The University of Stellenbosch Library Service 1895-1995
Books (Library and Information Service)
As a past (and hopefully future) frequent user of our library, I should like to offer my heartiest congratulatios to all my colleagues in the University of Stellenbosch's Library Service on the hundredth anniversary of this service. From small beginnings in a room in the old Main Bui/din& the library has grown, together with the University, into the giant it is today. But the US Library Service is a giant not only in a physical sense, it is an organisation that plays a key role in the exercise of the Universitys academic duties and responsibilities. Its position as supporter of academic and research functions is enormous, and without it the University would not be able to exist. In the past 100 years, the concept of library services and information provision has . undergone drastic changes. The information explosion especially of the past few decades has fundamentally influenced the acquisition, storage and provision of information. A hundred years ago just one room of books was enough to provide for the needs of the body of students and lecturers of the then Victoria College. Today (happily) we still use books, but technology plays an increasing role in the arrangement, storage and tracing of information. Who could have predicted a century ago that information - even whole encyclopedias - could be obtained on microfiche, microfilm and CD, and that catalogues and indexes could be accessed by means of computers. These developments have been really astounding and, as technology expands further, this area will undergo many adaptations and changes in the future. But, however well equipped a library may be, the quality of its service is dependent on dedicated and well-informed staff. Our University can be very proud of the people who ensure that outstanding service is offered to our academic and research community. Many thanks to all who contribute to the successful running of the US Library Service, and best wishes for the future.
As 'n voormalige (en hopelik toekomstige) intensiewe gebruiker van ons biblioteek, wil ek baie hartlik geluk sê aan alle kollegas in die US Biblioteekdiens met die honderdste bestaansjaar van die diens. Van 'n klein begin in 'n kamer in die Ou Hoofgebou, het die Biblioteek saam met die Universiteit gegroei tot die reus wat dit vandag is. Die US Biblioteekdiens is 'n reus nie riet in die fisiese sin nie, maar is 'n organisasie wat 'n sleutelrol in die uitoefening van die Universiteit se akademiese pligte en verantwoordelikhede speel. Sy posisie as ondersteuner van die akademiese- en navorsingsfunksie is enorm, en daarsonder sou die Universiteit nie kon bestaan nie. In die afgelope 100 jaar het die konsep van biblioteekdiens en inligtingsverskaffing drastiese veranderings ondergaan. Veral die inligtingsontploffing van die afgelope paar dekades het die aanskaf, berging en verskaffing van inligting ingrypend beïnvloed. 'n Honderd jaar gelede was 'n kamer vol boeke genoeg om in die behoeftes van die destydse Victoria Kollege se studente- en dosentekorps te voorsien. Vandag gebruik ons (gelukkig) wel nog boeke, maar die tegnologie speel 'n toenemende rol in die ordening, berging en opsporing van inligting. Wie sou 'n eeu gelede kon voorspel het dat informasie - selfs hele ensiklopedieë - op mikrofiche, mikrofilm en CD verkry sou kon word, en dat katalogi en indekse deur middel van rekenaars toeganklik sou wees? Die ontwikkelings was werklik verbysterend en, soos die tegnologie verder uitbrei, sal hierdie gebied nog vorentoe baie aanpassings en veranderings ondergaan. Maar, hoe goed toegerus 'n biblioteek ook al mag wees, is die gehalte van sy diens afhanklik van 'n toegewyde en goed ingeligte personeel. Ons Universiteit kan baie trots wees op die mense wat daarvoor sorg dat uitstaande diens aan ons akademiese- en navorsingsgemeenskap verskaf word. Baie dankie aan almal wat bydra tot die suksesvolle bedryf van die US Biblioteekdiens, en voorspoed vorentoe.
Please refer to this item in SUNScholar by using the following persistent URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/101800
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Books (Library and Information Service)