Public Library Automation Systems in South Africa
Author: admin // Category: Uncategorized
There are great disparities with regards to integrated library systems (ILS) and information and communication technology (ICT) in the 9 Provinces public libraries. In South African the public library services in the Gauteng Province have the most IT resources in public libraries and therefore are the leader in automation of public libraries and information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure in South Africa.
The other 8 Provinces in South Africa have public libraries that have yet to acquire integrated library management systems (ILS) to automate functions. Some of these public libraries have never been computerized (automated) and are on the manual card system.
The following trends are identified:
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Outside Gauteng Province , the use of integrated library systems (ILS) for the automation of library functions are limited
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Outside Gauteng Province , the use of computers for patrons/users Internet connectivity is less
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South African public libraries are heavy reliant on donor assistance (whether it be financial assistance/grants from public institutions or Provincial Government) for the purchase, maintenance and development of ICT facilities and library automation
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No public library in South Africa has an adequate ICT budget
- Funding is a major problem area, whether for initial implementation, for maintenance or for expansion.
Public libraries in South Africa have the option either to go the Open Source or Propriety (Commercial) route when automating their libraries.
Open source is not so black and white, having on the one hand fully Open Source free software and on the other hand closed commercial software (Proprietary software). There are many different integrated library systems (ILS) that have Open Source licensing models in the market and mixed models of free and commercial(Proprietary software). There are many organizations and companies using a mix of commercial and Open Source software in the integrated library systems (ILS) market.
Commercial (Proprietary) integrated library systems (ILS) for example Sirsi Unicorn, has a lot of advantages over Open Source products currently available. For the money the customers pay, they get a local support Vendor (in this case UKS), a service level agreement (SLA) for the software including software upgrades. Sirsi is currently a better alternative than any Open Source products available. This is also true of the outdated Provincial Library and Information Services consortium system PALS (an obsolete command-based system).
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Integrated Library Systems (ILS) in Public Libraries of South Africa |
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Province |
Integrated Library System |
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Eastern Cape |
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Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan (Port Elizabeth) (Algoa Park Library, Booysens Park Library, Chatty Library, Gelvandale Library, Korsten Library, KwaDwesi Library, KwaMagzaki Library, KwaZakhele Library, Linton Grange Library, Port Elizabeth Library, Motherwell Library, New Brighton Library, Newton Park Library, North End Library, Walmer Library, West End Library, Zwide Library) |
Erudite |
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Eastern Cape |
PALS |
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Free State |
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Kroonstad Local Municipality |
ProLib |
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Mangaung Local Municipality ( Bloemfontein ) |
Millennium |
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Sasolburg Local Municipality |
Not computerized (Manual) soon to use ProLib |
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Welkom Local Municipality |
ProLib |
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Free State |
ProLib |
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Gauteng |
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Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (Actonville Library, Alberton Library, Alra Park Library, Bakerton Library, Bedfordview Library, Benoni Library, Birchleigh Library, Birchleigh North Library, Boksburg Library, Bonaero Park Library, Bracken Library, Brakpan Library, Daveyton Library, Dinwiddie Library, Duduza Library, Dunnottar Library, Eden Park Library, Edenvale Library, Elsburg Library, Etwatwa Library, Geluksdal Library, Germiston Library, HP Mokoka Library, Isaac Mokoena Library, Katlehong Library, Kempton Park Library, Kwa-Thema Library, Leondale Library, Nigel Library, Olifantsfontein Library, Palm Ridge Library, Phomolong Library, Primrose Library, Reiger Park Library, Springs Library, Spruitview Library, Tembisa Library, Tembisa West Library, Thokoza Library, Tsakane Library, Vosloorus Library, Wattville Library, Zonkiziwe Library) |
Unicorn (SirsiDynix) |
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City of Johannesburg (8th Avenue Library, Blackheath Library, Boskruin Library, Bosmont Library, Brixton Library, Bryanston Library, Chiawelo Library, Coronationville Library, Davidsonville Library, Diepkloof Zone 1, Diepkloof Zone 5, Diepsloot Library, Dobsonville Library, Dr Beyers Naude Square, Eldorado Park Ext 2, Eldorado Park Ext 5, Emmarentia Library, Emndeni Library, Ennerdale Ext 1, Ennerdale Ext 9, Florida Library, Glenanda, Halfway House Library, Hillbrow Library, Horizon View Library, Ivory Park Library, Ivory Park North, Jabavu Library, Johannesburg Public Library, Killarney Library, Klipspruit Children’s Library, Klipspruit West Library, Lenasia Ext 1, Lenasia Ext 3, Lenasia South, Linbro Park Library, Linden Library, Malvern, Mayfair Library, Meadowlands Library, Melville Library, Modderfontein Library, Mofolo Library, Murray Park Library, Newlands Library, Noordgesig, Norscot Manor Library, Norwood Library, Olivedale Library, Orange Farm, Orange Grove Reference Library, Orlando East, Parkhurst Library, Parkview Library, Phiri Library, Pimville, Poortjie, Protea Glen Library, Protea North Library, Rabie Ridge Library, Randburg Library, Rhodes Park Library, River Park Library, Riverlea Library, Rivonia Library, Roodepoort Library, Rosebank Library, Rosettenville, Sagewood School, Sandringham Library, Sandton Library, Savoy Library, South Hills, Southdale Library, Strubensvalley Library, Tshepison, Weltevredenpark, Westbury Library, Wilro Park Library, Yeoville Library) |
Urica |
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City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality (Akasia Library, Alkantrant Library, Atteridgeville Library, Bajabulele Library, Bodibeng Library, Brooklyn Library, Danville Library, East Lynne Library, Eersterust Library, Eldoraigne Library, Erasmia Library, Gatang Library, Glenstantia Library, Halala Library, Hammanskraal Library, Hercules Library, Irene Library, KT Motubatse Library, Laudium Library, Lyttelton Library, Mahlasedi Masana Library, Mamelodi West Library, Mayville Library, Es’kia Mphahlele Library, Moot Library, Mountainview Library, Nellmapius Library, Olievenhoutbosch Library, Overkruin Library, Pierre v Ryneveld Library, Pretoria North Library, Rooihuiskraal Library, Saulsville Library, Silverton Library, Stanza Bopape Library, Temba Library, Valhalla Library, Vt sefora Library, Waverley Library, West park Library, Winterveld Library) |
Symphony (SirsiDynix) |
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Midvaal Local Municipality [4 Libraries] |
Unicorn (SirsiDynix) |
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Mogale City Local Municipality ( Krugersdorp) (Azaadville Library, Desmond Tutu Library, Krugersdorp Library, Kagiso Library, Lewisham Library, Lusaka Library, Magaliesburg Library, Muldersdrift Library, Sakkie Nel Library) |
PALS |
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Randfontein Local Municipality |
Unicorn (SirsiDynix) |
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Westonaria Local Municipality (Bekkersdal Library, Glenharvie Library, Westonaria Library, Hillshaven Library) |
Unicorn (SirsiDynix) |
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KwaZulu-Natal |
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eThekwini Municipality ( Durban ) |
Unicorn (SirsiDynix) |
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KwaZulu Natal |
PALS |
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Limpopo |
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Polokwane Local Municipality |
Not computerized (Manual) |
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Mpumalanga |
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Mbombela Local Municipality (Nelspruit) |
Not computerized (Manual) |
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Emalahleni Local Municipality ( Witbank) |
Unicorn (SirsiDynix) |
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Mpumalanga |
PALS |
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Northern Cape |
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Sol Plaatjie Local Municipality ( Kimberley ) |
BookFind |
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Northern Cape |
PALS |
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North West |
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Klerksdorp Local Municipality |
Unicorn (SirsiDynix) |
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Rustenburg Local Municipality |
Erudite |
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Tlokwe Local Municipality (Potchefstroom) |
Unicorn (SirsiDynix) |
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North West |
PALS |
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Western Cape |
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City of Cape Town |
BookPlus / PALS |
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Western Cape |
PALS |
http://www.systemslibrarian.co.za/