New Rhodes Library
New Expanded Library
The heart of any place of learning is in its knowledge core – its library. The main library at Rhodes University has not received any major facility upgrade since 1961. The urgency in improving and expanding this invaluable place of knowledge has been prioritized by Rhodes as our student intake is set to grow.
Why Is This Project Necessary?
- Our current library seats less than 8% of the student body. International standards require that seating capacity cater for at least 20% of the student body.
- The continued growth of stock-holdings has added additional pressure to available student space. The original design of the library catered for 100 000 volumes. At present there are over 350 000, often in less optimal conditions.
- Study methods at higher education institutes have changed and the out of date design of the current library does not promote the new study methods such as, inter-active and group learning.
Why bricks and mortar in a digital age?
- The international trend is for academic libraries to be seen as learning environments, providing a variety of study spaces and supported access to print and electronic information.
- Even as digital collections expand, the library is expected to maintain its print materials. Large buildings are still necessary to house print collections as well as to provide study and learning environments to serve as portals to digital resources.
For more information on this project contact the Development Division Co-Ordinator, Shelly Roberts to maintain Rhodes as an institution of excellence.
