Morula Community Library Esther Retief, Unisa Library Johanna Mogale, Morula Community Library

Contents A. Morula Community Library, Mabopane A. Morula Community Library, Mabopane B. Success factors B. Success factors

Morula Community Library Mabopane Section A

Morula Community Library The library was launched on 11 June 2005 The library was launched on 11 June 2005

Main reason for developing a community library

Morula Community Library Situated on the premises of Morula Sun Casino & Hotel North West of Pretoria in Mabopane Situated on the premises of Morula Sun Casino & Hotel North West of Pretoria in Mabopane

Library staff 1 Professional Librarian 1 Professional Librarian 1 Relief staff member (a trained librarian) 1 Relief staff member (a trained librarian) 2 Volunteers helping during peak times 2 Volunteers helping during peak times

The library The floor area of the library is 115 m 2. The floor area of the library is 115 m 2.

The library The library has a reception area, Librarian’s office, a library room divided by bookshelves, and a separate reading section. The library has a reception area, Librarian’s office, a library room divided by bookshelves, and a separate reading section.

Information resources About 10,000 items About 10,000 items 5 computers, 5 computers, 4 Printers 4 Printers 3 scanners 3 scanners 1 fax 1 fax Study tables Study tables

Number of regular clients About 250 clients per month

Age

Reasons for visiting the library Clients mainly visit the library for study (38%) and research purposes (33%). Clients mainly visit the library for study (38%) and research purposes (33%).

Bulletin board

Information literacy Basic library skills (indexes, encyclopaedias, dictionaries) Basic library skills (indexes, encyclopaedias, dictionaries) Mouse and keyboard skills Mouse and keyboard skills Introduction to the Internet Introduction to the Internet Research on the Internet Research on the Internet

New developments Accommodate Unisa student (MyUnisa; Electronic databases; Courier service between Morula Community Library and Unisa Muckleneuk campus; Interlibrary loans; Unisa assignment box) Accommodate Unisa student (MyUnisa; Electronic databases; Courier service between Morula Community Library and Unisa Muckleneuk campus; Interlibrary loans; Unisa assignment box)

Immediate needs Children’s literature (primary and secondary school learners) Children’s literature (primary and secondary school learners) CD-ROMs: encyclopaedias, specific topics (e.g. geography, biology and science) CD-ROMs: encyclopaedias, specific topics (e.g. geography, biology and science) Grades 11 and 12 text books and study guides Grades 11 and 12 text books and study guides

Success factors Section B

Be enthusiastic One highly motivated professional librarian One highly motivated professional librarian A librarian who is a trusted and valued member of the community A librarian who is a trusted and valued member of the community

Have a vision and share it See the need See the need Decide that you can meet the need Decide that you can meet the need Be willing to seek help from the outside Be willing to seek help from the outside Know that, in the long run, you have to do it yourself Know that, in the long run, you have to do it yourself A community’s future is in the hands of those who live there A community’s future is in the hands of those who live there

Plan Have a development plan and review it annually Have a development plan and review it annually The plan should determine the budget The plan should determine the budget The plan reflects your beliefs – share it with appropriate persons The plan reflects your beliefs – share it with appropriate persons

Accessible library Busses Busses Taxis Taxis Train station Train station (6.5 km) (6.5 km)

Relationships Build personal relationships (clients, community leaders) Build personal relationships (clients, community leaders) Involve the local community in the development of the library from its earliest stage Involve the local community in the development of the library from its earliest stage Partner with appropriate libraries, institutions/organisations Partner with appropriate libraries, institutions/organisations

Meet the need Know your community and their information needs Know your community and their information needs Provide reference and other information resources in demand Provide reference and other information resources in demand

Meet the need Provide study facilities as the majority of the users do not have space, electricity or privacy at home Provide study facilities as the majority of the users do not have space, electricity or privacy at home

Know your community Residential population of Mabopane: 210,399 (Census 2001) Residential population of Mabopane: 210,399 (Census 2001) 51% of these people are unemployed. 51% of these people are unemployed. 50,2% of the Mabopane residents are younger than 25 years old. 50,2% of the Mabopane residents are younger than 25 years old.

Mabopane 10,5% have brick houses, while the rest (89,5%) have mostly traditional structures or informal housing. Only 10,2% of dwellings have electricity. 10,5% have brick houses, while the rest (89,5%) have mostly traditional structures or informal housing. Only 10,2% of dwellings have electricity.

Meet the need Provide information technology, e.g. Internet, word processing facilities, etc. Provide information technology, e.g. Internet, word processing facilities, etc. Provide training Provide training

Make use of volunteers Train volunteers to help in the library Train volunteers to help in the library Treat them with respect Treat them with respect Give them a special position and responsibility Give them a special position and responsibility

The end