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REDEVELOPMENT OF LIBRARY SPACES AND NEIGHBOURHOODS
sessions presented by the Engineering librarians. In the Schools of Architecture and Planning and Construction Economics and Management, a Wits-e integrated information literacy tutorial was offered through the Academic Development Unit. Unfortunately the Architecture department could not participate since they had been scheduled for the 17th of March, the day the University closed due to Covid-19 . In the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, the Library collaborated with the Road to Success Programme (RTSP) and the information literacy bookings were done on the RTSP Wits-e site. The students required more assistance with their end user computing skills.
The redevelopment of library spaces and neighbourhoods strategy sought to open up learning and collaboration spaces in a digitised environment, integrating library service provision with research, teaching and learning, in support of the campus digitisation/e-research/ blended learning strategies, and to meet the needs of a modern learning community increasingly dependent on a digitised world.
The redevelopment of the Wartenweiler Library ground fl oor to incorporate an Open Learning Area (WWL-OLA) was almost complete at the time of the lockdown. Furniture and library service equipment had been procured. The equipment for the eLearning component and staffi ng were still under consideration. Construction teams were back on site on 8 June 2020 and construction work was completed in August 2020. The Disability Rights Unit endorsed the access arrangements made in the area. The tattle gate was installed. The outstanding installations were:
• fi nalisation, procurement and installation of the ICT and security components; • installation of the disability ramp railing.
As at 30 December 2020, the procurement and installation of the ICT and security components had not been completed.
Wartenweiler Library Open Learning Area and surroundings – construction works were completed at the end of 2020.
