1. Records, Archives & Museum
  2. The Library

The Library

 

Mahikeng Library Side View​

Side View of The Library During Year 2022

 

  • In August 1988, an application was made to the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) for a pre-investment facility of R500,000 to cover the planning of new library facilities. By August 1990, the budget for the pre-project development was R99,000.

  • Architectural firms considered by the Building Committee in February 1990 included Watermeyer Legge Piesold & Uhlman, Osmond Lange Architects, and Britz Scholes Abramowitz.

  • There was a need to involve as many architectural firms as possible to obtain the best expertise since a university library is an essential part of the institution.

  • In May 1990, the Building Committee noted that the Director of Works of the University traveled to Durban with Prof. K. Knight, where they visited the library at the University of Natal and gained valuable insights.

  • The committee also noted that the Director of Works felt that the University should make a formal application for library funding, provided the Building Committee approved.

  • Before appointing architects, there was a need to produce sketch plans and a brief for the University’s perusal.

  • The goal was to complete the library by 1993.

  • The committee resolved that the Department of Finance should be approached for a guarantee of R35 million for the construction of the library.

  • Aspects that needed consideration included:

    • In the past, there was a tendency to construct decentralised library structures, but the current preference was to establish a central library system (except for the School of Agriculture).

    • The DBSA’s preference for the University to plan on a fifteen-year term.

    • The University had been planning the library for some time, demonstrating its necessity.

  • Despite the recent trend of decentralised library structures, the plan at the time was to establish a central library, except for the School of Agriculture, which retained its own library.

  • The sub-committee responsible for the brief and plans was tasked with selecting architectural firms with sufficient experience in library design.

  • The Department of Finance was to be approached to confirm whether they would guarantee R35 million for the library’s construction.

  • It appears that the construction of a new library was postponed, leading to a feasibility study in November 1991 to determine whether a second storey could be added to the existing library building. This study was conducted by Huff, Border & Smith.

  • Their February 1992 report concluded that, with some structural modifications, doubling the library’s floor space was feasible, adding 1,582 m².

  • In the 1993/94 budget, it was noted that to accommodate projected student numbers of 7,000 by 1999, R23 million would be required for the library’s construction.

  • By June 1993, the DBSA had approved the library project in principle. A preliminary design report and cost estimates were submitted to the DBSA in March 1994, and the Building Committee was awaiting project and financial approval (R20 million) from the DBSA.

  • By March 1994, Taljaard Carter Architects had been appointed, with Mr. C.J. Fourie from the firm serving as the Library’s designer.

  • The projected growth in student numbers indicated that the new library should be designed to accommodate approximately 7,000 students within the next five to six years. The estimated cost of such construction at December 1994 prices was R23 million.

  • The significance of the project was underscored by the Building Committee’s decision in August 1994 to send a high-level University delegation to meet with the Minister of Education and the DBSA to emphasise the urgency of the New Library Project for the University’s continued progress.

  • Final DBSA approval was granted in October 1994, albeit for a reduced amount of R16 million. Approval from the Central Government, via the National Minister of Education, allowed the detailed design and construction phase to commence.

  • The DBSA had already approved the project in principle by January 1994 and requested a preliminary design report and cost estimate. This report was submitted in March 1994, and the Building Committee was awaiting final approval.

  • A contract was signed with LTA Construction for R18,118,000 to build the Library, which was subsequently named the “LTA Building, UnWest Library.” The contractor took possession of the site on 1 July 1997, with an expected completion date of 31 July 1998.

  • By September 1997, construction was seven days behind schedule, with an estimated 338 calendar days remaining for the contract. Among the causes of the delay was a COSATU stay-away.

  • In September 1997, the Building Committee noted that the total project cost should not exceed R22.5 million.

  • The final commissioning and handover were expected in mid-November 1998, followed by the relocation of books, furniture, and equipment, which was scheduled for completion by mid-December. The official opening ceremony was planned for 21 January 1999.

 

Library walk way​

Walkway to the library entrance