Library Lovers’ Month Competition 2021

The Department of Library Services at the University of Pretoria, in partnership with Protea Bookshop  Hatfield, celebrated their love of our libraries in the LIASA MAIG Library Lovers’ Month competition mid-February to mid-March this year.

University of Pretoria (UP) students and staff members were invited to participate by liking the Protea Boekwinkel Hatfield and UP Library Services Facebook pages and sharing electronically why they loved any of our UP campus libraries. Protea Bookshop offered three wonderful prizes worth R6 000 in total!

The competition was promoted on the UP Library Services and Protea Bookshops’ social media platforms and a total of 93 entries were received. More than 70% of the entries were from undergraduate students, 18.5% from postgraduate students, 6.5% from professional staff members, 3.3% academic staff members and the rest from other categories. All the libraries received love letters, with Merensky 2 Library at the top of the list with 59 love letters, the OR Tambo Law Library with 10 and the Education Library with 9.

Although 5 students wrote break-up letters, the judges couldn’t help but notice that even the break-up letters were lamenting the fact that the libraries were physically closed for most of them. Bianka Thom mentioned in her break-up letter: “Merensky, nothing would make me happier than to run into your open arms and back to my dearest shelf 791. But that time is gone now.”

The judges read every letter and had a tough choice in choosing the winners, but with the assistance of some of the faculty library managers, the following winners were chosen:

Fikile Kellina Vilakazi won the R3 000 Protea Bookshop voucher with this letter: “I am writing this love letter to tell you how much I love you. You give me the groove. You keep me connected even when I am disconnected. You allow me to explore the world. With just a click of a button, I'm already flying. From YouTube to Google and from Facebook to Instagram. You help me get access to documents, archives, academic researches and genealogy. I love the access to the research data bases; it keeps me updated and my assessments completed and mastered. I love the free books. I get access to knowledge. I get inspired to inspire just before I expire. I'm so in love with my private spot, 'wow'. Quiet is cool, and with that I get to complete my assessment without any disruption.”

Imani Mahaseni won the Protea Bookshop Mystery Goody Bag, to the value of R2 000 with this letter: “I used to pass by your magnificent building afraid to go in and explore. However, I couldn't resist the urge to stay away. After I had stepped in, there was no turning back. You were a safe haven for me. Every time I had a mini breakdown, I found consolation in going to the sixth floor to grab as many novels as I could. It was difficult to pull away from the shelves because they are stacked up with so many books, it was difficult to decide which one to take. It was such a joy interacting with the library staff. When I hit the bricks, they pointed me in the right direction. Thank you for all those acts of kindness which restored my faith in humanity. During exams, you soothed us with a treat of hot chocolate, and activities to help us unwind and recharge. My favourite treat was when you brought in the therapy dogs during exam time. Hot chocolate, books and dogs go well together. “

Chanan Booysen won the R1 000 Protea Bookshop voucher with this letter: “If absence makes the heart grow fonder, then I have all the fondness in the universe for you. The last year away from you has been difficult. I wonder if you miss me as much as I miss you. When my heart aches with longing, I visit the Library Homepage, enter my search terms, and get lost in all the wonderful moments we've shared over the years. Merensky, you're marvellous. I can't help but smile when I see Libby waiting for me, and my heart pitter-patters as I climb the stairs to our special place: the communal study area on Level 5. The quiet swish of pages turning and air-conditioners humming forms the melody for our study dates, as you whisk me away on adventures of learning. You've opened my heart and mind to fresh ideas and new ways of thinking; you've given me access to WiFi, Study Collection, MakerSpace and TuksPrint. I love you, I miss you, and I hope to be with you soon.”

Imani Mahaseni                                                                                                  Chanan Booysen