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After nearly four decades of service, the Bellville Park Campus Library (USBL) will officially close its doors as a branch library at the end of 2024. This decision, made by Library Management in collaboration with the Bellville Park Campus (BPC) Committee, marks the end of an era and opens a new chapter for library services at the Stellenbosch Business School (SBS) and School of Public Leadership (SPL).
USBL's journey began in 1986, when the Stellenbosch Business School (SBS) relocated to BPC. Initially known as USBI, the library started with a modest collection of printed materials and a dedicated team of two staff members. Through the years, the small “satellite" library became a proper branch library, moving from the second floor of the main SBS building to a new facility on the ground level in 2002, employing five staff members.
Henri?tte Swart: Director Branch Libraries who joined USBL in 1987, recalls the library's evolution fondly:
“It was a highlight when we opened the new USBL facility in 2002. The library became a hub for the full-time MBA students and the broader Bellville Park Campus community. Over the years, we received countless expressions of appreciation from students and faculty, and USBL was often highlighted in accreditation reports as a key contributor to academic success."
In 2018, USBL was upgraded as part of the BPC renewal project. Work on the facility included new signage, a redesigned reception/information desk, two offices for the faculty librarians and a new staff room as well as mobile bookshelves to allow flexible use of the available space and comfortable seating options and study pods facilitate research, study and collaboration.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic the physical library saw a significant decline in foot traffic. Before COVID, however, library services had become increasingly virtual. With this mind, discussions about the library's future had to be made. In October 2023, Library Management presented three scenarios to USBL management: maintaining the status quo (2023-2024 ), closing USBL (by the end of or after 2024), or continuation of a library and information service on BPC (after 2024). Following extensive consultation and analysis, the decision was made to close the physical library by the end of 2024 while maintaining a virtual professional library service.
Looking Ahead
Although the physical library will close, the academic community of Bellville Park Campus will continue to receive comprehensive library support. From January 2025, a small collection of 400 frequently used physical books will be retained on campus for borrowing. Additionally, SBS staff will assist with operational tasks such as document delivery, circulation, and interbranch requests.
More importantly, the virtual library service will remain robust, ensuring seamless access to electronic resources, including databases, e-books, and e-journals. Faculty Librarian for Economic and Management Sciences, Judy Williams, based in the SU Library, will continue to provide virtual research support, training, and consultations, occasionally visiting the campus as needed.
Judy Williams highlights the enduring connection between the library and the campus community:
“The USBL staff were an integral part of the Bellville Park Campus community, attending academic meetings and social events. We hope to maintain this special relationship, even if it's remote."
Final thoughts
As USBL prepares to close its doors, it leaves behind a legacy of excellence, innovation, and community. From its early days as a small library with limited resources to its role as a vital academic support system, USBL has been a cornerstone of the Bellville Park Campus for nearly four decades.
While the physical space will no longer be available, the library's commitment to supporting the academic and research needs of the campus remains unwavering. This transition represents not an end, but a transformation—one that embraces new ways of delivering knowledge and fostering academic success.
For those who have walked its aisles, studied in its quiet corners, or benefited from its resources, USBL will always hold a special place in their hearts.
Karel van der Molen, a long-time user of USBL, reflects:
“USBL was more than just a library; it was a place for intellectual growth and personal connections. The staff's dedication and the library's human touch made it a cornerstone of the academic experience at Bellville Park Campus."?
