Month: September 2024

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Digital Heritage: A Whole Different “Liège”

Mimi Seyffert-Wirth, Director of Scholarly Communication and Marketing recently attended the Erasmus Training Week at the University of Liège Library in Belgium from 10 to 14 June 2024. The theme, “Opening up our Heritage: Challenges and Opportunities in Digitising and Promoting Cultural and Research Collections,” focused entirely on the digitization of heritage collections, making it a highly specialized but fascinating week.

22 participants participated in the programme, a small group which made networking with each other very convenient. There was also ample opportunity for discussion after presentations and all participants are expected to send a draft article related to their presentation through to the organisers before end October. These will be published in 2025.

Many presentations covered specialized, niche projects, which were very interesting. Others focused on larger projects such as national aggregators for digital heritage and the redesigning of massive digital heritage databases. In terms of information technology tools and software, it was interesting to note that all participants are employing either DSpace, OMEKA S or Alma, or a combination of these.

The group was thoroughly European, with participants from countries like Greece, Latvia, the Scandinavian nations, and extending as far west as Spain and Portugal.
The train station’s architecture is truly breathtaking, with its ceiling design serving as an inspiration for the Uliège logo, as reflected here.
Impressions of Liège: It’s summer here, and the city’s vibrant charm is on full display.

Uliège City Campus

Key Takeaways 

  1. Citizen Science and Crowdsourcing
    Projects from Leuven and Strasbourg universities showed how involving the public in digitization, such as documenting regional chapels, can bring in high-quality contributions. Using tools like OMEKA S, the public’s input proved invaluable—something we could explore to enrich our own collections at Stellenbosch.
  2. Volunteers in Action
    Many institutions, like Leiden University, are using volunteers to help with digitization. It’s an idea worth considering, particularly for large-scale projects that could benefit from extra hands. 
  3. Collaborating Across Sectors
    National projects from Latvia, Switzerland, and Finland demonstrated the value of libraries, museums, and archives working together on digital heritage. Regional collaboration and the inclusion of local languages were key to their success, and their ability to secure government funding was impressive. 
  4. Open Access and Copyright Challenges
    Discussions around open access revealed that while some institutions are keen on sharing heritage freely, others are more resistant. Some are even exploring commercialization as a way to fund conservation efforts—sparking lively debates about the ethics of monetizing heritage. 
  5. AI in Heritage Projects
    AI is being used in exciting ways, such as helping Leiden University match 7,000 photographic negatives to prints. This could be a game-changer for managing large, complex collections. 

Library Delights:  

Special ‘beds’ for the books for a good night’s rest.

Scanners:  

Cultural Delights:  

Lessons and Next Steps 

The University of Liège Library is similar in size to Stellenbosch, making their innovative restructuring into six service areas a model to consider. They’ve also seen success with a strict Green Open Access policy, achieving an impressive 89% compliance from their researchers. 

Mimi returned with plenty of ideas to explore, including using citizen science to enhance collections like the Bells of the Western Cape and to enrich the Maguire digital collection as well as experimenting with AI for managing digital archives. 

Why Attend StEP? 

The StEP programme offers a fantastic opportunity to learn from international peers, gain fresh perspectives, and build professional networks. It’s an experience that more staff members should definitely take advantage of for their own development. 

Conclusion 

The Erasmus Training Week was not only informative but truly inspiring. With new insights into digital heritage and a wealth of ideas to bring back to Stellenbosch, the experience highlighted just how vital it is to stay engaged with global developments in the field .

 

Theresa Schoeman 

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Academic Triumphs: Conversations with SU Library’s Recent Master’s Degree Holders

In this Q&A feature, we celebrate the academic achievements of two dedicated Stellenbosch University Library and Information Service staff members who have recently earned their master’s degrees. Mr. Mbongiseni Magagula, Faculty Librarian at the SU Music Library, and Mr. Xabiso Xesi, Manager of Research Data Services, share their journeys, motivations, and the impact these accomplishments have had on their careers.

Mr. Magagula completed his Master of Commerce in Leadership Studies from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, with a thesis titled “Exploring Leadership Competencies at the University of KwaZulu-Natal Library in a Digital Age.” His work blends his passions for music, arts, and leadership within the library sector. Mr. Xesi recently graduated on 2 September 2024, with a master’s degree focused on “The Adoption of Research Data Management Practices by Emerging Researchers: A Case Study of Emerging Researchers at a Higher Education Institution in the Western Cape, South Africa,” supervised by Michelle Kahn.

Q&A with Mr. Xabiso Xesi

Mr. Xabiso Xesi, Manager of Research Data Services

Q: What inspired you to pursue a master’s degree in your field?

A: I have a background in information systems and wanted to enhance my knowledge of library processes. My main goal was to understand the foundational aspects of information management systems within an academic library setting.

Q: Can you share a memorable experience or challenge you faced during your studies?

A: One of my memorable moments is when I was selected as the recipient of the 2023 Research Seminar Series award for the most impactful student participation. The challenge I faced was around ethics application.

Q: How has earning this degree impacted your career goals or perspective on your field?

A: Earning this degree has motivated me to start exploring potential PhD topics that align with my interest in library science. It has also deepened my understanding of the field and reinforced my commitment to advancing my career in this area.

Q: What advice would you give to someone considering a master’s degree?

A: My advice is to remember that “your first draft is not going to be perfect.” Take great care with your submissions and never miss a deadline. Also, be sure to apply for ethics approval as early as possible to avoid delays in your research.

Q: What are your next steps or plans now that you have completed your master’s?

A: My next step is to pursue a PhD focused on “enhancing user experience in digital knowledge management systems: An inclusive and adaptive framework for academic libraries.”

Q&A with Mr. Mbongiseni Magagula

Mr. Mbongiseni Magagula, Faculty Librarian at the SU Music Library

Q: What inspired you to pursue a master’s degree in your field?

A: Interestingly, I initially wanted to pursue public policy but was denied, as the department strictly offered it to students with a political science and public policy background (undergraduate degree). As a musician or arts administrator working in the music industry with the late Mr. Mbongeni Ngema, among others, and as a Library Information Science professional sitting in board meetings and serving on various library committees, I realised a significant gap in arts administration. This motivated me to combine my passion for leadership and creativity. I noticed a significant gap in leadership and administration within library services, particularly in specialised areas like academic libraries. This observation motivated me to pursue further qualifications. By pursuing this qualification, I aimed to bridge this gap and develop the necessary expertise to lead and innovate within the library sector, ensuring that our services remain relevant, dynamic, and responsive to the evolving needs of our users.

Q: Can you share a memorable experience or challenge you faced during your studies?

A: Moving to Stellenbosch right after registering for my degree and adapting to the new environment was a major challenge. Juggling the demands of my new employment with academic deadlines and personal commitments became difficult at times. However, this experience taught me important lessons about time management, prioritisation, and resilience. It drove me to create an organised routine, which eventually helped me excel both professionally and academically.

Q: How has earning this degree impacted your career goals or perspective on your field?

A: Obtaining this degree has greatly expanded my view of my musicianship and librarian duties. It has expanded my awareness of how leadership principles may be used in arts administration, which is consistent with my goal of bridging the gap between music, arts, and library science to empower myself and others. This confluence of areas has solidified my commitment to promoting significant change in both the creative and academic sectors.

Q: What advice would you give to someone considering a master’s degree?

A: Supposedly, it is critical to remain enquiring and guarantee that the course of study allows for exploring interdisciplinary interests, such as how I linked my passion for the arts, music, and librarianship with leadership studies. Time management is essential, especially when juggling numerous tasks, so preparing ahead and maximising your abilities will make the journey more rewarding. You should also reach out to other professionals in your field to build a support network and ensure you are prepared for the obligations of your education. Building a positive and professional relationship with your supervisor is critical to ease your study journey.

Q: What are your next steps or plans now that you have completed your master’s?

A: I am content to contribute whenever possible, using my experience to support projects and activities that correspond with my interests and professional objectives. In addition, I intend to investigate interest opportunities for enhancing arts administration and library services by using novel management practices and promoting collaborations that cross these disciplines.

In conclusion, the journey through a master’s degree is challenging yet immensely rewarding. It not only enhances professional knowledge and skills but also opens doors to new opportunities and perspectives in the field. Pursuing further education, like a PhD, is a testament to the commitment to continuous learning and advancing one’s career.

 

Theresa Schoeman