Unlocking Access: Future of Circulation in Libraries – The UKZN Story

The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Library Services hosted a webinar on 15 October 2025, attracting 335 registered delegates. The event began with a welcome address by the Director of Library Services, Dr Nonhlanhla Ngcobo.

The keynote speaker, Mr Nelis Botha, Manager for Client Services at Tshwane University of Technology, spoke on the topic ‘From Good to Great: Leveraging Real-time Customer Feedback to Enhance Service Excellence at the Circulation Desk’.

Dr Praversh Sukram, the Portfolio Head of Circulation at UKZN Library Services, began with an overview of UKZN and its campuses, followed by a description of the libraries. He focused on the centralisation of circulation desks at all main libraries, highlighting the benefits, the challenges encountered, and how these were addressed.

Mr Nkululeko Duke Magwaza, the Acting Principal Librarian (Circulation) at Howard College Campus, presented the Library’s ‘Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Programme’. This initiative offers final-year Library and Information Studies students from Durban University of Technology (DUT) with a structured opportunity to gain hands-on experience with UKZN Library processes. The presentation highlighted the national need to bridge education and employment gaps. Students who participated in the eight-week programme provided positive feedback via video clips. UKZN Library Services hosts th programme annually.

Mrs Susheila Naidoo, the Principal Librarian for Circulation at both Edgewood and Medical School Libraries, presented on ‘Round-the-clock learning: UKZN’s 24/7 library opening’. She spoke about the various aspects of keeping UKZN Libraries open 24/7, including the selection and recruitment of student assistants and how the service is managed. A well-received aspect of her presentation was a video of students sharing their views on the benefits of the 24/7 service.

Mr Sipho Khumalo, the Principal Librarian for Circulation at Westville Campus, discussed the important aspect of library spaces in his presentation, ‘Repurposing Spaces at UKZN Library Services: Advancing the Future of Learning’. He highlighted the evolving needs of users due to technological changes and the necessity for libraries to repurpose spaces accordingly. Mr Khumalo noted the increased demand for group study areas and mentioned that all Main Libraries have now created dedicated spaces for research commons and accessibility units.

‘Beyond the Desk: The Changing Face of Circulation in the 21st Century Academic Libraries’ was the topic presented by Mrs Celeste Johns, the Principal Librarian for Circulation on the Pietermaritzburg Campus. Mrs Johns discussed how circulation services are moving beyond traditional desk-based roles to embrace innovative, technology-driven, and user-focused approaches. She highlighted the use of self-service systems, mobile tools, and data-informed practices to enhance access and efficiency. She also described how library staff are moving from routine transactions to proactive engagement, helping create dynamic, responsive spaces that better support modern academic communities.

Mrs Varsha Sookraj, Systems Consultant at the Library, demonstrated the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) Digby application, following a brief introduction by Mr Nkululeko Duke Magwaza. She presented the results of a trial aimed at solving one of the library’s most inefficient tasks: inventory.

Previously, staff were confined to desktops to use the OCLC Worldshare Management Services (WMS) inventory system, a process involved moving trolleys of books between shelves and workstations. In response, the GMJ Sweeney Law Library conducted a focused trial of the OCLC Digby mobile application.This app, included at no additional cost with the Library’s WMS subscription, enables staff to scan items directly in the aisles using a smartphone or tablet.

The results showed a significant improvement in productivity, with staff output increasing from 40–70 books per day to 200–300 items in a single morning. Based on this success, it has been recommended that Digby be implemented across all UKZN Libraries to enable a faster, more efficient, and staff-approved process.

The Circulation webinar, the first of its kind hosted by UKZN Library Services, received positive feedback from delegates.

Words: NdabaOnline

Photograph: Supplied