1. The Department of Arts and Culture, in conjunction with LIASA (Library and Information Association of South Africa), has declared the week of 17 to 22 March 2008 to be South African Library Week. During this week South Africa will celebrate and promote library and information services using the theme: From Local to Global @ Your Library.
2. In view of the increasingly essential role played by learning and teaching support material (LTSM) in outcomes-based teaching and learning, teachers should be aware of the availability of library resources for this purpose. As part of the celebration of South African Library Week 2008 and the promotion of the library and information services of the WCED, you and your staff are invited to arrange a visit to the EDULIS Library or certain of the district Resource Centres for orientation and information regarding these services and the available specialised library resources. Group visits need not be limited to 17 to 22 March, but can be arranged to suit you and your staff.
3. The Resource Centre Collections in Mitchells Plain, Paarl, George, Worcester and Kuils River have the following LTSM available for individual loan by teachers, or block loans by schools:
  • Inspiring activity-based ideas for lesson plans, and for literacy and numeracy development (many of which can be photocopied)
  • A wide range of curriculum support material
  • A vast collection of recently published books on management and leadership
  • Thought-provoking material in support of educational research and policy development
  • Material covering current critical issues, e.g. literacy and numeracy, inclusion, discipline and behaviour problems, differentiation, HIV/AIDS, and foetal alcohol syndrome
  • Learner-focused materials (including picture books and novels for learners of all ages to use during reading periods), which have been specially evaluated and reviewed to help teachers select materials for their school libraries
  • Videos, DVDs, audiocassettes, CDs, CD ROMs and multimedia covering a wide range of topics to enrich and support classroom teaching and learning.
4. The following librarians may be contacted regarding the above: 
Susan Hanekom  EDULIS Library, Middestad Mall,       021 957 9617
               Bellville                             

Cheryl Joseph  Metro East Resource Centre/EDULIS     021 900 5111
               Branch Library, Kuils River

Ntombi Mngxuma Metro South: Brian O'Connell          021 370 2084
               Resource Centre, Mitchells Plain

Ina Heiberg    West Coast Resource Centre, Paarl     021 860 1229

Sam Webber     Eden & Karoo Resource Centre, George  044 803 8328

Janine Ontong  Cape Winelands Resource Centre,       023 348 4657
               Worcester
5. In the absence of a functioning resource centre at the Metro Central District Office and in response to numerous requests from educators at schools in the district, the decision was taken to establish a Collection Point at EDUMEDIA in Mowbray for school block loans borrowed from the EDULIS Library. This interim measure will be applicable until a resource centre has been established at the Metro Central District Office.


SIGNED: S.M. NAIKCER
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2008:03:05