Library Research News

The manuscript section in Special Collections hosts material for answering different research questions.  Topics include: Afrikaans literature and language, Architecture and vernacular architecture, Arts, Cultural history, Education, Missionary and religion, Music, Press and journalism, Societies, Organisations and institutions, South African history, South African politics and government, South African social and economic history, South African War, Stellenbosch University / Victoria College. (Consult the SUNDigital, Finding aid page for more information.

In this blog post, the focus is on the town of Stellenbosch. The types of documents available in these collections are meeting minutes, agendas, correspondence from organisations involved in identifying and maintaining heritage buildings (e.g SAHRA (South African Heritage Resources Agency), the Simon van der Stel Foundation, the National Monuments Council, Van Riebeeck Society), and writings on South African history. These are crucial for researchers interested in the following topics:

1. Heritage Conservation: The identification, maintenance, and preservation of historical buildings and sites in and around Stellenbosch.
2. Local History: Detailed insights into the social, cultural, and economic history of Stellenbosch, which could include information on significant events, figures, and everyday life in the town.
3. Educational History: The history of Stellenbosch University, given Prof. Thom’s significant connection to the institution.
4. Cultural and Architectural Heritage: The vernacular architecture and cultural significance of buildings and structures in Stellenbosch.

H B Thom collection (MS 191)

One of the significant collections mentioned is the H.B. Thom collection (MS 191), which spans over 50 meters of documents. This collection is particularly valuable for its insights into the historical and cultural landscape of Stellenbosch, given Prof. Thom’s extensive affiliation with Stellenbosch University. His roles as a student, lecturer, and eventually Rector of the university provide a unique perspective on the town’s history.

Other significant collections to mention include: Francois Smuts -, Joanna Marx -, James Walton – and Andre Pretorius Collections.

Francois Smuts Collection (MS  229)

Prof Smuts was born on a farm in the Stellenbosch district,  matriculated from Paul Roos Gymnasium, and studied at the universities of Stellenbosch. He was lecturing Latin at Stellenbosch University since 1938. Professor from 1951 – 1981.

This collection contains information on Stellenbosch and correspondence and research from organisations like the Simon van der Stel Foundation, National Monuments Council and the manuscript and research on the book : “Stellenbosch Drie Eeue” and “Die Grondeienaars van Stellenbosch, 1693 – 1860”.

Joanna Marx Collection (MS 422)

This collection consists of South African heritage material, mainly SAHRA (South African Heritage Resources Agency).

“SAHRA is an agency of the Department of  Sport, Arts and Culture tasked with an overall legislative mandate to identify, assess, manage, protect, and promote heritage resources in South Africa.”

A large section, of the Marx Collection, consists of material pertaining to the mills (for example the Mostert Mill in Cape Town). There are pamphlets, brochures, newsletters, lecture notes, portfolios, albums, photos, sketches, plans, newspaper clippings, conservation/preservation of buildings, reports, surveys and other miscellaneous information.

James Walton– and André Pretorius collections

These collections on vernacular architecture in South Africa contain books and pamphlets, including homesteads and villages of South Africa, African villages, Cape dovecots, fowl-runs, watermills, windmills and horse mills of South Africa.

You can also consult the Vernacular Architecture Society of South Africa and articles about these valuable collections.

The curation and preservation of these collections can be interpreted as a direct support to the aims of Sustainable Development Goals (especially SDG 11.4) by safeguarding cultural heritage, enabling research, and promoting awareness of Stellenbosch’s intangible heritage. To gain more detailed information or to access specific documents within these collections, consulting resources like SUNDigital and the finding aid pages, as suggested, would be beneficial steps.

Contact Marieta Buys for more information or assistance.

“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,” and “Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.” With these words in mind, we invite you to explore the leisure reading bookshelf at the SU Library.

Located just inside the library entrance, this collection was established in 2012 to offer students and researchers a way to take a break from the pressures of academic life. But relaxation isn’t the only benefit. Dewan (2010) highlights multiple studies showing a strong connection between reading, cognitive development, verbal skills, academic achievement, higher-order reasoning, and critical thinking.

The books in this collection come from the library’s regular literature shelves, donations from staff and the public, and purchases made through the Library’s general book fund. The books can be identified by the letters LR in front of the shelf number. As illustrated in the image below, you can use the advanced search option in the library’s catalogue to find a list of the 1 040 titles in the collection. You will find books by authors such as Deon Meyer (Afrikaans and English versions), Jo Nesbo, Ken Follett, Marita van der Vyver and Rudie van Rensburg, and popular comic books, poetry, and many more.

With the winter holidays approaching, feel free to visit the SU Library and pick up a few titles to help you relax and recharge after a busy first semester.

Reference:

Dewan, Pauline. 2010. Why your academic library needs a popular reading collection now more than ever. College & Undergraduate Libraries, 17(1), 44–64. DOI: 10.1080/10691310903584775

Author: Naomi Visser

Stellenbosch University’s Library and Information Service hosted its annual Library Research Week from May 12th to 16th. Under the overarching theme, “Let’s partner for research impact,” the week-long event delved into the intricacies of the research lifecycle, offering a diverse array of sessions designed to empower and inspire academics. Observations highlight a week brimming with intellectual exchange, practical insights, and a strong emphasis on collaboration and innovation.

The week commenced on a high note on Monday, 12 May, with Professor Sibusiso Moyo, Deputy Vice Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies, officially opening the event. Professor Moyo underscored the critical role of Library Research Week in strengthening the University’s research ecosystem. Following Professor Moyo’s opening, the audience was given a powerful guest lecture by the esteemed Professor Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela, the 2024 Templeton Prize winner and Research Chair for Historical Trauma and Transformation. Professor Gobodo-Madikizela offered a penetrating reflection on the concept of encounters as vital sites of knowledge production. Sharing personal anecdotes of both positive and negative experiences, she illustrated how these everyday interactions have profoundly shaped her research and worldview. She concluded her impactful address with a poignant statement: “The failure to recognise humanity at all – is evil. As embodied beings, we are exposed to others. And while this allows for connection and desire, it also raises the potential for cruelty. It is within this space that our work, our research, and our humanity must reside.”

Tuesday, 13 May featured four insightful sessions on decoloniality as a research method, the impact of copyright and trademark use throughout the research process, literature reviews and systematic reviews.

Wednesday, 15 May, had five sessions dedicated to the transformative power of AI and other technological advancements. The interest in these sessions was prevalent through the high number of registrations and attendance. The webinars included presentations from Wiley, Elsevier and WWIS and also from two SU experts. The generative AI-centred webinars differentiated between traditional and generative AI, showcasing tools like Google Gemini and Copilot, and stressing ethical considerations such as copyright and disclosure.  The day also featured a session on the potential benefits and applications of using generative AI opportunities in research.

Thursday, 16 May focused on four sessions offering practical strategies and services available to SU staff, researchers and students, including the benefits of open access publishing, SU opportunities for global academic engagement, enhancing research impact and developing a data management plan using SunDMP.  The week closed off on Friday, 16 May, focusing on webinars that support researcher and societal wellbeing.

The Library Research Week working group, led by Dr Siviwe Bangani, wants to thank everyone who attended. A huge thank you also to all of the presenters, especially to Professor Moyo and Professor Gobodo-Madikizela for opening what was another successful week.

Some of the recordings are restricted to SU staff and students. If you would like to view these, you may email Kirchner van Deventer for access. The majority of the recordings, including the Launch, can be viewed on the library’s YouTube channel.

Author: Kirchner van Deventer

Below is more information about the content and attendance of the event. Please click on the image to read.
(Infographic created by Marié Roux)

Start with planning

Every research project conducted under Stellenbosch University’s (SU) auspices that involves the collection and use of research data should have a data management plan (DMP). Ideally, the creation of a DMP should commence at the inception of any research project. While it may not be feasible to address all aspects initially, beginning the planning process enables researchers to address some key questions centred around adequate management of research data. SU’s Library and Information Service uses a series of workshop training events to encourage researchers to regard a DMP as a living document, not merely a requirement for securing funding. A DMP should often be revisited, edited, and updated as needed throughout the research lifecycle.

Consider the DMP tool and template

SU researchers need to consider tools that are openly available to them to facilitate the process of creating a DMP.  The Library developed a DMP tool, SunDMP, with a template (powered by FAIR Wizard) that enables SU researchers to create the plan from scratch.

Identify any proprietary, personal or sensitive data

The Library and Information Service provides a variety of services to researchers from various subject disciplines. It is for this reason that it is imperative for researchers to identify any proprietary, personal and sensitive data in the DMP prior to data collection. This pre-emptive measure can provide legal justification for withholding such data from public access if needed.

Establish a schedule for adjustments

As previously mentioned, the DMP should not be a static document but rather subject to regular review and updates. SU researchers are encouraged to establish a schedule for incorporating new information, revising old information, and possibly editing the DMP. These scheduled reviews should coincide with key project events such as funding approval, developments in data types, research project reviews, and publication milestones.

Prioritising data management planning optimises data management practices, enhances data accessibility and reusability, and advances scientific knowledge.

Please contact Sizwe Ngcobo if you need any assistance.

Research Data Management Library Guide

Date: 19 June 2025

Time: 12:00-13:00 SAST ​​

Speaker: Professor Astrid Söderbergh Widding

Register here for the webinar

“Read and Publish Agreements”, commonly referred to as Transformational Agreements (TAs) in South Africa, continue to play a significant role in shifting traditional subscription-based publishing models toward open access. These agreements often cover Article Processing Charges (APCs), enabling open availability of scholarly content that would otherwise be locked behind paywalls.

Join us as we explore what lies ahead in the evolving open access landscape—beyond the boundaries of Transformational Agreements—to discuss emerging models, persistent challenges, and new opportunities for equitable scholarly communication.

In this webinar, Professor Astrid Söderbergh Widding will share insights from the work of the Beyond Transformative Agreements Group, a task group within the Swedish Bibsam Consortium, which sought to guide Sweden away from unsustainable TA models. She will highlight the group’s key findings, the challenges faced, and the opportunities on the journey toward open science.

Professor Astrid Söderbergh Widding is the immediate past Rector of Stockholm University (2013–2025), Chair of the Board of the Nobel Foundation, and Chair of the Beyond Transformative Agreements Working Group in Sweden. Read more about her on her Wikipedia page.

Registered participants will receive a Teams meeting link and reminder emails.

Enquiries: Sakhile Mngomezulu | tel: +27 21 8089907​

ORCID is a unique, persistent identifier that researchers can use throughout their careers as they engage in research, scholarship, and innovation. It offers several benefits, including enhancing the visibility and potential impact of a researcher’s work and helping to distinguish between individuals with similar names through effective name disambiguation. Stellenbosch University has been a member of ORCID since 2015. For the University to fully realise the benefits of this affiliation, it is essential that researchers actively maintain their ORCID records and link them to the institution.

A researcher’s ORCID record is the most important profile to keep up to date and to use. The more well-populated ORCID records there are, the more value the research community will gain from participating in ORCID.  The ORCID community worldwide relies on and benefits from the activities of each other. In this blog post, we give a few tips on how to populate and optimise your ORCID record. These tips include how to connect and link your record to universities, databases and research systems, how to add and update your information on your record, how to set your visibility settings, where to use your ORCID iD, and how to maintain accuracy and completeness.

Connect and link

• Connect and link your ORCID iD with databases such as Crossref and Datacite, which enables automatic updates as you publish.
• Grant permission to Stellenbosch University, your funders, and publishers to add and update information on your record. (see the Library Guide to learn how to connect your iD to your SU identity) 
• Remember to link to other profiles you might have, for example, ResearchGate, LinkedIn, Loop, etc.

Add and update information

• Add a short biography.
• Make sure to complete your current affiliation. It is difficult to search on the ORCID registry when you have a common name. When your affiliation is available, this will show up in the search results and it will be much easier to distinguish yourself.
• Make sure all your publications and other works are added. There are numerous ways to do this, but for automatic updates, Crossref and Datacite are the best.  You can also export from your Google Scholar profile using a Bibtex file or connect your ORCID record to your Scopus profile.
• Remember to add your data sets too. This is possible via Datacite.
• Add your peer reviews. This is possible via your Web of Science profile. Add your peer reviews to your profile and connect them to your ORCID record.
• Make sure you add your University email address as primary email AND a secondary email address, such as your Gmail address.
• To have a complete record, you can also add grants and awards.

Visibility

• Review the visibility settings in all the different sections of your ORCID record. If they are not set to ‘Everyone’, your works and other information will not be publicly available.
• You can make your email addresses not visible to others if you prefer to do so.

Use your ORCID iD

• Include your ORCID iD on your personal website/blog, CV, and email signature.
• Use it when prompted during article submissions and funding applications. 

Maintain accuracy and completeness

• Check back regularly to ensure the completeness of your works/publications.
• Regularly review your record for any errors or inconsistencies. 
• Use a Trusted Individual if you don’t have time to keep your record up to date. Give an assistant or student access. This person will need to have an ORCID iD and also need to know how to do updates successfully.

Contact: Marié Roux

Library Guide

3D printing of turbines used in field sites

“We’re using the spore traps in my MSc project on Sclerotinia stem rot of canola. The goal of the spore traps is to capture airborne spores of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (the fungus that causes stem rot of canola) for quantification of the airborne inoculum (i.e. to determine the quantities of spores in the fields in a given time period) – the prototypes are being tested this year on 22 field sites in the Western Cape. We aim to develop a disease prediction model for Sclerotinia stem rot, therefore we need sufficient pathogen data, and asked Dr André (van der Merwe) to help us come up with a simplified spore trap that can rotate in the wind for optimal spore catching”

— Mariana van Deventer, MSc Plant Pathology, Stellenbosch University

Mariana’s brief remark encapsulates the precise purpose of the Library Makerspace: to convert imaginative concepts into research outputs that are relevant in the field, literally. We assisted in the 3D printing of the turbines used in the field sites.

3D scanning lizards for climate‑change insights

Jody Thorburn, BSc Biodiversity & Ecology (Hons), Stellenbosch University

When simulating the vulnerability of lizards to a warming climate, it is crucial to accurately estimate their surface area, as they regulate their body temperature through the exchange of heat and water with their habitat. Jody’s Honours’ thesis investigated whether advanced 3D scanning could surpass the generic allometric equations that biologists have employed for decades.

Method at a glance

Jody utilised the Makerspace’s high-resolution 3D scanner to capture detailed digital models of preserved lizards and numerous living specimens. Subsequently, she employed specialised software to accurately measure the surface area of each lizard and compared the results to the approximations that scientists typically obtain from basic mathematical formulas. The 3D scans were significantly more precise, with an error of less than five percent, in contrast to the old formulas’ errors of up to 18 percent. Additionally, they demonstrated that preserved specimens respond similarly to live specimens for this type of measurement. This additional precision is directly incorporated into computer models that simulate the process by which lizards acquire heat and shed water, thereby enhancing the precision of our predictions regarding their vulnerability to climate change.

Why the Makerspace mattered

The Makerspace provided both the high‑resolution scanner and on‑site expertise—advising on specimen mounting, lighting, and file‑conversion scripts—so Jody could focus on ecological interpretation rather than hardware logistics. The Makerspace was acknowledged in their final output: This project would not have been possible without the generosity and involvement of the 3D scanning technicians, Norman Hebler and Darryl Geldenhuys. The technicians provided in-depth training, which helped me navigate new scanning software and played a major role in data processing.

Looking Ahead

The Makerspace’s high-definition 3D scanner is available to researchers, postgraduates, and academics for the purpose of digitising a wide range of objects. We assist you with the configuration of the 3D scanner, mesh cleaning, and file export processes to enable you to proceed directly to 3D printing, visualisation, or analysis. Don’t know which filament is best suited for your 3D printing project?  Book a consultation and we’ll walk you through the best options, ensuring your ideas move smoothly from concept to finished output.

For more information or to book a Makerspace consultation, contact Norman Hebler.

Author: Norman Hebler

The programme for Library Research Week is now available online. You can look forward to various interesting webinars that speak to the theme, Let’s partner for research impact. The theme underscores the power of teamwork, partnerships, and shared knowledge in advancing research. It highlights the critical role of collaborations, as well as networks, in driving impactful research. The week will feature a variety of activities designed to enrich the research process and boost research impact.

Library Research Week 2025 launches on Monday, 12 May, with guest speaker Prof. Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela, 2024 Templeton Award winner, Professor and Chair of Research for Social Change and Transformation, Centre for the Study of the Afterlife of Violence and Reparative Quest. Professor Gobodo-Madikizela is a Professor in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Stellenbosch University, where she also holds the South African National Research Foundation Chair in Violent Histories and Transgenerational Trauma and the Research Chair in Historical Trauma and Transformation. In addition, Professor Gobodo-Madikizela is a celebrated author of works that include A human being died that night: A South African story of forgiveness and Memory, narrative, and forgiveness: Perspectives on the unfinished journeys of the past (co-authored with Chris van der Merwe), among others.

Her presentation, titled Intellectual life in academia and researching experience: On the irreducible nature of encounter will be an exploratory project where she reflects on her own research and on how one’s foundational ideas find new life when revisited in light of new questions, especially when the inquiry is ethically rich and motivated by intellectual honesty. Read her full abstract here.

As with our previous Library Research Weeks, each day will have a sub-theme connected to the overarching theme. Click on the themes below to view the programme for each day.

• Monday, 12 May: Launch of Library Research Week (Online and in-person by invitation only)
• Tuesday, 13 May: Let’s work together throughout the research process (Online)
• Wednesday, 14 May: Let’s collaborate to find the best research tools (Online)
• Thursday, 15 May: Let’s strengthen your research impact (Online)
• Friday, 16 May: Let’s support researcher well-being (Online)

Here is a teaser trailer for the full programme:

 

Book now and join us for a fascinating series of webinars that will aid you on your research journey!

Author: Kirchner van Deventer

Primo is the discovery search tool that enables you to search for books and full-text resources that the Library subscribes to, (e-books, articles, videos, etc.) from a single search box on the Library’s homepage.

Primo Research Assistant (Beta) is an AI-powered tool designed to streamline academic research by providing users with relevant sources and summaries. It allows you to search the Library’s catalogue using natural language questions. It analyses descriptions and abstracts from trusted academic resources to generate an overview of the tool’s top five ranked relevant sources to answer your question. Developed by Ex Libris, this assistant leverages generative AI to enhance your research, making it more efficient and accessible.

Research Assistant utilises a Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) architecture, combining large language model capabilities with indexed academic materials. When you submit a query, the system converts the query into a Boolean search format and then retrieves the most relevant results from Primo’s Central Discovery Index. Using AI-driven embeddings, it ranks the top results and then generates an overview based on the abstracts of the top five sources, while also providing inline citations and references.

Users can input natural language queries, making research more intuitive and it has multilingual support, which allows you to submit your queries in various languages and it will provide results in the same language as well. It can give you direct access to available full-text sources, but it is important to note that the results are not always available through Stellenbosch University and may have to be requested via Interlibrary Loans. Clients should also keep in mind that Research Assistant is still in beta development.

Below is a short demonstration of how Research Assistant works:

 

By integrating AI into academic research, Primo Research Assistant can greatly aid how students and scholars access and analyse information. Its ability to provide accurate, well-referenced summaries makes it a valuable asset for our staff and students.

Author: Kirchner van Deventer

The Library offers data visualisation services in the form of workshops and a consultation service. The workshops provided are Principles of data visualisation, An overview of tools for data analysis and visualisation, Introduction to Microsoft Power BI and Introduction to Tableau Desktop and Flourish for data visualisation. In this blog post, we would like to focus on the principles of data visualisation.

When you build visual representations of your data, there are many factors to take into consideration. Please see below 12 principles for data visualisation, based on an article published in a blog post by Andrew Douglas.

1. Clarity

It is important that the visualisation is clear and can be easily understood by the specific audience it is intended for. You may want to add more text to the labels for easy comprehension. If a chart is difficult to understand, or there are important relationships between variables, do the extra calculation and visualise that as well.

2. Simplicity

Keep the visualisation simple and avoid unnecessary complexity. Chart elements like gridlines, axis labels and colours can all be simplified to highlight what is most important, relevant or interesting.  You may want to hide gridlines or highlight only one data series and not differentiate between all the series of your visualisation.

3. Purposeful

Decide which message or insight you want to communicate and design for that specific purpose. Here it will be important to also take your specific audience into account.

4. Consistency

Maintain consistency in the design elements throughout the visualisation. An example of this will be to use the same colours, axes, labels, etc. across the visualisations you use for a specific document/project.

5. Contextualisation

Provide context for the data being presented. This aspect goes hand in hand with the clarity of the visualisation. For the audience to understand your point, you might need to add more context in the form of labelling, more detailed titles, etc. You could also consider to use infographics, which provide more narrative with the visuals.

6. Accuracy

The data that your visualisation represents needs to be accurate.

7. Visuals encoding

Choose appropriate visual encodings for the data types you are visualising.

8. Intuitiveness

Design the visualisation to be intuitive and easy to comprehend.

9. Interactivity

Consider adding interactive elements to the visualisation, such as tooltips, zooming, filtering, or highlighting. This will allow the audience to interact with the data and in this process learn more about what it represents.

10. Aesthetics

Although aesthetics are subjective, a visually appealing design can engage viewers and increase their interest in the data. This is also the whole point of using a visualisation instead of a long description of your data.

11. Accessibility

Make sure the tools you use and the export of data and visualisations are available to your audience.

12. Hierarchy

Work out the hierarchy of information from the start and always remind yourself of the purpose of representing the data.

Design principles play an important role in creating visuals. It is not only about a click of a button to create a graph, but you need to apply these principles carefully to effectively communicate your data story to your audience.