Page 14 - Annual Report 2023

4 LIS NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL FOOTPRINT
During 2023, the LIS continued to improve its national and international footprints through collaborations with public and private business. This resulted in an increased number of library partnerships for the purpose of strengthening student support.
4.1 Public library partnerships
An additional seven library partnership agreements were signed with various municipalities by the LIS during 2023. This expanded our footprint of public library branches by 45, increasing the total to 147 branches that can be used by Unisa students. These new agreements are with the following municipalities:
• Mogale City
• Hessequa Municipality
• Elias Motsoaledi Municipality • Mossel Bay Municipality
• Saldanha Bay Municipality
• Beaufort West Municipality • Eden (Knysna) Municipality
4.2 Correctional services (prisons)
The LIS branches reached out to Unisa students who are residing within the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) facilities. During the year, various trips were made using regional vehicles and bakkies to provide on-site support and access to library material for incarcerated students. The following services are provided during these prison visits: on-site consultation with students and response to student queries by librarians, book exchanges, delivery of requested library material, and training of students in the use of the library website and library e-resources.
Through collaborative efforts implemented by three regional libraries, six correctional facilities were reached during the year under review. From these correctional service facilities, a total of 146 Unisa students were reached and supported by Unisa LIS, which contributed towards removing barriers faced by inmates in their studies and research. The impact of this collaboration with the DCS has enhanced access to library material and better support for our incarcerated students. We have assisted in bridging the gap and minimising the isolation experienced by our students within DCS facilities.
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