The history of the Library is closely associated with that of the University, which was initially founded as the Pius XII College, in April, 1945 (see history of NUL below). Since then the Library has gone through a lot of changes and developments. Its present building was built with funds provided by the World Council of Churches and the World University Services and was officially opened on 1st April, 1966.
As the principal information resource for the University community of staff, students and researchers, the Thomas Mofolo Library provides a dynamic information service to its clientele in order to give practical meaning to the University's purpose as a centre of excellence in learning, teaching and research.
Mr. Samuel Mohai : Acting Deputy University
Librarian and currently in
charge of the Cataloguing
Section
Mr. Justin Chisenga : Automation Librarian
Mr. Albert K. Kakoma: Periodicals Librarian
Mrs. Celina Qobo : University Archivist
Mrs. Mathetha Mukela: UN Collection Librarian
Mrs. B. D. Mothae : Interlibrary Loans Librarian
Mrs. Pontso Sgwane : Acquisitions Librarians
1992/94 1993/94 Total Funds: M1,448,701 M1,555,554out of which the following were expenditures on :
Salary 808,676 819,524 Book Purchase 100,000 115,000 Periodicals 350,000 402,500 Consumables 14,089 16,180[The Lesotho currency is called the loti, plural Maloti (M), and is at parity with the South African Rand. The current rate of exchange is around US$1.00 = M3.55).]
At the moment, the Library is using Unesco's Micro CDS/ISIS software to manage the Archives collection. The software has been mainly used for the preparation of records for input into the Pan African Development Information System (PADIS) based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It is expected that by August, 1996, all library activities will be done on Stylis.
Regarding CD-ROM technology, unfortunately not much has been achieved in this area. In spite of the library having 5 CD-ROM drives, no funds for the purchase of the CD-ROM software has been made available. The only databases available are those that the library has received as either donations or free gifts. Its also has the Multimedia Encyclopedia and the Oxford Dictionary on CD-ROM. However, these have not been put to good use due to the absence of a well developed Reference Section.
One of the consequences of computerisation will be the re-organization of the library structure. Once this is implemented the library will be divided into the following five divisions:
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Since 1945, various major developments in the history of the University have taken place both in terms of physical infrastructure development and growth in students' enrolment. In 1946, the College was moved to its present site and by 1959 it had 171 students from the original five. By 1963, staff houses, a kitchen and refectory, a modern science block, administrative buildings, workshops, garage and a power plant had been built. The student number had also grown to 180.
On 1st January, 1964, the Pius XII College became an integral part of the independent, non-denominational University of Basutoland, Bechuanaland Protectorate, and Swaziland (UBBS), whose Charter was granted by Queen Elizabeth II.
In 1966, the UBBS became the University of Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland in conformity with the names chosen after independence of the three countries. On 20th October 1975, the National University of Lesotho (NUL), was established through Act No. 13.
Department Workstations Servers
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Thomas Mofolo Library 28 1
Department of Mathematics and
Computer Science Lab 25 1
Institute of Education 6 1
Institute of Southern African Studies 16
University Computer Services Unit 8 3
In addition, there are computers
in various offices of the University. These are being used for the Student
Information System (at the Computer Services Unit), teaching (at the Computer
Lab), Payroll (at the Bursar's Office), Information Storage and retrieval (in the
Library and the documentation centres of ISAS and IE); and word processing and
desktop publishing (in the University Administration). Certain University
departments are also using computers for various work using specialised software
(i.e. Statistical packages in the Dept. of Statistics; programming languages in
the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science) etc.
Contact Information:
Justin Chisenga <chisenga@lib.nul.ls>
Our deep and sincere thanks go out to Mr. Chisenga for his remarkably rapid response to our inquiry into NUL and its library. (MARL & JRL)
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21 December 1995
Anita < a.rubarth-lay@mail.utexas.edu > and James Rubarth-Lay < j.rubarth-lay@mail.utexas.edu >
