Celebrating the value of a library’s service
The theme for National Library Week this year is Collaborate @ your library
National Library Week is taking place between March 18 to 24.
Libraries across the country use this annual event as an opportunity to market their services to the users, the broader community, civil society and also decision makers.
SA Library Week was initiated in 2001 by Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA).
The purpose according to LIASA was for all types of libraries use the opportunity to contribute to the understanding of the important role that libraries play in a democratic society, advancing literacy, making the basic human right of freedom of access to information a reality, and to promote tolerance and respect among all South Africans.
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The choice of the date was based on research into the history of libraries in South Africa. The South African Public Library, now known as the National Library of South Africa (Cape Town Campus) was the first library to be established in South Africa.
This was done by a government proclamation on March 20, 1818. The South African Library in fact started off as a true public library and has established itself as a pioneering institution in South African library history.
Library week also fall within the same week as Human Rights Day, commemorated on March 21.
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