraries around the world.
Contact your subject librarian for assistance.
The Library offers a range of spaces and facilities
Auditorium
This is an exceptional facility with a seating capacity of 150 and 2 break-away rooms. You can use it to host your conferences, workshop, seminar, lectures, etc,. Our auditorium is available to all UB community and public at a nominal fee.
For bookings, contact +267 355 2778 or visit the library.
Seminar rooms
Available on 4 floors, our seminar rooms offer a perfect space for group study, workshops or seminars. These expandable rooms can accommodate up-to 100 people, come fully equipped with projector and white board, and are available to students and staff for free.
For bookings, contact +267 355 2778 or visit the library.
Study carrels
Our PhD scholars may make annual bookings for these private learning spaces. Open study carrels are also available on all floors to all students on a first come first serve basis.
For more information or PhD study carrel bookings, please contatct +267 355 2778 or visit the library.
All-night study area
This is a 24/7 safe and secure area for uninterrupted study available to all students.
For more information, contact +267 355 2778 or visit the library.
Learning Commons
Our tech-enabled, comfortable, flexible study space is a one-stop academic help centre with the following services:
- Student learning support services
- Counselling services
- Writing skills
- A current affairs corner with access to print and digital media
For more information or to book this space for tutorial sessions, contact +267 355 2778 or visit the library.
Assistive technology booth
This is a specialized space to support visually impaired students and staff with dedicated library services.
For more information, please contact +267 355 2778 or visit the library.
Peter Smith archives
For a wide range of source and reference material relating to Okavango and Ngamiliand, we have the Peter Smith Archives within the disciplines of ecology, hydrology, geography and botany. Access this exceptional collection in Maun at the Okavango Research Institute.
The Noma Award
In 1979, Mr Shoichi Noma set up an endowment to encourage and support publication of works by African writers and scholars within the continent.
Tshekedi Khama papers
This collection is made up of tribal administration and kgotla papers; colonial administrative papers; correspondence; notebooks; photographs and other artefacts.
Sheila Bagnall letters
The collection includes letters to Audrey Liebertegger, Rose and Chris Hardy, Diana Andrew and Mona Thomas.
Jan Snyman papers
The collection is mostly his San languages research material. He contributed significantly in collection of the data that helped classify and understand the grammar of San languages and was the first to suggest practical orthographies for !xû, Jun/'hoasi, !Xóõ and Naro. Snyman also wrote several grammars in the form of monographs and notes on these languages.
Hans-Joachim Heinz papers
1900 – 2001. This collection comprises manuscripts, research note books and diaries, films and audio recordings, maps and illustrations.
Prof. Thomas Tlou collection
This is a multi-disciplinary collection covering the areas of history; education; environmental management & sustainable development; religion & theology.
Historical reference collection
This is a collection that comprises university documents and non-official institutional records; speeches and addresses, student handbooks, etc.
UB photographs and images
these is a collection of students; staff and everyday working scenes; events: visits, conferences, workshops; buildings, architecture, art and sculpture; images of objects; historical reference photographs and images; images of archival documents and multimedia.
Manuscript collections
- Bessie Head - A Bewitched crossroad
- Stanley Collins - Hydrology in the Okavango
Thesis and dissertation
This collation produced by graduate student of the UB including undergraduate research reports and any other collected dissertation on Botswana and by Batswana from universities else where
Legal deposits
All published works in Botswana on various research themes comprising Government publications, independent authors’ books and researches, private and public organisations’ research publication.
Special Collections is the home for local content output which includes the national, university and private archives. We are one of the two Legal repositories in the country; required by law to collect and house at least one copy of every document published in Botswana.
Our unique and rare collections are a primary source of data which inspires you to come up with new body of knowledge. You can access our readily available collections at our specialized center within the Main library as well as the ORI library.
Visit special collection at the main campus
For access to archival collections make an appointment.