1. The Department of Arts and Culture, in conjunction with the Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA), have declared that South African Library Week (SALW) 2016 will be celebrated from 14 to 20 March 2016 with the theme "#libraries4lifelonglearning".

2. Lifelong learning can be defined as an all purposeful learning activity undertaken on an ongoing basis with the aim of improving knowledge, skills and competencies. All these rely on methods that develop the individual’s ability to search for and actively and independently engage with information resources.

3. The theme also slots into South Africa’s National Development Plan 2030 that seeks to eradicate poverty and inequality by 2030. To reach this goal, many people – especially the youth – have to obtain skills that will allow entry into the job market. Libraries have a key support role to play in this drive to improve the country’s living conditions. "#libraries4lifelonglearning" provides guidance on the role of libraries to ensure that all educators and learners receive equitable access to quality information.

4. The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) is encouraging educators to make use of available WCED library and information services. These include the EDULIS Library Service (Head Office Library in Bellville, district resource centres and mobile libraries) and the EDULIS School Library Service.

5. The following learning and teaching support material (LTSM) is available for individual loan by principals, educators and officials, or as block loans to schools:

  • A wide range of curriculum support material.
  • Inspiring activity-based ideas for lesson plans (many of which can be photocopied).
  • A vast collection of recently published books and ebooks on management and leadership.
  • Thought-provoking material in support of educational research and policy development.
  • Material covering critical current issues, e.g. language and mathematical problems, inclusion, discipline and behaviour problems, and incorporating IT in the classroom.
  • Learner-focused materials (including picture books and novels for learners of all ages) especially reviewed to help educators select materials for their school libraries or use during reading periods.
  • Multimedia, such as DVDs, CDs and CD-ROMs, covering a wide range of topics to enrich and support classroom teaching and learning.
6. The following school library services are available to educators and schools:

  • Guidance in purchasing library resources using norms and standards and own funding.
  • Reading promotion through school visits to conduct book talks.
  • Orientation sessions for school staff as part of their professional development.
  • Support with the development and use of school libraries.
  • Co-ordination of and support for training in basic school library administration for educators in charge of school libraries.
7. The following district officials may be contacted regarding school library services:

Faith Lawrence West Coast Education District tel. 021 860 1562
Janine Ontong Cape Winelands Education District tel. 023 348 4657
Timothy Cloete Overberg Education District tel. 028 214 7387
Jennifer Caroto Metro North Education District tel. 021 938 3197
Carol van der Heever Brian O’Connell Resource Centre tel. 021 370 2084


SIGNED: H A LEWIS
ACTING DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL: EDUCATION PLANNING
DATE: 2016:03:10