The document discusses the collections of library associations held in the Unisa Archives. It provides background on the Unisa Library and Archives. The Archives holds materials from several South African library associations and related organizations, including SALA, SAILIS, and NELS. The collections include minutes, reports, newsletters, and photographs. Challenges in archival work include environmental factors, lack of descriptions for some photographs, and human impacts like war and neglect. Proper storage, organization, and donations can help preserve archival collections.

1. Library associations collections
and the UNISA Archives
Unisa Archives
Annette le Roux
16 November 2010

2. Contents
• Background
– Unisa Library
– Unisa Archives
– Archival collections
• Library associations
• Challenges in archival work

3. Background

4. Unisa Library
• 1946 accessioned first library book
• 2009 2 millionth book accessioned
• 2010 ± 2,5 million items

5. Highgrove Florilegium

6. Unisa Library

7. Unisa Archives & Special Collections

8. Unisa Archives & Special Collections
• Established in the early 1970s
• Collection building mainly through donations
• Currently 4 qualified archivists
• Unique and rare materials (±4 000 linear meters)
• Manuscripts, photographs, posters, sound & video
cassettes - archives
• Finding aids/ inventories - archives
• Special books – OASIS catalogue

9. Special Book Collections
• 12 Collections, ±52 000 items
• old, rare, unique, out-of-print, expensive
Collections include:
• JL van Schaik Africana (ASC)
• Wagener Africana (WAGE)
• Special Book Collection (S)
• WA Joubert Old Legal Sources (OLD)
• Van Schaik Publishers (JSC)

10. Archival Collections
Main Archival groups:
• Unisa Archives (Vista & TSA)
• Manuscripts Collection
• Hesse Collection of German Africana
• Documentation Centre for African Studies
• Library Associations
• South African Museums Association
• United Party
• Junod
• Allan Boesak
• Kenneth Birch

11. Library Associations

12. The beginning

13. Transition

14. New beginning

15. Library Associations & associated
organisations
Accessions in the Unisa
Archives

16. Library Associations & associated
organisations
• SALA – South African Library Association, 1930 – 1979
• SAILIS – South African Institute for Librarianship and
Information Science, 1980 - 1998
• LIASA – Library Association of South Africa, 1998 - present
• ULIS/ Translis/ LISDESA (Unification of Library & Information
Stakeholders/ Library & Information Services in Developing South Africa)
• LIWO - Library & Information Workers Organisation,1990-1998
• ALASA – African Library Association of South Africa, 1996
• BLASA - Bantu Library Association
• CBLASA - Central Bantu Library Association of South Africa
• Cape Library Association (later Library League)
• SA Indian Library Association

17. Library Associations & associated
organisations
• NELS - Non-European Library Service, 1930-1980
• SCECSAL – Standing Conference of Eastern, Central and
Southern African Library Associations, 2002; 2006
• CHELSA - Committee for Higher Education Librarians of
South Africa
• IGBIS - Interest Group for Bibliographic Standards - 2003 to 2008
• SLIS – Special Libraries & Information Services Group, 1947-2000
• OSALL – Organisation of South African Law Libraries
• Branches – Northern Transvaal / Gauteng North
• NLAB (NBAR) – National Library Advisory Board, 1968-1985

18. SALA & SAILIS
Contents of accessions
• agendas, minutes
• official correspondence of the Board and committees
• annual reports
• other reports
• study material & exampapers
• newsletters, journal
• photographs and conference papers

19. Non-European Library Services in
South Africa
• 1930's Carnegie Corporation of New York (CCNY) donated
money to start the Carnegie Non-European Libraries
• Collection:
- Official minute books, annual reports and correspondence
are available
- material to support research, eg commissions of inquiries
- library associations for various “Non-European” groups:
some material

20. Challenges in archival work

21. Challenges in archival work
Photographs with no description

22. Challenges in archival work
Photographs with no description

23. Environmental challenges
• Temperature
• Humidity
• Fire
• Water
• Light
• Pest infestations
• Measuring climate

24. Challenges …
Water/ damp / humidity / dust/ mould
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3589/3468297029_9412e74949.jpg?v=0
http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/015002/f1/book1.jpg
http://www.drycogroup.com/Portals/9/DocumentMediaRecovery/Nasty%20Files.JPG

25. Challenges …. human factor
http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/publications/archivist-magazine/015002-2030-e.html

26. Challenges …. human factor
War
Greed
Neglect

27. What can you do?
• Describe & date photographs
• Do not use rubber bands and paperclips
• Dust prevention
• Organise papers - dates
• Donate

28. Archives represent the memories
of groups, peoples or
organisations
At the end of the day,
if it is worth keeping,
it is in the ARCHIVES

29. Annette le Roux
lrouxha@unisa.ac.za
012 429 2560
Thank you
Questions?