INFORMATION SYSTEMS

LIBRARY

The building in which the SAHRA library is housed is an extension built next to the Granite Lodge, which is an old granite faced Georgian townhouse dating from the 1830's and a recycled orphanage dating from 1917. The library in the modern addition to this restored building complex owned by SAHRA, was designed by Rennie and Goddard Architects who won a conservation award for their work.

Staff And Clientele :  The library has been through a succession of hands, but since 1985 Jane Ayres has been the Chief Librarian.  Nandi Raphahlelo is the Assistant Librarian.  The library staff  provide a service to the staff and Councillors of SAHRA as well as to bona fide researchers that come from various disciplines, on an appointment basis.

Library Collection  :  Books: There are approximately 9 000 books which are mostly arranged according to the Dewey Decimal Classification system.  The subjects that the SAHRA Library focuses on are those relevant to South African history, world heritage sites, victims of conflict, environmental and heritage management assessments and plans.  Architecture, structure plans, conservation surveys, archaeology, palaeontology, genealogy and antiques. Shipwrecks, rock art, town planning, landscape architecture, building conservation and maintenance, church history, explorers of South Africa, geology, heritage legislation, living heritage and heritage objects.  Journals:  The Library houses more than 200 journal titles, not all of them are currently live. The only journals that contain articles and information on heritage management and legislation are from the United States and United Kingdom who have heritage management bodies that publish journals.  Examples of heritage management titles are Conservation Bulletin which is published by English Heritage, and Getty Institute Conservation Bulletin.  Various other titles are Militaria, Familia (the newsletter of the South African Genealogical Society), Stellenbossiana from the Stellenbosch Museum, and The South African Archaeological Bulletin. Newspapers and Cuttings Collection:  The Library subscribes to Sowetan, City Press, Paarl Post, Die Burger, the Cape Times, Cape Argus, the weekend Rapport, weekend Argus, Sunday Times, The Sunday Independent, Daily Dispatch, the Mail and Guardian, as well as all of the free local newspapers. From these newspapers the relevant articles are cut and made into clipping files. 

Internet : The SAHRA Library has access to the Internet. This resource is at the disposal of all the staff.  Staff members may either surf the web for topics or they may request the librarian to search for a specific topic of interest. When topics of heritage and conservation related information are found, these topics are down loaded and distributed to the staff concerned.

Contact Person: Ms. Jane Ayres
Email Address: library@sahra.org.za