Bibnuus / BibNews

 

HIGHLIGHTS of 2013!                                                                                                              

Although it feels like we are already half way through this year, I would still like to share with you some of the Library’s highlights of 2013. The usage of the Learning Commons in the JS Gericke Library continued to rise and to add value to learning and teaching at the University in 2013. As in previous years, the Carnegie Research Commons was used extensively by masters and doctoral students, making a significant contribution in support of the University’s pursuit of research excellence, increased and sustained research output and improvement of postgraduate through-put. The new Engineering and Forestry Library in the Knowledge Centre of the Faculty of Engineering was officially opened in August 2013. This library with its modern facilities is very popular and usage increased significantly in comparison to the “old library”.

On 13 November 2013, the Library launched SUNDigital Collections, a newly developed digital collections platform focusing on heritage collections. The first Library Research Week with the theme 'Get Research SMART @ your Library' was successfully presented in August 2013. Positive feedback has fuelled enthusiasm to host the event annually. During 2013 the Library continued to build on existing open access services, which includes the hosting of Stellenbosch University affilliated academic journals through SUNJournals. A total of 23 open access journals are now hosted on the SUNJournals platform, with three journals added in 2013. SUNScholar, the digital research repository which houses the Institution’s research output in the form of theses, dissertations and research articles, also grew. This contributed significantly to the visibility of the University’s research output on the Internet, as well as to  its usage.  

These various initiatives demonstrate the Library’s role in contributing and supporting the University's strategic goals and affirm it as a key academic and research support service.
 

Ellen R Tise
Senior Director: Library and Information Service

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