Editorial

Welcome to the first edition of SAJLIS for 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to hold us in its grip almost a year and a half after we went into lockdown in March 2020 with no end in sight.

One of the main challenges of the pandemic for libraries has been the provision of access. Libraries have always notoriously suffered from underfunding no matter the sector that we operate in, and the pandemic has thrown this into stark relief as libraries grapple with the question of how to provide equitable and effective services in a rapidly changing world.

This issue of access is a strong feature of the six articles published in this edition of SAJLIS, and they are based on research in the public library as well as the academic library sectors, in South Africa and the rest of the Continent.

This edition of the journal also sees the final contribution from the Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Rocky Ralebipi-Simela as she steps out of this role to pursue new ventures. We wish her well with all her plans. In the last days of her editorship, she has endeavoured to work away the backlog that we experienced before she took over the reins and has done everything possible to ensure that SAJLIS is able to fulfil its mandate.

LIASA is in the middle of elections for National, Branch and Interest Group Office Bearers. The same terms apply to the editors of the LIASA publications and the call for nominations to appoint a new Editor-in-Chief for SAJLIS has been widely distributed via LIASA Online and social media. It is hoped that this process will attract applications from suitable candidates to take up this vacancy from the commencement of the new term, which will be as of 31 September 2021.

Nazeem Hardy PL(SA)

LIASA President-Elect

o.b.o. Professor Rocky Ralebipi-Simela

SAJLIS Editor-in-Chief