Library and Information Service NWU

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Library and Information Service NWU
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    Library and
Information Service
Library and Information Service NWU
2       Table of contents

Table of Contents
1. Introduction ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 2

2. Highlights according to the strategic goals����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 3
2.1 Positioning the LIS within the University ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 3
2.1.1 NWU Campus Open Days������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 4
2.1.2 SA Library Week���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 4
2.1.3 International Conference on Information Literacy (ICIL)������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 5
2.1.4 Open Access Week ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 7

2.2 Marketing and Advocacy���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������8
2.2.1 Marketing material����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������8
2.2.1.1 Postgraduate support guide���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 9
2.2.1.2 Undergraduate survival guide������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 9
2.2.1.3 Calendar for 2020���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 9
2.2.2 Outreach activities�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 10
2.2.2.1 Mandela Day ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 10
2.2.3 Workshop at NWU Mafikeng Campus �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������11
2.2.4 Meeting at South African Library for the Blind ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������11

2.3 Exceptional User Experience������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 12
2.3.1 Popular library spaces�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 12
2.3.2 Upgrading of facilities�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 12
2.3.2.1 Mafikeng refurbishment project ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 12
2.3.3 Information resources�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 13
2.3.3.1 e-Resources����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 13
2.3.3.2 PressReader ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 14
2.3.4 Information literacy����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 14
2.3.5 New Referencing Guide ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 15
2.3.6 Research Support �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 15
2.3.7 LibGuides����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 15

2.4 Technology and e-Strategy���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 16
2.4.1 Embargo form����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 16
2.4.2 Open Journal System (OJS) project����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 16
2.4.3 Figshare���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������17

2.5 Staff Development������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 17
2.5.1 Conference papers delivered by LIS staff�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������17
2.5.2 Journal articles by LIS staff����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 18
2.5.3 Formal studies�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 18

2.6 Governance and Leadership�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������18
2.6.1 Policies��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 19
2.6.2 Information resources budget ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 19
2.6.3 Quality Assurance �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 19
2.6.3.1 NWU Doctoral Self-review����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 19
2.6.3.2 Benchmarking activities�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 19
2.6.4 Strategic planning��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������20

3 Conclusion ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 21

       NWU Library and Information Services
Library and Information Service NWU
Introduction        3

Introduction

W
Chief Director: Dr Mathew Moyo

                    ith this report, the Library and Information Service (LIS) has
                    the pleasure of presenting its success story for 2019. In sup-
                    port of the University’s strategy of transforming and positioning
                    the NWU as a unitary institution of superior academic excellence with a
                    commitment to social justice, the LIS remained focused on its goals throughout the year.

The LIS provides access to cutting edge and relevant resources and services to fulfil academic expectations of its user
communities in a professional, creative, and innovative manner. In line with the university’s aspiration of becoming
a leading university in Africa and beyond, the LIS also aspires to lead in its field. With these strategic statements in
mind, the LIS performed and excelled in all its set targets as the report shall indicate.

It must be pointed out from the outset that only our most important achievements are highlighted in this report,
such as our outreach services, our Teaching-Learning and Research Support matters, our support for national and
international days, research workshops, acquisition of information resources, and training users on utilising these
resources. Worthy of noting is our flagship International Conference on Information Literacy, which was organised as
a sister conference to the European Conference on Information Literacy.

A record seven articles authored by LIS staff were published in accredited journals, and most such articles emanated
from conference presentations. The articles mostly focused on LIS practice at NWU and helped raise the flag of the
university high, where it belongs. Finally, our last of the three Teaching and Learning Commons under construction
on the Mafikeng campus, is also highlighted.

2. Highlights according to the strategic goals
2.1 Positioning the LIS within the University
The LIS is well positioned to contribute to the realisation of the University’s goals, and to fulfil its mandate to
support all teaching, learning and research activities. It is a constant endeavour of the LIS to align its supportive
role with the core business of the University. It also meaningfully participates in the events organised by the
University. As a starting point, the LIS annually makes preparations for the following year by taking stock of the
University’s strategic direction, LIS targets, how the LIS functioned, necessary improvements, and what actions
the LIS could put into place to ensure timeous responsiveness. It is in this vein that the LIS organises various
activities to position itself within the University.

                                                                                                          2019 annual report
Library and Information Service NWU
4     Positioning the LIS within the University and beyond

2.1.1 NWU Campus Open Days
During the campus Open Days in May, the Library and           an integral part of the Open Day activities for the first
Information Services had the opportunity to be visible        time. Admissions staff assisted students with online
and proudly showcased our spaces and services to              applications and information stalls with the latest LIS
prospective undergraduate students.                           marketing material were placed at strategic points in
After liaison with the NWU Marketing and Student              the libraries. The campus libraries presented various
Recruitment Office, all three campus libraries formed         Open Day activities:

The planning process for the Open Days enhanced stakeholder relationships with relevant departments
in terms of involving the library in pertinent future events at the university. The complete report is
available on the library blog .

2.1.2 SA Library Week

The NWU Libraries celebrated the annual South African Library Week from 18-22 March 2019 with the theme Collaborate
@ your library. The theme articulates Libraries: Advancing Development through Collaboration, Partnerships and
Innovation. The library partnered with Van Schaik bookstores to celebrate, and a number of prizes were awarded to
students.

The libraries organised a number of activities with the aim of celebrating library week and promoting the importance
of collaborating to develop better relationships and partnerships. The activities were about raising awareness of the
library facilities, services and resources available to the university community as a whole. Staff at the three campus
libraries had the opportunity to arrange for different activities according to their capacity and user preference.

As part of the celebrations, all libraries had a fine-free week, giving amnesty to those with overdue library materials.
Link to the full report.

     NWU Library and Information Services
Library and Information Service NWU
Positioning the LIS within the University and beyond      5

2.1.3 International Conference on Information Literacy (ICIL)
The NWU LIS hosted a successful International Conference on Information Literacy (ICIL) in Vanderbijlpark from
23 – 26 September 2019. All the months of hard work and preparations had paid off.

The theme of the conference was: “Information Literacy in all spheres of life”, and delegates included researchers,
library and information services professionals, media specialists, academia, and policy makers from around the
globe. The conference had an international line-up of keynote speakers. These speakers included Prof Serap
Kurbanoglu (Turkey) who is also General Co-Chair of ECIL, Prof Irina Zhilavskaya (Russia), Prof Trudi E Jacobson
(USA) and Prof Thomas P Mackey (USA). The national keynote speakers were Prof Bosire Onyancha (UNISA), Prof
Karin de Jager (UCT), Prof Ina Fourie (UP) and Prof Jako Olivier (NWU). A diverse group of 138 delegates from
10 countries, attended the conference and about fifty papers were presented over the four days. A number of
presentations are still available on the ICIL web page.

                Keynote speakers: Prof Trudi E Jacobson (USA) and Prof Thomas P Mackey (USA),
           Prof Serap Kurbanoglu (Turkey), Prof Jako Olivier (NWU), Prof Irina Zhilavskaya (Russia) and
                                              Prof Ina Fourie (UP).

                                                                                                            2019 annual report
Library and Information Service NWU
6     Positioning the LIS within the University and beyond

Between the hard work, there was time for fun and relaxation. On Monday evening, attendees were treated at a
cocktail function at the Lapa on campus, next to the Vaal River. Prof Daryl Balia did the official welcoming and guests
were entertained with talented singers, all NWU students.

The LIS is proud of this conference – the first of its kind in Africa. According to feedback from attendees, they would
like to attend a similar event in the future. The second ICIL Conference will be held in 2021 in South Africa, as a
sister conference to the European Conference on Information Literacy (ECIL), while the next ECIL will be held on 21-24
September 2020 in Bamberg, Germany.

                              Dr Mathew Moyo, Prof Serap Kurbanoglu and Prof Daryl Balia

                                                 Prof Jako Olivier, Dr Louise Olivier and guests attending the
                                                            gala dinner wearing traditional attire

     NWU Library and Information Services
Library and Information Service NWU
Positioning the LIS within the University and beyond      7

Link to the complete library blog post. For a News report by Annette Willemse (NWU Corporate Communication
practitioner), link to the NWU news page.
An article about ICIL 2019 was submitted for inclusion in LIASA-in-Touch, official magazine of the Library and
Information Association of South Africa. The article was accepted and will be published in the March 2020 edition.

2.1.4 Open Access Week
The LIS took part in the international Open Access Week from 21 – 26 October with the theme “Open for whom? Equity
in Open Knowledge”. This is an annual global event which entered its tenth year with the aim of advocating and
raising awareness of the benefits of open access. Sessions were held at all three campus libraries, and participants
from the other campuses were able to connect remotely via Adobe Connect. The launch of Open Access Week was at
Potchefstroom. The Chief Director: LIS, Dr Mathew Moyo, did the welcoming address, where after Prof Nnenesi Kgabi,
Director: Research Support, officially opened the Open Access week at NWU. She elaborated on the state of Open
Access in general and particularly at the NWU, and stressed the need for the development of an NWU Open Access
Policy.

Dr Pierre de Villiers, Managing Director of AOSIS and Prof Andries van Aarde, Commissioning Editor: AOSIS Scholarly
Books, were invited as guest speakers. They are well known by NWU researchers who publish under AOSIS. Other
speakers were Prof Jako Olivier, UNESCO Chair on Multimodal Learning and Open Educational Resources at the NWU,
and Mrs Valencia Wagner of SADiLaR.

                               Launch of Open Access Week at Potchefstroom.
                            Prof Jako Olivier, Dr Mathew Moyo, Dr Pierre de Villiers,
                               Ms Valencia Wagner and Prof Andries van Aarde

                                                                          At Mafikeng Campus, the library had
                                                                          two speakers for the day: Prof Mpine
                                                                          Makoe (UNISA), who is the Chair of the
                                                                          Commonwealth of Learning for Open
                                                                          Educational Resources (OER), and Prof
                                                                          Simeon Materechera from the NWU’s
                                                                          Centre    for    Indigenous    Knowledge
                                                                          Systems. This was a platform for students,
                                                                          academic and support staff, and also
                                                                          researchers, to engage on aspects related
         Prof Simeon Materechera addressing the audience                  to OER and the benefits and challenges
                       at Mafikeng Library                                of open access for Indigenous Knowledge.

                                                                                                           2019 annual report
Library and Information Service NWU
8     Positioning the LIS within the University

The event at Vanderbijlpark Library took place on 23 October 2019. There were three expert speakers who shared
their knowledge. Prof Andries van Aarde from AOSIS had a discussion on Open Access in the Humanities, and Prof
Verona Leendertz and Dr Clarise Mostert discussed how Open Education Resources (OER) are incorporated in a
Business Management Module at NWU. The event was well attended by researchers, postgraduate students and
library colleagues, also from other campuses.

                                                                         Dr Clarise Mostert
                                                               (NWU Economic and Management Sciences,
                                                                       Vanderbijlpark campus)

                     Prof Andries van Aarde
                     (Commissioning Editor:
                     AOSIS Scholarly Books)

2.2 Marketing and Advocacy

By participating in the various activities organised by the University, the LIS has successfully positioned its supportive
role in the university’s core business. To enlighten the university community about this role, the LIS has improved
and updated material about its services and resources. These materials were widely distributed over various media
formats.

2.2.1 Marketing material
The LIS started to renew all marketing material after the restructuring process in terms of content, to portray the
spaces, services and resources of all campus libraries, and also to reflect the new institutional identity in terms of
colour and logo. Some material had already been updated in 2018.

     NWU Library and Information Services
Library and Information Service NWU
Marketing and Advocacy                                                                                                                        9

2.2.1.1 Postgraduate support guide
The postgraduate support guide was updated in January 2019. The guide shows that the library provides support in
every step of the research process; it is available in print and also appears very prominently on the library website:

2.2.1.2 Undergraduate survival guide
The LIS undergraduate survival guide was updated in February 2019 to reflect the alignment of all campus library
hours. The cover page received a fresh new look:

2.2.1.3 Calendar for 2020

The LIS again took responsibility to distribute a desk
calendar based on the NWU academic calendar over all
three campuses. The calendar is very popular among staff                                  JANUARY
                                                                                                                     LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICE
                                                                                                                       FEBRUARY                    MARCH                  APRIL                      MAY                 JUNE                   JULY                   AUGUST               SEPTEMBER             OCTOBER                NOVEMBER                DECEMBER

and students:
                                                                     WEDNESDAY   1 New Year’s day                                                             1                                                                     1

                                                                     THURSDAY    2 Libraries & Admin open                                                     2                                                                     2                                                                     1

                                                                     FRIDAY      3                                                                            3                          1 Workers’ Day                             3                                                                     2

                                                                     SATURDAY    4                            1                                               4                          2                                          4                        1                                            3

                                                                     SUNDAY      5                            2                         1                     5                          3                                          5                        2                                            4                     1

                                                                     MONDAY      6                            3 Lectures start          2                     6                          4                    1                     6                        3                                            5                     2 Official Closing: PC

                                                                     TUESDAY     7                            4                         3                     7                          5                    2                     7 Schools start          4                      1                     6                     3                        1

                                                                     WEDNESDAY   8                            5                         4                     8                          6                    3                     8                        5                      2                     7                     4 Official Closing: VC   2 Schools close

                                                                     THURSDAY    9                            6                         5                     9                          7                    4                     9                        6                      3                     8                     5                        3

                                                                     FRIDAY      10                           7 Official Opening: PC    6                     10 Good Friday             8                    5                     10 2nd Exams end         7                      4                     9                     6 Official Closing: MC   4

                                                                     SATURDAY    11 Welcoming 1st years: PC   8                         7                     11 Libraries closed        9 Open day: PC       6                     11 Annual Shutdown: PC   8                      5                     10                    7                        5

                                                                     SUNDAY      12                           9                         8                     12                         10                   7                     12 Annual Shutdown: PC   9 Women’s Day          6                     11                    8                        6

                                                                     MONDAY      13                           10                        9                     13 Family Day              11                   8                     13 Lectures start        10 Public Holiday      7                     12                    9                        7

                                                                     TUESDAY     14                           11                        10                    14 Friday Timetable        12                   9                     14                       11                     8                     13                    10                       8 2nd Exams end

                                                                     WEDNESDAY   15 Schools open              12 Official Opening: VC   11                    15                         13                   10                    15                       12                     9 Assessment starts   14                    11                       9

                                                                     THURSDAY    16                           13                        12                    16                         14                   11                    16                       13                     10                    15                    12                       10

                                                                     FRIDAY      17                           14 Official Opening: MC   13                    17                         15                   12 Schools close      17                       14                     11                    16                    13                       11

                                                                     SATURDAY    18 Annual Shutdown: PC       15                        14                    18                         16 Open day: VC      13                    18 Mandela Day           15                     12                    17                    14                       12

                                                                     SUNDAY      19 Annual Shutdown: PC       16                        15                    19                         17                   14                    19                       16                     13                    18                    15                       13

                                                                     MONDAY      20 Welcoming 1st years: VC   17                        16 Library Week       20 Assessment starts       18                   15                    20                       17                     14                    19                    16                       14

                                                                     TUESDAY     21                           18                        17                    21                         19                   16 Youth Day          21                       18 Friday Timetable    15                    20                    17                       15 Libraries close

                                                                     WEDNESDAY   22                           19                        18                    22                         20                   17                    22                       19                     16                    21                    18 1st Exams end         16 Reconciliation Day

                                                                     THURSDAY    23                           20                        19                    23                         21                   18                    23                       20                     17                    22                    19                       17

                                                                                                                                        20 Schools close                                                                                                                            18 Schools close
                                                                     FRIDAY      24                           21                                              24 NWU International Day   22                   19                    24                       21                                           23 Lectures end       20                       18
                                                                                                                                           Lectures end                                                                                                                                Assessment ends
                                                                     SATURDAY    25 Welcoming 1st years: MC   22                        21 Human Rights Day   25                         23 Open day: MC      20                    25                       22                     19 Recess starts      24                    21                       19

                                                                     SUNDAY      26                           23                        22                    26                         24                   21                    26                       23                     20                    25                    22                       20

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          26 1st Exams start
                                                                     MONDAY      27                           24                        23 Recess starts      27 Freedom Day             25                   22 1st Exams end      27                       24                     21                                          23                       21
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Open Access Week
                                                                     TUESDAY     28                           25                        24                    28                         26                   23 Recess starts      28                       25                     22                    27                    24                       22

                                                                     WEDNESDAY   29                           26                        25                    29                         27 Lectures end      24                    29                       26                     23                    28                    25 2nd Exams start       23

                                                                     THURSDAY    30                           27                        26                    30 Assessment ends         28 1st Exams start   25                    30                       27                     24 Heritage Day       29                    26                       24

                                                                     FRIDAY      31                           28                        27                                               29                   26                    31                       28                     25                    30                    27                       25 Christmas Day

                                                                     SATURDAY                                 29                        28                                               30                   27                                             29                     26                    31                    28                       26 Day of Goodwill

                                                                     SUNDAY                                                             29                                               31                   28                                             30                     27                                          29                       27

                                                                     MONDAY                                                             30 Lectures start                                                     29 2nd Exams start                             31                     28 Lectures start                           30                       28

                                                                     TUESDAY                                                            31 Schools open                                                       30                                                                    29 Schools open                                                      29

                                                                     WEDNESDAY                                                                                                                                                                                                      30                                                                   30

                                                                     THURSDAY                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            31

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   2019 annual report
Library and Information Service NWU
10     Marketing and Advocacy

2.2.2 Outreach activities
The LIS does not function in a silo, but reaches out to nearby communities and stakeholders to share skills and
resources.

2.2.2.1 Mandela Day
Celebrating Mandela Day is a standing tradition at NWU LIS, and 2019 was no exception. The three campus libraries
commemorated Mr Mandela’s legacy in different ways and reached out to nearby communities. The full report is
available on the blog.

2.2.2.1.1 Mafikeng Library donated school shoes to Masutlhe 1 Primary School
Mafikeng library commemorated Mandela Day by buying 10 new pairs of school shoes for children at the Primary
School in Masutlhe, a remote village outside the town.

The idea of buying shoes came about when the NWU LIS offered
all three of its campuses R1000 for Mandela Day activities.
Mr Siviwe Bangani, 2018 Librarian of the Year (LoY), topped the
amount given to Mafikeng Campus with R1000 from the LoY
award. The school identified 10 children who would benefit from
this initiative and provided the shoe sizes of the children. Dr
Lefenya-Motshegare also bought a complete school uniform out
of her own pocket for a child who had lost all his clothes after
his house burned a few days before Mandela Day.

2.2.2.1.2 Potchefstroom library decided that charity begins at home

Potchefstroom LIS staff members celebrated a very
successful Mandela Day by reaching out to Campus
Protection Services with the theme: Charity begins
at Home. Protection Services is one of our main
stakeholders as they take care of us on a daily basis
by providing protection to both our assets and
ourselves.

They work night shifts and long hours in the cold.
The LIS donated gloves, scarves and beanies to keep
them warm. Donated items were received by Mr Des Ayob, Director of Protection Services and
some of his senior staff members. He mentioned that it was the first time that colleagues
of the NWU had reached out to Protection Services in this manner. It was a privilege for
library staff to be involved in this project – it gave the LIS an opportunity to give back to the
people who serve us.

      NWU Library and Information Services
Marketing and Advocacy        11

2.2.2.1.3 Vanderbijlpark reached out to Kopanong Hospital

                                                       Vanderbijlpark library staff reached out to the Outpatient
                                                       Department and Ithemba Section at Kopanong Hospital in
                                                       Vereeniging. Staff members worked together and prepared
                                                       lunch bags.
                                                       More than 100 lunch boxes were distributed amongst waiting
                                                       patients and their family. The patients were thankful for the
                                                       food, the majority of them indicated that they normally waited
                                                       there for many hours without anything to eat.
                                                       The library staff felt afterwards that it was a fulfilling experience
                                                       to reach out and to make a difference, especially in the lives of
                                                       vulnerable people.

2.2.3 Workshop at NWU Mafikeng Campus - 10 July 2019
The North-West University, in collaboration with the South African Library for the Blind and the Department of Arts,
Culture, Sports and Recreation (DACSR), hosted a workshop to train public library staff members who render services
to the visually impaired, as well as the visually impaired themselves. The main purpose of the workshop was to
share advanced skills and expertise with library staff and the visually impaired, addressing different needs. During
the workshop, Mr Siyabulela Lucas – who is visually impaired – encouraged fellow participants who share the same
disability to take advantage of the assistive technology offered. After the theoretical part of the workshop, participants
also had the opportunity to take part in practical training on the various assistive devices, with instructors close by.

A total of 68 officials attended the workshop.

2.2.4 Meeting at South African Library for the Blind (SALB) –
18-19 November 2019
Mr Siviwe Bangani, Manager of Information Services (NWU-Mafikeng Campus) and Ms Rosa de Klerk (NWPG) visited
the SALB in Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown) to consult on the review of the librarians’ manual for the blind users.

The first day of the meeting focused on the existing mini libraries. It was pointed out that there were 24 mini-libraries
in the North-West Province, meaning that each region has at least one mini library. Some of the challenges identified
were high levels of illiteracy of the majority of blind users who cannot use braille or computers in those libraries. In
some municipalities, transport was not available for these users, which affected the usage of the mini libraries.

The second day was dedicated to the review of the librarians’ manual for the blind users. However, it became clear
that the first draft of the manual had not been completed by the consultants (Blind SA), therefore the discussion was
dominated by issues regarding the purpose of the librarians’ manual in order for the consultants to understand its
context.

Librarians use their initiatives to learn the software and hardware in their libraries. Dedicated computers are not
being utilised as blind people do not know how to use them. There are no programmes that market the service to
blind people.

                                                                                                           2019 annual report
12     Exceptional User Experience

2.3 Exceptional user experience

The LIS strives to provide service excellence aimed at the diverse needs and preferences of its users in terms of
seamless access to appropriate information resources, and innovative physical spaces and services. Further evidence
is the numbers of users physically visiting the libraries, the statistics of users availing themselves for training sessions
and also the numbers of those accessing
the LIS e-resources.

2.3.1 Popular library spaces
The LIS has managed to create warm and welcoming spaces - very popular amongst students. The following article
was posted on the Library Blog in August.

  The Libraries are buzzing with activity
  August is traditionally known as a very busy month on the academic calendar, and all NWU libraries can testify to
  that. For the past two weeks, the libraries have received at least 5000 visitors daily. The visits for Wednesday 14
  August were 5703. The collaborative spaces are filled to capacity, therefore group discussions flow over to open
  areas - where the noise levels are quite high.

  The LIS has managed to create a social welcoming environment that supports the diverse needs of all learners.
  However, to balance the demands for quiet study space and collaborative, conversational space is an ongoing
  challenge in academic libraries worldwide.
  Have a look at some pictures taken during this week, the libraries were buzzing!!!

2.3.2 Upgrading of facilities
The LIS strives to upgrade and repurpose library spaces in line with changing user needs. Innovative learning spaces
equipped with Wi-Fi coverage are available in all three campus libraries.

2.3.2.1 Mafikeng refurbishment project

There was a need to upgrade and renovate spaces in the Mafikeng library, especially to attend to the needs of
undergraduate students. This major project entails the establishment of an Information Commons in the lower
ground floor area and a Law Library on the 1st floor, as well as the renovation of the 24-hour study area.

      NWU Library and Information Services
Exceptional User Experience                                                                                                                                                                         13

Construction started in September 2019 and
                                                                                                                                                                                                                        WE ARE REFURBISHING
the first phase (Law Library) with computer                                                                                                                                                                           THE LOWER GROUND FLOOR
workstations, study area and two seminar rooms                                                                                                                          Whole floor closed during construction
was completed in December 2019.
                                                                                                                    NOVEMBER 2019                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        APRIL 2020

                                                        Lower Ground                                       Lower Ground Floor                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Completion of the Information
The construction team is currently busy with the        Floor                                              Closes                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Commons
Information Commons (second phase), and they
have made very good progress. The area will have                                              You can look forward to an Undergraduate
119 computer workstations, a hands-on training                                                                        INFORMATION COMMONS
facility, and five seminar rooms – all equipped                                   Seminar rooms
                                                                                                  4
                                                                                 with whiteboards                                                                                                                                                        178 Seats
with LED screens, patch points, and ample power                                   in 24 hour area                                                                                                                              24 hour study area

plugs – conducive to group study.
                                                                   WHITE BOARD      WHITE BOARD       WHITE BOARD     WHITE BOARD                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           LEARNING DESKS

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        SECURITY TABLE

The 24-hour study area is adjacent to the

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           LEARNING DESKS
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            LEARNING DESKS
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        LEARNING DESKS
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               LEARNING DESKS
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       LEARNING DESKS
                                                                                                                                                                                  LEARNING DESKS
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               LEARNING DESKS                                                         LEARNING DESKS                                       LEARNING DESKS

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            2424 HOUR
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    STUDYSTUDY    AREA

Information Commons and will provide 178 seats
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               HOUR      / LEARNING CENTRE

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       LEARNING DESKS
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 LEARNING DESKS
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             LEARNING DESKS
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          LEARNING DESKS
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      LEARNING DESKS
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                LEARNING DESKS
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         LEARNING DESKS
                                                                                                                                                                                                   LEARNING DESKS
                                                                                                                                                      LEARNING DESKS
and four seminar rooms. Additional power plugs                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    119

for mobile devices will be added throughout
                                                                                                                                                                                 LEARNING DESKS                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       LEARNING DESKS

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               COMPUTER
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              WORKSTATIONS
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             PRINTING STATION

this area. The new facilities will provide in the

                                                                                                                                    COMPUTER DESKS
                                                                                                                                                                                                                         COMPUTER DESKS

teaching-learning needs of undergraduates.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        COMPUTER DESKS
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     COMPUTER DESKS
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           COMPUTER DESKS
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           COMPUTER DESKS
                                                                                                                                                                                                                         COMPUTER DESKS

                                                                                                                                     COMPUTER DESKS
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       INFO DESK

Also in the Information Commons will be a                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      ONE                                                  MAKER
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    MAKER

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             LED SCREEN
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              BUTTON
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              BUTTON                                                SPACE
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              STUDIO
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              STUDIO                                                 CTL

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 5 New

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Aluminium and glass partition wall
                                                        TRAINING
Technology Commons. The library provides the
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        COMPUTER DESKS

                                                         ROOM                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                SEMINAR ROOMS

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             LED SCREEN
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         GROUP STUDY AREA
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            WITH LED SCREENS

space, but the equipment and support will be
                                                                                                                                                                       LECTURES DESK

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              LED SCREEN
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        COMPUTER DESKS

                                                                                                                                                                                                                    PROJECTOR SCREEN

                                                                                                                                                                                                               OFFICE                                                     SUPPORT DESK

provided by CTL. Mafikeng Library will be the first
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   IT ROOM

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              PODCAST
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              PODCAST

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Technology
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               STUDIO
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               STUDIO
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  SERVICE POINT

NWU library to have such a facility consisting of                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Commons
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               • Maker Space

a MakerSpace, One Button Studio, and a Podcast
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • One Button Studio
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • Podcast studio
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           ENTRANCE

Studio. Students will have the opportunity to
be introduced to technology as required by the
curriculum.

The LIS is looking forward to the completion of the project in May. We envisage welcoming all stakeholders and
celebrating the new spaces during the launch in June.
Project progress can be followed on the Library renovation page.

2.3.3 Information resources
2.3.3.1 e-Resources
Collection development continued to see a move of focus from ownership of a collection to the provision of access
to information resources. Databases are evaluated annually according to the average price per search (cost per use)
and the recommendations of the Information Services managers regarding the uniqueness of necessity within the
subject group for continued subscription. The table below displays the top ten databases according to the number
of searches, and indicates that there was an increase in the use of databases.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            2019 annual report
14      Exceptional User Experience

Table 1

                   Top 10 Database searches 2019                             Top 10 Database searches 2018

 E-Resource                                 Searches            E-Resource                         Searches
 EbscoHost                                  41 194 567          EbscoHost (Totaal)                 39 128 273
 JSTOR                                      100 892             Science Direct                     82 667
 Science Direct                             98 450              E-Journals                         79 549
 Publication Finder (A-Z)                   83 271              E-Brary                            54 945
 Academic Search Premier                    57 201              Academic Search Premier            53 889
 Hospitality & Tourism Complete             44 970              Africa-Wide Information            52 261
 SA ePublications                           43 061              SA ePublications                   47 166
 Scopus                                     42 442              JSTOR                              47 000
 ERIC                                       35 935              Scopus                             38 838
 Africa-Wide Information                    32 625              Publication Finder (A-Z)           37 163

Table 2

                  Top 10 Database downloads 2019                          Top 10 Database downloads 2018
 E-Resource                                 Downloads           E-Resource                             Downloads
 Science Direct                             553 084             Science Direct                         558 290
 Ebrary                                     208 641             Ebrary                                 186 880
 EbscoHost                                  204 569             EbscoHost (Totaal)                     186 208
 JSTOR                                      192 750             JSTOR                                  174 796
 Taylor & Francis                           152 001             Taylor & Francis                       105 854
 Wiley Online                               112 583             Wiley Online                           89 968
 SpringerLink journal package               86 337              SpringerLink journal package           67 879
 Hein Online                                86 165              SA ePublications                       59 694
 Sage Premier                               68 697              SAGE Premier                           54 280
 Academic Search Premier                    56 841              Hein Online                            47 809

2.3.3.2 PressReader

The library subscribed to                , providing access to more than 7 000 of the world’s top newspapers and
magazines. This includes SA sources such as Sunday Times, The Citizen, Beeld and Mail & Guardian. Subscription to
PressReader will lead to budget savings, as a number of current print subscriptions can be cancelled.

2.3.4 Information literacy
Information and computer literacy is critical for undergraduate academic success. Information literacy enables users
to master content and to become more self-directed. Training and awareness-raising sessions are offered by faculty
librarians, Librarians for Research and Undergraduate Support, and involve presenting subject-related and general
information to students, staff and researchers to ensure optimal and independent use of traditional and electronic
information sources. This year saw 21 422 training sessions presented across the 3 campuses. The LIS also focused on
embedded librarianship by partnering with faculties to develop information literacy skills. Faculty librarians assisted
with 28 595 information enquiries during 2019.

     NWU Library and Information Services
Exceptional User Experience       15

2.3.5 New Referencing Guide
The 3rd edition of the NWU Referencing Guide was
completed at the end of 2019 for use from January 2020.
The NWU Harvard as well as the APA styles have quite a
few substantial changes to take note of.

Due to the fact that there are so many variations of the
Harvard style worldwide, there was a need to improve
alignment with international and local applications
of the Harvard style. The new version is an attempt to
make referencing easier for our undergraduates and
help postgraduates to publish in other journals that
prefer Harvard.

The new changes to the APA referencing style (7th
edition), published in October 2019, were also
incorporated in the new NWU referencing guide. Also
incorporated in the guide is the house style of the Law
Faculty, which was provided by the Faculty itself. Library
and Information Service is therefore proud to introduce
this new guide which will be a compulsory source for
all students.
Consult the NWU Referencing Guide

2.3.6 Research Support
The aim of Research Week in September was to raise awareness of how the Library supports research and research
visibility, and to strengthen its partnership with the Research Office, Centre for Postgraduate Studies, researchers,
and postgraduate students. The LIS hosted a Research Enablers Workshop with hands-on training on the NWU one-
stop portal - One@NWU. The One@NWU is a user friendly portal where all the research services and resources can
be identified and added, with necessary links to the web page.

Purposeful efforts were made to develop knowledge and create awareness of bibliometric tools, as visibility of NWU
research output is vital. Faculty Librarians and the Research Support Librarian promoted ORCiD as well as the research
impact tools: INCITES, h-index in Scopus, Web of Science, Google Citations, as well as Altmetrics.

2.3.7 LibGuides
LibGuides is a platform for faculty and information librarians to provide subject-specific guidance to students or to
create guides on specific topics. The LibGuides are aligned across the 3 campuses. LibGuides were viewed 198 016
times with the most popular LibGuide being the undergraduate support guide with 50 922 views and the Law LibGuide
with 27 732 views.

                                                                                                        2019 annual report
16     Technology and e-Strategy

2.4 Technology and e-Strategy

Invaluable relations have been maintained with those stakeholders critical for the LIS to thrive in the rapidly evolving
technological environment.

2.4.1 Embargo form – permission not to publish
In 2019, the LIS received numerous requests from students and their supervisors to remove their electronic theses and
dissertations from the North-West University Institutional Repository (BOLOKA). These requests came predominantly
from the Music Department in the Faculty of Humanities. Study supervisors reported that publishers claim that
students are guilty of self-plagiarism when they submit their research to the Institutional Repository rather than to
the publisher first. After some consultations with the Higher Degrees Office, it was clear that there was a need for an
Embargo Form for students wanting to first publish their research in a journal. The form was developed in conjunction
with the Higher Degrees Office and approved by the NWU Senate committee.

2.4.2 Open Journal System (OJS) project
In collaboration with NWU IT, the LIS assisted two NWU researchers to set up individual Open Journal Systems:

South Africa Journal for Research in Sport, Physical Education and Recreation (SAJRSPER)
Editor – Prof Hanlie Moss

Journal of Well-being and Leisure in Africa (JWLA)
Editor – Prof Stefan Kruger

      NWU Library and Information Services
Technology and e-Strategy       17

The OJS platform is ready for use, and editors can start publishing on the platform. The LIS provides technical assis-
tance, while the editors will be responsible for editing content and managing the journal.

2.4.3 Figshare
                                In 2019, the NWU decided to use Figshare as its Research Data Management (RDM)
                                tool. The LIS collaborated with NWU IT and the eResearch Office to acquire Figshare as
                                platform to preserve and share NWU research data. After implementation, training on
                                the use of Figshare was done by Figshare personnel. A Figshare naming competition
                                took place in October 2019 and the winning name for the NWU Figshare repository
                                was Dayta Ya Rona, meaning Our Data.

2.5 Staff Development

LIS staff are a crucial asset in driving LIS services. The development and professionalisation of staff needs constant
attention to keep them updated and skilled. A number of staff members are registered for professional degrees,
mostly via UNISA. Staff had the opportunity to attend workshops and conferences. Apart from attending such
events, staff also presented at the ICIL Conference, LIASA Conference, SAOIM, and International Open Data Week
(Botswana). They were also actively involved in the presentation of data carpentry and Atlas.ti workshops.

2.5.1 Conference papers delivered by LIS staff
Staff made use of the opportunity to make the LIS visible by presenting papers at different national and international
conferences. The fact that the LIS presented the ICIL Conference in September, gave a number of staff the opportu-
nity to do their own presentations.

    i.      Bangani, S., Moyo, M. and Mashiyane, D. 2019. The utilisation of library spaces by postgraduate students
            at a university in an African country. Paper presented at the 40th IATUL Conference Perth, Australia.
    ii.     Bangani, S., Mashiyane, D., Moyo, M., Masilo, B. and Makate, G. 2019. Students’ evaluation of librarians
            as teachers of information literacy at the North-West University. 1st ICIL conference, South Africa.
    iii.    Mashiyane, D., Bangani, S. and van Deventer, K. 2019. Academic librarians’ awareness and application
            of multimedia content for information literacy instructional practices. 1st ICIL conference, South Africa.
    iv.     Bangani, S. Noma Dolo, Nyameka Mila, Dina Mashiyane, Vuyokazi Kiva-Johnson and Veliswa Tshetsha.
            2019. The visibility of research in academic social media platforms at S.A. universities. Paper presented
            at the 20th LIASA conference, Durban.
    v.      Kaunda, N., Pretorius, H., Thulare, T. and Tshenye, M. 2019. Comprehensive Library and information
            service model for the blind and partially sighted: A collaborative approach. 1st ICIL conference, South
            Africa.
    vi.     Van Rensburg, Zander, Coetzee, Anneke, Andrianatos, Kristien, & Scheepers, Corné. 2019. A holistic
            approach to referencing skills in a blended-learning environment: ask Referella, the interactive
            referencing assistant. 1st ICIL conference, South Africa.
    vii.    Rood, Erika and Pretorius, Hendra. 2019. Roadmap for Information Literacy at North West University
            Library Information Service. 1st ICIL conference, South Africa.
    viii.   Martin Dreyer & Zine Sapula. 2019. Put the researcher first: reporting on an enabling journey. Paper
            presented at e-Research Africa conference 2019, Capetown.

                                                                                                         2019 annual report
18         Staff Development

2.5.2 Journal articles by LIS staff during 2019
The following articles were published in accredited journals:

     i.          Bangani, S., Moyo, M and Mashiyane, D. 2020. The utilisation of library spaces by postgraduate students
                 at a university in an African country. Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication. https://www.
                 emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/GKMC-07-2019-0075/full/html.
     ii.         Bangani, S., Mashiyane, D., Moyo, M, and Makate, G. 2020. In/gratitude? Library acknowledgement in
                 theses and dissertations at a distinguished African university. Library Philosophy and Practice, 1-33.
                 https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/3596/
     iii.        Bangani, S., Mashiyane, D., Moyo, M., Masilo, B. and Makate, G. 2019. Students’ perceptions of librarians
                 as teachers of information literacy at a distinguished African university. Global Knowledge, Memory
                 and Communication. https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/GKMC-09-2019-0111/full/
                 html
     iv.         Bangani, S. and Moyo, M. 2019. Data sharing practices among researchers at South African universities.
                 Data Science Journal, 18(1). http://doi.org/10.5334/dsj-2019-028
     v.          Bangani, S., Masilo, B., Makate, G., Kekana, M. and Moyo, M. 2019. LibGuides as a collection development
                 tool: the case of North-West University, South Africa. Library Philosophy and Practice, 1-21. https://dig-
                 italcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/2944/
     vi.         Bangani, S., Masilo, B., Makate, G. and Moyo, M. 2019. The impact of a university’s language policy on its
                 library’s print collections. Mousaion, 36(2): 1-20. https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC-15cb78f1f3
     vii.        Kaunda, N. 2019. Strategic library and information services models for the visually impaired persons:
                 The South African Library for the Blind perspective. NWU Boloka Institutional Repository.http://hdl.
                 handle.net/10394/32209 https://doi.org/10.1080/15367967.2019.1571923

2.5.3 Formal studies registered for 2019/2020
Nine staff members are registered for master’s degrees in Information Science; two completed their studies. Seven
staff members are registered for professional degrees or diplomas in Information Science, all via UNISA. Another
staff member is registered for a master’s in Public Administration at the NWU.

2.6 Governance and Leadership
2.6.1 Policies
A Draft Policy on Research Data Management (RDM) was developed by the task team (LIS and NWU Academic Services
IT) as a contribution to the Open Science Policy, which has to be finalised by the Research Office. The purpose of this
policy is to guide researchers on how to store, secure and share their data in a protected institutional data repository
platform according to the FAIR guiding principles of research data management.

     NWU Library and Information Services
Governance and Leadership       19

2.6.2 Information resources budget
The Information Resources budget was allocated to faculties using a scientific formula, enhanced through further
scientific investigations and calculations, across the three campuses. Although the actual spent of the budget was
92%, it got to 100% when processed recommendations were added. An industry integrated study was conducted with
the Centre for Business Mathematics Informatics (BMI). The student project team, supervised by Prof Philip Mashele,
collaborated with the LIS to investigate whether the current budget variables sufficiently described expenditure,
and if the associated weights could be determined mathematically. The project was a success and contributed to
the final mark of the master’s students. This project promoted internal stakeholdership and enhanced utilisation
of specialised skills brought forth by other stakeholders, such as data management, statistics, mathematics and
software development. This expertise complemented the librarians‘ skills sets.

2.6.3 Quality Assurance
2.6.3.1 NWU Doctoral Self-review
The NWU Quality Enhancement Office administered the NWU Doctoral Self-review as part of the National Doctoral
review. The aim of the survey was to measure the experiences of doctoral students throughout their engagement
with the NWU – from registration to graduation. The LIS was involved in the compilation of the survey. The outcomes
will give an indication of the experience and satisfaction of PhD students regarding the resources, ease of resource
access, facilities and services of the LIS. The full report will be available in March 2020.

2.6.3.2 Benchmarking activities
Five benchmarking exercises were conducted by the LIS with the LIS professional sector in terms of the supply
chain process of textbooks between faculties, suppliers and the libraries. Benchmarking was also done in terms of
makerspaces, robotics, services for students with disabilities, and research support services. These were:

   •   Online Textbooks project with the Faculty of Education (ODL)

   •   Makerspaces and Robotics in libraries at the University of Pretoria (UP)

   •   Project planning with NWU IT and the Business Analyst dedicated to the LIS. The Computer Science department
       will be involved and perhaps the Engineering department, should it become necessary to make and pilot our
       own robot. Consultation will take place with all affected by the project.

   •   A visit on 3 May 2019 was a joint effort between the Library and Information Service (LIS) and the NWU Disabilities
       Rights Units (DRU) to benchmark services, infrastructure and resources for students with disabilities. It was
       necessary to seek opportunities to share expertise as outlined in the Service Level Agreement (SLA) between
       NWU, the South African Library for the Blind (SALB), and the Department of Arts and Traditional Affairs (CATA)
       North-West (NW) Provincial Library, Information and Archives Services. Facilities at Wits DRU are modern
       and address the learning and research needs of students with disabilities. The Wartenweiler library, which
       is the Wits main library, has a dedicated integrated Disabilities Section on the ground floor. NWU and Wits
       will promote and foster collaboration between the institutions and look forward to maintaining a partnership
       both within and outside of the university community. Full blog post available.

                                                                                                          2019 annual report
20       Governance and Leadership

     •     At a Library Management Meeting (LMC) in April, the CPUT was identified to conduct a benchmarking activity
           in terms of research support services, research data management, ICT services, and quality assurance. LIS
           staff had the opportunity to attend CPUT on the 21 – 22 August 2019. This was a fruitful exercise where the
           LIS did not only have the opportunity to learn, but also to share. The full benchmarking report was provided
           to the LMC, and a blog report was posted.

2.6.4 Strategic Planning
Senior LIS staff had their annual planning session on 6-7 November 2019 at the NWU Business School in Mafikeng.
The main aim of the workshop was the development of a LIS Annual Performance Plan for 2020. The motivational
speaker was Prof Yvonne du Plessis from the Business School in Mafikeng. Mr Shakes Scott, IT Director: Academic &
Office Solutions also attended the workshop and provided valuable input together with Prof Liqhwa Siziba, Senior
Lecturer in Academic Literacy at Mafikeng.

During the closing session, Dr Moyo confirmed that goals had also been identified to embrace the 4th Industrial
Revolution. He reminded attendees to visit the Ideas Store as populated by LIS staff. The new initiatives would add
value to what we do. Link to full report.

     NWU Library and Information Services
Conclusion        21

3 Conclusion
This report has demonstrated how the LIS performed in 2019. It has assembled all the building blocks which had
allowed the LIS to excel in the previous year. All support in Teaching-Learning, Research and Community Engagement
were clearly demonstrated. The LIS core services of acquisition and processing of information resources in support of
the university’s core business were demonstrated. The report ends with highlights from our November 2019 strategic
planning session, which prepared us for the year 2020. The university executive has said that the year 2020 is for
consolidation of our previous gains and building on success, which sits extremely well with us in the LIS environment.
While we celebrated our past gains, we are working hard to ensure that 2020 will be another successful year. We
hope to develop new and innovative ideas, particularly during this time when the world is faced with the devastating
coronavirus pandemic. Our job is focused on supporting the academic project during these difficult times and we
are closely monitoring our online support in order to ensure business continuity. May all our ideas to overcome this
challenge work!

                                                                                                      2019 annual report
library.nwu.ac.za
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