Long live Libraries and Books at Colleges!
A M BADENHORST
The
old library … described with words like lending, quiet, books,
magazines, and reading. The more modern library (e-library) … described
by words like technology, print, download, e-books, information,
research, and access.
How do we classify our current college libraries? Are they old, modern, or non-existent?
A
college library forms part of a student support system, primarily to be
academic of nature and should support the programs offered at the
college by providing necessary materials to meet both student and
lecturing staff needs and to encourage reading.
The
library as a student support system at a college needs support too.
Apart from providing sufficient reading and study space, the library
should have a qualified librarian in order to offer effective library
services. The library should be continuously updated with books,
magazines, audio-visual and other information materials that meets
current and changing educational needs and to evoke lecturer and student
interest. Another demand on college libraries is the fast developing
digital age and the speed with which technology is changing.
Libraries
at college campuses should continue to be a learning HUB not because it
is only about just physical books which may or may not dissolve away
because of e-books and the information that we nowadays find on the
Internet.
The
Internet offers only a fraction of the world’s knowledge/ information
for free. College libraries stay a great resource of information in
communities where the digital divide still exists. Publishers
of e-Books may want students to purchase e-books; therefore it
continues the college library’s mission to keep providing lecturers and
students with valuable library support. It is thus crucial to promote, maintain and update libraries at our college.
The
college should also think in terms of a college networked library,
publishing internal materials produced by the college, and make them
available through the college own document servers and websites.
Students will access the networked library through the college network
which will enhance distance access to the college library.
Our college libraries should become the central nerve academic support center for information.
Do not let the digital divide in South Africa becomes a content divide. Long live Libraries and Books at Colleges!
