Department of Library Services Newsletter - Issue 3 - 2024

12 December 2024
This newsletter highlights collaborative initiatives, news, and updates of the Department of Library Services, aimed at supporting the university's academic agenda and make a positive impact on the broader community. Enquiries can be directed to Zenzile Ntshabele ([email protected])

News and Events

Season’s Greetings from the Director
Director of the Department of Library Services

Celebrating Commitment, Resilience, and a Strong Finish to 2024

As we approach the final stretch of the academic year, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone for their contributions, hard work, and dedication, which have made the Department of Library Services (DLS) a meaningful contributor to the academic project. While a few tasks and challenges remain, I am confident we will approach them with the same enthusiasm and determination that defines us. 

John Maxwell reminds us, “To reach the finish line, you must wade through tedious details, take care of thankless tasks, and tie up thousands of loose ends.” Finishing strong reflects our commitment, integrity, and pursuit of excellence. 

As the DLS team evolves, I would like to acknowledge the colleagues who joined us in 2024 and express our gratitude to those who have bid farewell, including retirees and those pursuing new opportunities. Your contributions have left a lasting impact. I also want to thank our contract students for the valuable energy and fresh perspectives they bring to our team. To our interns who are our colleagues, we appreciate your openness to learn, and the lessons you also share with us.

Reflecting on 2024, I would like to thank you all for your commitment and passion as we navigated the year, at times surprising ourselves with levels of resilience we didn’t realize we possessed.

As we close the year, I encourage you to take a well-deserved break over the festive season. Take the time to appreciate your loved ones and do the things that inspire and keep you happy. I wish you and your families a safe and joyous holiday season, and I look forward to welcoming you back in the New Year with renewed energy and enthusiasm.

- Author: Lindiwe Soyizwapi
New Vice-Chancellor Engages with Students and Therapy Dogs at Top Dog Session
Community over Commercialization: International Open Access Week Event
The History of Banning Books in South Africa and its Implications
AI Tech in Higher Institutions of Learning and Education: A Friend and/or a Foe?
Decolonising the Library Collection and Fostering Inclusion
The Knowledge Nexus: A Thriving Hub of Learning, Support, and Collaboration
Storytelling: A Heartfelt Outreach at Mamelodi Campus
The Education Library Celebrates Top Library User of 2024!
Wrap Up in Wisdom – Visit Our Festive Book Tree!

Visitors

Merensky Timber Executive Visits Merensky 1 & 2 Libraries to Explore Shared History
Professor Dikgang Moseneke Visits the O.R. Tambo Law Library
University of Limpopo's Copyright Benchmarking Visit
UNISA's Research Data Management Benchmarking Visit

Staff News

Welcome - Zamaswazi Ngwenya, Senior Administrative Officer
Welcome - Mxolisi Sokhela, Cataloguer
Welcome - Zandile Mthethwa, Cataloguer
Welcome - Mpho Gagane, UX Librarian
Welcome - Lizwi Njani, Web & Systems Co-ordinator
Retirement: Goodbye from Isobel Rycroft
Retirement: Woofs, Wisdom, and the Open Road - A Fond Farewell from Elsabé Olivier
Retirement: Farewell and New Beginnings: A Heartfelt Goodbye from Martha Muller
Perseverance and Balance: A Golden Key Student's Journey of Academic and Professional Excellence
Lifelong learning in action