As with most other matters, the LIS infrastructure projects were hugely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The renovation at Mafikeng Library was almost completed when construction came to a halt end of March. It seems however that construction will resume any day now. After project completion, the library will boast with a renovated Law Library and 24hr study area, as well as a brand new Information Commons for undergraduate students. We are looking forward to the completion of this project!
The planning process to extend and renovate the Education Library (Potchefstroom) gained momentum. The architectural plans have been approved and the intended start of the project will be in the last quarter of 2020.
The spaces of the current Education Library will be repurposed and the EduLab space will be converted into a quiet study area. Additional workspaces and power plugs will be added throughout the library.
A double-story extension will be added to the front of the library.
Ground floor:
The ground floor will host a copy shop and also the new EduLab, with a collaborative and connected working space for 104 students.
Modern ‘Wimpy-like” benches will be installed and throughout the area will be ample plugs for laptops and other devices.
Six group study rooms will be equipped with LED screens, whiteboards and power points on the tables.
First floor:
The first floor will have at least 54 computer workstations and 17 individual study cubicles, also equipped with power points.
A lift will be installed for users with disabilities.
More news and architectural plans on infrastructure projects.
Mr. Lizwi Njani was appointed as Business Analyst in the Library Systems section. He has already started on 1 April 2020. Lizwi is not new to the NWU, as he has been working as a Developer at IT Business Systems Development and Support since 2018.
Carine Basson takes over the reigns to act as Manager: Information Resources from 1 June 2020 until the position is permanently filled. We are grateful that Carine will keep operations going. She is currently based at Potchefstroom campus. As Senior Librarian: Electronic Resource Management and Periodicals her role cuts across the 3 campuses, particularly in e-Resources. We wish Carine success during this period.
Ms. Manare Tshenye has resigned on 31 May 2020 after she has served the NWU LIS for almost 30 years. She started her career at Mafikeng Campus Library in 1990 as Cataloguing Librarian. Over the years she has served in the positions of Head of Periodicals, Head of Cataloguing, Manager Information Resources and acting Director, Mafikeng Campus Library. After the restructuring in 2017, she was appointed as Senior Manager Campus Operations at Mafikeng Library. During this period she was part of the Executive Committee of the LIS.
Mr Katlego Chiya has resigned and will leave us at the end of May to take up another position at the University of the Western Cape. Katlego joined the NWU LIS in February 2015 as Assistant Librarian, Information Services at Vanderbijlpark. In June 2019 he was appointed as Faculty Librarian in Potchefstroom. In this position he supported students, researchers and academic staff in the subject areas of History & Ancient Culture, Political studies, Public Management & Governance, Social Anthropology and Sociology. He supported with EndNote queries and training sessions and also assisted in downloading the revised NWU Harvard style into EndNote.
Ms Maniza Ndwande retired on 30 April after she has served the LIS for 39 years. Maniza was a qualified Librarian and Archivist with a B Tech (Archival Studies), an Honours in Information Science (Unisa) as well as an MBA (UNW).
Congratulations to our colleague, Banele Khoza who has been appointed as Faculty Librarian (PC) with specific responsibility for Special Collections and support to Branch Libraries.
Ms. Gloria Ramaboea joined our team in October 2018 as Librarian Undergraduate Support to coordinate services to undergraduate students in the Information Commons (Potchefstroom). The Information Commons team is responsible for the marketing of library services and resources to undergraduate students. She was responsible for the update of the online information literacy modules and teaching Information Literacy classes to ALDA/ALDE. Also to liaise with role players dealing with undergraduates, like the Academic Student Council and Disability Rights Office. Gloria, we thank you for your time and effort spent with Information Services – we wish you all the best in your new position at the University of Venda.
Mr. Siviwe Bangani was appointed as Manager of Information Services and Loan Services (Mafikeng) in November 2014 and after the NWU restructuring in 2017, he held the position of Manager Information Services. Over the years he has been involved in several activities, that include the mentoring of up-and-coming young librarians, community engagement as well as writing and publishing.