About South African Library Week 2021

The theme for SALW 2021 is "Libraries Matter!".  The past year has seen the whole world disrupted in ways that were unimaginable in March 2020 when LIASA presented its annual celebration of all types of libraries and the services they offer to all communities across South Africa.  The global pandemic has upended everything as we know it and libraries are no exception.  

Despite this upheaval, many libraries have managed to operate in novel ways in order to remain present and relevant in the lives of their user communities.  From online storytelling to remote access to databases, from kerbside pickups to online programming, libraries have managed to continue providing a service to their communities.

However, we cannot ignore the fact that to a large extent access to information and resources have been severely curtailed in all types of libraries whether school, academic, public or special libraries.  Fewer onsite users and rising data costs have impacted severely on our most vulnerable members of society, rendering libraries almost invisible to cost-cutting measures.  

South Africa has the largest and most well-developed LIS sector in Africa and we need to remind out entire society that Libraries Matter!

About South African Library Week

LIASA initiated SALW in 2001 as a commemorative period recognised by government when all types of libraries across the country used it as an opportunity to market their services and create awareness of the important role that libraries play in a democracy, advancing literacy, making the basic human right of freedom of access to information a reality, and to promote tolerance and respect in society. 

The choice of the date commemorates the establishment by proclamation of the first public library, the South African Public Library, now the National Library of South Africa (Cape Town Campus), on 20 March 1818.  Furthermore, on 21 March we celebrate Human Rights Day and our Bill of Rights recognises the freedom of access to information as a basic human right.  An important historical event is thus linked with a crucial date in our democracy.

SALW was officially celebrated for the first time in 2002.  The Week is a flagship LIASA project.  LIASA determines the dates and theme annually and the Week is celebrated in all types of libraries across the country though programmes and activities.

Launch Programme

Will follow soon