[:en]The Library and Information Service hosted a Japanese exhibition in the Stellenbosch University Library. The exhibition, which ran from 8-20 August 2022, formed part of the launch of the Stellenbosch University Japan Centre (SUJC).
The SUJC has been established to enhance Japan-South Africa relations through i) promoting Japanese Studies at SU, ii) encouraging research and teaching collaboration in all fields of study, iii) hosting educational, cultural and in-person events for the broader community, and iv) engaging with external (e.g. Japanese business sector in SA) and continental stakeholders.
The Japanese exhibition included books on the art, economy, history, politics and social aspects of Japan. Some artefacts were also on display.
[:en]Have you been struggling with certain aspects relating to the management of your research data? Do you need more information about research data management at Stellenbosch University so that you can manage your research data more effectively or so that you can provide better support to the University’s students and researchers? Well, if that is the case you need to look no further than the Research Data Management Library Guide. This is an online information resource that has just been published by the Library and Information Service. The Research Data Management Library Guide provides a wealth of information about several issues relating to the management of research data. The libguide covers the following topics:
Research Data Management governance at Stellenbosch University
Research data services provided by the Library and Information Service
If you are interested in either improving your research data management skills or providing better research data-related support, please click here to access the Research Data Management Library Guide.[:af]Sukkel jy met sekere aspekte van die bestuur van jou navorsingsdata? Het jy ’n behoefte aan meer inligting oor die bestuur van navorsingsdata aan Universiteit Stellenbosch sodat jy jou data meer effektief kan bestuur of sodat jy die Universiteit se studente en navorsers beter kan ondersteun? Indien wel, is die biblioteekgids vir navorsingsdatabestuur jou antwoord. Hierdie aanlyn inligtingsbron is pas deur die Biblioteek en Inligtingsdiens gepubliseer en verskaf ’n oormaat van inligting wat verband hou met verskillende aspekte van die bestuur van navorsingsdata. Die volgende onderwerpe word gedek:
Die beheer van navorsingsdatabestuur by Universiteit Stellenbosch
Navorsingsdatadienste aangebied deur die Biblioteek en Inligtingsdiens
Indien jy daarin geïnteresseerd is om jou vaardighede ten opsigte van navorsingsdatabestuur te verbeter of om beter ondersteuning vir navorsingsdatabestuur te bied, kliek hier vir toegang tot die biblioteekgids vir navorsingsdatabestuur.[:]
[:en] Following the repeal of the remaining national Covid-19 regulations on 22 June 2022 and a statement issued by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Social Impact, Transformation and Personnel on 24 June, the Library (SU Library and branches) has decided to implement the following changes:
Number of clients and booking system
From 27 June 2022, the Library no longer has a limit on the number of clients and the buildings can be filled to capacity. The booking system in most of the Library venues will no longer apply, except at the Makerspace, Auditorium and some group study seminar rooms in the SU Library.
Sanitisation stations and social distancing
The Library will retain the sanitisation stations inside its buildings and where possible, clients are urged to continue maintaining social distancing.
SU access cards
Staff and students are reminded to always be in possession of their SU staff/student cards to access the Library buildings. No access will be granted without these cards.
All visiting researchers and academics must make prior arrangements through their faculties and departments to gain access to the Library.
Complaints about noise levels
Following complaints about high levels of noise in the Library, staff and students are reminded to adhere to the Library rules. The Library has designated quiet spaces where talking is not allowed. This rule will be strictly applied in the second semester.
For further details contact Ms Delene Pretorius[:af]Ná die herroeping van die oorblywende nasionale Covid-19-regulasies op 22 Junie 2022 en ’n verklaring deur die Viserektor: Sosiale Impak, Transformasie en Personeel op 24 Junie, het die Biblioteek (US Biblioteek sowel as takbiblioteke) besluit om die volgende veranderinge te implementeer:
Aantal kliënte en besprekingstelsel
Vanaf 27 Junie 2022 is daar nie meer ‘n beperking op die aantal kliënte nie en die biblioteekgeboue kan tot hul volle kapasiteit gevul word. Die besprekingstelsel is nie meer van toepassing nie, behalwe in die geval van die Innovasieruimte, die Ouditorium en sommige seminaarkamers in die US Biblioteek.
Ontsmetmiddels en sosiale distansiëring
Die Biblioteek sal voortgaan om ontsmetmiddels in biblioteekgeboue te voorsien en kliënte word aangemoedig om steeds, waar moontlik, sosiale distansiëring toe te pas.
US-toegangskaarte
Personeel en studente word daaraan herinner dat hulle nie sonder hulle personeel- of studentekaarte toegang tot die biblioteekgeboue sal kry nie.
Besoekers
Die Biblioteek is besig om ‘n nuwe toegangsstelsel vir besoekers (soos alumni, voornemende nagraadse student en skoolleerders) te implementeer. Totdat die nuwe stelsel in plek is het besoekers nie instaptoegang tot die biblioteke nie.
Alle besoekende navorsers en akademici moet vooraf met die fakulteite en departemente wat hulle kom besoek reëlings vir toegang tot die biblioteke tref.
Klagtes oor geraasvlakke
Ná klagtes oor die hoë vlakke van geraas in die Biblioteek, word personeel en studente herinner om by die Biblioteekreëls te hou. Die Biblioteek het toegewyde stil areas waar gesels nie toegelaat word nie. Hierdie reël sal in die tweede semester streng toegepas word.
[:en]Were you one of our 1 147 clients who “spoke” and completed the Library’s survey last year? Your responses have enabled the Library to identify where we need to improve, as well as where we are doing well. How is the Library responding? Below, we present what “You said” and how “we’re acting”.
1. IT
You said…
We’re Acting…
Provide easy-to-use access tools that allow me to find things on my own
· The Library is developing video tutorials and more courses on SUNLearn
Make it easy to locate information on the Library website
· The Library has made interim changes on the website
· We are also looking at redesigning a client-focused website with better navigation
Make it easy to access information to use by myself
· With us creating video tutorials and improving the Library website, it will be easy to access information independently
Make it easy to use my devices (laptops, smartphones and tablets) to access Library e-resources and services off-campus.
· The Library is developing videos to guide you on how to access resources from your devices
· We are willing to hear any further challenges and we will address them
2. Collections & information resources
You said…
We’re Acting…
Improve print &/or e-journal collections that I require for my work
· We will continue to actively negotiate and lobby for additional funding to improve print &/or e-journal collections that are required for the learning, teaching and research needs of academics and students.
· In addition, the Library will continue to involve you (clients) in spending our library acquisitions budget and will communicate information to faculties annually. Faculties are also given an opportunity to review their journal titles.
3. Research support
You said…
We’re Acting…
Improve research support (such as helping me manage my references, research data, guiding me in terms of open access publishing and helping me track my research impact)
· We are increasing our marketing efforts through the Library Research News blog, library guides, social media and targeted e-mails. We will continue to investigate new platforms to market our services to you as our client.
[:af]Indien jy een van die 1 147 kliënte was wat verlede jaar gepraat het deur die Biblioteek se biblioteekopname te voltooi, het jy dit vir die Biblioteek moontlik gemaak om vas te stel waar ons goed doen, maar ook waar ons moet verbeter. Hier onder gee ons terugvoer en dui aan wat ons gaan doen in antwoord op wat jy gesê het.
1. IT
Julle het gesê…
Ons tree op…
Voorsien hulpmiddels wat maklik is om te gebruik en wat my bemagtig om dinge self te vind
· Die Biblioteek is besig om video-tutoriale en nog kursusse op SUNLearn te ontwikkel
Maak dit maklik om inligting op die Biblioteek se webblad te vind
· Die Biblioteek het interimveranderinge op die webblad aangebring
· Ons ondersoek ook die herontwerp van ’n kliëntgefokusde webblad met beter navigasie
Maak dit vir my maklik om self inligting op te spoor en gebruik
· Die videotutoriale en die verbeterde Biblioteekwebblad sal dit vir jou maklik maak om self toegang tot inligting te kry
Maak dit maklik om my toestelle (skootrekenaar, slimfoon en tablet) te gebruik om van buite die kampus toegang tot die Biblioteek se e-bronne en dienste te verkry
· Die Biblioteek is besig om videos te ontwikkel wat jou sal wys hoe om van jou toestelle toegang tot bronne te kry
· Die Biblioteek het inligting oor hoe om toestelle te gebruik om toegang tot e-bronne te kry bygevoeg by die webinaar Off-campus access to Library E-resources (#SmartStudent werksessie) sowel as by die opleidingsessies vir voor- en nagraadse studente
· Laat weet ons gerus indien daar nog enige uitdagings is en ons sal met graagte daaraan aandag gee
2. Versamelings en inligtingshulpbronne
Julle het gesê…
Ons tree op…
Verbeter die gedrukte en elektroniese tydskrifversamelings wat ek vir my werk benodig
· Ons sal volhou om aktief te onderhandel en beding vir bykomende befondsing om gedrukte en elektroniese tydskrifversamelings wat vir leer, onderrig en navorsing benodig word, te kan uitbrei
· Die Biblioteek sal ook volhou om julle (ons kliënte) te betrek by die aanwending van ons materiaalbegroting en sal jaarliks die nodige inligting aan fakulteite stuur. Fakulteite word ook die geleentheid gegee om hul tydskriftitels te hersien
3. Navorsingsteun
Julle het gesê…
Ons tree op…
Verbeter navorsingsteun (bv hulp met die bestuur van my verwysings, navorsingsdata, ooptoegangpublisering en om tred te hou met my navorsingsimpak)
· Die Biblioteek wend ‘n grootse poging aan om navorsers en nagraadse studente te bereik en beveel die bywoning van ons #SmartResearcher werksessies en die jaarlikse Navorsingsweek aan
· Ons brei ons bemarking uit deur bv ons blog Library Research News, biblioteekgidse, sosiale media en gerigte e-pos. Ons sal volhou om nuwe maniere te ondersoek om ons dienste aan jou as kliënt te bemark
[:en]We are pleased to inform all stakeholders of the completion of the SU Library Refurbishment Project. Construction work began in February 2021 and was completed at the beginning of May 2022. The handover of all the spaces to the Library was officially done on 13 May 2022. Save for some snagging, the project is now complete.
The project ran in three overlapping phases:
Phase 1 of the project consisted of renovations of the client service desk, short loans and related staff work areas and staff toilets as well as the refurbishment of lower-level toilets.
Phase 2 of the project entailed work in the central section of the upper level that involved the installation of new students’ study and work areas, and the completion of new flooring.
Phase 3 comprised the renovation of the entrance foyer, access control and new security area and the installation of the adjacent reading area as well as new work desks for students along the double volume space.
We would like to thank all clients for demonstrating high levels of tolerance, understanding and patience during these refurbishments. Disruptive as they were, these renovations have ensured that clients have access to comfortable and effective spaces that befit a world class Library in a world class research-intensive University.
See the Picture gallery of the completed spaces.[:af]Dit is vir ons aangenaam om bekend te maak dat die US Biblioteek se Opknappingsprojek voltooi is. Konstruksie het in Februarie 2021 begin en is aan die begin van Mei 2022 voltooi. Die amptelike oorhandiging aan die Biblioteek het op 13 Mei 2022 plaasgevind. Behalwe vir enkele haakplekke, is die projek nou afgehandel.
Die projek is in drie oorvleuelende fases aangepak:
Fase 1 het bestaan uit die opgradering van die kliëntedienstoonbank, kortleen- en verwante werkareas vir personeel, personeeltoilette en studentetoilette op die laer vlak.
Tydens Fase 2 is studieareas en nuwe vloerbedekking in die middelste gedeelte van die boonste vlak aangebring
Fase 3 het die opgradering van die ingangsportaal, toegangsbeheer en nuwe sekuriteitsarea behels, sowel as ’n nuwe ontspanningsleesarea en die installering van nuwe werktafels vir studente langs die dubbelvolume-ruimte
Ons bedank graag al ons kliënte vir hul geduld, begrip en verdraagsaamheid tydens die opknappingswerk. Die werk was baie ontwrigtend, maar ons glo dat hierdie opknappings gaan verseker dat kliënte toegang het tot gerieflike en doeltreffende ruimtes wat pas by ’n wêreldklasbiblioteek in ’n wêreldklas-navorsingsuniversiteit.
The Library and Information Service is pleased to announce that three new Read & Publish agreements have been signed with peer-reviewed publishers that will enhance the publishing of articles in open access (OA) publications. These agreements have been negotiated by the South African National Library and Information Consortium (SANLiC), of which Stellenbosch University (SU) is a member. This is in addition to the OA agreements signed in 2021 with Cambridge University Press (CUP), the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC).
SANLiC is a non-profit consortium of academic libraries aimed at negotiating the procurement of and securing access to information resources on behalf of its members, the aim being to deliver a cost-effective result benefiting all members on a national level.
Emerald journals
The Emerald/SANLiC agreement for 2022-2024 is a Read & Publish OA agreement that provides read access to our Emerald subscriptions, as well as permitting corresponding authors from SU to publish a capped number of articles as OA without paying APCs in Emerald gold and subscribed hybrid journals.
The caps on the number of articles for all participating SANLIC members are:
2022 = 111
2023 = 134
2024 = 158
This works on a first-come-first-served basis. Emerald will track the number of articles published and keep the SANLiC office informed.
SAGE journals
The SAGE/SANLiC agreement for 2022-2024 is a Read & Publish OA agreement that provides access to the SAGE Premier journals collection of more than 1 100 titles, and will also permit corresponding authors from SU to publish an uncapped number of articles as OA in the hybrid journals listed in the SAGE/SANLiC agreement, without paying author processing charges (APCs).
Corresponding authors from SU will also receive a discount of 20% on Pure Gold Open Access Journals. There are a small number of exclusions where SAGE is contractually prevented from offering this discount. A list of excluded journals is available from the publisher.
Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) journals on the SAGE platform
The SAGE/SANLiC agreement for 2022-2024 is a Read & Publish OA agreement that includes access to the IMechE journals. The agreement will also permit corresponding authors from SU to publish an uncapped number of articles as OA in the IMechE journals.
This collection includes the 16-part Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers as well as two other key peer-reviewed engineering journals. Complimentary access to files going back to 1997 is included, with conditions.
Wiley journals
The Wiley/SANLiC agreement for 2022-2025 is a Read & Publish OA agreement that will be phased in over this period. It will provide SU clients reading access to more than 1 400 Wiley journals. In 2022 SU authors may publish free of charge in Wiley’s hybrid OA journals only. However, there is a cap on the number of articles that can be published without paying APCs, for all participating SANLiC members on a first-come-first served basis. 2023-2025 will see the inclusion of Wiley Gold OA journals and Hindawi journals. Read the full press release here.
How do these agreements influence SU researchers’ workflow?
Researchers submit their articles to a publisher as usual. The publisher will automatically give you the applicable OA benefit once the article is accepted for publication.
Enquiries about these agreements: Ms Caretha Nel. Tel 021 808 4433, or email caretha@sun.ac.za
More information regarding SU OA initiatives is available on our website.
8 April 2022[:af]
Die Biblioteek- en Inligtingsdiens kondig graag aan dat drie nuwe Read & Publish ooreenkomste met eweknie-beoordeelde uitgewers aangegaan is, wat die publikasie van artikels in ooptoegangtydskrifte sal bevorder. Die ooreenkomste is deur SANLiC (Suid-Afrikaanse Nasionale Biblioteek- en Inligtingskonsortium), waarvan Universiteit Stellenbosch (US) ’n lid is, bemiddel. Hierdie ooreenkomste is bykomend tot die ooreenkomste wat in 2021 met Cambridge University Press (CUP), die Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) en die Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) aangegaan is
SANLiC is ’n konsortium sonder winsbejag wat namens akademiese biblioteke die koste-effektiewe aankoop van en toegang tot inligtingsbronne beding.
Emerald tydskrifte
Die Emerald/SANLiC ooreenkoms is geldig vanaf 2022-2024. Die ooreenkoms is ’n Read & Publish ooreenkoms wat leestoegang bied tot die Emerald titels waarop die US inteken, sowel as die vergunning dat kwalifiserende outeurs ’n beperkte aantal artikels sonder publikasiekoste kan publiseer in Emerald se goue ooptoegangtydskrifte en die hibriede tydskrifte waarop die US inteken.
Die beperking op die aantal artikels wat gratis gepubliseer kan word, is gesamentlik van toepassing op alle deelnemende lede van die Emerald/SANLiC ooreenkoms.
2022 = 111
2023 = 134
2024 = 158
Aansoeke sal hanteer word in orde van ontvangs. Emerald sal die artikellewering monitor en die SANLiC belanghebbendes op hoogte hou.
SAGE tydskrifte
Die SAGE/SANLiC Read & Publish ooreenkoms is geldig van 2022-2024, en verskaf onbeperkte toegang tot die SAGE Premier tydskrifversameling wat uit meer as 1 100 titels bestaan. Die SAGE/SANLIC kontrak maak voorsiening vir US-outeurs om ’n onbeperkte aantal ooptoegangartikels in SAGE se hibriede titels te publiseer sonder om publikasiefooie te betaal.
US-outeurs wat in SAGE se lys van Pure Gold Open Access Journals publiseer, sal ‘n afslag van 20% op die publikasiekoste kry. Daar is ‘n beperkte aantal uitsonderings waar SAGE kontraktueel verhoed word om hierdie afslag te bied. Outeurs kan ’n lys van die titels by die uitgewers aanvra.
Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) tydskrifte op die SAGE platform
Die SAGE/SANLiC Read & Publish ooreenkoms is geldig van 2022-2024, en sluit toegang tot die IMechE tydskrifte in. Die ooreenkoms laat kwalifiserende outeurs toe om ’n onbeperkte aantal artikels gratis met oop toegang in die IMechE versameling te publiseer.
Die versameling sluit die Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, wat uit 16 dele bestaan, in sowel as twee toonaangewende eweknie-beoordeelde ingenieurstydskrifte. Addisionle toegang tot inligting terugwerkend tot 1997 is hierby ingesluit, onderhewig aan sekere voorwaardes.
Wiley tydskrifte
Die Wiley/SANLiC Read & Publish ooreenkoms, wat geldig is van 2022-2025, bestaan uit verskillende voordele wat in fases oor die verloop van die kontrak infaseer word. Dit bied aan US-gebruikers leestoegang tot meer as 1 400 Wiley tydskrifte. In 2022 kan kwalifiserende outeurs gratis in Wiley hibriede ooptoegangtydskrifte publiseer. Daar is ’n beperking op die landwye aantal SANLiC deelnemers wat artikles sonder publikasiekoste kan publiseer. Aansoeke word hanteer in orde van ontvangs. Gedurende die 2023-2025 tydperk sal kwalifiserende outeurs gratis in Wiley Gold ooptoegangtydskrifte en Hindawi tydskrifte mag publiseer. Lees meer hieroor in SANLIC se persverklaring.
Wat staan navorsers te doen om voordeel te trek uit die ooreenkomste?
Navorsers dien artikels soos normaalweg by die uitgewer in. Indien die artikel vir publikasie aanvaar word, sal die uitgewer die ooreenstemende ooptoegangvoordeel toepas.
Vir navrae: Ms Caretha Nel. Tel 021 808 4433, of stuur ‘n e-pos na caretha@sun.ac.za
This is a further update about the ongoing refurbishments at the Stellenbosch University Library following our previous communication.
The renovations consist of upgrading the existing facilities and infrastructure to accommodate clients’ needs and create a contemporary aesthetic for the SU Library while maintaining the integrity of the existing building. The primary focus of the project is to provide clients with comfortable and effective spaces in which to work while making it easier to use and navigate the library.
It gives us pleasure to inform you that the project has proceeded well despite a few snags and that it is nearing completion.
Due to overlap among the phases, we have now decided to inform you what has been completed and what is outstanding.
Completed areas
We are delighted to inform you that the Circulation area and student study areas as well as the Upper Level student ablutions have been completed and are in use. Please note that all client ablution facilities on the Upper Level of the SU Library are now gender neutral.
Refurbished student study areas
The reshelving of the books and journals was completed and books and journals are now accessible.
Self-check-in/out machines
The self-check-in/out machines have been installed at the Circulation Desk on the Upper Level and are in use.
Completion of remainder of work
Work that still needs to be completed at the main entrance includes the leisure reading area as well as the installation of aluminium windows, doors and the flooring.
Outstanding work in the leisure reading area will involve the installation of student study areas and new furniture. Once this is complete, newspapers and leisure reading books will be displayed to clients.
In addition to the above, the computers, printing, e-information kiosk and photocopying areas on the Upper Level are not yet in use. Network installation for these will be completed and activated by mid-April.
The completion and handover of the project is now expected at the beginning of May 2022.
We thank clients for demonstrating tolerance, understanding and patience during these refurbishments. We assure you that these renovations are necessary to ensure that you have comfortable and effective spaces at the completion of the project.
Ons deel graag die nuutste nuus oor die voortgesette opknappingswerk by die Universiteit Stellenbosch Biblioteek in aansluiting by ons vorige kommunikasie.
Die opknappings bestaan uit die opgradering van bestaande fasiliteite en infrastruktuur om in kliënte se behoeftes te voorsien en ‘n moderne estetiek vir die US Biblioteek te skep, terwyl die integriteit van die bestaande gebou behoue sal bly. Die hooffokus van die projek is om aan kliënte gerieflike en doeltreffende ruimtes te bied en terselfdertyd benutting van die Biblioteek te vergemaklik.
Ons is bly om aan te kondig dat die projek glad verloop het ten spyte van ’n aantal haakplekke en dat ons die voltooiing van die projek nader.
Weens oorvleueling tussen die fases, het ons besluit om nou terugvoer te gee oor wat afgehandel en wat nog uitstaande is.
Voltooide areas
Ons is baie bly om aan te kondig dat die Sirkulasie-area, studieareas sowel as die studentetoilette op die boonste vlak afgehandel en in gebruik is. Neem asseblief kennis dat al die toilette vir kliënte op die boonste vlak van die US Biblioteek nou geslagsneutraal is.
Opgeknapte studieareas vir studente
Al die boeke en tydskrifte is reeds teruggepak en is weer toeganklik vir gebruikers.
Selfuitreik-en-terugbesorgeenhede
Die selfuitreik-en-terugbesorgeenhede is by die Sirkulasietoonbank op die boonste vlak geïnstalleer en is in gebruik.
Voltooiing van die res van die werk
In die ingangsarea moet die ontspanningsleesarea en vloere nog voltooi word en aluminiumvensters en-deure moet geïnstalleer word.
Die werk in die ontspanningsleesarea behels die installering van studieareas en nuwe meubels. Sodra dit voltooi is, sal koerante en ontspanningsleesstof vir kliënte se gebruik hier uitgestal word.
In aansluiting by bogenoemde is die rekenaars, drukkers, e-inligtingskiosk en fotokopieerareas op die boonste vlak nog nie in gebruik nie. Die networkinstallasie wat hiervoor nodig is, sal teen die middel van April voltooi wees.
Die beoogde finale datum van afhandeling en oorhandiging van die projek is nou die begin van Mei 2022.
Ons bedank graag ons kliënte vir julle verdraagsaamheid, begrip en geduld tydens hierdie opknappingsproses. Ons wil julle weer verseker dat hierdie opknappings nodig was om vir julle toegang tot gemaklike en effektiewe ruimtes te kan bied.
[:en]Some tears were shed on Friday, 28 January 2022, as Library and Information Service staff bid farewell to two colleagues: Ms Amohelang Boyce (Figure 1) and Mr Philip de Villiers (Figure 2).
Amohelang, a person with grace, was praised for her dedication and persistence in completing her work. Amohelang has accepted a position at another university.
Philip de Villiers retires after 12 years of service to the Library as head of the Metadata Management division (formerly Cataloguing). Philip’s kindness and care towards his staff was highlighted. Philip shared his motto that “happy staff are productive staff”.
The Library wishes Amohelang and Philip well.
Figure 1: Ms Amohelang Boyce (left) receives a farewell card and flowers from Ms Ellen Tise and Ms Mimi Seyffert-Wirth
Figure 2: Mr Philip de Villiers (left) receives a retirement card and gift from Ms Ellen Tise with Ms Ilse de Lange looking on[:]
[:en]This is an update about the ongoing refurbishments at the Stellenbosch University Library following our previous communication to you.
The renovations consist of upgrading the existing facilities and infrastructure to accommodate clients’ needs and create a contemporary aesthetic look for the SU Library while maintaining the integrity of the existing building. The primary focus of the project is to provide clients with comfortable and effective spaces in which to work while making it easier to use and navigate the library.
We are pleased to inform you that there has been tremendous progress with the project but also some delays, many of which were Covid-19 enforced.
Phase One
Despite the challenges, we are pleased to inform you that phase one of the project has been partially completed.
The students’ ablutions on the lower level have been completed and are in use (see pictures below).
Completed ablution facilities on the lower level of the SU Library
The client services and short loans sections on the upper level have been upgraded and are operational as from 22 November 2021. See pictures below.
The client service and short loans desk
Refurbished study areas on the upper level with new furniture
The study and computer areas on the upper levels are almost complete. The network is still to be installed in these areas and is scheduled to be completed by the end of January 2022.
Phase Two
This phase includes refurbishment of clients’ ablution facilities on the upper level, the reading area and the security gate. Work on these is in progress and scheduled to be completed by mid-March 2022.
There is ongoing work in the central section of the upper level. New flooring will be installed, and shelves will be re-assembled and books and journals reshelved.
Phase Three
The remaining construction will comprise the renovation of the entrance foyer, access turnstiles and installation of the new Tattle Tape security system.
Work will now be completed by the beginning of 2022.
During all phases of the construction, there is ongoing work to ceiling spaces and services for data activation.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused during the refurbishments. However, you can take solace from the fact that you will have access to comfortable and effective spaces at the completion of the project.
Photographs of study areas and the client service desk: Bronwyn Bruton[:af]Hierdie is die jongste nuus oor die voortgesette opknappingswerk by die Universiteit Stellenbosch Biblioteek na aanleiding van ons vorige kommunikasie.
Die bestaande fasiliteite en infrastruktuur word opgeknap om in kliënte se behoeftes te voorsien en ’n moderne estetiekvir die US Biblioteek te skep, terwyl die integriteit van die bestaandegebou behoue sal bly. Die hooffokus van die projek is om aan kliënte gerieflike en doeltreffende ruimtes te bied en terselfdertyd benutting van die Biblioteek te vergemaklik.
Ons kondig met genoeë aan dat die projek met rasse skrede vorder, ondanksenkele vertragings veral as gevolg van Covid-19.
Fase Een
Ten spyte van die uitdagings, is fase een van die projek gedeeltelik afgehandel.
Die studentetoilette op die onderste vlak is voltooi en is reeds in gebruik (sien foto’s hieronder).
Voltooide toiletgeriewe op die onderste vlak van die US Biblioteek
Die kliëntedienstoonbank, die reserwe-afdeling en verwante personeelwerkareas op die boonste vlak is ook opgeknap en is vanaf 22 November 2021 operasioneel. Sien foto’s hieronder.
Die kliëntedienstoonbank en reserwe-afdelingOpgeknapte studie-areas op die boonste vlak met nuwe meubels
Die studie- en rekenaarareas op die boonste vlak is bykans voltooi. Die netwerk moet nog in hierdie ruimtes aangelê word en sal na verwagting teen einde Januarie 2022 afgehandel wees.
Fase Twee
Hierdie fase sluit die opknapping van die studentetoilette op die boonste vlak, die leesarea en sekuriteitshek in. Die werk hieraan vorder en sal na verwagting teen middel Maart 2022 voltooi wees.
Voortgesette werk word in die sentrale deel van die boonste vlak gedoen. Nuwe vloere sal voltooi word, rakke moet weer aanmekaargesit en boeke en gedrukte vaktydskrifte in die rakke gepak word.
Fase Drie
Die oorblywende bouwerk sal opknapping van die ingangsportaal, toegangsbeheer en ‘n nuwe Tattle Tape-sekerheidstelsel insluit.
Werk sal begin 2022 voltooi wees.
Tydens al die boufases sal deurlopende werk aan plafonruimtes en dienste vir data-aktivering plaasvind.
Ons vra om verskoning vir enige ongerief wat tydens hierdie projek veroorsaak word. Wees egter gerus dat jy ná die projek toegang sal hê tot gerieflike en doeltreffende ruimtes.
Kontak Delene Pretorius vir verdere besonderhede oor die projek.
A unique collection recently launched by the Stellenbosch University (SU) Library sheds new light on how resolving the South African foreign debt crisis of 1985–1986 paved the way for Nelson Mandela’s release and the transition to democracy. It was donated to SU by Sir Claude Hankes (formerly Hankes-Drielsma) and was officially launched on Friday (7 May 2021).
Ms Ellen Tise, senior director of SU’s Library and Information Service, says the University is very privileged to receive a collection of this magnitude and historical value. It tells the story of the sovereign debt crisis that struck apartheid South Africa in the latter half of 1985, which forced government to declare a temporary moratorium on all short-term debt repayments.
Tise explains: “Due to overseas perceptions of South Africa’s political, domestic and economic outlook during the debt crisis, a major withdrawal of foreign bank credit to South African banks and businesses ensued. A ‘standstill’ on capital repayments in respect of the $14 billion foreign debt held by the banks was proclaimed. Negotiations with the banks ensued, and Dr Fritz Leutwiler, former president of the Swiss National Bank, was appointed as independent mediator, since several banks refused to deal directly with South Africa for political reasons.”
Leutwiler, in turn, requested Sir Claude Hankes, then chair of the Price Waterhouse and Partners management board, to mastermind the strategy for him and appointed the firm to provide the infrastructure. Sir Claude, knight commander of the Royal Victorian Order, had previously been involved in resolving the debt crises of Brazil and the Philippines respectively, which resulted from irresponsible lending policies by Western banks.
Significant addition to SU Library
Described as an “episode in the end game of the anti-apartheid struggle” (DD Bradlow, Don’t waste a serious crisis: lessons from South Africa’s debt crisis, 2016), the role of the 1985 debt crisis in South Africa’s transition to democracy should not be underestimated.
Says Sir Claude: “Few have ever fully understood how critical the resolution to the crisis was for the future of this great country. Far from prolonging the apartheid era, it facilitated the orderly change that took place.
“The challenge was to agree a rescheduling of South Africa’s debt based on the economic and political reality, unlike the rescheduling of debt to many other countries, where banks had forced unrealistic terms, which resulted in rescheduling again and again, at great cost. Against all odds, an agreement was reached.”
According to Tise, the collection illustrates just how far-reaching and potentially threatening the crisis was for the National Party government, and the key part it played in South Africa’s history.
“The process of dealing with the crisis seems to have been run as a rather clandestine operation, so the collection is likely to present new evidence to researchers interested in the issue. Correspondence with individuals such as business magnate Dr Anton Rupert, British-born anti-apartheid cleric Reverend Trevor Huddleston as well as former president PW Botha forms part of the collection and shows the breadth, depth and reach of the debt crisis.”
The withdrawal of lending to South Africa brought the country to the brink of even greater chaos.
“The collection is a record of how the crisis was averted,” says Tise. “It provides insight into how, with the help of Anton Rupert and Harry Oppenheimer in South Africa, the strategy to deal with the US banks’ unrealistic approach resulted in a lasting agreement. It became the only rescheduling of sovereign debt that did not have to be renegotiated subsequently.”
Sir Claude adds that the collection also shows how the crisis and the handling thereof “subsequently allowed British prime minister Margaret Thatcher and German chancellor Helmuth Köhl to send an ultimatum to president Botha to stand down” in order for South Africa to become a democracy and allow for Nelson Mandela’s release. In fact, included in the collection is a letter from Nelson Mandela to Leutwiler, written in 1994 in Mandela’s capacity as president of the African National Congress. In the letter, Mandela acknowledges Leutwiler’s central role in renegotiating the country’s foreign debt in the 1980s, and putting pressure on former president Botha to release him and his comrades from prison.
Of immense research value
The collection, which comprises general correspondence, press cuttings, memoranda, timetables of events, and minutes of meetings, constitutes a unique resource for researchers.
“Currently, there is renewed interest in the history and impact of economic sanctions against South Africa, as well as interest in what factors led to the eventual power shift in the South African government at the time,” says Tise.
“This collection serves these research interests well and could cast new light on what happened behind the scenes between 1985 and 1987. It provides unique insight into the world sentiment towards South Africa and its apartheid policies at the time. Moreover, it reveals the role that South Africa’s sociopolitical turmoil played in discussions, and the decisive impact of social stability in the perception of a country’s creditworthiness.”
According to Prof Eugene Cloete, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies at SU, this addition to SU Library’s Special Collections forms part of an ongoing diversification of the University’s library collections.
“Over the past few years, the manuscripts collections have been diversified by adding collections that tell the story of South Africa’s road to democracy and its more recent history.”
Some of these include the Frederik Van Zyl Slabbert, IDASA and digital Vrye Weekblad collections and, most recently, the donation of the entire run of Noseweek.
“This debt crisis collection is an excellent addition, and it is a privilege for the University to be entrusted with preserving this knowledge. It does more than simply add to our collections; it creates a community of learning and knowledge-seeking,” says Prof Cloete.
Glimpse of the past, and guidance for the future
Prof Thuli Madonsela, incumbent of the chair in social justice in SU’s Faculty of Law and guest speaker at Friday’s launch event, says the collection is of enormous geopolitical significance, and part of the seismic shift that led to democracy in South Africa.
“It gives us a glimpse of past events unknown until now, and also a sense of where we are going. It reminds us that, at some point, South Africa was at an inflection point where it needed to decide whether to go left or right, and the leaders concerned had to choose between fear and hope in order to move forward. It seems to me that they chose hope.”
Madonsela adds that South Africa happens to find itself at another inflection point today, having to deal with debt and other concerning issues.
“Do we increase our debt as a country so that we can pay for inclusive development in line with the sustainable development goals and our constitutional promise of a democracy that is founded on social justice and fundamental human rights?” she asks.
“And how do we deal with matters such as land and climate change? What seems to be emerging to me through the backstory of this collection is the power of communication, and that, going forward, we need to have sufficient consensus on these matters.”
The collection will be available for research purposes as from 1 July 2021 and is housed in the Manuscripts Section of SU Library’s Special Collections.
Make-up of the collection
The SA foreign debt crisis 1985/86 collection is divided into four broad categories:
Banks. This section contains correspondence to and responses from chairpersons of overseas creditor banks, a summary of the banks’ technical responses, lists of banks contacted, and the debt amounts at each institution.
Material relating to the South African Debt Standstill Coordinating Committee
Off-the-record remarks and reflections on the entire process of resolving the crisis, providing a unique perspective
General. This includes both general and administrative correspondence, press cuttings, speeches, reports, timetables of events, and more.
Items in all categories and subcategories will be arranged alphabetically or chronologically, depending on the type of material. Eventually, a full inventory of the collection, with descriptions and summaries of prominent material, will be made available, accompanied by author, title and subject indexes, to allow researchers easy access to specific items in the collection. The collection will also be digitised in due course.
Editor: Read more about the SA Debt crisis collection and its launch here.[:]
The Library and Information Service hosted a Japanese exhibition in the Stellenbosch University Library. The exhibition, which ran from 8-20 August 2022, formed part of the launch of the Stellenbosch University Japan Centre (SUJC).
The SUJC has been established to enhance Japan-South Africa relations through i) promoting Japanese Studies at SU, ii) encouraging research and teaching collaboration in all fields of study, iii) hosting educational, cultural and in-person events for the broader community, and iv) engaging with external (e.g. Japanese business sector in SA) and continental stakeholders.
The Japanese exhibition included books on the art, economy, history, politics and social aspects of Japan. Some artefacts were also on display.
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Have you been struggling with certain aspects relating to the management of your research data? Do you need more information about research data management at Stellenbosch University so that you can manage your research data more effectively or so that you can provide better support to the University’s students and researchers? Well, if that is the case you need to look no further than the Research Data Management Library Guide. This is an online information resource that has just been published by the Library and Information Service. The Research Data Management Library Guide provides a wealth of information about several issues relating to the management of research data. The libguide covers the following topics:
Following the repeal of the remaining national Covid-19 regulations on 22 June 2022 and a statement issued by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Social Impact, Transformation and Personnel on 24 June, the Library (SU Library and branches) has decided to implement the following changes:
From 27 June 2022, the Library no longer has a limit on the number of clients and the buildings can be filled to capacity. The booking system in most of the Library venues will no longer apply, except at the Makerspace, Auditorium and some group study seminar rooms in the SU Library.
Staff and students are reminded to always be in possession of their SU staff/student cards to access the Library buildings. No access will be granted without these cards.
The Library is in the process of implementing a new access system for visitors (such as alumni, prospective postgraduates and school learners). Until the new system is in place visitors do not have walk-in access to the libraries. Visitors, may however, contact 
Visitors who qualify for lending privileges may use the 
Were you one of our 1 147 clients who “spoke” and completed the Library’s survey last year? Your responses have enabled the Library to identify where we need to improve, as well as where we are doing well. How is the Library responding? Below, we present what “You said” and how “we’re acting”.
We are pleased to inform all stakeholders of the completion of the SU Library Refurbishment Project. Construction work began in February 2021 and was completed at the beginning of May 2022. The handover of all the spaces to the Library was officially done on 13 May 2022. Save for some snagging, the project is now complete.
Dit is vir ons aangenaam om bekend te maak dat die US Biblioteek se Opknappingsprojek voltooi is. Konstruksie het in Februarie 2021 begin en is aan die begin van Mei 2022 voltooi. Die amptelike oorhandiging aan die Biblioteek het op 13 Mei 2022 plaasgevind. Behalwe vir enkele haakplekke, is die projek nou afgehandel.
