Transforming the National Library of South Africa: Strategic Leadership for Information Development

1. Presentation to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Arts and Culture John K. Tsebe NATIONAL LIBRARY OF SOUTH AFRICA 11 MARCH 2005

2. Outline • Introduction • Objects of the National Library • Functions of the National Library • Achieving the objects in relation to the functions • Family of organisations in Arts & Culture • Regional & international connections • Relationships with other organisations • Conclusion – transforming the National Library of South Africa

3. Introduction – a brief history • The NLSA is the most senior library in South Africa and must play a strategic leadership role • Previously two national libraries: • the South African Library (Cape Town), started in 1818 • the State Library (Pretoria), started in 1887 • Now one single national library (National Library of South Africa Act no. 92 of 1998) • Both former national libraries merged into one institution, launched on 1st November 1999 as the National Library of South Africa.

4. Objects of the National Library • The objects of the National Library are to contribute to socio-economic, cultural, educational, scientific and innovative development • by collecting, recording, preserving and making available the national documentary heritage • and promoting an awareness and appreciation thereof, • by fostering information literacy, • and by facilitating access to the world's information resources.

5. Functions of the National Library • (a) • (i) to build up a complete collection of published documents emanating from or relating to South Africa; • (ii) to maintain and extend any other collections of published and unpublished documents with the emphasis on documents emanating from and relating to Southern Africa; • (iii) to promote the optimal management of collections of published documents held in South African libraries as a national resource; and • (iv) to supplement the national resource contemplated in subparagraph (iii) with selected documents;

6. Functions of the National Library • (b) • (i) to record the documents contemplated in paragraph (a); and • (ii) to render a national bibliographic service and to act as the national bibliographic agency; • (c) to promote optimal access to published documents, nationally and internationally; • (d) to provide reference and information services, nationally and internationally; • (e) to act as the national preservation library and to provide conservation services on a national basis; • (f) to promote awareness and appreciation of the national published documentary heritage; and • (g) to promote information awareness and information literacy.

7. Achieving the objects in relation to the functions (2) In order to achieve its objects and promote the development of library and information services in South Africa, the National Library must, in relation to the functions referred to in subsection (1)- • (a) provide appropriate information products and services; • (b) provide leadership, guidance and advice to South African libraries and information services; • (c) undertake planning and co-ordination in co-operation with other library and information services; • (d) present, in consultation and co-operation with appropriate educational institutions and professional bodies, courses of training and education relating to the functions referred to in subsection (1); • (e) undertake research and development; and • (f) liaise with libraries and other institutions in and outside South Africa.

8. Family of organisations in Arts & Culture • National Heritage Council • National Arts Council • National Archives and Records Service • South African Heritage Resource Agency • National Film and Video Foundation • Freedom Park • PANSALB • South African Library for the Blind (amongst others)

9. National & international connections • National Council for Library and Information Services (NCLIS) • Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA) • Standing Conference on African National and University Libraries in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa (SCANUL-ECS) • Conference of Directors of National Libraries (CDNL) • International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA): Division One

10. Leadership Role of the NLSA • Initiate strategic partnerships • Lobbying and advocacy for LIS development • Develop international relations and connections • Professional LIS development • Pro-active and positive influence of government policy regarding LIS

11. Transforming the NLSA – national focus • Promote and foster close collaboration with all the LIS sectors in the country (without exception) to address the role of Information in development • Initiate and Engage in joint developmental Projects, like the PaCLISA inventory with a follow-up in implementation and review for sustainability • Develop a very close working relationship with LIASA • Paradigm shift from Self/Institutional interest to National Interest….. Projecting the NLSA as a locus of power in “organising and mobilising the nation’s knowledge resources” • Partnership with Business South Africa for funding

12. Transforming the NLSA– African Context • Play a leading role in the SADC member states • Be actively involved in the SCECSAL (Standing Conference of Eastern, Central and Southern African Librarians) countries • Forge working relationship with the West and North African countries • Explore the role of African National Libraries in enhancing the achievements of the AU and NEPAD objectives • Maintain partnership with the UNECA for the development of the Information Society by taking part in the AISI activities

13. Transforming the NLSA–focus outside Africa • Develop working relationships with national libraries in other parts of the world • Work with COMLA to highlight the role of information for development in the developing CW countries • Play an active role in IFLA and CDNL to address pertinent issues relating to the role of national libraries in the development of respective NIIs within the overall GII • Contact with international funders

14. Thank you for this opportunity to present the National Library of South Africa