NWU Library and Information Service News

It is with mixed emotions that we bid farewell to Ms Maggie Melk-Sindwa, who has officially left her position as Faculty Librarian: Humanities at North-West University. While her departure marks the end of a meaningful chapter for our team, it also signals the beginning of an exciting new journey in her professional life, and for that, we couldn’t be more proud.

Ms. Melk-Sindwa has played a key role in the Information and Learning Services team at Potchefstroom Campus, demonstrating her dedication to academic excellence and student achievements. Known for her steadfast support of both the Faculty of Humanities and the wider student body, she brought passion and purpose to every interaction with library users.

As she steps into a new role beyond NWU, we commend her bravery to grow, her dedication to lifelong learning, and the example she sets for us all. Career development is not only about progressing; it’s about progressing with purpose. Ms Melk-Sindwa personifies that spirit.

We wish her every success in her new endeavour and look forward to seeing the impact she will continue to make in the Library and Information Service sector and beyond.

Thank you, Ms Melk-Sindwa, for everything. You will be missed but never forgotten.

Mr. Songezo Mpikashe has been appointed as the Manager for Research and Open Scholarship at North-West University (NWU) Library and Information Service (LIS), effective 1 August 2025, based at the Vanderbijlpark Campus. He previously served as Senior Librarian for Institutional Repositories and Digital Scholarship at NWU.

Mr. Mpikashe has over seven years of growing experience in academic librarianship, specialising in managing institutional repositories, digital scholarship, research data management, open access and open science advocacy, copyright, and scholarly communication. He is also the author of the isiXhosa novel Intembeko Ndiyazi Kum.

In his role at NWU, Songezo oversees the university's institutional repositories, Boloka and DayTa YaRona, as well as the Digital Scholarship Centre, including the Research & Honours Commons. His work focuses on strengthening NWU's digital research environment through support for research data workflows, management of the Open Journal System (OJS), digital preservation practices, and advocacy for open access publishing.

Before joining NWU, he was a Scholarly Communications Librarian at Stellenbosch University, where he engaged in copyright advocacy, digital repository development, and researcher support programmes. His previous roles at the University of the Western Cape and Cape Peninsula University of Technology provided him with extensive experience in institutional repositories, copyright, open educational resources, user services, collection development, interlibrary loans, and library instruction.

Mr Mpikashe is passionate about equitable access to knowledge and advancing a research culture that promotes open science and sustainable digital infrastructure. His work also includes digitisation of special collections, metadata curation, and training initiatives for emerging researchers and postgraduate students.

Academic Background

• Master of Library and Information Science (In Progress) - University of the Western Cape
• Bachelor of Library and Information Science - University of the Western Cape
• Certificate of Information Technology (ADT Teach Programme) - ADT Teach Cape Town
• Certificate of Practices and Principles of Project Management - Stellenbosch University

Areas of Expertise

• Institutional Repositories & Metadata Management
• Open Access Publishing & Scholarly Communication
• Research Data Management (RDM) & FAIR Principles
• Digital Scholarship & Preservation
• Digital Humanities & Special Collections Digitisation
• Copyright Compliance & Author Rights
• Faculty Training & Research Support Services
• Knowledge Management & Library Innovation
• Inclusive Leadership & Change Management in Libraries

Welcome aboard, Songezo! We are excited to welcome you to this new role. Your expertise, dedication, and vision will continue to strengthen NWU LIS as we strive for excellence in research and innovation.

Artificial intelligence is not only being observed; it is being shaped. Four members of the North-West University Library and Information Service (NWU LIS), Neli Tshabalala, Phuti Rabatseta, Cecil Gasa, and Maropene Ramabina, attended the 5th IFLA AI Symposium, hosted by the University of KwaZulu-Natal Library, from June 16 to 20, 2025. They also took the stage to present their papers and ideas to a global audience of researchers, innovators, and information professionals.

From ethical implementation to practical applications, the presentations covered some of the most critical topics in AI today and its impact on libraries. Each left the symposium with a deeper understanding of the field's momentum and the responsibilities that come with its development. During the unveiling of the robotic innovation, NWU LIS was commended for pioneering the development and launch of a locally built robot. At the same time, the University of KwaZulu-Natal LIS received a second-place recognition. 'Thola', meaning 'Find', the UKZN LIS physical robot, will be utilised to streamline circulation functions and enhance the user experience.

Each NWU LIS team member contributed a unique perspective to the symposium as follows: 

Ms Neli Tshabalala: Integration of artificial intelligence embedded analytics tools for resource optimisation in academic libraries within the South African context

Ms. Tshabalala's presentation explored the integration of artificial intelligence and learning analytics into institutional dashboards, aiming to improve library services, optimise resource distribution, and align with institutional goals. Additionally, practical examples demonstrated how AI is applied in analytics within the Information Resources section of the NWU LIS. The session attracted significant attention owing to its practical insights into real-world implementation scenarios.

Ms Phuti Rabatseta: Usability of artificial intelligence for the provision of information services at an academic library in South Africa

Phuti shared a case study on how the University of Limpopo library utilises AI to provide information services. She also explained how attitude can influence behavioural intention to use AI. "Have a positive attitude and good behavioural intention to use so that we adapt in the AI era and be able to survive," she echoed.

Mr Cecil Gasa: Power automate: enhancing workflows in institutional repository management

Cecil explained how AI can be utilised to improve workflows when managing institutional repositories.

Mr Maropene Ramabina: Evaluating AI-generated prompts for enhancing library services: a comparative study of ChatGPT and Copilot

Maropene demonstrated how generative AI responds to different prompts by comparing ChatGPT with Copilot.

Themes gathered from the symposium:

• Collaboration
  The symposium emphasised the importance of bringing together professionals from various industries to address challenging AI issues.

• Ethical use of AI
  There is a common consensus that AI development must be rooted in inclusivity and ethics. Several speakers stressed that AI should be closely aligned with institutional principles from design to deployment.

• Generative AI Is Revolutionising
  Numerous presentations explored how generative AI is evolving from novelty to necessity in fields such as education and information.

• AI Literacy
  AI is no longer reserved for data scientists. With AI permeating every aspect of life, everyone needs to be aware of and understand the basics of AI across various sectors.

The delegates are committed to sharing their knowledge with their teams. The symposium served as a reminder that we are not only creating AI-powered solutions but also shaping the perception, application, and trust of AI. While the area of AI is advancing rapidly, we remain optimistic about its future if we stay curious, cooperative, and accountable. We look forward to continuing to push the boundaries of AI's capabilities together.

The NWU LIS is delighted to announce that Mr. Maropene Thomas Ramabina, Information Services Manager and also serving the Faculty of Law on the library of the Vanderbijlpark Campus, has received a highly competitive international grant from the International Association of Law Libraries (IALL). The IALL Grants Committee selected Mr. Ramabina as a recipient of the Non-Members Grant to attend the 2025 IALL Annual Conference, scheduled to take place in Houston, Texas, USA, in October 2025.

His application was considered exceptionally promising and merited, earning him a grant of up to $3,000.00. This generous award will cover his participation in the conference, including the pre-conference workshop and the optional day programme. This achievement highlights Mr. Ramabina’s growing international profile and reflects the academic and professional excellence nurtured within NWU LIS.

His involvement will elevate NWU LIS’s presence on a global stage and promote international exchange of knowledge in the field of law librarianship and legal information services. Upon his return, Mr. Ramabina will share his experiences and key insights during an upcoming NWU LIS Knowledge Sharing Session, where he will discuss the highlights of the IALL Conference and their relevance to our library practices and strategic objectives. We are immensely proud of this milestone and wish Mr. Ramabina a successful, inspiring, and safe journey to the USA. Congratulations once again on this well-deserved recognition.

The North-West University Library and Information Service (NWU LIS) recently hosted the inaugural Information and Learning Services (ILS) Workshop on Information Literacy on Monday, 05 May 2025, bringing together librarians from all three campuses—Mahikeng, Potchefstroom, and Vanderbijlpark. This historic meeting marked the first time many colleagues met in person, creating a significant milestone in fostering collaboration and strengthening inter-campus relationships.

The workshop served as an Information Literacy (IL) Focus Group—a platform for librarians to share experiences, identify challenges, and recommend improvements to NWU’s IL training programmes. The insights gathered will be instrumental in refining our IL offerings and enhancing the quality and reach of our training interventions.

Dr Sabelo Chizwina, Director: Information and Learning Services, set the scene with a powerful message on the strategic importance of IL. He reminded librarians that NWU LIS should aspire to be a continental and global leader in IL. “Academic libraries across Africa should be benchmarking with NWU LIS,” he emphasised, highlighting the need for innovation and excellence in IL programming.

Martha van der Walt, Faculty Librarian: Education, stressed the importance of building strong relationships with faculties. She encouraged librarians to:

• Familiarise themselves with the structure of the faculties and schools
• Understand the types of students they support (contact and distance)
• Know faculty directors, their administrative staff and other key stakeholders
• Compile fact sheets on faculty staff and their research specialisations
• Adopt the role of Personal Librarians for their faculties

Mr. Jons Moretedi, Senior Librarian at the Mahikeng Campus library, introduced an exciting tool—Avidnote AI, a platform that supports researchers in note-taking, summarisation, PDF annotation, and data analysis. His live demonstration sparked discussions about the importance of exploring emerging AI tools to enhance library services and information literacy.

Librarians shared valuable strategies for improving IL delivery:

• Conduct targeted training aligned with student needs (e.g., exam paper searches near exam periods),
• Offer sessions at student residences, open days, orientation programmes, and Faculty Assembly Points,
• Develop lesson plans and maintain training notes to ensure consistency and clarity,
• Participate in Train-the-Trainer programmes for ongoing professional development,
• Gather and analyse post-training evaluations to adapt and enhance training,
• Acquire digital literacy skills to support students in a digital learning environment effectively.
• Avoid repetitive training topics to prevent student disengagement.
• There was a strong emphasis on the need for personalised, student-centred approaches in delivering IL content.

Research and AI Integration

As part of professional growth, librarians were challenged to contribute to the profession by

• Presenting at local and international conferences, and
• Publishing peer-reviewed articles on IL practices and innovations.

Dr Zander Janse van Rensburg from the NWU Writing Centre encouraged librarians to engage critically with AI tools. He suggested developing a departmental AI policy aligned with university guidelines and urged librarians to experiment responsibly with AI and integrate it thoughtfully into library services.

Ms Marcia Mabhula, Librarian for Faculty and eLearning Services, led the focus group session, which allowed librarians to reflect on IL strategies, voice suggestions, and contribute to a shared vision for improving IL delivery across the university.

This workshop forms part of a three-pronged project on IL:

• Student IL Survey: Currently available online at https://nwu-za.libwizard.com/f/information-literacy-needs, this survey collects student perspectives on IL training needs.
• Librarian Focus Group: The session is described in the reflection.
• Academic Literacy Lecturers Focus Group: An upcoming session to gather academic staff inputs.

The findings from all three components will be consolidated and shared with the university community in due course. This workshop was a landmark event that not only encouraged collaboration across campuses but also reaffirmed our collective commitment to advancing Information Literacy at NWU. It was a time for learning, sharing, and envisioning a more informed, research-savvy student body.

The North-West University (NWU) Library and Information Service (LIS) proudly celebrated South African Library Week (SALW) 2025 under the theme, "Libraries for Sustainable Communities." Held from 17 to 23 March 2025, this week-long celebration unified all three NWU campuses—Mahikeng, Potchefstroom, and Vanderbijlpark—through a series of engaging, educational, and community-focused activities that showcased the library’s commitment to supporting academic success and building sustainable communities.

A wide range of interactive events and innovative initiatives were hosted across NWU LIS, including:

• Library Amnesty Week, encouraging users to return overdue books without penalties
• "Ask and Win! – Got a question? Need support?" A LibChat-driven campaign where users asked library-related questions for a chance to win a R200 Takealot voucher, promoting the use of virtual support tools.

• A pilot curbside book delivery service, offering convenient access to books for staff in their offices and students in nearby residences, improving service accessibility.

  

Among the week's highlights were:

• Information Literacy Outreach, including a training session at Mahikeng Nursing College, aimed at equipping students with critical information-seeking and evaluation skills.
• Interactive Learning Activities, such as a Scavenger Hunt using QR codes to locate e-resources, Library Scrabble, and Q&A quiz competitions testing users’ knowledge of library services.

• Collaborative Community Engagement, including a visit to Rebatla Thuto Secondary School in Koppies, where over 150 books were donated, and a partnership with Flavius Mareka TVET College. In the interim, NWU LIS donated 115 academic books and committed to offering training in referencing, research, and plagiarism across both Sasolburg and Kroonstad campuses.

  

Entertainment and engagement were central to the week, with Eagie, the NWU mascot, energising the crowds, and support from partners like Red Bull, Standard Bank, the Writing Centre, and the Golden Key Student Chapter, who added to the atmosphere with giveaways, drinks, and academic support.

The LIS staff were also featured on various radio stations, reflecting on the importance of library services in advancing literacy, innovation, and academic excellence.

South African Library Week 2025 at NWU LIS was a resounding success. It not only celebrated the power of libraries in shaping sustainable futures but also reaffirmed NWU LIS's role as a hub for knowledge, innovation, and community empowerment.

The Vanderbijlpark campus library celebrated the promotions of two exceptional staff members, Ms. Xolile Vilakazi and Ms. Nthabiseng Maseko, on February 25 and 26, 2025. As of 3rd March 2025, Ms Vilakazi assumed the position of   Assistant Librarian at the Potchefstroom campus (Information Commons), while Ms Maseko assumed the role of Faculty Support Librarian (Education and Humanities).

“Ms Vilakazi's and Ms Maseko's promotions reflect their outstanding contributions to the LIS. Their dedication, hard work, and commitment to excellence have had a long-term impact on the team, and we are honoured to celebrate their achievements,” says Maropene Ramabina, Manager: Information Services at the Vanderbijlpark campus.

''Their professional experiences serve as an example of the power of dedication, commitment, and continuous growth, motivating younger professionals within the department. We eagerly anticipate their growth as they take the LIS to new heights," says Dr. Sabelo Chizwina, Director of Information and Learning Services.

The LIS team also bid farewell to Mr. Given Mudau, who has been an HSRC intern in the department since August 2024. His contributions during his time with the team were invaluable, and we wish him success in his future endeavours as he builds on the experience he gained during his internship.

We wish them a fruitful journey in their new roles, with rewarding challenges and significant milestones in their careers ahead

By Josina Simango
Library Intern, Vanderbijlpark Library

The NWU LIS (Vanderbijlpark Campus) had a great opportunity to attend the NWU Alumni & Friends Authors Book Fair on Saturday, February 22, 2025. The event, which brought together talented alumni authors, students, staff and community members, was a wonderful celebration of the power of stories, experiences, ideas and knowledge.

The Alumni & Friends Authors Book Fair was more than just a book fair; it served as a platform for reconnecting with the NWU community, strengthening the relationships between alumni, staff, and students, and recognising NWU alumni's amazing contributions to the world of literature.

Various speakers commended the authors for their creativity and hard work, sharing how reading books may inspire reflection on memories, experiences, and life journeys and help promote reading. Mr. Maropene Ramabina, Manager: Information Services at the Vanderbijlpark Campus Library, also made remarks on the importance and value of engaging with alumni authors, noting that this not only celebrates their literary contributions but also enriches the library’s diverse collection and promotes lifelong learning for the NWU community.

The event proved to be a great success, and the LIS is looking forward to supporting alumni authors and the literary community in future events. In the words of Neil Gaiman—"A book is a dream that you hold in your hands."

By Josina Simango

On 12 February 2025, librarians from the NWU Vanderbijlpark Campus Library had the opportunity to visit the Learning Support Centre at the Royal Bafokeng Institute (RBI) in Rustenburg. This centre serves as a vital support hub for NWU Distance Education students, providing them with essential resources and guidance to succeed in their academic journey.

The visit aimed to equip distance education students with crucial library and research skills, ensuring they can effectively access and utilise academic resources. The eager group of students embraced the opportunity to enhance their research abilities, making the training session a resounding success.

The session covered several key concepts designed to strengthen students' academic and research skills:

• Databases and Academic Resources – Mr. Moloto provided in-depth training on navigating electronic databases and academic publications, helping students locate credible and relevant scholarly materials.
• Referencing – Miss Vilakazi emphasised the importance of proper referencing and citation, guiding students on maintaining academic integrity in their assignments.

• Library Overview and AI Ethics – Mr. Ramabina introduced students to NWU library services and led an insightful session on AI ethics. His discussion sparked engaging debates on the role of artificial intelligence in academia while advising students on NWU's AI ethics policies and guidelines.

  

The students were actively engaged and expressed their gratitude for the training, eager to apply their newly acquired knowledge in their studies. Their enthusiasm highlighted the value of continued support and learning opportunities, and they are already looking forward to the next session.

By Xolile Vilakazi 

The North-West University (NWU) kicked off the 2025 academic year with dynamic and engaging orientation events across its three campuses - Potchefstroom, Vanderbijlpark, and Mahikeng. The Library and Information Service (LIS) teams played a pivotal role in ensuring first-year students felt welcomed, informed, and prepared for their academic journey.

Potchefstroom Campus: interactive learning and fun activities

On Monday, 3 February 2025, the NWU Potchefstroom Campus hosted two engaging orientation sessions at Building F14 (Amphitheatre). First-year students from various residences eagerly participated in learning about the Library and Information Service offerings.

The first session at 15:30 welcomed students from Dinki, Villagers, Heide, De Wilgers, Eikenhof, Ratau Lebone, Hombré, Vergeet-My-Nie, Over de Voor, Klawerhof, and Private Student Groups. The second session at 16:30 included Bellatrix, Patria, Huis Republiek, Caput, Heimat, Minjonet, LaVaria, Invictus, Laureus, Karlien, Excelsior, Kasteel, Wag-‘n-Bietjie, Veritas, Wanda, Dennedorp, Soetdorings, Oosterhof, and Private Students.

Various LIS staff conducted informative presentations on loan services, information and learning resources, and a virtual tour of the Ferdinand-Postma Library and its branches. The event ended on a high note with fun activities, including a dance challenge, a poetry narration contest in different mother tongues, and an engaging pop quiz session.

Vanderbijlpark Campus: taking the library to the students

Over the weekend of 31 January to 2 February 2025, the Vanderbijlpark Campus LIS team launched an innovative programme to meet and greet first-year students.

Rather than waiting for students to come to the library, the team took the initiative to go to student residences to ensure that new students feel welcome both academically and socially. The team visited different student residences as part of embedded librarianship.

Students had an opportunity to engage during the Q&A session. A library master quiz was also held, which helped them to understand library services and resources better. Students actively participated and enjoyed the friendly environment and giveaways. This was only the first part of the Vanderbijlpark Campus library orientation. The commitment of the team to improving students' academic experiences reflects the LIS library's vision. Furthermore, the LIS team also participated in the official orientation programme, offering insight to 1st-year students at Tsebonekeng Hall. This was followed by library tours, providing students with an opportunity to familiarise themselves with library spaces and facilities.

Mahikeng Campus: A large-scale orientation with a personal touch

On February 3, 2025, the NWU Mahikeng Campus Library hosted a dynamic First-Year Orientation to introduce 2,384 new students to library services. The event was a collaborative effort involving representatives from Information Services, Loan Services, and Information Resources, spread across three venues with informative PowerPoint presentations covering library access, membership, spaces, and a virtual tour.

To create an engaging atmosphere, interactive activities such as dance competitions and a Readathon were incorporated, with prizes awarded to active participants. The orientation emphasised the library’s role in supporting students from diverse backgrounds, fostering a sense of belonging and academic empowerment. Faculty attendance included EMS (671), Education (370), FNAS (343), Health Sciences (209), Humanities (611), Law (172), and Theology (8).

A united commitment to academic success

Across all three campuses, the LIS teams demonstrated their dedication to equipping first-year students with the information needed for academic excellence. Through interactive sessions, personalised engagements, and fun activities, the LIS continues to foster a supportive environment where students can thrive. As the 2025 academic year unfolds, the LIS remain steadfast in learning, research, and collaboration, ensuring that all students feel empowered and ready to embark on their educational journey.