WCED opens state-of-the-art school library and information centre

EDULIS, the Education Library and Information Service of the Western Cape Education Department, has moved into new, state-of-the-art premises in Kuils River.

EDULIS is now based at the WCED's Cape Teaching and Leadership Institute (CTLI), where the department provides in-service teacher training.

The service supports school libraries and media centres, and teachers visit the centre to source teaching materials and ideas.

Brian Schreuder, the Head of Education in the Western Cape, told the opening ceremony on Friday, 30 June, that the occasion was important for two reasons:

"Firstly, this facility reflects our ongoing commitment to school libraries, and the importance of books".

Secondly, he said: "This facility reflects our participation in the digital revolution, and what we are doing to enhance teaching and learning using digital technology".

A total of 1252 schools in the Western Cape have library facilities, representing about 86% of schools in the province, Schreuder said.

EDULIS helps to set up school libraries, provides advice on books to stock, and provides block loans of books for up to a term at a time.

The centre provides mobile library services to 87 schools in rural areas, mainly farm schools, using buses kitted out as libraries.

EDULIS is now expanding its services to include more digital resources, as schools benefit from the province's eLearning Game Changer initiative.

The new facilities in Kuils River include:

• A huge library of books and digital education materials, including software;
• A computer hub, with 10 computers, where teachers can use computers to identify resources they might need;
• A viewing room, to preview digital resources;
• Free WiFi;
• Power points throughout the library for use by visitors, using their own devices;
• A seminar and training room with 20 computers, which can accommodate 50 people; and
• A boardroom which can accommodate 15 people, and a study area for individual and group work.

EDULIS services include providing resources and support to help teachers incorporate digital technology in their lessons, and obtaining licences for education software for use in smart classrooms and computer laborartories.

The service provides online resources for continuous professional development of teachers, principals and education officials.