The document discusses the Margaret Smith Library at the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity. It summarizes the library's contributions to research and teaching through its heritage collections and role in a global web of data. The library acts as both a traditional library, housing books, journals, and multimedia, as well as a unique library containing archives, rare books, and special collections. It has expanded its resources through partnerships with groups like the Biodiversity Heritage Library to provide open access to biodiversity research from around the world.

1. Margaret Smith Library
South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, NRF
Contributing to research and teaching
in aquatic biodiversity through
heritage collections and a global web of data
© 2016 Sally Schramm CC-BY

2. October 24 - 30, 2016 | Everywhere

3. Working together for biodiversity
• Libraries
• Archives
• Museums
2016 Sally Schramm CC-BY

4. We do not contemplate a
separation of the
Natural History collections
from the other departments of
the British Museum
as we well know
that the cultivation of natural science
cannot be efficiently carried on
without reference to
an extensive library
Charles Darwin et al. 1847
© 2016 Sally Schramm CC-BY

5. “Hybrid library” of print and e- resources
The Usual Library
Books
Journals
Multimedia
e-journals, e-books
Databases
Web site? Social media?
Our Unique Library
• Archives of JLBSII & SAIAB
• Reprints back to the 1800s
• Maps
• Pamphlet Collection
• Rare Book Collection
• Special Collections
• Eddie van Dijk Collection
• PBN Jackson Collection … etc
© 2016 Sally Schramm CC-BY

6. In any well-appointed Natural History Library
there should be found
every book and every edition
of every book
dealing in the remotest way with the
subjects concerned.
Moreover for accurate work it is necessary
for the student to verify every reference
he may find;
it is not enough to copy from a previous author;
he must verify each reference
itself from the original.
Charles Davies Sherborn
(Epilogue to Index Animalium, March 1922)
2016 Sally Schramm CC-BY

7. How is that possible … ?!!
… every book and every edition
of every book …
verify each reference itself
from the original.

9. Margaret Smith Library
SAIAB, Grahamstown
Contributing to research and teaching
in aquatic biodiversity through
heritage collections and a global web of data
2016 Sally Schramm CC-BY

11. RHODESUNIVERSITY
INSITUTIONALREPOSITORY

12. Biodiversity Heritage Library
as part of a global “biodiversity commons”
© 2016 Sally Schramm CC-BY

14. Uploaded to www.archive.org

16. Enhanced in BHL
Scientific names
found in the text are
linked to other
pages in BHL
containing the same
names

17. BHL is radically changing the status
quo and democratizing access to
knowledge about biodiversity.
Now anybody in the world
has instant access to the
original species description
in a couple of clicks!
Dr John Sullivan, Ichthyologist

18. © 2016 Sally Schramm CC-BY

19. Why Open Access and social media?
• Library comprised of resources and
services - not just a building
• In Grahamstown, a university town
not in a major centre in South Africa
• Short opening hours, for local users
• Resources to users 24/7
• Services, instruction, teaching 24/7
• Coping with time zones 24/7
• Building SAIAB & library networks
• The Library supports citizen science
Grahamstown
© 2016 Sally Schramm CC-BY

20. Tweeting for SAIAB and our stakeholders
© 2016 Sally Schramm CC-BY

21. Most accessed blog posts

22. NRF Strategy 2020 within the NSI
• Popularise science … science education support
• Develop a critical public … citizen-centred dialogues
• Promote science communication … media
• Profile SA science and science achievements …
enhancing the public standing of SA science