January/February 2017 Volume 61 | No 1

Editor | Redakteur
Grizéll Azar-Luxton Tel: (021) 483-2446
Sub-editor | Subredakteur
Helga Fraser Tel: (021) 483-2044
Graphic design, cover design and photography |
Grafiese ontwerp, omslagontwerp en fotografie
Wynand Coetzee Tel: (021) 483-2283
Contributor | Medewerker
Dr Francois Verster
Administration and advertising
Administrasie en advertensies
Szerena Knapp Tel: (021) 483-2483
Fax/Faks: (021) 419-7541
Website | Webtuiste
http://www.westerncape.gov.za/your_gov/106
Online public access catalogue
http://wc.slims.gov.za/desktop/desktopwc
Email | E-pos
capelib@westerncape.gov.za
Grizell.Azar-Luxton@westerncape.gov.za
grizell@iafrica.com
Address | Adres
PO Box 2108, Cape Town, 8000
@WCGovCas
Posbus 2108, Kaapstad, 8000
Indexed in | Geïndekseer in
LISA (Library and Information Science Abstracts)
Library, Literature and Information Science (EBSCOhost)
Reproduction and printing | Reproduksie en drukwerk
Academic Press
It is the year 2017 — a landmark year in the history of the Western Cape
Library Service’s in–house journal, Cape Librarian. The reason? It is 60
years since our first publication saw the light. In his first editorial of the
magazine that appeared in November 1957, the director of the Library
Service, Theo Friis convincingly justifies the need for an official journal
for librarians and also outlines his vision for the magazine. Analysing his
editorial on page 9 it becomes clear that the CL still fulfills its brief, uniting
the library and information world, providing on–going skills development
and improving knowledge. The CL is currently the only library magazine
in South Africa that is indexed on LISA (an international abstracting and
indexing tool designed for library professionals and other information
specialists that abstracts over 440 periodicals from more than 68
countries and in more than 20 different languages). It is also indexed on
EBSCOhost’s Library and Literature Information Science database.
Regular feedback as well as a recent survey of our readers (see the
next issue) that indicated that the CL today is still highly regarded
by librarians, information workers, students, authors and like-minded
people, is a testament to its success and I for one, am proud to have
been associated with the magazine for many years.
To highlight this important year, our graphic designer Wynand Coetzee
saw fit to create a series of covers recalling some memorable slices of life
honouring authors, actors, artists, musicians and composers that were
prominent 60 years ago, starting off with the inimitable screen and stage
actor, Humphrey Bogart of Casablanca fame.
On the topic of the arts, we bring tribute to the Canadian songwriter
and singer, Leonard Cohen who passed away late last year, and argued
by many to have been a fitting recommendation for a Nobel prize for
Literature. Luke Townsend, the former chief librarian at Wynberg
Library, provides readers with some insight into this extremely talented
man (page 40).
In Between the lines Pieter Hugo has an interesting take on the milieu
of a librarian with a pure bit of fantasy: Langenhoven meets Tolkien
(page 2).
We are also very excited to share with readers a glimpse of the person
behind the person, the very popular South African author, Lauren Beukes.
On page 22 she candidly answers questions put to her by the editorial
team — some whose answers had me laughing out loud!
Of course I could go on and on as we have an issue packed with
interesting articles but I will then have to face the wrath of our designer
for taking up too much space. Suffice to say — enjoy!
© Library Service © Biblioteekdiens SA ISSN 0 008 5790
Editorial policy
The Cape Librarian is the house journal of the Western Cape Library
Service and is published bi-monthly. Articles in the field of library
and information science, library administration, news items, reviews
and accession lists are included. The editorial staff reserve the right
to edit, shorten, or rewrite any copy should it be deemed necessary.
We cannot guarantee that unsolicited copy supplied will be printed.
Opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the
Library Service. Copy for a particular issue must reach the editor
two months in advance. Articles, letters and news items should be
submitted directly to the editor.
Redaksionele beleid
Die Kaapse Bibliotekaris is die huisblad van die Wes-Kaapse
Biblioteekdiens en verskyn twee-maandeliks. Dit bevat artikels oor
biblioteek- en inligtingwese, nuusberigte, resensies, aanwins lyste
asook praktiese artikels. Die redaksie behou hom die reg voor om,
indien nodig, bydraes te redigeer, te ver kort of te herskryf. Die
publikasie van artikels wat nie in opdrag geskryf is nie, kan egter
nie gewaarborg word nie. Die menings van medewerkers is nie
noodwendig dié van die Biblio teekdiens nie. Alle kopie vir ’n bepaalde
uitgawe moet die redaksie twee maande vooruit bereik. Artikels,
briewe en nuusberigte kan direk aan die redakteur gestuur word.