1. Neli Tshabalala presented on social justice, diversity and inclusion efforts at the North-West University (NWU) libraries. 2. A key initiative was establishing 24 mini-libraries across 4 districts in partnership with the South African Library for the Blind to improve access to information for communities. 3. Impact includes capacity building, equipment and resources provided, narration of books into accessible formats, and outreach programs conducted at schools and correctional facilities.

1. speaker
Neli Tshabalala
North-West university
Director: Library Shared Services

2. Social justice, Diversity and Inclusion in academic and research libraries
Is there ethics of care beyond the academic
library sphere?

3. NWU Context
● 3 Campuses with footprint in 2 Provinces (Gauteng & North West)
● 52,875 students: 46,719 undergraduates & 6,156 Postgraduates (NWU Quick Stats 2022/2023)

4. Social justice and diversity
● Libraries should support and engage diverse communities
● Libraries are on the frontline for justice: neutrality and social justice becomes significant (Gibson,
Chancellor, Dahlen, Lee, Shorish, 2017)
● Poised to promote diversity and inclusion
● Demonstrate institutional focus for communities
● Many libraries operate in a political structures – prioritise certain values:
● Anti-racism & non-discrimination– core values
● Provide responsive and inclusive access to resources and services
● Promote use of information at social & academic level
● Promote freedom of speech and creativity in use of talent
● Safe & accessible spaces – Universal learning designs

5. LIS Strategy Statement
The NWU Library gives effect to the University strategy by
positioning itself to transform the NWU as a unitary institution of
superior academic excellence, with commitment to social justice
Our Dream:
Internationally recognised & distinguished university library in
Africa and beyond, known for commitment to partnership in
student success, esteemed scholarship in research, social
responsiveness and an ethic of care.
Our Purpose
The NWU Library and Information Service provides access to
cutting-edge and relevant resources and services to fulfil
academic expectations of our user communities in a professional,
creative and innovative manner
LIS STRATEGIC PRIORITY AREAS

6. LIS Strategy Context
The LIS strategic plan 2021 – 2025 gives context on the following goals:
Content Discovery
Provide the diverse print and electronic resources
Inform, Educate and Communicate.
Foster a positive experience for library users
Innovate and Integrate.
Introduce new technologies
● Virtual tour
● Robotics
Integrate technology for seamless systems operations.
Support e-learning.
Engage and Position.
Position the LIS within and outside the NWU community.
Invest in transformational spaces.

7. Services at NWU
DRU Strategic plan
To improve access to the university for all qualifying students with disabilities. This includes eliminating
structural and systemic barriers as it pertains to disability-based discrimination.
DRU receives the recognition it deserves in terms of priority in institutional plans and mandates
Support provided from DRU
● Concession support
● Advocacy support & outreach activities
● Counselling services
● Accessibility & Transportation
● Raise awareness and educate on disabilities.
● Identify projects & Stakeholder involvement
● Contribute to social justice and sharing of expertise

8. Library Services
● Information searches
● Book requests
● Information literacy training
● EndNote training
● General assistance in the library
● Library Orientation
● Braille and keyboards
● Screen magnifiers
Collaboration rooms
Seminar rooms for group discussions, some on the ground floor
Skype Room
Ask Us!
Ask Us is a collaborative online reference service that allows the student to chat with a librarian. With this platform,
students are not required to physically be in the library.

9. NWU Partnerships
Collaborative project – sponsored by the Sasol Social and Community Trust – between the NWU, the
Department of Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation and the South African Library for the Blind.
Objectives
• Establish mini-libraries
• Contribute to new knowledge generation and capacity building enablement over time.
• Maximise efficient use of existing infrastructure.
• Share resources and expertise that would result in fully independent persons.
• Contribute to skills development to effect professional growth and personal development.
• Support and enhance existing provincial information literacy

10. NWU Partnerships: North West Districts

11. Mini-libraries: Community Impact
● Mini-libraries: Dedicated spaces with suitable furniture, assistive technology, information and
communication technology resources that are made available in accessible formats (Kaunda
& Chizwina 2021).
● In Korea referred as Village mini-Library (VmL) – Partnerships with Government and Public
Sector (Choi 2012; Yang 2008).
● Pusmintali: Developed for rural communities in South Korea that do not have public libraries
– extension of public library service (Pernadana 2019). Additional service for the people.
● Philippines: Mini libs referred to as lumad, a school mini library (Cabanilla 2013).
Impact:
● All municipalities have mini- libraries, and services have been extended to-date
● Research output: Article, seminars and workshops

12. Partnerships: Impact
DELIVERABLES
● 24 Mini-libraries established
● Enhancement of existing university mini
libraries
● Capacity building and training of both
Librarians and Users.
● Developed a new training manual in all
accessible formats
● Procured necessary equipment and
assistive technologies
● Market the services
● Media briefing & demonstrated impact
PROGRESS DEVELOPMENTS
● Maintain and expand the project
● Maintain and provide support in the
narration of Setswana books
● Re-introduce blind and visually impaired
people residing in the 24 communities
● Conduct information literacy sessions for
staff and users
Stats for 2021/22
● Ngaka Modiri Molema District 5 libraries
established in Zeerust
● Dr Ruth Mompati District 6 Mini libraries
● Bonjala District 9 mini libraries
● Dr Kenneth Kaunda – 5 mini libraries

13. Stakeholder workshops

14. Programme developments
● Project is still active
● Evaluate studios
● Use existing studios of the Department
● 20 books narrated to-date
● Narration of Setswana Books and using existing studios of the Department
● Independent studios were procured for February and March 2023
● Narration services vibrant in Mahikeng
● 2023/24: plan to establish a booth in either Mmabatho or Mafikeng Library (Audio Visual Room)

15. Library and Information Service Outreach programs
• JB Marks – 10 computers and +- 800 books
• LIS community outreach to Sunrise View primary school

16. Library and Information Service Outreach programs
• World read aloud day
• Theology library outreach to Correctional Services, Potchefstroom

17. Library and Information Service Outreach programs
• Mandela day

18. LIS EASY EXAMS WITH EAGI
• Library support during exams
• Raising awareness
• MASCOTS department

19. Library Orientation
• Library video
• Student engagement
• Dance challenge (Amapiano vs Hip Hop)

20. Future Plans
Renovating Information Commons
• LIS Strategic plan 2021 – 2025
• Improved support for students with disabilities
• Universal Design for Learning
• Have private cubicles
• Easy and spacious entrance especially for those on wheelchair
• Providing Assistive Technologies
Extended loan-services privileges
Fourth Industrial Revolution and Artificial Intelligence
360 degree virtual tour
• Orientation tool
• Information Literacy tool
• Digital integration to embrace philosophical elements of uBuntu Industry 4.0:
(van Vuuren 2022)
• Multilingual capabilities & re-emphasise Ethics of Care for NWU
Aim: improved efficiency for everybody’s benefit
• Efficient cutting-edge research
• Children in the surrounding communities afforded the possibility of expanded horizons through
NWU Community Projects.

21. References
Cabanilla, G. 2013. An Exploration of the Benefits of an Indigenous Community Learning Center's Mini-school library. School
Libraries Worldwide, 19(1):91.
Choi, M.J., 2012. New Village mini-Library Movement: History and Impacts on Korean Villagers’ Life in 1960s-70s.
Gibson, A.N., Chancellor, R.L., Cooke, N.A., Dahlen, S.P., Lee, S.A. and Shorish, Y.L., 2017. Libraries on the frontlines: Neutrality
and social justice. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal, 36(8), pp.751-766.
Kaunda, Neli & Chizwina, Sabelo, 2021: Can the mini-libraries (mini-libs) be a solution for library users with print disabilities? A case
of the North West Province, South Africa, Journal of Access Services,
https://doi.org/10.1080/15367967.2021.2013240
NWU Quick Stats 2022/2023
Perdana, Y.S., 2019. Public Library Innovation to Engage Users: A Case Study of Pusmintali. Public Library Innovation to Engage
Users: A Case Study of Pusmintali.
Van Vuuren, Pieter. 2002 KletsBek: Your friendly librarian at your digital doorstep (NWU unpublished document).
Yang, J.-H. 2008. A study on the processes of small libraries changing sociological role and Its direction of movement in Masan
City. Journal of Korean Library and Information Science Society, 39(3):27-52.