Page 9 - EC Highlights 2024

Library highlights 2025
Library peer review
The Unisa Department of Library and Information Services (LIS) has conducted external peer review of the entire span of its strategic and operations activities and all processes. This review involved a self-reflection exercise and a physical site visit by a panel of experts from international and South African university libraries. In the Eastern Cape region, the library peer review took place physically at the Phyllis Ntantala Collaborative Library (PNCL) on the 6th of May 2025.
The panelists who visited in the review were as follows:
• Prof M Frahm-Arp, University of Johannesburg (UJ)
• Dr. G Tsakonos, University of Patras, Patras, Greece who joined the session virtually via Microsoft Teams
• Dr. S Makhathini, who attended in the capacity of an Observer.
• Ms. S Tsepe (Quality specialist) from the Quality Assurance division
We were pleased to have the participation of external stakeholders, including representatives from the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), partner libraries, and RSRC, and 10 Unisa registered students (Both undergraduates and postgrad students) from the region, all of whom contributed meaningfully to the peer review process.
Picture
See attached
Library Office in Mthatha centre
The official opening of a new library office in the Mthatha Centre on the 5th of February 2025. This milestone marks a significant step in expanding access to academic resources and library services in the region.
The Mthatha library office operates as an extension of the East London Library, serving as a vital link between students in Mthatha and the comprehensive resources available in East London library. The primary role of this office is to facilitate student library requests, including book loans, research support, and academic resource access, directly from the East London Library.
The library office came as a direct response to the great need of library presence in Mthatha.
SBL in collaboration with Prof Wiseman Nkuhlu and the Region
Prof Lumkile Wiseman Nkuhlu delivering the keynote address.
Prof Msweli, CEO and Executive Dean of the SBL.