Special Collection Tours

The Special Collections Unit of the Department of Library Services (DLS) is now offering a “behind-the-scenes” look into their collections and unique items. These Special Collections Tours aim to help students and staff learn more about our wonderful collections. This unit has played a stewardship role in the acquisition and preservation of the DLS’s rare and valuable information resources since 1932 when it was first decided to build an Africana collection. We curate various collections including our Africana Collection focussing on the geographical, historical, or cultural development of Africa, south of the Sahara. Other collections include the UP Publications or (TUK) Collection, which comprises all publications produced by or about the University of Pretoria, and the Reserved Collection of non-Africana books of antiquarian and preservation value.

Here are some of the fascinating items held in our collections:

• An 1899 facsimile edition of the Egyptian Book of the Dead, donated by the British Museum.
• A signed collector’s edition of Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela.
• Bayān al-Dīn, the oldest surviving Afrikaans-in-Arabic script publication.
• A 1970 facsimile edition of a 13^th-century manuscript of Parzifal.
• Titurel und Tagelieder by Wolfram von Eschenbach.
• Lapa Bavela Ngakona, the first South African History book in isiZulu.

The Special Collections tours have generated much interest among the UP community and the tours have been very successful. Individual departments and units of the DLS and UP community have also booked tours for their staff members which have been very popular.

Tours are offered to all staff and students of the University, last approximately one hour and are limited to 15 people. There are still places available on the tours taking place on the 29^th of September and the 26^th of October so please click on the links to register. Alternatively, you can contact [email protected] to discuss more specialised tours. We hope to see you in The Special Collections Unit soon.