On 28 February 2024, the North-West Provincial Archives hosted a dialogue that was centred on using Oral History practices and Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) in bridging generational gaps to foster moral regeneration. According to Mr Mojuta Motlhamme, an NWU lecturer, “oral history is a method of conducting historical research through recorded interviews between a narrator with personal experience of historically significant events and a well-informed interviewer, with the goal of adding to the historical record”. This dialogue saw different practitioners from traditional healers, provincial librarians, IK scholars and a Christian leaders taking to the stage and sharing their knowledge with the youth from different schools, students, lecturers, and the community at large.
Addressing the theme, motivational speaker Ms. Feni Nkhumisang drew upon her Ph.D. literature review, emphasizing the utilization of oral history practices and Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) to bridge generational gaps, foster cohesion, instill respect, and cultivate a positive self-image. Her literature review revealed that the predominant themes regarding the role of indigenous games in children’s skill development primarily centered on social skills, progressing towards specialized life skills.
In conclusion, speakers challenged young people to decolonise their perspective towards indigenous games by demonstrating some opportunities and benefits associated with professional development and prospects of indigenous games as advocated in the IKS Act 6 of 2019.
LIS staff attended a storytelling workshop at UP Department of Library Services on 5 August 2022.
Investing in Early Childhood Development (ECD) is known as the smartest investment a community can make. Storytelling brings satisfaction and joy to the audience. It is the tool to transfer knowledge and insight to those who are listening. Storytelling existed for many centuries and was not merely for entertainment, but to explore ideas and share wisdom by means of life experiences. As part of generational knowledge transfer, grandparents would read and tell stories to their grandchildren. Those without grandparents would not benefit from this method of knowledge transfer. The Storytelling Workshop illuminated the stereotype of the grandparents as the only storytellers.
Storytelling is appreciated and valued as it presents the following benefits:
Teaching and impressing life’s lessons children can learn from
Stimulating children’s mental faculties from an early age and enhancing their use of language
Strengthens the relationship between the storyteller and the audience
The storyteller needs to think about their audience before choosing or writing a story to share. They need to determine the age group and the interest of the audience. The structure of the story must have a beginning, a conflict, and a happy ending. Above all else, it is important to use your voice, body, and face as tools to create a picture for the audience for them to understand the background, setting and objective of the story. The body language, tone of voice and facial expressions can draw the audience to concentrate and understand the content portrayed.
Mr Modisa, Deputy Director UP Library Services recommended that higher learning institutions should not be viewed as a place for acquiring degrees, but as a place that offers help to the community because the community makes up a university.
We need to follow up:
The National Reading Coalition is willing to provide reading material. They are working with 8000 schools and have provided lesson plans and reading books to these schools. There are 55000 books donated as part of their collection box from University of Pretoria, University of Johannesburg, and Tshwane University of Technology. They are looking to work with higher learning institutions.
Nal’ibali (isiXhosa for here’s the story), is a national reading-for-enjoyment campaign. It seeks to spark and embed a culture of reading across South Africa. They are willing to have book displays in the library and workshops on storytelling. The Faculty of Education can benefit from this provision by introducing the potential early childhood development teachers to this initiative as they will be teaching children in future.
LIS staff Magriet Afrika, Lindi Mahlangu, Christine Nel (UP), Jo-Ann Manotwane, Nthabiseng Maseko, Maria Lesele and Mabotsha Mamabolo who attended the story-telling workshop, together with the organizer of the workshop, Ms Christine Nel of UP Department of Library Services.
Feedback from some of the staff: “The session was very informative. I have learnt the importance of instilling reading skills from the early childhood development phase. This will equip children with the ability to read and presentation skills needed to survive in the basic education and higher learning sector. This will also help the storytellers tell stories in a manner that will not be forgotten and have an everlasting impression.” – Lindi Mahlangu (Librarian: Undergraduate Support.)
“It enhanced my storytelling perspective and I have learnt how to be a better storyteller by being in the character and setting of the story for better deliverance to the audience.” Jo-Ann Manotwane ( Library Assistant: Loan Services.)
“I have previously underestimated the relevance and the importance of storytelling but after the workshop, I have learnt the importance of structuring the story and not just reading it.” – Magriet Africa ( Assistant Librarian: Information Commons)
The storytelling impression is deeply entrenched, and it doesn’t matter how old the story, it remains forever. “We don’t have to find a story; we are the story.” – Righardt le Roux (Nal’ibali, Provincial Coordinator)
The North-West University (NWU) Library and Information Service (LIS) hosted an online seminar that was facilitated by Ntobeko Sikhakhane (Manager Information Resources), with opening remarks by Neli Kaunda (Director Shared Services) and closing remarks by Dr Mathew Moyo (Chief Director: LIS). The seminar presented an opportunity to share knowledge and experiences on the latest academic library strategies that strengthen and promotes digital content. Besides eBooks, the significance of print resources was highlighted as they come with various advantages, such as physical access thus increasing the value of the existence of libraries as the place of prominence in the institution. In essence, both print and eBooks are paramount in library operations. However, eBooks come at a highly competitive level to print resources with enhanced easy access beyond library walls. They offer better engagement with sharable, easily upgraded content and better retention for future use. It is also easy to link the content of additional resources using eBooks.
Speakers from different institutions shared effective strategies for managing and promoting eBooks. Representation was from diverse library portfolios:
The University of South Africa, Ms Dudu Nkosi (Acting Executive Director: Library and Information Services/Director: Information Resources Content Management),
University of Stellenbosch, Pieter du Plessis (Senior Librarian: Law @ Stellenbosch University)
University of Cape Town Caroline Dean (Principal Librarian @ UCT) and from
NWU, Hendra Pretorius (Director – Information and Learning Services) & Carine Basson (Senior Librarian – e-Resources & Periodicals). Representation from the publishing industry was Daneshree Moodley @ Elsevier Sub-Saharan Africa, Keith Stanley @ Browns Books International UK, and, Mosebjadi Petje @ EBSCO.
Having more control over the budget and managing subscription and subject packages as well as individual titles, looking at how many times content has been requested proved useful for most institutions with guiding principles in place as to why and for whom you are buying. Given off-campus authentication, some institutions endorse the purchasing principles for eBooks as a default format unless the print is specifically requested. Learning tools and interoperability brings eBooks to the classroom by embedding library resources into the classroom platform collaboratively between the library, lecturers, and students. Academic staff and faculty librarians should review titles and carefully engage with the content. Relevant titles can be included as e-reading lists for students. Students would then get direct links to selected content to read conveniently virtually or using the libraries’ physical resources.
Augmented reality has taken the eBook experience to a new level with texts and images being embedded in content and availability pops up on the user’s screen. Students can view images which makes reading and learning a much more immersive experience in augmented reality.
Other popular promotional strategies are:
Linking eBooks to the catalogue
Use of LibGuides searching for resources
Use of the institutional Webpage
Social media, mostly Facebook, however skilfully
Include eBooks prominently in the teaching & learning spaces such as when developing video-recorded lessons, and use turn-away statistics for highly requested titles for selection criteria.
Frequent general and focused awareness should be a continuous process for the relevant library departments in a joint effort with academics to promote the use of eBooks. Library workshops, Library orientations (online + physical), Vendor training and transition training from print to electronic – use of permalinks could be practical efforts. Also conducting usability surveys is beneficial to gain insight into the preferred format and analysing circulation statistics to determine the type of access needed. The focus should be on delivering a good service for users.
A degree of willingness in adapting to innovative technology by staff, libraries and students often results in numerous benefits with the ease of use of digital resources. User authentication enables everywhere accessibility. All participants discovered new ways to promote eBooks as an outcome of the online seminar.
As the North-West University Library & Information Service (LIS) migrates to the 4th generation library system, Sabinet hosted 2 Change Management sessions to prepare staff for the lifecycle of all change processes until the final completion of the project. The objective is to respond to our client’s changing needs whilst reducing risks that might disrupt service operations. In the first session held from 10:00 – 12:00, there were 55 participants and the afternoon session held at 14:00 – 16:00 was attended by 24 participants and in total 97 staff members including Sabinet staff and the guest speaker from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal (UKZN) attended. In context, the workshop explained why change is important: to measure predictability and to have content staff thus this would result in peace of mind for management as all staff would understand the functionality of the system, less panic and successful implementation by year-end.
Key activities that were highlighted are:
Prepare
Robust methodology
Build skills
Invest in the change management
Drivers for change nurtured are:
Technology and innovation
Students and staff research needs
Search efficiency
Smart working
Offering a competitive service
Some perspectives to be noted:
Workflows are very ingrained
Managing the human side of change
Attitudes and emotions
The more people are prepared, the smoother the change will go. Preparing for implementation is essential. Ensuring that there is continuous communication will avert resistance. Therefore, the following success factors have been identified:
Staff involvement
Streamlined processes (integrating systems & and processes)
Staff training demonstrations
Staff involvement in testing & configuration
Staff acceptance
Updates on project progress (delays & status)
Communication (two-way communication, internal and with the vendor)
Post-implementation hiccups
Consultation with the vendor
When change management is in a structured approach it certainly brings meaningful organisational outcomes. We adhere to having regular training sessions with staff so that they feel that they are actively participating and providing input. Thank you for your attendance and active participation.
NELI KAUNDA PROJECT LEADER LIS DIRECTOR SHARED SERVICES
The series was presented by the Directorate for Research Support.
The aim of the workshop is to gain experience to attract more research funding. Research as an enterprise requires local and international funding. The workshops were organised to capacitate especially upcoming researchers to enable and equip them to better understand the funding landscape.
During a crisis, libraries should aim to continue consistent services to their clients and users, without any fluctuations or delays. Yet, when it was announced in March 2020 that all public places were to be closed for an indefinite time, libraries also had to close on short notice. As library staff had no prior warning of the temporary but immediate lockdown, no plans could be made for meeting the challenges of the lockdown. Books issued for a determinate time, could not be returned and used books, periodicals and other items could not be shelved before the closure of the libraries.
Collaboration
Ms. Moipone Qhomane-Goliath, the Campus Librarian at the University of Johannesburg, initiated a virtual talk amongst three university libraries, namely the University of Johannesburg, North-West University and the University of the Free State. The Talk took place on 20 October 2021. The aim was to start collaboration, share challenges and lessons learned during and post lockdown and resuscitate the Circulations Interest Group. A number of Librarians and Library Client Service Directors attended the virtual talk. The team from the University of Johannesburg compiled a programme for the session, which covered a variety of topics.
Ms. Nomoya Mahlangu, Director Client Services at the University of Johannesburg graced the event with her presence. In her welcome address, she highlighted her excitement about the initiative and wished that the collaboration could be sustained. She also emphasised that Circulations Services is the face of a library and we need to rethink, re-invent and relook at establishing a circulation interest group.
Also present was Mr. Charlie Molepo, LIASA president-elect. He provided words of encouragement and navigated through his career path. He indicated that his career started as a shelver in the Circulations Section at the then Vista University. He registered and obtained a library qualification and grew through the ranks in the library sector. Mr. Molepo is now a Deputy Director at the University of the Free State and referred to himself as a new broom on the block. He encouraged attendees to make use of the LIASA early bird registration and join or renew their LIASA membership on or before 31st December 2021.
Both Ms. Nomoya Mahlangu and Mr. Charlie Molepo spoke about the importance to revive the Support Services Interest Group to share ideas. Mr. Molepo also indicated that LIASA is in a process of applying for the new Library Assistant Designation with SAQA.
Presenters shared their experiences on the following topics:
The effect of COVID-19 on Circulation and Shelving staff (UFS)
New services implemented during lockdown (NWU)
The challenges (UJ, NWU & UFS)
Rethinking the role of Circulation staff in academic libraries (UJ)
Skilling for post COVID: rethinking the role of Circulation staff in academic libraries (UFS)
Libraries as a physical and virtual student success hub (NWU)
Trends and similarities between the three libraries to provide services to users during lockdown:
Book return or drop boxes where extended and placed at prominent locations such as the main entrance of the universities, so that users could return their library material.
Curbside services offered users an opportunity to request books from the library. Library staff would then deliver the books to users at a specific time and place at the main entrance or just outside the university.
Reskilling and up-skilling of staff in other roles took place, such as basic information retrieval skills.
Job rotation took place.
A scanning service was provided to users. They could request scans of journal articles (only in print format) or book chapters.
WhatsApp was used for communication between staff.
Conclusion
Despite all challenges experienced, there were good lessons learned and initiatives implemented. These demonstrated librarians’ resilience, passion and dedication in delivering quality service in pursuit of meeting the information needs of users. We acknowledge that technology may evolve and reshape the librarian’s role, however Library Circulations will never die, as it is the face of each library.
MR MARTIN NOKOANE Manager Loan Services (Potchefstroom), Library and Information Service (NWU)
MS MOIPONE QHOMANE-GOLIATH Campus Librarian (UJ)
MS ANNAMARIE DU PLESSIS Assistant Director, Library & Information Services (UFS)
Research Visibility: Driving Open Access (with Open Research Data) without violating the Copyright law, POPIA, and Code of Ethics
The Library and Information Service hosted a successful webinar titled Research Visibility: Driving Open Access (with Open Research Data) without violating the Copyright law, POPIA, and Code of Ethics, on 12 May 2021. The webinar was facilitated by Prof Jako Olivier (the UNESCO Chair on Multimodal Learning and Open Educational Resources hosted at the NWU), and well attended by a number of NWU staff as well as other and non-members of the North-West University.
Prof Olivier provided a brief background on the concept of Open Access with emphasis on engaged scholarship, by opening research and educational knowledge output to the public. Prof Olivier highlighted the social responsibility of the NWU as institution of higher learning that shares its research outputs with the members of the public through the Institutional Repository (BOLOKA).
The keynote speaker, Prof Caroline B. Ncube (Research Chair in Intellectual Property, Innovation and Development) at the Department of Commercial Law at the University of Cape Town, gave a presentation on how researchers can control and improve their online presence and visibility of their research. A four-step guide was presented that identified points such assessing one’s current online presence, improving output and visibility. Applicable concepts such copyright, POPIA, and research ethics were also discussed.
Prof Ncube ended with encouraging words and confirmed that it is researchers’ social responsibility to ensure that their research work is openly accessible to the society at large, and making social impact.
Seven NWU LIS Cataloguers attended the LIASA Interest Group for Bibliographic Standards (IGBIS) workshop at Leriba hotel in Centurion on the 29-30 August 2019. The keynote speaker, Prof Maria Frahm-Arp set the tone with a core message of the forum with her interesting speech: Implementing 4IR in Libraries: Some lessons learnt. The theme of the workshop was: The fourth industrial revolution and its relevance to professional information resource description. The two day workshop provided open forum presentations on the first day and demonstrations and practical exercises on the second day.
Topics that were presented on day one:
What does link data mean to libraries on a practical level?
Aligning standards between catalogues & repositories: considerations
MarcEdit – a case study in automated record creation
Burying MARC to give life to BIBFRAME: are cataloguers in Africa ready for the new baby in the court of the 4IR
The purpose of work records in FRBR and RDA
Shelf packers? Cataloguers in a world of automatic metadata extraction
Education of cataloguing and classification in the Fourth Industrial Revolution
On the second day the presenters gave live demonstrations on RDA toolkit and Web Dewey. Name authority files were also explained. After the demonstrations Cataloguers grouped themselves for group exercises. It happened that the NWU Cataloguers found themselves in Group 8, which consisted of seven NWU Cataloguers, a Cataloguer from University of Venda and two Cataloguers from Msunduzi Municipal Library. In the first exercise, all the groups were given the same monograph to catalogue manually. They had to rely on their cataloguing experience and memories. The exercise was complicated as Cataloguers are used to online systems, using MARC fields to structure their records. Three professional field experts were present to provide feedback on the answers from the groups. According to them, Group 8 created the best RDA bibliographic record. We were so proud of our dedicated and dynamic cataloguing group as we were nominated the ‘Cataloguing Champs‘ for the 2019 IGBIS annual event. It was an honour to be awarded this title by experts in the field, especially because there were many experienced Cataloguers competing.
The Cataloguing Champions
Some of the things that we’ve learnt:
Don’t be afraid to use “cataloguers judgement”;
Become more experienced with cataloguing tools such as RDA Toolkit and Classification Web;
Don’t try to memorize everything in cataloguing and classification guidelines;
Learn more and get useful tips in cataloguing by subscribing to listservs such as ClassWeb, NACO and PCCLIST;
Most importantly don’t be afraid of different cataloguing formats;
And ‘Smile’ – because “A smile is a curve that sets everything right” (quoted by Dr. Tienie de Klerk).
Contributions by Cataloguing staff: Senior Librarian, Benford Rabatseta and Librarians Suzette Janse van Rensburg and Mietsie Harman.
The Mafikeng Library hosted an author workshop for researchers on 3 May 2019. The workshop was hosted in the library conference room and was facilitated by Emerald Group Publishing and WWIS (on behalf of Web of Science). The presenters were Mr Sibu Zondi (Emerald) and Ms Zanele Magoba-Nomvete (WWIS). The purpose of the workshop was to share knowledge of publishing with emerging researchers. Among the areas covered were the publishing process, ethics of publishing, choosing a journal to publish, the importance of publishing in quality journals, bibliometrics, EndNote online as well as the impact of research. The workshop was well attended and interaction of NWU researchers were quiet impressive. The researchers commended the library for hosting such workshops and requested more workshops of this nature in the future.
Glenda Makate
Senior Librarian: Information Services (Mahikeng)
NWU: Library and Information Service News 