The multimedia "e-library", destined for schools around the country, was unveiled by Vodacom and the minister of education, Naledi Pandor, in Midrand yesterday.
These libraries will contain information in a variety of different mediums. In addition to traditional library material, e-libraries will have audiotapes, videos, DVD players, CD-ROMs and Internet access.
Vodacom has partnered with the department to launch this project, entitled the DOE/Vodacom Masifunde Sonke Library Project, to help provide resources in school libraries.
The company`s R1 million donation to the department will allow 405 school libraries to receive three computers and a printer each to facilitate their entrance into the digital age. Forty-five schools per province have been chosen as beneficiaries of the project.
Two of the computers will be installed with encyclopaedia software such as Encarta and the third will serve as a cataloguing system.
"The introduction of e-libraries to our schools will begin to address our current shortage of books and other general reading material," said Pandor at the launch.
"School libraries are integral to the South African school curriculum, to effective teaching, meaningful learning and enjoyable reading and writing. Libraries have become resource centres that offer children access to the wealth of material available on the Web," she explained.
With this project, the Department of Education hopes to revive the use of school libraries, to provide learners and educators with access to a wider range of information as part of curriculum delivery support.
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