This is real....

First time in my fifteen years in the SABC Radio Archives I have find a brittle reel to reel tape.  Our guess is that it has been lying in the sun for some time.  Fortunately it is not from or for our collection.  This will not happen to our reel to reel tapes, since it is stored in a climate-controlled space, with fire-protection and all necessary measurements in place.

- Retha Buys, Custodian: Springbok Radio

Social Librarian Infographic #sociallibrarian - by Elsevier's Library Connect Newsletter and Joe Murphy

Social Librarian Infographic

"Social today means so much more than sending a tweet or posting to Facebook. The social librarian is enmeshed in the fabric of the Internet of Things as curator, educator, filter and beacon. In this complex, dynamic and demanding environment, librarians are extending themselves and empowering library users. 

In recognition of this, Elsevier's Library Connect Newsletter (@library_connect) and Joe Murphy (@libraryfuture), Librarian & Technology Analyst/Trend Spotter, offer up a visual portrait of The Social Librarian, and invite you to download and post, share on your social streams, and discuss with your library stakeholders."
- See more at: http://libraryconnect.elsevier.com/articles/supporting-users-organizations/2013-08/i-am-social-librarian-infographic-free-download#sthash.2PgIP9Hx.dpuf

This Infographic is available through The Social Library - 2013, Elsevier's Library Connect Newsletter, Vol 11, no 2 of 2013.

It reflects the future of Librarianship, and the way forward for all librarians (and archivists as well!)
Do you have any thoughts on this?


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

Connect with librarians and archivists from around the world

CC: Flag of Flags
By Garry Knight on Flickr

The new round of partnerships for the International Librarians Network commences in September.

The International Librarians Network is a wonderful opportunity to connect with like-minded peers from around the world.

I have completed the first pilot round that started in April, and I have signed up again.
It does not take much of your own time, but only an email or two per week to the partner selected from around the world.

It has brought me many new insights about what is happening in the world of librarians.
I have caught on to many new reading materials, but I have also come to realize that we are not the only ones struggling in our daily jobs...
Struggling with recognition and budget cuts and staying afloat in an era of online information...

I have met Fiona Malcolm (@tapsister) from the Boroondara City  Library in Australia.
We will be continuing our discussions on "world domination", as she calls it, and I am learning with each email I receive from her about valuable articles or learning material for professional development.

Through the International Librarians Network I am taking part in the ANZ 23 Mobile Things, a world-wide network for librarians (but not exclusive) for learning new things about mobile technology and apps and the application of it in library environments.

I have also signed up for my first Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), the New Librarianship Master Class of the Syracuse University, and have done the four week course. I have received my Certificate of Completion yesterday.

Had it not been for ILN, I would not have known about it!


Information about the International Librarians Network:

- About ILN

- How the programme works 

- Join ILN

- Facebook: International Librarians Network

- Twitter: @InterLibNet


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

In Memoriam: Pat Rosevear-Lowe, aka Rosie

Probably best known as Rosie in "From Crystal with Love", one of the longest running serials on Springbok Radio of old, Pat Rosevear-Lowe will live on in our memories also as one of the first female voiced on South African Radio.  

Pat's daughter, Tessa, remembers: "During her career, she worked with names such as Bob Holness, Cedric Messina and Ray Johnson.  Amongst other work, she featured regularly in the "Lux Radio Theatre" and had her own spot called "Dulux Homeowners Club".  She was also in the long running serial "Big Sister", and played Rosie in "From Chrystal, with Love".

Two other recordings that I know she acted in are "Telltale Romance No. 2: Sorry I Sinned" alongside 'Van Doren' and 'Joan Robinson', and "My Redeemer Liveth" (19 April 1946) alongside Cedric Messina, Philip Burgess, Hugh Evans and Dewar McCormack."

The SABC Radio Archives preserves her memory in the form of a recording of an episode of "From Crystal with Love", as well as a recording of abovementioned "My Redeemer Liveth", and "Tales from the Bushveld", as well as her playing in an operetta named "Paganini", adapted by Stephen O'Reilly.

Retha Buys

Archivist: Springbok Radio Revisited

SABC Radio Archives

Farewell to Ilse Assmann

The SABC Media Libraries had to say goodbye yesterday to our manager, Ilse Assmann, who left the company for a new career challenge.

The photos were taken at the farewell function organised by the SABC Media Libraries yesterday.
The Picasa photo album is here.

We wish her all the best in her new endeavours!
She will be missed!



Post and photos by Karen du Toit, Archivist, SABC Radio Archives.