Chapter Two : Background to the study
2.3 University of Natal, Durban Libraries
The University of KwaZulu-Natal was formed on 1 January 2004 as a result of a merger between the University of Durban-Westville and the University of Natal. The two
KwaZulu-Natal universities were among the first batch of South African institutions to merge in 2004 in accordance with the government‟s higher educational restructuring plan which will eventually see the number of higher educational institutions in South Africa reduced from 36 to 21. The University of KwaZulu-Natal brings together the teaching and research strengths of two major tertiary institutions in the province. (University of KwaZulu-Natal. 2004a : 1) The University of Durban-Westville was established in the 1960s as the University College for Indians on Salisbury Island in Durban Bay. With student numbers growing, in 1971 the College was granted University status. In 1972, the newly-named University of Durban- Westville moved to its modern campus in Westville. In 1984 it became an autonomous institution and admitted students of all races. (University of KwaZulu-Natal 2004 : 1) The Natal University College was founded in 1910 in Pietermaritzburg. The University of Natal was granted independent University status in 1949 owing to its rapid growth in student numbers, its wide range of courses and its achievements and opportunities in research.
The distinctive Howard College building was opened in Durban in 1931 and was followed by the establishment of the other buildings on the campus. In 1946, the government approved the Faculty of Agriculture in Pietermaritzburg and, in 1947, the Medical School was opened in Umbilo Road and at that time admitted Indian, African and Coloured students. (University of KwaZulu-Natal 2004 : 1)
2.3 University of Natal, Durban Libraries
The Library was started in 1931 when the Engineering Department of Natal University College was established in the newly built Howard College. This was the nucleus of the Durban campus and its new campus library. The UND Library took fifty years to reach nearly 200 000 journal volumes and then only twenty more to double its holdings.
(University of Natal 2003c : 2)
2.3.1 E G Malherbe Library or Main Library
The Main Library, which changed its location a number of times, was finally named the E G Malherbe Library when it occupied its own building in 1987. It was named after the
university principal who guided the University to full University status in 1949, and supports the learning, teaching and research needs of staff and students of the Faculties of
Community and Development Disciplines, Engineering, Human Sciences, Management Studies and Science. It was the administrative centre of the UND library system.
(University of Natal 2003c : 2)
The collection consists of 448 863 volumes (consisting of books, journals and other items), ranging from a collection of medieval manuscripts to access to full-text databases through the World Wide Web. Special collections include a collection of first editions of important early scientific and engineering books, an African studies collection focusing on local content, an important audio-visual collection supporting the teaching programmes, and a collection of South African art works some of which were commissioned for the building.
(University of Natal 2003c : 2)
2.3.2 Barrie Bierman Architecture Library
This library was established in 1969 and was named after an influential lecturer and architect. The library is located in the Shepstone Building and serves the needs of the staff and students of the School of Architecture, Planning and Housing. The collection consists of 33 117 volumes of book, journals, plans, models, and rare early architectural books.
Housed in the Architecture Library is a Technical reference library of trade literature, ephemera, drawings, including local drawings of historical value and slides. (University of Natal 2003c : 2)
2.3.3 Edminson Library
The library on the Edgewood campus in Pinetown specializes in serving the needs of students and staff in the Faculty of Education. The library dates from 1971, when Edgewood College of Education was founded; the present library building was opened in 1980 and named after Eric Edminson, Edgewood‟s first rector. In 2001, when the College
was incorporated into the University of Natal, the Library became part of UND Libraries.
The collection consists of 73 421 items. Its collections of books and journals are excellent, but its special strength lies in its audio-visual collections : audio- and videotapes, CD-ROM‟s, charts, models, illustrations, teaching packs, slides and transparencies which support foundation, primary and high-school programmes. The Library also serves the postgraduate students in the Faculty of Education. (University of Natal 2003c : 2)
2.3.4 Eleanor Bonnar Music Library
This library is unique to the Province. It was established in 1972 and is named after the donor of the core collection. It is one of the largest music libraries in Africa and one of the finest in the southern Hemisphere. The library serves the Music programme in the Faculty of Human Sciences and the provincial orchestra, and is housed in the School of Music. The collection consists of 33 608 items, and covers a wide range of cultures. The Music Library houses books, journals, scores (including a valuable collection of historical sets and complete editions), microfilms, tapes, long playing records, compact discs, CD-ROMs and video cassettes. Of special interest are five collections : a rare archival collection of black South African popular music, the Malcolm Hunter Collection of recordings of early jazz and swing from 1895-1980, the Wilf Lowe Collection of bebop and post-World War 2 styles, a large ethnographic record collection and a valuable opera collection. (University of Natal 2003c : 2)
2.3.5 G M J Sweeney Library
This library was established in 1972 and was named after a distinguished professor of Law.
It is located in the historic Howard College Building and serves the needs of the staff and students of the Faculty of Law, as well as the legal fraternity of greater Durban. The collection consists of 35 189 volumes of books, journals, and law reports, including good collections of early law books and environmental law. (University of Natal 2003c : 2)
2.3.6 Medical Library and Doris Duke Medical Research Institute
The Medical Library was established in 1951 as part of the new Medical School with a donation of books from the Medical Association of South Africa (MASA). It is located in the
Nelson R Mandela School of Health Sciences in Umbilo Road, and serves the needs of the medical students, staff and associated members of the medical and related professions.
The collections consists of 75 762 volumes of books and journals. Access to full-text electronic resources is available, including a teaching database which supports problem- based learning. Undergraduate and postgraduate computer laboratories and a skills practice laboratory form an integral part of the library, unique in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. (University of Natal 2003c : 2)
The Doris Duke Medical Research Institute is a state-of-the-art research facility at the Nelson R Mandela School of Health Sciences. This research facility was officially opened on 29 July 2003. The Institute provides the infrastructure for strategic research and focuses on diseases affecting the poor and vulnerable in South Africa The project received funding from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and in addition, (Pfizer) SA, the 13th World Aids Conference Trust, the governments of Flanders and Japan, the Victor Daitz Foundation, Investec Securities and the Stella and Paul Lowenstein Trust. The University has invested R6.5 million in the project. The Research Institute has its own information centre (library) which is managed by the staff of the Medical Library. (University of Natal 2003a : 1)