The University of Kwazulu-Natal, a leading African university, is now using OCLC WorldShare Management Services (WMS) as its library management system.
WMS provides cloud-based library management and discovery applications in an integrated suite, offering librarians a comprehensive and cost-effective way to manage library workflows efficiently, and improve end-users' access to library collections and services.
The implementation of WMS helps bring the university closer to its mission of achieving academic excellence and innovation in research. Joyce Myeza, Library Director, University of KwaZulu-Natal, explains: "WMS is a global knowledge system, it helps us widen access to learning research, and innovation, to both our local and global scholars. WMS enables us to deliver infrastructure and support services designed around their learning needs."
Speaking of the reasons for selecting WMS, Myeza says: "The costs of maintaining our legacy systems was becoming unsustainable. This, combined with a desire to provide consolidated access to all of our resources and make better use of our collections budget, were instrumental in our decision to implement WMS."
The University of KwaZulu-Natal was formed on 1 January 2004 as a result of the merger between the University of Durban-Westville and the University of Natal. The university brings together the rich histories of both the former universities.
"OCLC are excited to welcome the University of KwaZulu-Natal to the WMS community," said Eric van Lubeek, Managing Director, OCLC EMEA. "One of the institution's strategic objectives is to establish efficient, effective management systems for students, which meet their requirements in a pragmatic and flexible way. We are delighted that the university saw WMS as way to achieve this for its many library users."
OCLC works in conjunction with its local partner, Sabinet, in the African region. Sabinet provided on-the-ground implementation support and training for the University of KwaZulu-Natal and will be providing ongoing support for WMS in Africa. "We are pleased to have played a significant role during course of this implementation," stated Ros Hattingh, MD of Sabinet. "Sabinet has worked with OCLC for a number of years and the successful implementation of WMS at the University of KwaZulu-Natal is as a result of this successful partnership."
Almost 300 libraries on four continents - Australia, Europe, North America and Africa - are currently using OCLC WorldShare Management Services to gain efficiencies and improve usability in library services and end-user discovery.
More about WorldShare Management Services is on the OCLC Web site.
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