Abuzz with curious, enquiring minds… This describes the Stellenbosch University Library on SU Open Day.
More than 1042 ‘enquiring minds’ visited the Stellenbosch University Library on SU Open Day, Saturday 24 February. Visitors were warmly welcomed, and were keen to be taken on a short tour of the library. Others were happy to explore at their own pace. Library staff who volunteered to be on duty were delighted to witness that in some instances a Matie (alumnus) had brought a younger family member or friend to show him or her around ‘his library’.
Prospective students were eager to ask questions including “does the library have novels?” and “what hours is the library open?”
Visitors enjoyed experiencing the Africana section and the Head of this section, Marieta Buys, was kept busy ‘quenching the thirst’ of curious minds, both young and mature. On display were the heaviest, as well as the oldest book owned by the library. The grandfather clock, donated by HB Thom, a former Rector of SU, attracted much attention. The clock was proclaimed an antique in 1963, and now has heritage object status according to Section 32 of the National Heritage Resources Act, 25 of 1999. Another item which sparked the interest of visitors was the title deed of the land owned by Simon Van Der Stel in Stellenbosch. Prospective students were left in awe of the wealth of material available in the Special Collections division of the Library and Information Service.
Overall, SU Open Day was a positive and worthwhile experience for the Library, and it seems from the response received, for our many visitors.
Left: Marieta Buys (third from right) explains to enthusiastic Open Day visitors about the Africana collection in the Africana Room. Pepler Head (far left), who was showing the group around the library, looks on.
Left: A group of young ladies being shown through the Learning Commons on SU Open Day, by Paulette Talliard (far left).