Let’s celebrate South African Library Week t

ThE Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA) – through its diverse membership – is driving the process to make South African Library Week a celebration of our country’s intellectual and literary heritage. Libraries across the country use this annual event as an opportunity to market their services to the users, the broader community, civil society and decision- makers.

South African Library Week (SALW) was initiated in 2001 by LIASA to be a commemorative period recognised by government. All types of libraries across the country use it as an opportunity to market their services in an effort to contribute to the understanding of the important role that libraries play in a democratic society, while advancing literacy and making the basic human right of freedom of access to information a reality – and not forgetting to promote tolerance and respect among all South Africans.

The choice of date was based on research into the history of libraries in South Africa.

The South African Public Library, now known as the National Library of South Africa (Cape town Campus), was the first library to be established in South Africa. this was done by a government proclamation on March 20, 1818. the South African library started off as a true public library and has established itself as a pioneering institution in South African library history. therefore, annually, SALW is celebrated during the week within which March 20 falls. Furthermore, we celebrate human

Rights Day on March 21 and South Africa’s Bill of Rights recognises the freedom of access to information as a basic human right. therefore, SALW is linked to an important historical event through a crucial date in our new democracy.

South African Library Week was officially celebrated for the first time in 2002 and has become a very important date on the national calendar of commemorative days.