In a first for Africa, the University of Pretoria has launched its “new” interactive, 21st-century hi-tech Health Sciences Library at the Faculty of Health Sciences, seeking to bridge the gap between learning and innovation and providing virtual spaces – and the technology – for students to reach their potential.

“After countless hours of hard work and months of conceptualising, designing and building, through all the hurdles and noise, we have reached the long-awaited launch. I can confidently say that we have transformed our library into a state-of-the-art centre for learning, fitting for the 21st century,” said Professor Tiaan de Jager, Dean: Faculty of Health Sciences.

“This library will be at the forefront of this revolution in our Faculty,” added Prof de Jager at the launch on 3 May. The Faculty held a second launch for students on 4 May.

Addressing staff, students and guests after a recital by the Faculty of Health Sciences Choir under conductor Mpumelelo Manyathi, Prof de Jager said the launch of the library is aligned with the University’s commitment to breaking down silos and, ultimately, the Faculty's strategic plan of ‘reimagined facilities’.

“The library also aligns with international library trends of promoting collaborative student learning through innovation and technology,” he added.

Students previously used the Basic Medical Sciences Library (across the road on the Prinshof South Campus).

Prof de Jager said the launch of the library is aligned with the University’s commitment to breaking down silos and, ultimately, the Faculty's strategic plan of ‘reimagined facilities’.

Work on the new library began in 2020 when staff began packing books from the new home for the library in boxes. In 2021, team moved to a temporary location in the building once the open collection and journals were stored before construction began.

Prof de Jager said that the library was an integral part of the UP philosophy of being a learner for life. The aim was to create an environment where sharing knowledge becomes second nature. “Whenever you step into this library, you will always be able to step out a little more enriched,” said Prof de Jager.

Referring to the fourth industrial revolution as “old news” since the fifth industrial revolution had arrived and was gaining momentum, Prof de Jager said the difference is the human aspect, particularly its harmonisation and collaboration with machines and technology.

“As a leading research university in South Africa, we strive for excellence in every aspect of our teaching and learning. For this reason, this library, in line with our faculty implementation plan, will cater to helping our staff and students grow not only in their academic lives but also in their personal and professional endeavours.

“We encourage and look forward to everyone taking the opportunity to use this new space as a hub for their dreams and ideas and greater interdisciplinary engagement,” Prof de Jager said.

Urging guests to walk through the library, the Prof said, “Our very own “XR Toybox”, is bound to be a hit with staff and students.

As expected, the library’s XR Toybox proved to be very popular with both students and staff.

UP Director of Library Services Lindiwe Soyizwapi told guests that the launch celebrated the refurbished library. “It's an enabling facility that has completely been reimagined. It fits perfectly in UP’s ecosystem of learning spaces.”

She said libraries have evolved from places where users access information and use learning spaces to spaces where people connect, create and collaborate. Libraries are transforming into student success hubs,” added Soyizwapi.

Describing the vision for library spaces, Soyizwapi said they would become spaces that fuse intellectual curiosity with technology; provide hybrid learning spaces for various forms of study; a place to connect with people, resources, and expert help from library staff.

On a lighter note, Soyizwapi said that during Library Week, students were asked how the library helps them on their academic journey. “We had lots of interesting responses,” she said and spoke about a student who had said this is where she had met her husband. The interactive library offers collaboration spaces, going from 8 to 16 discussion rooms that host 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12-seater rooms. In addition, there is a 24-hour study area –  where students can sit individually or in groups. Provision has been made for an open social space for ‘non-quiet’ reading. There is also a dedicated social space for collaboration and non-quiet reading.

A ‘quiet’ study area with dedicated reading space has been created for those wanting silence. There are projectors with display screens in all discussion rooms. The new library has a flexible design, collaborative spaces, virtual/ augmented reality that will enhance teaching, learning, research, signage and wayfinding, hotdesks for visible support, and comfortable designs.

“Modern, aesthetically pleasing, the design fits our purpose as a university. As Robert (Moropa – retired Director of Library Services) would say, “a truly 21st-century library”,” said Soyizwapi.

“As we receive the baton today, much work lies ahead for us. We accept the responsibility, and we believe we are up for it. The library team is excited finally to have a conducive work environment and, most importantly, to be available to all our students and staff,” she added.

A beaming third-year medical student at the Faculty, Amukelani Manda, said the new library was “beautiful”; one could play VR Games on the XR Toybox and learn, but most of all, the interactive library will assist in planning one’s learning path using state-of-the-art technology.

Chené Stander, also a third-year student studying towards a Bachelor of Sciences in Occupational Therapy, said the refurbished library was a great addition to the Faculty, as it offers convenience, meaning students no longer had to walk to the closest library across the street. “It is hi-tech and will make learning fun and give us the tools to reach for our dreams,” she said.