Friday, March 30, 2012

Musings in the Music Library #1



Daniel Neal, fellow librarian at the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra Library.

The following vignette was sent by Daniel Neal from the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra Library in a mail to the SABC Music Library and the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra Library:  


"Library collections such as the ones we shepherd are full of stories both practical and mysterious, and their atmospheres are permeated with that musty tinge of stories long gone and never to be recalled.  
Even more so with the three of us, as all three libraries have not come from an unbroken tradition and place of worship nor have we spent our acolyte apprenticeships at the feet of revered Masters who passed on Tradition and Knowledge.  
Coming into this room of mine is sometimes like disturbing a gathering of ghosts who mutter an inaudible and foreign language; I can catch the odd word but miss the grammar entirely.  
I occasionally go beneath the practical and take out some old Elgar score, unplayed for 80 years, and hold it in my hands as if it might speak of musical meanings and events long gone.  
And of course it remains unintelligible, whispering though it does..."

A regular posting of these musings to follow.

Saying goodbye to the intern at the SABC Radio Archives



The interns that have been working in the SABC Media Libraries have completed their final day today.
It is with sadness that we have to say goodbye to the last of them, hoping that we would be seeing them here in our corridors in future!

Mbali Jezile comes with a technical background at school where she studied computer programming and web designing. She was also a general administrator at an Internet Café.
Part-time she did some acting at the Market Theatre.

She answered the question about what the experience meant to her working in the SABC Radio Archives, and what she learnt about the importance of archives.

Best of wishes to her for the future!


Related post:
Intern in the SABC Radio Archives - Mbali Jezile - an interview


Blog post by Karen du Toit, Afrikaans Archivist in the SABC Radio Archives.


Wednesday, March 28, 2012

SABC Platfontein involved with "Keep Platfontein clean" as well as a feeding scheme


Report by Moshe Maghundu
Librarian/Archivist at SABC Platfontein. 

SABC Platfontein is currently busy with a CSI initiative “Keep Platfontein clean project” as well as "Feeding the school children".
The date for the Lounge event for these projects was postponed to a further date in early April this year. 

SABC Platfontein has not stop asking for sponsorship for this event. 

Wildeklawer farm made a generous sponsorship of some of their products. 
Arrival at Wildeklawer farm

Yesterday SABC Platfontein went to Wildeklawer farm after Rena Maghundu (RBF Platfontein) made a request to them. 
They were very kind to offer them the following: butternuts, onions, watermelons and others. 
Left: Simon-X-K FM producer; middle:Moshe-librarian/archivist;
 right: Tommy-X-K FM intern

"Butternuts, butternuts... very busy loading the vehicle.
Time 14:35, first trip.


They have asked Wildeklawer to extend their relationship with them as this project will be ongoing. 

The products were so many that they had to make two trips.  
"On the road to Wildeklawer, 30km from Platfontein"


A special thank you is extended to William Heath, SABC RBF,  for assisting them with the transport, and logistics as well.
"Busy loading the fruits.
Time15:35, second trip"

Their plan with these products is to feed the school children and the attendants at the Lounge event. 
They were helped by some of the school kids, very excited!
!xunKhwesa Combined School


The event is an initiative between RBF Platfontein, Kimberley X-K FM, Keep Kimberley Clean, Logistics and others. 


They will soon communicate the date for the Lounge...


Friday, March 23, 2012

National Library Week #SALW2012 - report

Monica van Deventer, the Principal Librarian of the SABC Information Library, reports about their initiatives for this year at South African Library Week.

"The SABC Information Library is a member of LIASA and participates in the annual library events. 


National Library Week is one of these events and the Information Library supports this initiative every year. 


This year’s theme was Develop @ your library


The library had a small exhibition in the Radio Park foyer of some of the books, magazines and newspapers that can be found in the library. 


Our main concern this year was to show our clients our powerful online products, which can be accessed from the desks of SABC staff. 


The main purpose of Library Week is to promote the library of the SABC to the staff of the SABC. 


To show the staff what resources the library have and also to make them realise how important these resources is for the content of both Radio and TV programmes."



Tuesday, March 20, 2012

SABC Information Library exhibition during South African Library Week 2012 #SALW2012



The SABC Information Library set up a small exhibition in the SABC Radiopark foyer to participate with South African Library Week 2012.

The programme for the week is published on LIASA's website as well:
SALW2012 Library Week programmes across the country


SABC Information Library activities are the following:


   -  "Sending out of Intercom notifications
   -  Uploading information on the LIASA website
   -  Small exhibition in the foyer, which will include some of our books, 
      magazines ans newspapers. 
      this will be daily from 10:00  to 14:00.
   -  We will distribute our registration forms
   -  We are thinking of handing out small amounts of the small packets of NikNaks, 
      with the Libary Week theme stapled onto the packets
   -  Abel will do some tweeting during the week [@SABCInfoLib]
   -  we will take photos and upload it on our Facebook page 
       as well as on the LIASA website.
   -  The Library Week poster will be put up in the Radio and TV buildings." 
                                                                                    - Abel Thulare


Related post:
South African Library Week 2012 #SALW2012




Friday, March 16, 2012

South African Library Week 2012 #SALW2012

SALW2012
17 - 24 March is South African Library Week.

The SABC Information Library is participating as well.
More posts are to follow about the programme and activities next week.

The theme of the week is: Develop @ your library
 "...the idea is to link libraries to Government imperatives and thus build links with Government Departments and Government Ministers.  With the major focus of government on job creation, the theme was chosen with this in mind.  While libraries cannot create jobs, they do however contribute to this initiative by developing the nation through, for example, development of programmes that focus on skills development, providing access to information that allows the user to develop and empower him/herself and granting access to computers and online tools, enabling users to develop their computer skills as well as providing tools that allow them to draw up a CV or search for job opportunities.
The theme is fairly broad this year and can thus be adopted by the entire sector.  This theme will allow libraries in the various sectors to adapt it to the services they provide in developing their "communities" or client base." -  LIASA


The Library Week activities and programmes across the country are posted on LIASA's website: 
SALW 2012 programmes across the country


The event and activities can be followed here:


The Twitter hashtag for the event is #SALW2012
Facebook: LIASANews


See you in the library!


Post by Karen du Toit, SABC Media Libraries

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Libraries with social media X-factor

Libraries with Social Media XFactor
View more presentations from Judy O'Connell


Judy O'Connell presented the keynote presentation at Wollongong City and Branch Libraries to drive their social media campaigns for the libraries forward in Australia.
They have decided to take charge of the future and embrace social media as part of their library services.
The blog post for further reading: Libraries and social media X

This is an in-depth look at the challenges and strengths as well as how to proceed when starting out with a social media campaign in the libraries.

Libraries with an X-factor do the following, according to Judy O"Connel - quoted from the Slideshare presentation:

"- You can have an unlimited number of fans (Facebook users who “Like” your page)
- Facebook Pages are public—anyone can find and view your page whether they are logged into Facebook or not 
- All content posted on your Facebook page gets indexed on Google
- Create and promote events
- Communicate and share
- Connect or “like” other organizations
- Send notifications and messages
- Collect fans by promoting “Like”
- Feature discussions
- Create and share media
- Run competitions & polls
- Make sure to get a custom URL
- You can add additional admins (highly recommended)
- All admins have equal rights to administer your page, including adding and removing other admins (choose with care!)
- Select your page title and category carefully as they cannot be changed once set
- Bookshare widgets
- Catalogue search widgets
- Libguides Ebsco...and more
- Three C’s • Community • Collaboration • Communication
- Free Marketing & Advocacy
- Starting and sharing conversations
- Answering questions
- Breaking down barriers to information
- Serving as an interactive resource
- LISTEN!
- Google+
- share •communicate •participate •and more..."

These points helps us to see where we are in our own social media  strategies.
Thanks Judy!