Mandela Day - a celebration of an icon's life by giving back

Woodside Sanctuary donation from SABC Media Libraries

Even though every day should be a Mandela Day, it is great to have a specific day on the calender which makes us plan to help and contribute to our fellow human beings.

When asked to vote, the overwhelming majority feels that Mandela Day should be a public holiday:

Should #MandelaDay be a public holiday so people can spend more time on their goodwill activities?

— SABC News Online (@SABCNewsOnline) July 18, 2016

The SABC had a busy day yesterday with many outreach activities. The SABC website hosts a page specifically dedicated to Mandela.
Check out a compilation of #bemoreMadiba

The SABC Media Libraries supported Woodside Sanctuary for Mandela Day. They contributed a collected donation of much-needed toiletries as well as a monetary donation. The thought is that although Woodside Sanctuary is struggling with an overload of issues to stay afloat, it is better to give something than nothing at all!

Woodside Sanctuary takes care of the profoundly intellectual disabled in Cottlesloe, just around the corner from the SABC in Auckland Park in Johannesburg!

Thanks to everybody who contributed to their cause!

SABC Media Libraries - #libraryshelfie contributions

It's #libraryshelfie day today @sabcinfolib > Please share some of your photos

— SABC Media Library (@SABCMediaLib) January 27, 2016

Photo from between the archive shelves for #libraryshelfie #libraryshelfieday @sabc_radio_archives #archives

A photo posted by SABC Media Libraries (@sabcmedialib) on Jan 27, 2016 at 1:06am PST

Collier's Encyclopedia still kept in the archives @sabc_radio_archives #libraryshelfie #libraryshelfieday #archiveshelfie

A photo posted by SABC Media Libraries (@sabcmedialib) on Jan 27, 2016 at 1:04am PST

Archive shelves for #libraryshelfie #libraryshelfieday

A photo posted by SABC Radio Archives (@sabc_radio_archives) on Jan 27, 2016 at 1:31am PST

Archive shelves of reel tapes #libraryshelfie #libraryshelfieday

A photo posted by SABC Radio Archives (@sabc_radio_archives) on Jan 27, 2016 at 1:33am PST

Meet @justiceleshilo he is the one incharge of our #Shelfie #libraryshelfie, he does this in the mornings. pic.twitter.com/JoLO8Nrjh2

— SABC Info Library (@sabcinfolib) January 27, 2016

Broad subjects as you approch our #shelfie #libraryshelfie pic.twitter.com/2xVNhtqGyh

— SABC Info Library (@sabcinfolib) January 27, 2016

Who's who of Southern Africa #libraryshelfie #libraryshelfieday - very helpful in the days before the Internet pic.twitter.com/2cDp7P54AV

— SABC Radio Archive (@SABCRadioArc) January 27, 2016

See #libraryshelfie and #libraryshelfieday on Twitter for more.

See #libraryshelfie and #libraryshelfieday on Instagram for more.

SABC Media Libraries supports Woodside Sanctuary in their Christmas appeal

Loné Botha with one of the eldest residents, Heidi

The SABC Media Libraries have been involved with Woodside Sanctuary for a number of years.
See the stories on our blog: Woodside

The SABC Media Libraries responded to their  Christmas appeal for 2014  by digging into their own pockets for a small donation. The thought was: Better late than never!

The SABC Media Libraries appeal to anyone to also consider Woodside Sanctuary when wanting to spread a little bit of the Christmas spirit!

Season’s Greetings, Friends!
We’ve all heard that it is better to give than to receive. To know that you are helping to make someone’s life just a little bit easier or helping to make someone happy is an indescribable feeling.

So as we close out 2014 we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all our supporters who kindly contributed their time and support to the running of our specialised facility.

So while you are busy buying and making gifts for your loved ones this Festive Season, please remember there are so many people in need. While most of us take for granted having a merry Christmas, some among us can only pray and dream about it.

Christmas is a special time for our residents and we would like to appeal to you again to help us end the year on a high note by ensuring that those in our care have a very happy Festive Season. We would like to arrange that each child receives a small gift on Christmas day and that we have a special Christmas Lunch that they can all enjoy.

Our ability to help depends upon your kindness, so this Christmas as you contemplate your gift list, won’t you please consider including Woodside Sanctuary

Contact Person:
Mrs. Kirsten Williams
Public Relations and Fundraising Manager
Email: ksmith2@mweb.co.za

Send donations to:
Woodside Sanctuary
Standard Bank
Melville Branch:  006105
Account No: 201098784

A Heritage Braai at the SABC Media Libraries

Not only do the SABC Media Libraries help in preserving the rich heritage of South African Broadcasting in audio and print, but we also celebrated Heritage Day in true South African style!


 We had a Heritage "Braai" (barbecue) sponsored by our manager, Bennie Jacobs and his managers. Thank you! It was on Tuesday, because Wednesday, the official Heritage Day on 24 September, was on a Public Holiday here in South Africa!

The Braai Master, Themba Mtshali, made sure that the meat was grilled to perfection!


Blog post and photos by Karen du Toit.

SABC Cape Town Principal Librarian Marlene Ungerer training at the SABC Radio Archives in Auckland Park

Marlene Ungerer and Cate Jele

The Principal Librarian of the SABC Media Library in Cape Town, Marlene Ungerer, was this week in Auckland Park at the SABC Radio Archives.

SABC Cape Town is planning to appoint a Radio Archivist for the first time, and the archivist will be expected to report to the Principal Librarian in Cape Town. SABC Cape Town Media Libraries provides services to the following radio stations: Good Hope FM, RSG, SAFM and Umhlobo Wenene. A need was identified for training for Marlene to be able to understand the role and complexities of the post.

Cate Jele, the Acting Manager and Team Leader of the request team, trained her on the in-house cataloguing system, Natural Document Management (NDM), as well as all the processes, systems and procedures of working in the Radio Archives.

Marlene expressed her delight in being able to learn so much in one week, as well as walking away with a new understanding about the work of the radio archivists.


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

LIASA EXCO and branch members visiting specialist libraries, including the SABC Media Libraries

The SABC Media Libraries had the pleasure yesterday in welcoming a delegation from the Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA), including the following EXCO members: Ms Ujala Satgoor - LIASA President; Ms Segametsi Molawa - LIASA President Elect; Mr Mandla Ntombela - LIASA National PRO; Ms Therese Els - LIASA NAtional Secretary and Ms Annamarie Goosen - LIASA Manager.

The LIASA delegation's road-show included visiting different types of libraries, and they wanted  to include a specialist library like that of the SABC! Their aim is to form an idea of the state of libraries and information services in South Africa. They would also like to share information with their staff members on burning issues.

The LIASA delegation was shown the the SABC Radio Archives, the SABC Record Library and the SABC Information Library. Because of time constraints the delegation was not shown the SABC Music Library or the Audio Restoration Section.

The delegation expressed a sincere interest in how the SABC Media Libraries give access access to their content, which includes audio (radio programmes and clips), as well as commercial music and information contained in books, magazines, newspaper and electronic.

It means a great deal to the SABC Media Libraries to be able to form connections with Information Professionals from across South Africa. As members of LIASA they appreciate the interest that was shown in their services. The specialised nature of the SABC Media Libraries' services contribute to a perceived isolation from their peers in the librarian and archivist fields.

The significance of the visit has highlighted the worth of the services once again, and gives an appreciation of the specialist services that are rendered at the SABC Media Libraries!

LIASA delegation in the SABC Radio Archives

Team Leader of Cataloguing and Sport Archivist
Johann Greyling addressing the meeting 

LIASA delegation with Ujala Satgoor

Justice Leshilo welcoming the delegation in the SABC Information Library

Monica van Deventer (Principal Librarian) with Justice Leshilo

Themba Mtshali demonstrating the Newbase scanning system in
the Newspaper Clipping Section (SABC Information Library)

LIASA delegation in the SABC Information Library 

Ujala Satgoor in the SABC Information Library

The SABC Media Libraries feel honoured to have shaken hands with the LIASA EXCO, as well as meeting some of the LIASA Gauteng South branch executive members.

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

Mandela Day 2014 in the SABC Media Libraries

Follow SABC's board Nelson Mandela Day in the SABC Media Libraries on Pinterest.

This is a special time of the year for the SABC Media Libraries when Mandela month and Mandela Day on 18 July come around.

The SABC Media Libraries have large collections of books, newspaper and magazine articles (SABC Information Library), as well as audio material on Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (SABC Radio Archives). The Libraries and Archives are getting a great number of requests for information on the Great Man, as well as requests for audio to be used in broadcasts for Mandela Day by the SABC radio and television producers and journalists.

The SABC has a number of projects planned to celebrate Madiba month, while the SABC Media Libraries will also do their 67 minutes (#Do67Minutes) at Woodside Sanctuary again this year.

Justice Leshilo, Reference Librarian in the SABC Information Library, did an interview on Channel Africa last week about creating awareness about Nelson Mandela.

The SABC Information Library has been been sharing some of their collections on Facebook:

Post by SABC INFORMATION LIBRARY.

The SABC Record Library shared the following:

Post by SABC RECORD LIBRARY.

The SABC Radio Archives also shared this on Facebook:

Post by SABC Radio Archives.



The SABC Media Libraries will be doing their 67 minutes on Friday.

@SABCMediaLib which includes @SABCInfoLib @SABCRadioArc @SABCMusicLib @SABCAudioRest will d#Do67Minutes on #MandelaDay at Woodside
— SABC Media Library (@SABCMediaLib) July 16, 2014

The SABC Media Libraries will be doing their 67 minutes on Friday.

Check out some suggestions on the SABC website and SABC Facebook on how to get involved.

Justice Leshilo interview on Channel Africa - about creating awareness about Nelson Mandela #MandelaDay

Sheila Bell interviewing Information Librarian Justice Leshilo on One on One on Channel Africa.
The focus is on Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, in creating awareness for Nelson Mandela Day on 18 July 2014.

Justice Leshilo talks about his life and career as Information Librarian, as well as the impact the life of Nelson Mandela has had on his life.

His research about Mandela the Man in the Information Library is part a yearly initiative for Mandela month, culminating in Mandela Day. The SABC Information Library has many books, magazine articles and newspaper articles about Nelson Mandela. It is part of the preparation being ready for news and actuality journalists and producers compiling programmes about Nelson Mandela.

New Music Librarian: Jacqueline Wilson

Jacqueline Wilson is the new music librarian at the Music Library. She has been at the SABC Music Library for 2 months.

Please tell us a little bit about yourself. (Where you grew up, where and what you studied and your work experience before you joined the SABC Music Library?)

I was born and raised in then North West in a small town called Zeerust. I started my schooling in 1997 and matriculated in 2009 from Hoërskool Zeerust. I enrolled at the University of Pretoria (Tukkies) in 2010 doing my Bachelors of Information Science. I completed my degree in 2012 and graduated in record time in 2013. My work experience started with me doing some vacation work in retail stores but for my field of study it has been at the SABC where I started my internship in the Information Library of the SABC in 2013. After completing my internship programme I had a break where I started looking for something more permanent and I successfully landed the job at the Music Library.

Tell us more about your collection and the scope of material you need to preserve.

We have a vast amount of material in our collection, where our biggest category is the orchestral collection. We then have some vocal scores, light music, chamber music, choral music and voice and piano. Everything that we have in the library is worth preserving. Some of the material we have is still in the handwriting of the composer and/or we are the only library that still have it.

Please tell us about a normal day in your office. What material do you give priority to?

My day starts at 08:00 till 16:30. I start by checking emails and if there are any queries. Currently we are looking at importing to a digital platform, so I also do some research on what other music libraries use so that we conform to a standardised form of cataloguing. Our priority now is the orchestral and vocal scores because they get requested more often by clients. We want to start ingesting them into Inmagic as it will save us a lot of time and help us being able respond promptly to clients' requests.

Do you struggle with technical difficulties, and if so, what?

So far I haven’t really experienced major technical difficulties.

If you have an anecdote about a specific piece of interesting music or musical instrument, please share it with us.

Getting to learn more about the instruments and even material is something that I cherish. The one story that always comes to mind is the Steinway Piano we have in the M1 studio. I got to learn that the piano actually has a life support system underneath it. The life support system is actually a humidity control system which keeps the piano in tune and prevents damage from climate changes. What happens is water and some form of chemical used for piano life support systems is mixed together and poured into the piano through a pipe which keeps its piano’s tune in place. This was such a fascinating discovery. And that piano is just beautiful!

Tell us why you enjoy doing the work that you do.

I love that I always learn something new every day. I love music and apart from not being that familiar with the classical music genre I am still very much open to new adventures. I also love what I do because I am able to learn how to play an instrument or two as well. 


Related post:

- The Music Librarian - SABC Media Libraries 

Blog post and questions by Karen du Toit

Interview with an intern at the SABC Polokwane Media Library: Simon Mabetlela

SABC Polokwane has acquired the service of Simon Mabetlela, a qualified librarian.

The intern will be here for couple of months to acquire valuable skills, but also to help with the workflows at SABC Polokwane Media Library.


Please tell us about your personal history as well as your studies. How did you become an intern here at SABC?

I am Simon Thapedi Mabetlela from the Ga-matlala district. I started my primary studies at Nare Mohlalerwa School in Ga-Sebotse Village and therefore went for my secondary studies at Mokateng Secondary at Rosenkraans Village. I then furthered my tertiary studies at the University of Limpopo, where I did BA Media studies and a Post- Graduate Diploma in Information studies. I am now holding an intern position at the SABC Limpopo Combo’s Media library.

What does your job entail here at SABC?

I am involved in the processing, preservation and retrieval of historical material which is of importance to the public. These processes includes selection, editing, cataloguing and recording audio clips onto compact discs. I also assist in the books section where I help clients in accessing their desired books. Other functions include shelving and assisting within the record library in searching records for patrons and attending to internal and external enquiries. 

What have you learned already while you have been there?

I have learnt many things, including work ethics and professionalism, communication skills and team work, and usage of library automation software systems.

Tell us of any interesting anecdotes story with regards to your internship

The internship helps in co-relating theory into practice and provides me with much needed experience. It helps me to translate what I have learnt at school into practice. It puts me in a working environment and makes me to explore the work sphere and apply my career related functions at large.

What are you planning to do after this?

I would like to finish my internship programme and hopefully be absorbed for a permanent position within the corporation.   I really want to grow within the library and information management field as it is within my field of study.


Related posts:

- Interview with a student at SABC Polokwane Media Library 

- Interview with an intern at the SABC Information Library: Veronica Machate

- Interview with an intern at the SABC Information Library: Agrineth Mashile


Blog post and questions by Karen du Toit

Interview with a student at the SABC Polokwane Media Library

SABC Polokwane has acquired the service of student Surprise Phadu, busy with a Bachelor of Information Science (BINF).
The student will be here for five weeks to acquire valuable skills, but also to help with the workflows at SABC Polokwane Media Library.

Questions are asked to understand the type of skills that she has to offer, but also to get a better understanding of what she is doing at SABC Polokwane.



Please tell us about your personal history as well as your studies. How did you become a student working here at SABC?

My name is Surprise Phadu, a registered student of the University of South Africa. I am a final year student in the field of Information Science. I came to SABC to observe the working environment within the media library and to know what is happening within the profession.

What does your job as student entails here at SABC?

My position was to observe the processes with regards preservation and acquisition of the SABC material. I rotated through all the sections within the Media Library; from Archives, Acquisition, the Book Library to the Circulation desk. I have also made use of various systems and have increased my knowledge in the field of technology.  Now I know the responsibilities of the information librarians and archivists within the profession and  I am hoping to come back for an internship in the future to get hands-on training within the field. 

What have you learned already while you have been there?

I have learned what is required from an Archivist and an Information Librarian, and how to work with different library users; the internal and the external clients. I had gained priceless experience within the Media Library and the knowledge I acquired I will not get  anywhere else. It has encouraged me to build on it in the future.  

Tell us of any interesting anecdotes with regards to working at SABC Media Library in Polokwane?

The interesting part of working within the Media Library comes with the use of various systems and the technical part of it.

What are you planning to do after this?

I am planning to visit the SABC in Auckland Park to broaden the knowledge I have at present and I am hoping they won’t deny me an opportunity. I told myself that this is the beginning of a long journey to the profession in Information Management. 



Blog post and questions by Karen du Toit.

2013 on Twitter - SABC Media Libraries' video on Vizify

SABC Media Libraries - 2013 on Twitter

Vizify compiled a great way to look at our year on Twitter in a short video compiled from the the SABC Media Libraries'  Twitter feed.
It would have been great to be able to embed the video here, but unfortunately they have not yet made the option available.

The Twitter video can be found here: SABC Media Library Twitter video

There is also a timeline of the SABC Media Libraries' top tweets for 2013: Top Tweets


The rest of the SABC Media Libraries'  Twitter feeds can be found here:

SABC Information Library

SABC Radio Archives

SABC Music Library

SABC Record Library

SABC Audio Restoration


Best wishes for a great 2014!
See you on Twitter!


Blog post by Karen du Toit.

Saying goodbye to the manager of the SABC Radio Archives

Bennie Jacobs was the manager of the SABC Radio Archives for 9 years. He worked in the SABC Radio Archives for 15 years.

He is now the new manager of the SABC Media Libraries.

There was a small cake function to say goodbye to him in the Radio Archives. The Radio Archives wish him well for his new endeavours as Manager of the bigger unit, and looking forward to still be working with him.


Bennie Jacobs has a vision for the SABC Media Libraries:

 "The Media Libraries has a solid foundation and it is up to us to build on that foundation. We are increasingly faced with the prospect of digitisation. I believe that the time has come that we stop talking about digitisation. We need to act on it. I believe that we can start small, while the organisation is still deciding what to do about digitisation. Starting small and getting it right will be a confidence booster and it will be proof that it can be done. We need to start believing in our own ability to make digitisation happen and take ownership of the process. 

The Media Libraries has been and is still focusing on delivering excellent service to its internal and external clients."

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

Social Media for Libraries - Storify: presented at the Information and Library Management Africa 2013 Conference

This Storify is a compilation of the social stories for the presentation as part of the Information and Library Management Africa 2013 Conference.
The first day of the conference, 26 September 2013, was at the Crowne Plaza, Rosebank.

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

Wordless Wednesday - record player in the 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.

Nelson Mandela Day in the SABC Media Libraries - Pinterest Board

A Pinterest Board compiled from SABC Media Libraries' blog posts about Nelson Mandela, and also of SABC Media Libraries taking part in Mandela Day previous years.

SABC Media Library's best 5 tweets this month

Twitter Ads are compiling interesting Analytics with regards Timeline Activity, and this is our "Best" tweets this past month.

Best Tweets of SABCMediaLib

1. Our Video Biography via Vizify got marked as a favourite:

SABC Media Libraries Twitter Bio video via Vizify: Just made a movie of my twitter: https://t.co/e4aghsjeTy Le... http://t.co/jq6PWKmYLp
— SABC Media Library (@SABCMediaLib) June 18, 2013

2. Our daily newspaper about Knowledge Management and Knowledge Café got marked as favourite
    The Daily Knowledge Café:

The Daily Knowledge Cafe is out! http://t.co/vVgZPHMN8y
— SABC Media Library (@SABCMediaLib) June 16, 2013

3.  The blog post about The Use of Vine in Libraries and Archives also got marked as a favourite:

The use of Vine in libraries and archives: Vine is a mobile app that is available on iOS and Android. It recor... http://t.co/bn7G2AXBs2
— SABC Media Library (@SABCMediaLib) June 11, 2013

4. Another The Daily Knowledge Café got 2 Retweets.

The Daily Knowledge Cafe is out! http://t.co/vVgZPHMN8y ▸ Top stories today via @IamDdanz @coveo @LoulouVance
— SABC Media Library (@SABCMediaLib) June 11, 2013

5. The daily SABCMediaLib.li about libraries and archives got marked as favourite:

SABCMediaLib.li is out! http://t.co/ycfSzfBZ9s ▸ Top stories today via @sdeeble @EllysEyeland @SuiteBrigitte
— SABC Media Library (@SABCMediaLib) June 11, 2013

To get to these analytics, it is necessary to sign in at Twitter Ads, and to set the account to Advanced under Billing History.

It is not necessary to set up any campaigns to get the Analytics.


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

SABC Media Libraries Twitter Bio video via Vizify

Just made a movie of my twitter: https://t.co/e4aghsjeTy Let me know what you think, then make your own. #FollowMe #Vizify
— SABC Media Library (@SABCMediaLib) June 18, 2013

A very easy to get a great animation of our Twitter activity, is through the Vizify application.

Anyone who is ons Twitter, can get a quick and easy video which can be customized and updated as required!

Please let us know when you have made yours!

The Vizify Twitter video can be made here: https://www.vizify.com/twitter-video 

 We will check it out!

International Archives Day on June 9 2013 - celebrated with a Googledoodle?

The SABC Media Libraries have been taking part in International Archives Day since its inception in 2010 with a #followanarchive day on Twitter.
Last year we showed of our archival collections with #archday12 (Storify here).

#followanarchive has come up with a great idea this year! They want Google to create a special Googledoodle for International Archives Day, and they have suggested the following image:

Googledoodle for International Archives Day 2013?

It will still be in conjunction with using the #askarchivists and #followanarchive hashtags on Twitter.

They want your support in helping to promote the idea to Google.


READ MORE



Blog post by Karen du Toit (karentoittoit), Afrikaans Archivist in the SABC Radio Archives (SABCRadioArc)