SA Library Week 2015

The national Department of Arts and Culture, together with LIASA (Library and Information Association of South Africa), declared 14 to 21 March to be SA Library Week 2015. The theme for the week was “Connect @ your library!”. This theme focuses on libraries as socially inclusive spaces that connect people, communities, society, information, knowledge and technology. Theresa de Young tells us more about the celebrations.

Hosted by LIASA, the launch programme reflected these connections as played out by library users, staff, sponsors and supporters. This took the form of a human sociogram depicting all sectors of South African society and the roll that libraries have played in their lives. Learners read stories and a dance group performed to illustrate the importance of libraries. The highlight was a group of learners from the rural Overberg area who read with passion and enjoyment. Teens from IkamvaYouth educational NGO performed poetry in praise of their local libraries and award-winning author, Sipho Kekezwa explained how the librarian and the library moulded his success. The guest speaker was Rejoice Mabhundafasi, Deputy Minister of Arts and Culture, who highlighted the need to acknowledge libraries and library services. The launch ended with a poster demonstration against the recent burning of libraries whilst poets recited poetry about the impact of libraries. The SABC set aside the 16th of March to join in the celebrations. Their programme kicked off with the Did you know? campaign which started on the 9th. The goal of the campaign was to heighten the role and importance of libraries and specifically the SABC Information Library. During this campaign fun facts about libraries were distributed to personnel.