Knysna Municipality and Unisa forge a 5-year public library partnership
- Knysna Municipality held a community development meeting on Monday 6 April, as it launched its fiveyear Knysna Public Library Partnership with the University of South Africa (Unisa). This partnership between the Unisa Library and Knysna Library is built on a shared vision, with the primary objective of providing support services that foster student success and serve the local community members. The partnership aims to reinforce educational assistance, promote accessibility and recognize the integral role of education in the development of Knysna and surrounds.
The Knysna Public Library Partnership launch with Unisa highlights the commitment of both institutions to ensuring that students in the region receive the support they need to excel academically. By joining forces, they aim to create an environment that nurtures learning, knowledge acquisition, and personal growth.
Through this partnership, diverse resources and services will be made available to students, ranging from access to a wide range of books, academic journals, research materials as well as to the assistance from knowledgeable librarians and tutors. By offering comprehensive support, the partnership seeks to empower students to overcome challenges, expand their educational horizons and ultimately succeed in their academic pursuits.
The Knysna Public Library Partnership also emphasizes the importance of accessibility in education - it recognises that access to educational resources should be available to all, regardless of socioeconomic backgrounds. The partnership aims to bridge the digital divide and ensure that every student has equal opportunities for learning.
The development project further recognizes the pivotal role of education in the development of Knysna and the broader region. Education serves as a catalyst for social and economic progress, empowering individuals, and building strong, resilient communities.
The availability of comprehensive educational resources and support services will not only benefit students but also extend to the wider community. This project seeks to reinforce the role of libraries as crucial hubs for knowledge dissemination, lifelong learning, and community empowerment. During the launch of the Knysna Public Library Partnership, local students had the opportunity to share their experiences and express how the initiative has positively impacted their educational journeys.
As the Knysna Public Library Partnership unfolds over the next five years, it holds the potential to uplift the educational landscape of Knysna and inspire a generation of lifelong learners.