On 3 March 2026, the University of the Free State Library and Information Services (UFS LIS) will celebrate the launch of its 21st Century Libraries at the Bloemfontein Campus, reaffirming the LIS’ role as the intellectual heart of the university.

The 21st Century Libraries project aims to reinvigorate UFS libraries through refurbished rooms, flexible study areas, and upgraded digital tools that reflect how learning, teaching, and research happen today. The modernised libraries maintain the calm and focus that users have always relied on, but they also invite collaboration, exploration, and fresh ways of thinking.

Prof Vasu Reddy, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies, whose portfolio includes LIS, says, “Our libraries across all campuses stand as the intellectual heartbeat of the UFS, because they are spaces where knowledge is nurtured, curiosity is elevated, and the pursuit of responsible societal futures remains our unwavering guide.”

For many at the UFS, the library is a constant companion. UFS’ libraries are where first-year students find their rhythm, where researchers focus on big questions, and where quiet corners silently witness the sparks of ideas that grow into discoveries. They have supported late-night study sessions, group assignments, and moments of insight that make university life memorable.

“With renewed spaces and strengthened digital capabilities, our libraries embody the spirit of a university that remembers its past while boldly embracing the opportunities of the present and the future,” Prof Reddy said.

The launch also honours the LIS’ past, including the milestone anniversary of the Sasol Library, while pointing to a future where LIS continues to innovate. In these spaces, students and researchers are not only building knowledge but also contributing to creating responsible societal futures – the North Star guiding the UFS.

This moment celebrates the intellectual heart of the UFS – the spaces, the people, and the ideas that keep the pulse beating. The 21st Century Libraries remind us that knowledge is alive here, shaping research, inspiring creativity, and connecting generations of students and staff.

By combining the lessons of the past with the opportunities of the present, the 21st Century Libraries offer a space where ideas can flourish, research can thrive, and the UFS community can continue shaping a university and a society ready for the future.