Transcript Morula Community Library
Morula Community Library
Esther Retief, Unisa Library Johanna Mogale, Morula Community Library
Contents A.
B.
Morula Community Library, Mabopane Success factors
Morula Community Library Mabopane Section A
Morula Community Library The library was launched on 11 June 2005
Main reason for developing a community library
Morula Community Library Situated on the premises of Morula Sun Casino & Hotel North West of Pretoria in Mabopane
Library staff 1 Professional Librarian 1 Relief staff member (a trained librarian) 2 Volunteers helping during peak times
The library The floor area of the library is 115 m 2.
The library The library has a reception area, Librarian’s office, a library room divided by bookshelves, and a separate reading section.
Information resources About 10,000 items 5 computers, 4 Printers 3 scanners 1 fax Study tables
Number of regular clients About 250 clients per month
6% 12%
Age
5% 1% 32% 44% Under 10 10-17 years 18-24 25-29 30-39 40+
Reasons for visiting the library Clients mainly visit the library for study (38%) and research purposes (33%).
Bulletin board
Information literacy Basic library skills (indexes, encyclopaedias, dictionaries) Mouse and keyboard skills Introduction to the Internet Research on the Internet
New developments Accommodate Unisa student loans; Unisa assignment box) (MyUnisa; Electronic databases; Courier service between Morula Community Library and Unisa Muckleneuk campus; Interlibrary
Immediate needs Children’s literature (primary and secondary school learners) CD-ROMs: encyclopaedias, specific topics (e.g. geography, biology and science) Grades 11 and 12 text books and study guides
Success factors Section B
Be enthusiastic One highly motivated professional librarian A librarian who is a trusted and valued member of the community
Have a vision and share it See the need Decide that you can meet the need Be willing to seek help from the outside Know that, in the long run, you have to do it yourself A community’s future is in the hands of those who live there
Plan Have a development plan and review it annually The plan should determine the budget The plan reflects your beliefs – share it with appropriate persons
Accessible library Busses Taxis Train station (6.5 km)
Relationships Build personal relationships (clients, community leaders) Involve the local community in the development of the library from its earliest stage Partner with appropriate libraries, institutions/organisations
Meet the need Know your community and their information needs Provide reference and other information resources in demand
Meet the need Provide study facilities as the majority of the users do not have space, electricity or privacy at home
Know your community Residential population of Mabopane: 210,399 (Census 2001) 51% of these people are unemployed.
50,2% of the Mabopane residents are younger than 25 years old.
Mabopane 10,5% have brick houses, while the rest (89,5%) have mostly traditional structures or informal housing. Only 10,2% of dwellings have electricity.
Meet the need Provide information technology, e.g. Internet, word processing facilities, etc.
Provide training
Make use of volunteers Train volunteers to help in the library Treat them with respect Give them a special position and responsibility
The end