People who attended this event were treated on a tour of the library and also witnessed the launch of a book that former director of Library Services Dr Tom Larney wrote about the library’s history. This publication is also as e-book available on Boloka, the institutional repository of the NWU.

High time for a makeover

Considering the fact that the library’s cornerstone was laid in 1951, it was understandable that, in 2011, the library management thought it high time to give the building a major makeover.

With Tom at the helm, one of the first steps was to open its own coffee house called Ferdi’s, which was a first for academic libraries in South Africa.

The first brushstrokes

Harnessing the skills of an architect who specialises in repurposing academic library spaces, the first phase of the refurbishment project (2012 to 2014) saw the establishment of a research and honours commons on the third floor.

During the second phase (2014 to 2015), the ground floor and the undergraduate information commons followed, while the second floor was revamped during the third phase (2017). The first floor was refurbished in the final phase in 2018.

Upgraded and equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to enhance the learning experience of our students, the library is now ready to service a new generation.