UMP Library

The University of Mpumalanga (UMP) recently hosted a successful Two Open Day events on Saturday, 27th July and 3rd August 2024, at Mbombela and Siyabuswa Campuses. The Library and Information Services team played a pivotal role both events, showcasing the wealth of resources and support available to prospective students.

In Siyabuswa Campus, representatives Ms. Galeboe Mashilo and Ms. Mahlodi Mojela led the Library and Information Services' efforts, engaging with over 1,300 learners from 19 schools across Mpumalanga and Limpopo. The event was structured to maximize interaction, with each university division, including the library, hosting its own gazebo. This setup allowed for personalized interactions, helping learners gain a deeper understanding of the offerings from each division.

Adding to the spirit of the day, all participating UMP staff and students were provided with Open Day T-shirts, enhancing the sense of unity and visibility...... To keep the energy levels high, breakfast and lunch were served to all participants, ensuring they were well-fueled to interact with the enthusiastic attendees.

The library’s participation included distributing informative flyers, conducting orientation sessions for Grade 11-12 learners and their teachers, and hosting a well-received walkabout tour of the library. The interactive sessions and giveaways, such as 150 laminated bookmarks, were a hit, leaving a lasting impression on the attendees.

The event was a resounding success, reinforcing the importance of direct engagement with prospective students. The Library and Information Services team looks forward to continuing its outreach efforts, ensuring that future students are well-informed about the resources that will support their academic journeys at UMP."Read more

We are thrilled to announce that Mrs. Mahlodi Melika Kwetepane has been appointed as the Librarian: Faculty Support (Library Services) at UMP, effective from 1st July 2024. Mrs. Kwetepane brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her new role. She holds a BA Honours in Information Science from UNISA and a Diploma in Information Science from the University of Limpopo. Her career began as a Transformation Officer (Intern) at the Department of Roads and Transport, where she served from 1st December 2005 to 30th September 2006. On 12th February 2007, she joined Kensani Corrections Management as a Librarian, a position she held until 31st October 2015.

Mrs. Kwetepane has been a valued member of the UMP Library team since 1st November 2015, initially serving as a Library Assistant. Her dedication and expertise have been instrumental in supporting our library services, and we are confident that she will continue to excel in her new role. We congratulate Mrs. Kwetepane on her well-deserved promotion and look forward to her continued contributions to the UMP community.

As part of the Literacy Week 2024 celebrations, under the theme “Promoting multilingual education: Literacy for mutual understanding and peace," Chapters Book Club, in collaboration with UMP Library and the Student Governance & Development Siyabuswa Office, held a highly successful book and stationery donation drive. The initiative, in line with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education, aimed to provide under-resourced local schools and an NGO center with essential learning materials to promote literacy and lifelong learning.

Through the combined efforts of UMP students, staff, and community members, 12 local schools plus one NGO center were identified to receive the donated books and stationery. The donations ranged from children's books to academic textbooks, providing much-needed educational resources to support inclusive, equitable, and quality education.

Chapters Book Club and UMP Library are deeply committed to the principles of SDG 4. .....Their mission is to inspire reading both inside and outside UMP community, ensuring that all learners, regardless of their background, have access to the tools needed for lifelong personal and academic growth.

This year's theme, " Promoting multilingual education: Literacy for mutual understanding and peace," highlights the transformative power of education, and the book drive exemplified how small contributions can have a significant impact in bridging educational gaps. As UMP Library continues to lead literacy initiatives, we remain dedicated to advancing SDG 4 and creating lasting change in our communities.

Stay tuned for more literacy-related events and initiatives as UMP library continues to champion the cause of Quality Education!Read more

The recent book review event featuring Journey of a Black Man by our distinguished Alumni Author, Mr. Mark Maroga, was a tremendous success! This enlightening session was a joint collaboration between the Book Club, Library, and the Student Governance and Development Department —a partnership that truly paid off in creating an enriching and memorable experience for everyone involved.

Over 60 enthusiastic students joined us, filling the room with curiosity and thoughtful engagement. Mr. Maroga’s discussion on the themes of resilience, identity, and the unique challenges of writing the book resonated deeply with attendees, sparking meaningful conversations throughout the event.

As a token of appreciation, the Library presented Mr. Maroga with a special thank-you gift. Additionally, our most active participants were awarded pens and notepads to encourage their continued engagement in future events.

A special thanks goes out to the Student Governance and Development Department for generously catering the event, which kept everyone refreshed and fueled for a lively discussion. Mr Maroga thanked UMP for the invite and everyone who attended the event and made it successful......This event brought our campus community together and fostered a shared love for learning and literature. Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to making this experience remarkable!Read more

UMP Library and Information Services hosted the third book exhibition at the Mbombela campus from the 14th - 15th of October 2024. The exhibition took place physically at the Mbombela campus Great Hall. This project was undertaken with the assistance of the facilities management services, cleaning service, security service, communications division and media reporter, ICT service, DVC research office, and library and information service staff.

The exhibitions proved to be a successful event. The academics attended, and they had an opportunity to browse through various collections from different vendors, to select the most relevant information resources for their faculties and students. The LIS faculty support staff played an important role in selecting books for their faculties. Eight (8) suppliers were invited to the exhibition, and all honored the invite: (1) Van Schaik Bookshop, (2) Vuga Booksellers, (3) Logans Bookshop, (4) Khanya Academic Bookshop, (5) Nearest Academic Bookshop, (6) Academic Marketing, (7) Sky Information, (8) Juta.

This was a great opportunity to network with the suppliers, as we built lifelong relationships with them. Through this initiative, the Acquisitions section received: 1362 print books.



Thank you to the team

The 2024 liasa conference, held at the Chief Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (ICC Durban) during the first week of October, attracted over 700 delegates and saw record in-person attendance at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). The vibrant event highlighted the importance of leadership, innovation, and collaboration in the LIS sector. This year’s theme was, “Libraries in an Age of Democracy”

The conference featured a series of engaging papers, discussions, and presentations that highlighted both the successes and challenges faced by libraries today. Attendees explored critical topics, including Marketing and advocacy, Library design and spaces, Access and services, Impact of technology, LIS Education, development agendas, democratic spaces, social cohesion, and justice and partnership.

In his introductory remarks, LIASA President Mr. Charlie Molepo inspired the organization's members by recounting how he began his career as a librarian. Throughout his career, Molepo has been a staunch supporter of library staff professional development and the advancement of the library science field. He was a key figure in determining the direction of library services in South Africa as a designer and facilitator/trainer for the European Union Department of Higher Education Libraries Program. The 2024 LIASA Conference is the first to be planned by board members, and he expressed his satisfaction that the organization is now under the board for the first time after previously operating as a volunteer non-profit.

Programme highlights

This prestigious event, themed Libraries in an Age of Democracy, brought together educational institutions, public libraries, and industry leaders to explore the role of libraries

in fostering access to information, community involvement, and knowledge sharing in democratic societies. .....During LIASA Conferences, information was exchanged, innovative ideas were shared, debate of important and current topics take place, decisions are made, and members network and engage in various activities. It is an annual highlight and all members - but also non-members involved in the LIS profession - are encouraged to participate and attend. LIASA Annual General Meetings (AGM), as well as Sectors Annual General Meetings/Community of practice (AGMs), take place at a scheduled time during the Conference.

Message of support

KZN MEC for Sport, Arts, and Culture, Mntomuhle Khawula, highlighted the importance of integrating advanced technologies into information sharing and storage. He emphasised the government's commitment to making libraries accessible to all communities of KZN.

Looking Ahead

Mr Charlie Molepo, LIASA President concluded the event with words of gratitude to LIASA members, non-members, all participants, speakers, and sponsors for their contributions to this enlightening conference. He indicated that the insights gained will undoubtedly shape the future of libraries in South Africa and beyond, as they continue to adapt and thrive in an ever-changing democratic landscape.

He ended by expressing his optimism about the organisation's future and promising to do all in his power to elevate the status of the profession; he went on to remark that he is pleased with the membership rise that reached 1969.Read more

Thoko Mayekiso Library and Information Services hosted the Open Access (OA) Colloquium on 31 October 2024. The theme of the event was “Community over Commercialisation”. As universities and research institutions encourage researchers/authors to publish in Open Access journals, the publishing companies advocate the important aspects of institutions having transformative agreements with various publishers. These agreements help the researchers in getting publishing discounts or waivers of the Article Publishing Charges. The University of Mpumalanga took the lead in inviting prominent speakers

from various organisations to share valuable insights with the university community on the OA publishing model, funding, the role of Generative AI in research, and the importance of researchers’ networks in promoting free information sharing. These discussions aim to enhance scholarly collaboration and build research capacity within the institutions.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Thoko Mayekiso said “In 2019 the institution signed the Berlin Declaration joining the global movement to support Open Access for the benefit of science and society”.

On December 10 and 13, 2024, five of our esteemed library colleagues, Ms. Shela Bopape, Ms. Mahlodi Mojela, Mr. Yegambaram Naicker, Mr. Jerry Raolane, and Mr. Mthembeni Mjweni, were honored with 5-year Long Service Awards during the annual UMP Long Service Awards and Year-End Function. Each recipient received a certificate and a monetary award in recognition of their dedicated service.

The 2024 Long Service Award Ceremony and Year-End Event took place across the Mbombela and Siyabuswa campuses, with UMP Vice-Chancellor Professor Thoko Mayekiso presiding over the celebrations. The remarkable skills and steadfast dedication demonstrated by these individuals have significantly contributed to the continued success and excellence of our organization. Their unwavering commitment is deeply valued and appreciated.

The library extends heartfelt congratulations to our colleagues on this outstanding achievement. Your dedication and hard work inspire us all, and we are proud to celebrate this milestone with you. May your future endeavors be filled with continued success and growth. Congratulations and best wishes for a bright future filled with more successes and accomplishments!

On the 5th and 6th of December 2024, the UMP Library staff gathered for an impactful two-day team-building event aimed at fostering unity, enhancing skills, and reinforcing shared values. The event provided the perfect blend of adventure, reflection, and community - energizing and inspiring participants.

The first day’s activities occurred at the scenic GZ Adventures, where the team dove into various exciting and collaborative tasks. Staff members participated in bush survival games that challenged their teamwork, communication, and problem-solving abilities. The adventure activities encouraged collaboration and demonstrated, how collective efforts and a positive attitude can overcome challenges—an essential takeaway for thriving in the workplace.

The second day shifted focus to introspection and values, with a session held at the UMP Library boardroom and facilitated by Mr. Rachidi from the Human Resources division. In this thought-provoking session, the emphasis was placed on aligning personal principles with UMP’s core values to navigate daily work challenges better.

Strengthening Bonds for a Stronger Team

The UMP Library team-building event was not just a break from routine but an

opportunity to strengthen bonds, address workplace dynamics, and collectively commit to upholding values that reflect the spirit of the institution. The event exemplified the power of collaboration and shared purpose. The combination of adventure, skills-building, and reflective discussions created a meaningful experience that will leave a lasting impact on how the team approaches their work and relationships. By reinforcing the importance of shared values and teamwork, the UMP Library is well-positioned to continue thriving as a cohesive and dedicated team.