IN CELEBRATION OF SOUTH AFRICAN LIBRARY WEEK

 

                             

By 

Claudette Kercival

The week of March 14-20, marked the celebration of South African Library Week (SALW).  Libraries, public, special and academic around the nation, hosted various events to commemorate this event.

Owing to the pandemic, libraries continue being impacted in numerous ways and have had to adapt to respond appropriately to its different types of users. It is evident that with this re-adaptation and re-configuring of library services, our users need to RE-DISCOVER all that we have on offer.

 

This week-long series of activities, presented library stakeholders with an opportunity to:

·       Reimagine their services and their ability to render those services whilst carefully considering the myriad of changes thrust upon libraries because of COVID, 

·       Repurpose both their spaces and their services to continue being effective in the communities that they serve, and in this way allowing users to 

·       Rediscover the library and the ways in which it benefits them.

ABOUT SOUTH AFRICAN LIBRARY WEEK

The Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA), initiated SALW in 2001 as a commemorative period, when all types of libraries, across the country use this time as an opportunity to market their services and create awareness of the important role that libraries play in a democracy. The central focus of activities embrace: advancing literacy, making the basic human right of freedom of access to information a reality and the promotion of tolerance and respect in society.

The choice of the date memorializes the establishment by proclamation of the first public library, the South African Public Library, now the National Library of South Africa (Cape Town Campus), on 20 March 1818. Furthermore, on 21 March, we celebrate Human Rights Day and our Bill of Rights recognises the freedom of access to information as a basic human right. An important historical event is thus linked with a crucial date in our democracy.

 

In keeping with the 2022 theme for SALW: Re-Imagine, Re-Purpose and Re-Discover …Libraries! Howard College Libraries chose to host a virtual quiz, aimed at all its library users, testing their knowledge with questions about the various libraries, its resources and services. The quiz attracted a spectrum of staff and student participants across all four colleges and five campuses.  Ten correct entries received were from participants pictured below including Ms Saabirah Rizvi from the College of Law and Management (not pictured upon request).

UKZN Library extends sincerest congratulations to its worthy winners and is indeed grateful to all participants and our several vendors for their generous sponsorships thereby contributing to the success of UKZN SALW celebrations.