AIS3705
Assignment 2 2026
Unique number:
Due Date: 26 June 2026
QUESTION 1: NATIONAL LIBRARY OF SOUTH AFRICA, CAPE TOWN CAMPUS
1.1 Analysis of the Vision and Mission of the Information Centre
The information centre selected for this practicum is the National Library of South Africa,
Cape Town Campus, which operates as a national library and heritage information centre. Its
vision is to be a world class African national library and information hub, while its mission is
to build, record, preserve, conserve and make available a complete South African
documentary heritage that supports a reading nation and an informed society (National
Library of South Africa, 2024).
In my view, this vision and mission are strongly linked to the work done at the Cape Town
Campus because the centre does not only provide ordinary library services, but also
protects rare and important South African records. The annual report explains that the Cape
Town Campus has unique and rare heritage collections and is used daily by scholars,
researchers and the general public (National Library of South Africa, 2024). This shows that
the centre is not just keeping information for storage, but is making it useful to people who
Terms of use
need it for study, research, personal knowledge and public memory.
By making use of this document you agree to:
Use this document as a guide for learning, comparison and reference purpose,
Terms of use
Not to duplicate, reproduce and/or misrepresent the contents of this document as your own work,
By making use of this document you agree to:
Use this document
Fully accept the consequences
solely as a guide forshould you plagiarise
learning, reference,orand
misuse this document.
comparison purposes,
Ensure originality of your own work, and fully accept the consequences should you plagiarise or misuse this document.
Comply with all relevant standards, guidelines, regulations, and legislation governing academic and written work.
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is" without any express or
implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or liability for any actions taken based on the
information contained within this document. This document is intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes.
Reproduction, resale, or transmission of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
, +27 81 278 3372
QUESTION 1: NATIONAL LIBRARY OF SOUTH AFRICA, CAPE TOWN CAMPUS
1.1 Analysis of the Vision and Mission of the Information Centre
The information centre selected for this practicum is the National Library of South
Africa, Cape Town Campus, which operates as a national library and heritage
information centre. Its vision is to be a world class African national library and
information hub, while its mission is to build, record, preserve, conserve and make
available a complete South African documentary heritage that supports a reading
nation and an informed society (National Library of South Africa, 2024).
In my view, this vision and mission are strongly linked to the work done at the Cape
Town Campus because the centre does not only provide ordinary library services,
but also protects rare and important South African records. The annual report
explains that the Cape Town Campus has unique and rare heritage collections and is
used daily by scholars, researchers and the general public (National Library of South
Africa, 2024). This shows that the centre is not just keeping information for storage,
but is making it useful to people who need it for study, research, personal knowledge
and public memory.
The centre appears to fulfil its mission because its services support preservation,
access and public use of information. The NLSA reports that it preserves South
Africa’s heritage resources and gives access to citizens, researchers, educators and
other users (National Library of South Africa, 2024). This is important because a
national library must serve more than one small group, since its collections belong to
the wider society and should support education, research and cultural
understanding.
The mission is also fulfilled through digitisation and reference services, which make
the collections easier to access for people who cannot always visit the building
physically. In the 2023/24 year, the NLSA digitised 49 152 items, while library staff
attended to 12 821 reference queries and 811 interlibrary loan requests (National
Library of South Africa, 2024). These activities show that the centre is working
towards access, preservation and information sharing, even though improvement
may still be needed in areas such as stronger technology and wider public
awareness.
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is"
without any express or implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or
liability for any actions taken based on the information contained within this document. This document is
intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes. Reproduction, resale, or transmission
of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
Assignment 2 2026
Unique number:
Due Date: 26 June 2026
QUESTION 1: NATIONAL LIBRARY OF SOUTH AFRICA, CAPE TOWN CAMPUS
1.1 Analysis of the Vision and Mission of the Information Centre
The information centre selected for this practicum is the National Library of South Africa,
Cape Town Campus, which operates as a national library and heritage information centre. Its
vision is to be a world class African national library and information hub, while its mission is
to build, record, preserve, conserve and make available a complete South African
documentary heritage that supports a reading nation and an informed society (National
Library of South Africa, 2024).
In my view, this vision and mission are strongly linked to the work done at the Cape Town
Campus because the centre does not only provide ordinary library services, but also
protects rare and important South African records. The annual report explains that the Cape
Town Campus has unique and rare heritage collections and is used daily by scholars,
researchers and the general public (National Library of South Africa, 2024). This shows that
the centre is not just keeping information for storage, but is making it useful to people who
Terms of use
need it for study, research, personal knowledge and public memory.
By making use of this document you agree to:
Use this document as a guide for learning, comparison and reference purpose,
Terms of use
Not to duplicate, reproduce and/or misrepresent the contents of this document as your own work,
By making use of this document you agree to:
Use this document
Fully accept the consequences
solely as a guide forshould you plagiarise
learning, reference,orand
misuse this document.
comparison purposes,
Ensure originality of your own work, and fully accept the consequences should you plagiarise or misuse this document.
Comply with all relevant standards, guidelines, regulations, and legislation governing academic and written work.
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is" without any express or
implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or liability for any actions taken based on the
information contained within this document. This document is intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes.
Reproduction, resale, or transmission of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
, +27 81 278 3372
QUESTION 1: NATIONAL LIBRARY OF SOUTH AFRICA, CAPE TOWN CAMPUS
1.1 Analysis of the Vision and Mission of the Information Centre
The information centre selected for this practicum is the National Library of South
Africa, Cape Town Campus, which operates as a national library and heritage
information centre. Its vision is to be a world class African national library and
information hub, while its mission is to build, record, preserve, conserve and make
available a complete South African documentary heritage that supports a reading
nation and an informed society (National Library of South Africa, 2024).
In my view, this vision and mission are strongly linked to the work done at the Cape
Town Campus because the centre does not only provide ordinary library services,
but also protects rare and important South African records. The annual report
explains that the Cape Town Campus has unique and rare heritage collections and is
used daily by scholars, researchers and the general public (National Library of South
Africa, 2024). This shows that the centre is not just keeping information for storage,
but is making it useful to people who need it for study, research, personal knowledge
and public memory.
The centre appears to fulfil its mission because its services support preservation,
access and public use of information. The NLSA reports that it preserves South
Africa’s heritage resources and gives access to citizens, researchers, educators and
other users (National Library of South Africa, 2024). This is important because a
national library must serve more than one small group, since its collections belong to
the wider society and should support education, research and cultural
understanding.
The mission is also fulfilled through digitisation and reference services, which make
the collections easier to access for people who cannot always visit the building
physically. In the 2023/24 year, the NLSA digitised 49 152 items, while library staff
attended to 12 821 reference queries and 811 interlibrary loan requests (National
Library of South Africa, 2024). These activities show that the centre is working
towards access, preservation and information sharing, even though improvement
may still be needed in areas such as stronger technology and wider public
awareness.
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is"
without any express or implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or
liability for any actions taken based on the information contained within this document. This document is
intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes. Reproduction, resale, or transmission
of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
