The Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA) celebrated the 20th South African Library Week (SALW) from March 14 to 20 with the theme ReImagine, RePurpose, ReDiscover … Libraries!
According to LIASA, libraries continue to be affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, with many still grappling with providing appropriate services or sometimes even unable to provide these in any meaningful way.
LIASA strongly believes that the theme for SALW 2022 will explore and interrogate the ways in which libraries are having to:
• Reimagine their services and their ability to render those services
• Repurpose both their spaces and their services to continue being effective in the communities they serve, and in this way allow users to
• Rediscover the library and the ways in which it benefits them
The theme for 2022 builds on the 2021 theme of Libraries Matter! by moving the narrative forward from one of confirming relevance to one of demonstrating how libraries continue to be relevant in society.
The 2022 theme will also echo throughout the year, as LIASA celebrates 25 years of being the association for Library and Information Services (LIS) in South Africa.
March 16 saw the LIS Region C Pop-up library get underway at Horizon View Shopping Centre where community members were welcomed.
As part of SALW, Florida Regional Library and Weltevreden Park Library presented their Library Week display.
“South African Library Week is always a special celebration in the life of libraries in South Africa.
“This year the theme was Reimagine Repurpose Rediscover Libraries, and we are hoping to remind the public of the importance of libraries and how they can be a central hub in the community – for information, leisure reading, socialising and education.
“Libraries are becoming places where e-learning is also available and we hope to share this new technology with the community.
“The Weltevreden Park Public Library was glad to take part in Library Week, and we look forward to welcoming the community back where they can Reimagine and Rediscover their library in Weltevreden Park,” said Weltevreden Park Senior Librarian, Gwyneth Perry.
