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Programmes and projects – the Big Five
LIBRARY and information services run five city-wide programmes embracing the strategic priorities noted in the City’s Human Development Strategy (2006):
- To build prospects for social inclusion amongst all Johannesburg communities
- To address inequalities through the championing of rights and opportunities, with special focus on women and children
- To improve access by poor and vulnerable households to library and information services
The programmes are:
Ready to Read: early childhood reading development programme
The Ready to Read programme is aimed at children who do not have access to books. The programme offers material for use in day-care centres, crèches and nursery schools, and also provides training in the selection and use of the material for both library staff and teachers.
The motivation for this focus is the vital role that pre-literacy skills play in children’s reading and general academic development. Early behaviours and skills associated with successful reading development are called pre-literacy. This umbrella term covers far more than a child's ability to identify letters, numbers, or shapes. It includes important skills such as oral language and phonological and phonemic awareness (the awareness of sounds), as well as knowledge of the alphabet and an understanding of common print concepts (print goes from left to right and from up to down on a page).
The Ready to Read programme gives children in disadvantaged communities where homes are not language and print rich environments, a head start in preparation for reading and academic success at school by:
- Providing materials, in the form of picture and theme books in languages in use in the community;
- Providing training for library staff so that they are able to guide teachers in the use of the materials provided;
- Provide training to teachers in the use of the books provided, and giving guidance in the use of the materials provided through talks/ workshops and a manual to support the development of pre-literacy skills.
Book packs for loans to crèches or organised groups of pre-school children are purchased and provided. The books include:
- Picture story books in English and other languages in use in the community;
- Picture books based on themes of importance to pre-school children for example, colours, shapes, numbers, abc, nature study, life experiences and so on;
- Trained library staff to guide teachers in how to use the books with their children;
- A manual for teachers offering guidance in use of the materials.
Battle of the Books
The Battle of the Books is a book-based inter-school, knock-out quiz.
The aims are to broaden children’s reading experience as well as to encourage cooperation between schools and libraries.
It is open to learners in Grades 6 and 7 in the greater Johannesburg region and is run by the City of Johannesburg library and information services.
Teams consist of 4-6 members with 1 or 2 reserves.
Between the participants, the team must read the 25 listed titles on which the quiz is based.
These books are carefully chosen (annually) by librarians to include a wide range of genres, levels of difficulty and writing styles and are provided to the schools by the library and information services.
At least half of the titles are South African in order to promote South African writers and develop a market that is receptive to South African literature. Schools may hold preliminary intra-school rounds to choose the team. A list of questions, rules and sample score sheet are provided for this. The first round takes place in the nearest participating library after the winter break with the final at the end of October.
It turns non-readers into readers and broadens the reading interests of those who read already. Teachers have reported a noticeable improvement in comprehension skills and reading scores after the Battle. And, what is more, it is fun. Children love the cut and thrust of the Battles. It gives learners who may not have the opportunity to represent their school in any other field a chance to do so as a member of the “Battle” team.
A general pattern is followed each year. The reading list is finalised in December for the next year. Schools have the first half of the year to read the books and hold intra-school rounds. At present there are three other rounds though if more schools enter it will be necessary to add an additional round. These rounds, the library, regional and metropolitan rounds take place between August and the end of October.
Prizes: All entrants are given certificates. Prizes depend on sponsorship received, for example, books and vouchers from Exclusive Books and Heinemann Publishers. There is a floating trophy called the De Beers Shield - the De Beers Trust supplied sponsorship when the trophy was first presented.
The Story Skirmish
The Story Skirmish is based on the highly successful Battle of the Books. It is a much easier competition for younger, less skilled readers especially targeted at second language English speakers.
The readers are targeted from disadvantaged areas and they are given the chance to practice their reading skills while preparing for the enjoyable competition.
The books are carefully chosen by librarian specialists to ensure that they are easy and fun to read for second language learners. The books are supplied by LIS to the participating schools.
The Story Skirmish is a book based inter-school knock-out quiz. It is open to Grades 4 and 5 learners in schools in Johannesburg that cater for children for whom English is a second language.
Teams consist of 6 members with 1 or 2 reserves. Between them they must read the 15 listed titles on which the quiz is based. Schools may hold preliminary intra-school rounds to choose the team. A list of questions, rules and sample score sheet are provided for this.
The first round takes place in the nearest participating library after the winter break with the final at the end of October.
Joburg Libraries Psyched for Science
Joburg Libraries Psyched for Science model building competition is a city-wide campaign planned in line with the City’s vision to alleviate the skills gap in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
It is also a method to create awareness of skills shortages, opportunities in STEM careers and contribute towards the Skills Development Strategy of the City. It aims to create partnerships among the social, economic and engineering departments of the Council and to link up with schools, tertiary institutions, learners and STEM companies in a coordinated campaign.
Most of the planned activities are directed at learners from disadvantaged areas in Grade 6 to Grade 12 as well as their educators.
The planned activities culminate in major events and outcomes during the National Science and Technology Week.
Activities:
a) Science Model Building Competition
Participating Categories: Junior Secondary: Grade 8 and 9 and Senior Secondary: Grade 10 to 12 categories.
The competition is aimed at schools in disadvantaged areas.
- Encourage schools, teachers and learners to work as partners in designing and building science models explaining an existing physical law or a new invention;
- Learners use libraries and information resources (also the Internet) to broaden the knowledge they acquire in the classroom;
- Learners are encouraged to apply theory learnt in the classroom or through research, to solve problems in daily living;
- Learners are given the opportunity to explore their scientific and technologically creative abilities and the practical world of science;
- Learners participate in a “safe” environment - the campaign is not in competition with other initiatives of this kind such as the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists. Joburg Libraries Psyched for Science model building competition wants to assist in exposing our learners to STEM and to make them aware of their abilities and opportunities.
A minimum of 60 schools are targeted to participate per annum. A working relationship is established with science teachers at participating schools. Adjudicators select the city-wide winners in the various categories, as well as the best new invention and the best girl invention.
During the regional as well as the main event of the Joburg Libraries Psyched for Science model building competition:
- Exhibitions on STEM are held at designated libraries and for the main event at recreational centres and/or central facilities;
- The exhibitions are coupled with STEM career guidance and motivational talks by experts.
- Science demonstrations and interactive activities are organised at the regional and main events to bring the learners into contact with science “alive”.
- Workshops are presented at the main event to encourage learners to take up careers in STEM.
- Educator workshops are also organised to give educators an opportunity to enhance their science teaching skills.
b) Science quiz
The quiz is aimed at primary school learners in grades 6 and 7, specifically from schools in disadvantaged areas.
- Learners use libraries and information resources (also the Internet) to broaden the knowledge they acquire in the classroom.
- Learners in Grade 6 and 7 are encouraged to explore the various science information resources to obtain knowledge and information.
- The STEM knowledge of learners are broadened beyond their school textbooks.
- Learners in Grade 6 and 7 consider the importance of STEM when choosing secondary school subjects.
- The competition serves as a foundation for the learners to be able to enter the Joburg Libraries Psyched for Science model competition when they become secondary school learners.
- The quiz serves as a foundation to encourage learners to enter Joburg Libraries when they become secondary school learners.
A project team prepares the questions for all the rounds with the assistance of STEM educators and experts.
Schools in each region are invited to enter learners for the competition, with learners given time to read, learn and prepare.
- School knock-out rounds are held to enable the school to enter a team made up of four (4) to six (6) learners against the other schools in the region (regional rounds). Ten schools then enter per region for the first round.
- Six schools (teams) are eliminated and the top four then compete against one another in the second round.
- The regional winning school then participate in round three against the other regional winning teams/schools.
- One winning school will triumph at the final round.
- The quiz competition focuses on areas of STEM.
- Every year the focus is on a different area. For example 2008 will be dedicated to questions on technology and 2009 on engineering.
c) Special library collections on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Special collections in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics for learners are being established at specific libraries within the City. The collections house materials in a special area within the libraries and is visibly displayed for the attention of the learners.
Library and information services has free access to e-resources (electronic) at the libraries. These resources include Internet and also form part of the STEM special resources. Educational CD–ROMs on topics of STEM are purchased to complement this collection.
JoLife – Joburg Literary Festival
Held during National Library Week each year, JoLife seeks to celebrate and appraise children’s literature, literature in indigenous languages, literary icons of the past and present as well as the importance of public libraries towards making literature more accessible to the community at large and as gateways towards reading, writing and learning.
Areas of focus:
- Know our literary heroes,
- The art of writing,
- Careers in writing and publishing,
- Public Libraries belong to all,
- Publish more children’s literature in indigenous languages,
- Parents/caregivers build readers, writers and scholars,
- Early Childhood Development needs books and reading,
- The City needs literate citizens.
JoLife was first held in 2006.
- The programme provided for build up events during the National Library and Information Week and a weekend festival programme followed.
- The annual reading development projects, the Battle of the Books and Story Skirmish, are launched together with the official launching ceremony of the festival in the beginning of the week.
- During the week the public libraries participate actively and small-scale events are planned at a number of libraries over the city.
- Veteran authors conduct workshops in the many genres of literature, targeting young writers.
- Publishing forum discussions are arranged to involve local publishers, printers and authors in discussions on matters of concern.
- Book sales/exhibitions and career guidance seminars are arranged as well as a writing competition in age categories.
- The build up mini events are repeated and intensified over the festival weekend. Efforts are made to involve well-known speakers, storytellers, authors, publishers and literature experts over the weekend programme.
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