From Distance Learning and ODL to
ODeL: Unisa Library’s journey to
transformation and innovation
07-11 October 2013
LIASA conference
Cape Town
Modiehi W Rammutloa
Unisa Library
Background
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Global trends: print to paperless
Emergence of Digital natives
User behaviour
Investigation of a business model
Libraries not isolated – ODeL compliant
Transformation defined
 Transformation defined by Prof N.S
Makhanya, the Principal of the University
of South Africa.
“Transformation is fundamental and
purposeful advancement towards specified
goals: individual, collective, cultural and
institutional, aimed at high performance,
effectiveness and excellence”.
Innovation defined
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wouterdeheij.wordpress.com
Transformation and innovation in
dialogue
Institutional
transformation –
innovative thinking
Comfort space
Claim our place
Push the envelope
www.thinkthru.info
Down memory lane
• 1946 - The first Library book was
accessioned
• 1962 - Dewey Decimal Classification
• 1969 - First computerized academic
Library in South Africa.
• 1982 – Automated Library Information
System (ALIS)
• 1984 – The Library millionth book titled:
Fest-epistolar Friedrichs des Weisen
Down memory lane
1986 –User education and Library
orientation Programme.
1988 – Unisa Information system (UNIS)
computer catalogue online public access
system was introduced to access library
collection.
2000 – 1st digitisation project commenced:
CM Doke collection of personal letters from
MK Ghandi and related materials.
The manual system
Card catalogue
 Time
consuming
 Brittle and faint
ink
 Space
 No corrections
Circulation service
 Long queues
 Time
consuming
 Staff and
student
pressure
 Reliance on
Librarian
Archiving the old way
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From e-learning to M-learning
Bridging the Access gap
 E-learning – total automation
 Internet based technology
 extended Library hours
 visit to the Library
 M-learning – learning on the move
 24/7
 mobisite developed
 Airpac module
Unisa Library currently
• Transformation - Inspiration from need and
technology
• Different clientele - multi-tasking
• Service to where clients are
• Access v/s ownership
Library services in an ODeL space
• Research commons – access controlled,
WiFi connectivity
• Electronic (E-reserves) – prescribed and
recommended
• Question point “Ask a Librarian”communication tool
• Unisa Institutional Repository – knowledge
base
Services …
• Shelf ready books – improve throughput
time
• Mobile buses – Take the service to the
people
• Digitization – preservation and access
• Encore - Discovery tool
• Research data management
• Electronic books (e-books)
“Do it yourself”
RFID self help machine
• Issue out and
return books
• Service in
Regional centres
Bookdrop machine
 Book return
without
entering the
Library
 24/7 service
 Regional
centres
Services to clients with special
needs
 Physical and virtual environment
 Audio-visual devices on loan:
 BookSense, classmate reader,
BookCourier, Victor Reader Stratus
 Conversion requests
 Material in different formats
Social media
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You tube
Follow us on Twitter
Facebook
Pintrest
The “e” Challenges
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Bread v/s data bundles
Connectivity
Internet access
Mobile devices – “smartness”
Memory capabilities
Gadgets
Business models for accessing eresources that don’t threaten the livelihood
of publishers
Future trends in the Technology
arena: IFLA dialogue
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Stay relevant – “You snooze you lose”
Open access – threat or opportunity?
Data privacy and security
Transformation by new technology
Exclusion and inclusion of users through
technology
Food for thought
• E-Librarianship – are we ready?
• African solutions to African problems
• Contact teaching and learning v/s
E-learning – Are the students ready?
• Physical Library space
Thank you
Modiehi Rammutloa
rammumw@unisa.ac.za
(012) 429 2242