2014 marks the celebration of 20 years of democracy in South Africa! The Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA) has embraced this milestone by adopting the theme “Celebrating libraries in 20 years of democracy: check in @ your library” which highlights how libraries are making the right to freedom of access to information, as enshrined in the Bill of Rights, a reality and how they contribute to nation building and community development by opening the doors of learning to all. Various campaigns raising the importance of reading, libraries, and services rendered by librarians went on from the 15- 22 March 2014.
This campaign further showcases libraries as desired spaces for:
- connecting people of all ages to each other, learning resources, communities, government, the world and the environment
- advancing literacy through the intellectual and aesthetic development of all ages
- providing access to global knowledge and information in different formats to advance research and create new knowledge
- fostering a spirit of enquiry and desire for lifelong learning
- challenging one’s own beliefs and inculcating a respect for diverse beliefs, opinions and views all
- contributing towards the development of an informed nation, and South Africa becoming an information society
The Information Services will celebrate and share the 20 years journey, contributing to the research work done in HSRC at a later date and showcase the incorporated Library with AISA.