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NWU Library and Information Service News

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02/28/2025

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 endeavors 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 career's milestones ahead

 

 

 

By Josina Simango

Library Intern, Vanderbijlpark library

02/25/2025
No Subjects

 

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 recognizing 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

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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 center 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 Education distance students with crucial library and research skills, ensuring they can effectively access and utilize 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 emphasized 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 

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02/11/2025
Kelebohile Kurtis Setai (Temp)

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 in a special way. 

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 engage during 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 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 alter followed by library tours, providing students 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.

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