Library and Information Association of South Africa
Abstract
Introduction: The first democratic elections in 1994, leading to the end of apartheid education, new
educational legislation and a new curriculum, brought fresh optimism to South African
school library circles. This was prompted by two lines of thought. First, it was hoped
that the merging of the 19 racially based departments and fairer provisioning might redress
the unequal distribution of school libraries across previously advantaged and disadvantaged
sectors. Second, South African educational reform echoed international trends
in its emphasis on developing lifelong learners who are able to compete in the information
society
