The Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA) will launch the South African Library Week on 15 March 2014, National Library, Cape Town. The Library Week 15-22 March will be celebrated under the theme: Celebrating Libraries in 20 years of Democracy: check in @ your library”

Librarians across the country will host special programmes during this week to highlight the services and resources available in their facilities. Members of the public are encouraged to visit their libraries and participate in these activities.  As part of 20 years of freedom and democracy celebrations, activities will also focus on the role of libraries in the 20 years of South African democracy to promote access to information; connecting people to each other, learning resources, communities, government, the world and the environment; advancing literacy through the intellectual and aesthetic development of all ages; fostering a spirit of enquiry and desire for lifelong learning as well as individuals’ beliefs and inculcating a respect for diverse beliefs, opinions and views all.

The South African government, through the Department of Arts and Culture, has made significant progress in the field of library and information services in the country for the past twenty years. The Department will continue to invest in the development of this sector as part of improving the culture of reading and writing in our society.

As part of the Library Week, there will be an event to announce a ground-breaking partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation on Tuesday 18 March at the Pretoria campus of the National Library of South Africa. Members of the media are invited to attend both events.

The event will take place as follows:

Date                : 15 March 2014

Time               : 09h00

Venue             : National Library of South Africa, Cape Town campus

For further information, contact Mack Lewele 082 450 5076