Lightning Talk at the 2015 Global LAC Summit at IFLA in Cape Town, South Africa.

1. Libraries in South Africa:
study in contrasts
Dorette SnymanDorette Snyman
Collection Developer: E-ResourcesCollection Developer: E-Resources
Unisa LibraryUnisa Library
snymad@unisa.ac.zasnymad@unisa.ac.za

2. Snapshot 20 year after
democratic elections in 1994
http://www.nlsa.ac.za/nlsanews/2014/NLSA_New

3. Libraries
1 national library (2 branches) 1,800
community libraries
23 higher education libraries
(university & research councils)
1,817 school libraries (only 8% of
schools)
79 governmental departmental
libraries
1 SA National Library for the Blind –
(est. 1919)

4. Training Librarians
• Library schools:
– Comprehensive: Unisa, Limpopo, UniZulu, UWC
– Postgraduate only: UCT,
– Related studies: UP: Publishing technology, Info technology
– 3 year basic degree (NQF level 7), PG (NQF 8)
• LIASA: national organisation with1,600 members
• Professional accreditation in 2015: “Professional librarian”
• Professional journal: SA Journal of Libr & Info Sc (oa)
• Resort under: Dept. Arts & Culture
• Other libraries within ministries of parent organisation:
– DHET, DBE, DTI, DST, Public Works, Provincial governments
• National Council for Library and Information Services –
advising the minister

6. Growth & funding
Community library conditional
grant (Dept. Arts and Culture)
R2,8 billion (2007-2014)
• Building 53 new libraries
• Upgrading 229 libraries
• Appointment of 1,575 new staff
members
• Internet access in public libraries in
all 9 provinces
• Literacy and reading programmes to
establish a reading culture
• Services for people with disabilities –
reading facilities

7. Outreach to rural communities

8. Reading & literacy
http://www.mandeladay.com/

9. Sponsorships
SONY COLLECTS BOOKS FOR SOUTH AFRICA MOBILE
LIBRARY PROJECT
http://breadlineafrica.org/opening-of-the-first-mandela-container-library-18-july-2011/

10. http://www.htxt.co.za/2014/04/16/digital-libraries-to-help-get-textbooks-to-
rural-schools/
Via Afrika Digital Learning Centre

11. http://mzansilibrariesonline.ac.za/
R32m funding from Bill and
Melinda Gates
Foundation through its
Global Libraries Programme
– upgrading and provision of
free of internet in community
libraries

12. Decline in the value of ZAR

13. Digital divide
http://www.itu.int/net4/itu-d/icteye/

14. Skills shortage - upskilling
http://www.internationalpublishers.org/market-insights/country-
reports/297-ipa-country-report-publishing-in-south-africa

15. Bridging the divide
http://www.snapplify.com/

16. How do you eat an elephant?
Bite by bite?