By Mike Loewe
Rhodes University has almost raised the R110-million needed to build one of the most modern and unusual libraries in Africa.
Speaking at the launch of the George Hallett photographic collection of African writers, Rhodes ViceChancellor Dr Saleem Badat said they had raised R80-million and needed only the last R30-million.
He was confident the library would be completed by 2010 and would serve the university well for the next 20 years.
Rhodes library director Gwenda Thomas said the new four-storey building, which would be built in the parking lot next to the present main university library, would be based on a totally new concept.
Studying methods had changed. Students were more interactive, worked in groups and had different needs from those provided by the more traditional book- based library.
The new library would be wired for internet use, would make greater use of multi-media and would be noisy.
Thomas said: “There will be different gradations of noise allowed.”
Today‘s students enjoy studying while listening to their MP3s, sitting around work stations and being highly interactive,” she said.
However, the printed word remained powerful and important – “especially with the power outages”.
Source: The Herald
Publisher: I-Net Bridge
Source: I-Net Bridge
