Soccer in the Library

The FIFA World Cup is an event staged on a scale of huge proportions. As one of the most watched sporting events on earth it enjoys exceptional interest from sports fanatics and the business world alike.

The 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa represents a special first performance in that it is the first time that the competition will be hosted in Africa. As such, many entities, organizations, businesses and non-commercial organizations will want to be part of this groundbreaking movement.

With just 77 days to go before the grand opening game the SABC Information Library has launched a soccer display at the library. The display includes books on soccer, world flags, national anthems and newspaper articles on the preparation for the 2010 Soccer World Cup and sports magazines. First Citizens are encouraged to visit the library and experience the feel of this historic event that will take place on African soil. As the Official Broadcaster let’s make this World Cup a 110% success!

by Abel Thulare (Information Librarian)
SABC Information Library

From the Record Library

The historic event which will take place from the 11th June 2010 in South Africa, namely the 2010 FIFA World Cup, does not exclude the Record Library. Our local artists are already targeting all sectors of the market and are gearing up to make the event even more enjoyable. Some artists started to sing about the 2010 soccer spectacular as early as 2004. They would like to get us all involved - it is for South Africans, it is for Africa!

The personal favourites at present in the Record Library are as follows - Solly Moholo’s song 2010 SA We are the hosts from the cd Mandela O Llela Bana has the potential to become a great hit. So has the song 2010 by Mzwakhe Mbuli (The People’s Poet) from his cd Tribute to Mandela. Even the stalwart Afrikaans singer Laurika Rauch has recorded the song Skouspel 2010 for her cd called Tweeduisend-en-Tien!

These are just a few examples of the 121 songs which the Record Library has received up to now, and with all the hype surrounding the World Cup, one cannot help but become more involved in this great show coming our way!

by Justice Muthaki, SABC Record Library

Audio Restoration 2

The Audio Restoration Section, one of the oldest departments in the SABC,  was established during the 1950s, recording local music to broadcast to the local people.

The department is now responsible for digitising the collection and redistributing the music to all the libraries in the country. In diversifying its facilities, it now also offers further services to the SABC and its clients, including CD duplication and audio restoration facilities.


Maryna Barnard, Bags Farrell, SABC Audio Restoration Section

Reading changes lives

Poets and artists, kings and queens,

Old stars and hopeful beginners,

I've been where no-one's been before,

Learned secrets from writers and cooks

All with one library ticket

To the wonderful world of books.

~ Anonymous ~

I’ve been working in the Music Library for 2 weeks. And already I’ve been to Sweden, Germany, France and Italy while sitting behind my desk. I have experienced these countries’ cultures and music.

Grace Slick once said “Through literacy you can begin to see the universe. Through music you can reach anybody. Between the two there is you, unstoppable.”

I’ve had encounters with some of the greatest people to have ever walked this planet including Chopin, Mozart, and Bizet, to mention a few. Let me give you a scenario. So you are out with your friends, one of them asks with excitement “Oh my gosh, have you heard the new song by Andreas Vollenweider, it’s so beautiful!” Or maybe you are having a conversation with someone and suddenly they quote a certain author who said something very wise in his famous book.

The greatest feeling that one gets out of such situation is when once can “strike” back. You may not know who Vollenweider is but you can ask what kind of music he does and comment on that. In terms of a quote, you may not have heard of the author or the book, but you can always respond with something that you have read. This may be something that has never bothered you, because you may think “who cares if I don’t know this or I’ve never heard of that”. That’s just it – it is always your own choice to learn. It makes sense to introduce yourself to new adventures, new places, new people, new ideas, new music and new hobbies. And reading makes that very easy.

Reading may not always be sufficient to get you a promotion, but it will change your life. You might just get the inspiration you need to explore that business idea you’ve shelved for so long.

If this was a TV ad, this is the part where we would say, “and here comes the best part - you don’t have to pay a cent”. All it takes is a few minutes of your time, every day or two. A whole new world awaits you.

Let me end with another quote by Confucius: “No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance.

by Ignatia Madelane, SABC Music Library

South African Library Week

The SABC Media Libraries are celebrating South African Library Week.

The SABC Media Libraries consist of 5 very different sections and 39 versatile staff members: –

The Information Library is your usual library, but for a few exceptional features: this is the information hub to go to when you need anything, from a recipe or knitting instructions to specialised information on broadcasting-specific subjects. All important newspaper articles regarding the SABC, World Cup Soccer 2010 and major political events and happenings are scanned and electronically preserved. It also houses an Internet café and the staff can scan, copy or print any documents you might need for research or projects.

The Music Library is unique in that it deals mostly with clients from outside the SABC, hiring out classical music scores and orchestral instruments to orchestras, choirs and other musicians. Apart from taking care of some beautiful and unique music instruments like Steinway pianos, Lyon & Healy harps and two gorgeous Pollman double basses, it also contains a wealth of interesting information on music in South Africa from as far back as 1934, in the form of classical music programmes of symphony concerts and other cultural events.

The Record Library, a name which still dates from the time when records were proudly owned, played and displayed by any person who loved his music - when any true music lover saved for months to buy that perfect desired long-playing record, and when cd’s and cassettes were nothing more than science fiction. There is nothing outdated about this library at present, though. Now containing mostly cd’s and dvd’s, this is the playground for any DJ or music compiler worth his salt. It houses an astonishing collection of music ranging from hip-hop to jazz to pop to classics to maskandi, and everything in-between.

The Sound Restoration Unit digitally re-masters audio and transfers it to CD, thereby playing an important role in restoring and preserving music from the past – they can also copy your cd and design a label for your special recording.

Radio Archives is another information-rich link in the media libraries. Faithfully preserving and restoring programs in English, Afrikaans, Sotho, Tsonga, Venda, Zulu - in fact all official languages – these dedicated fundi can find you sound clips and programs on diverse subjects like history, sports, dramas and other genres from as far back as 1926.

Do yourself a favour and come and spend a lunch hour (or any bit of free time) to browse through our collections, get to know the librarians and archivists and discover more about any subject which interests you. It will be time well spent!

PLEASE TAKE NOTE

YOU CAN RETURN ANY LIBRARY BOOKS THIS WEEK –

NO FINES – NO QUESTIONS ASKED