Short learning courses presented by the CACI and Information Science Department

The Centre of Applied Communication and Information of the Department of Information Science is responsible for the presentation of the Department’s short learning courses, organising of conferences, etc. On 22-23 May 20012 Professor Thomas van der Walt presented one of the Center’s courses in Library management in Boksburg for librarians of the Ekurhuleni Municipality. Librarians from all over the East Rand, e.g. Germiston, Tembisa, Leondale, Kempton Park, Springs, attended the course.


Other courses that have been offered and yet to be offered for this Municipality are as follows:



1. Overview of library and Information Services and Customer Care 7-11 May

2. Circulation and Basic Introduction to Library Administration 28 May-01 June

3. Library Marketing 7-8 June

4. Collection Development 18-22 June &

5. References dates TBA



Here is Prof van der Walt with the attendees

Children and climate change: ongoing research and community engagement with schools in KZN

Prof Thomas van der Walt and Dr Veli Jiyane of the Department of Information Science, together with Dr Felicite Fairer-Wessels of the Department of Tourism Management of the University of Pretoria are involved in a research and community engagement project with schools around Isimangaliso Wetland in Northern KwaZulu-Natal. The aim of this project is to determine the level of knowledge about climate change of children both in primary and high schools in this area, as well as channels and sources of information access, dissemination and use.


During the week of 7-11 May Prof van der Walt and Dr Jiyane visited the research area where they had discussions with stakeholders and conducted research at Kufezekile High, Eqakwini High, Ngotweni Primary, Nyalazi Lower Primary and Bhekinkosi Primary school. It was interesting to find out that in most schools, the issues on climate change are addressed either in Geography, Tourism or Agriculture as subjects. Children were also able to discuss what they know and observe as the effects of climate change in their schools and communities and also narrated what they could do as children in schools and as communities in general to create awareness on the climate change and its effects. Some of their ideal solutions were to revive the practice of tree planting in schools, discuss the issues of climate change with leaders in the community particularly councillors, izinduna and Amakhosi because they believe they have authority and can influence decision-making and lastly convince other learners to respect the environment by not littering and taking care of the rivers and animals both in the rivers and on land. They also suggested the idea of the creation of the Environmental Clubs in schools which will ensure that information on climate change is disseminated.

Interviews were also conducted with representatives from the Department of Education, KwaMsane Circuit; Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and the Isimangaliso Wetlands Park Authority. Prof van der Walt and Dr Jiyane will report on the findings of the pilot project at an interdisciplinary conference of the International Journal of Arts and Sciences in Florence, Italy in June.

While in KwaZulu-Natal Dr Jiyane and Prof van der Walt conducted book donations to the six schools that is involved in the Climate change project. Books were donated by Biblionef, an organization which aims at donating books to under-resourced children, and in that way promoting reading among children and adolescents. The function took place at Gilonki High School in the Mtubatuba area which was involved in the earlier pilot project which we conducted. All the schools were represented by their principals and one learner who received their individual donations.

IGBIS Workshop

Mesdames M Burger and M Du Preez attended a two-days IGBIS Workshop (15-16 May 2012) at Unisa. Mrs Burger also presented a session on music cataloguing.
The topics that were discussed during the workshop include cataloguing and subject related issues such as cloud computing, social networking media applications in libraries and open access journals. There was also a presentation on RDA and what some of the visible differences RDA will be making in our catalogues.

Norwegian Storyteller to take part in Unisa Storytelling Evening

As part of the programme of the 4th Children's Reading Conference that is organised by the Department on 11 and 12 September 2012, the Organisers are organising a Storytelling Evening on Tuesday 11 September 2012. the full programme will be made available at a later stage.

We are however delighted to announce that the first international storyteller to take part has confirmed her participation: Nina Naesheim, a professional storyteller from Stavanger, Norway.

Nina has many years experience in drama and theatre in Norway, Denmark and England. For many years she worked in kindergardens and also with children with special needs. They inspire her to tell and sing and she encourages children to tell their own stories. Nina likes to tell stories that makes "her heart leap a little"- stories of magic, love, humour, wisdom... folktales, fairytales, myths, legends and lies as well as true stories. Her favorite Northlands stories are often about the sea, mermaids and selkies.. but also stories from the Norwegian mountains about the trolls and huldra. Lively and strong stories! She likes to spice her tales with a dash of music and song as well as loads of humour and fun.

Nina does not only work with children. She has been telling stories and giving workshops in storytelling for people of all ages in Norway and many other countries. these stories have been told in schools, libraries, museums, hospitals, on boats, in churches, pubs, in the forest and at the seaside. She has even toured through Denmark and England in a caravan pulled by horses- a true adventurer.

She took part in storytelling festivals throughout Scandinavia, in the UK and Greece... and now South Africa will also be added to the list.
Ms Naesheim's visit to South Africa is made possible by funding from her hometown, City of Stavanger.

A new Doctor in the Department

Veli is a new Doctor in the Department of Information Science. Congratulations and all the best with your future career as Dr Jiyane