Page 5 - Library Annual Report 2019

Message from the Executive Director: Library and Information Services
Dr. Daisy Selematsela
The 2019 year in review commenced with the Council approved name change from Department of Library Services to the Department of Library and Information Services. In ensuring the attainment of the strategic objectives for the academic project, relationship management with the Colleges was crucial in ensuring the collection development was relevant resources that addresses the various domains objectives in the Teaching, Learning, Community Engagement, Research and Innovation.
The collections and usage have noted exponential growth in the eBook collections and Colleges also contributes to the uptake in the selection of more eBooks where available.
In consideration of the strategic objective: Advance ODL research on the African continent and internationally; the library took cognisance of Goal 4 of the Sustainable Development Goals universal recognition of the importance of quality education. This SDG Goal 4 motivates the library to proactively pursue avenues to
establish partnerships with Public libraries and Correctional Services to extend the reach and access of the resources provided by the library.
The library is faced with opportunities and challenges on how to improve its services and remain relevant on how its collections are developed and maintained to address the evolving user needs and diverse student population. The rst highlight of 2019 was the 5-year External Peer Review conducted by a diverse expert panel with the rst ever site visits to major regional centers with library facilities. The review report commended the library on its services and perceived areas of challenge are to be considered.
The second highlight of was the partnerships formed with the Embassy of Ukraine with book donations and seminars hosted together with the library. The third highlight that is also addressing SDG Goal 4 is the partnership with the Embassy of Somalia and a record donation of about 30 000 books was donated to the National Library of Somalia as part of the country’s infrastructure rebuilding process. The fourth highlight was the Exhibition on 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence which attracted a number of visitors and sensitize library patrons of the “21th Century Disease”.
The library continues to strive to champion the Open Access, Open Data and Open Science to ensure alignment with funder and publisher requirements and orientate the colleges and students.
The year in review cannot be achieved without the dedicated, diligent and professional services provided by the staff to the entire stakeholder community.
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