Book Exhibitions at Potchefstroom and Vanderbijlpark Campuses

The augmenting library collection is one of the key focus areas of Information Resources. To ensure that the LIS collection remains attractive and relevant, book exhibitions were organized for all the campuses. A decision to resuscitate these was taken following the relaxation of Covid-19 regulations. The exhibitions will be held annually going forward.

After a successful book exhibition at the Mahikeng Campus in June 2022, blog report:
(https://nwulibraries.wordpress.com/category/book-exhibition), the LIS Acquisitions team hosted book exhibitions at Potchefstroom and Vanderbijlpark campuses in July and August 2022. This was done with the assistance of the Faculty Librarians. These exhibitions proved to be successful events, well attended by the LIS staff, academics, and postgraduate students.

The exhibition at Potchefstroom campus took place in the Art Gallery and the Vaal campus in the library foyer. Four faculties were invited for an opportunity to browse through a variety of collections from different vendors, to select the most relevant information resources for their faculties and students. The LIS staff also got the opportunity to make some recommendations for the library’s collections. This was a great opportunity for networking with the vendors, as we have built lifelong relations with our suppliers. Through this initiative, the Acquisitions section received just over 700 book recommendations. A large portion of these has already been processed.

The LIS hopes to host more exhibitions in future that will cater for all our faculties. Our academic community will appreciate that we are currently exploring the virtual exhibitions option as well. Further details in this regard will be communicated in due course.

Contributors:
NTOBEKO SIKHAKHANE, LIS MANAGER INFORMATION RESOURCES
JESSICA MONAISA, LIS INTERN

Book Exhibition at the Faculty of Education (Mahikeng)

Unity is strength – Eendrag maak mag – Kopano ke matla

This idiom came alive on 7-8 June 2022, when the Library on the Mahikeng Campus, with the assistance of faculty administrators, hosted the first physical book exhibition since Level 5 of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The exhibition took place in the Faculty of Education boardroom. Book exhibitions have proven to be one of the successful methods for developing collections of various faculties. Academics and postgraduate students have an opportunity to physically browse and select information resources relevant to their departments on site. Numerous information resources were identified and selected. Staff also provided the team with recommendations that were not on display. The event has also proven to be a networking opportunity for staff and suppliers/publishers and also a learning curve for new library staff.

The exhibition was a great success despite sharing dates with the undergraduate examination. The LIS is looking forward to exhibitions at other faculties.

Gratitude is extended to:

• The Office of the Dean of the Faculty of Education for welcoming the idea and supporting it.
• Mr. Matthew Makunye (Acting Deputy Director: Curriculum Services) spurring your entire team, Prof Tshilidzi, Dr. Nothile Kunene, Dr. Hove, Mr Mashike, colleagues from Setswana and all academics who participated.
• The acquisition department from Potchefstroom Campus also graced the event. Finally, thanks to the LIS team who made it happen.

Contributors:
Mr. Benford Rabatseta (Senior Librarian Information Resources, Mahikeng)
Ms. Molly Kekana (Senior Librarian Information Resources, Mahikeng)
Mr. Teboho Morajane (Faculty Librarian, Mahikeng)

Book Exhibitions at Mafikeng

Each year the Mafikeng library organises book exhibitions that are aimed at encouraging the involvement of the academic community in the development of the collection. The event grows bigger each year as it is becoming a norm that the academics not only look forward to, but plan on as well. This is also an opportunity for the faculty librarians to engage with the faculty members in terms of identifying their information needs and the gaps in the collection.

To ensure Patron Driven Acquisition (PDA), students, particularly Masters’, Doctoral and Post Docs are also invited to participate in the selection of books related to their areas of study. The vendors who exhibited their collections and supplied books focusing on various disciplines included Van Schaik Bookstores, Vuga, Best Books, RexReg Express and AMS. The book exhibitions continue to demonstrate a true spirit of collaboration within the various units in the library as well as the embodiment of embedded librarianship under the leadership of Ms Molly Kekana. Colleagues really pulled together in organising and participating in this event.

The exhibitions in April and May were a great success despite sharing dates with the Graduation ceremony and Research day. The library is looking forward to many more.

Boitumelo Masilo and Dina Mashiyane
Faculty Librarians: Information Services (Mafikeng)

National Book Week (3 – 9 September 2018) & International Literacy Day (8 September 2018)

National Book Week is a reading promotion campaign that was initiated by the South African Book Development Council (SABDC) in partnership with the Department of Arts and Culture.

International Literacy Day is an initiative of the United Nations to create awareness of literacy challenges across the globe.  The issue of literacy is a key component of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and created a highlight for National Book Week this year.

NWU Library & Information Services created awareness and promoted reading with exhibitions in the libraries of fiction and children’s books from our collections. Some fun events also took place.

Mahikeng

The NWU Mahikeng Library had a colourful display of the children’s collection to commemorate national book week and international literacy day. There was an interactive activity where patrons used colouring pens to colour  the pictures on display; and a slideshow on the library monitor encouraging users to check out children’s books and read to children, the hashtag from the national book week theme,  #ourstories, was used. There was great participation from the users on the colouring activity as well as the children’s collection. We had a visit from Dr Wessels and Dr Erasmus, senior lecturers from the department of Education: foundation phase, they were very impressed and expressed heartfelt gratitude for the much needed and relevant collection, as well as the display.

Potchefstroom

An exhibition of fiction books and children’s books was set up on the ground floor of the Ferdinand Postma Library for National Book Week. International literacy day was celebrated on Friday, 7 September.  Library patrons took part in an activity, Expand your vocabulary, during which they could win small prizes.  This created a lot of excitement.

Vanderbijlpark

During National Book Week, VC Library patrons, were startled by the quaint appearance of *Bibliophile* the Library bookworm. *Bibliophile * believes that books have the power to teach, inspire, and connect people. *Bibliophile * encouraged the patrons to read a book, or at least a magazine or newspaper during National Book Week. They were reminded that books and stories are part of the wealth and culture of communities.

*Bibliophile * were accompanied by little squirmy wormy book ambassadors, scattering short messages or quotes on books and reading. The little squirmy wormy book ambassadors, jibed the Library patrons (tongue-in-cheek), that the best safeguard against collection infestation, is good reading habits. They absolutely love the starch components in book cloth, and would easily create tunnels and holes, whilst grazing through underutilized Library books.

Library patrons committing themselves to the pledge #READ during National Book Week, each received an edible little squirmy wormy ambassador (80), from *Bibliophile * guardian, Louise Harmse.

Many students also grasped the opportunity to take a picture with *Bibliophile *.

Mahikeng Library book exhibition

On the 27-31 July the NWU LIS Mahikeng had the pleasure of hosting the 2018 book exhibition.

This exhibition demonstrated a true example of embedded librarianship by taking the library to the faculties.  All the activities were organised in each faculty building which meant that the academics and library staff as well as book suppliers had a chance to interact throughout the day for 3 days.  The following suppliers accepted the invitation and took part in the exhibition:  Vuga Book Supplies, Van Schaik, AMS and Best Books. The participation from academics and students was positive throughout the three days, the DVC also paid a visit.  This initiative enhanced patron driven acquisition as not only academics could select books, but an opportunity was provided to students as well.  The overall turnout was impressive.   Feedback was taken from faculty members as well as students, which would be incorporated in future book exhibitions.