At the University of the Free State (UFS), Library and Information Services (LIS) has always provided the spaces where curiosity comes alive. Students settle into quiet corners, researchers explore new ideas, and knowledge grows in every aisle. 

On 3 March 2026, this spirit of learning took a significant step forward with the launch of the 21st Century Libraries at the Sasol Library on the Bloemfontein Campus. This is a transformation that reaches across all three campuses and reflects the university’s North Star: creating responsible societal futures. The launch brought together the university’s executive team, staff, librarians, and students, alongside the president of the Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA), in a celebration of UFS’ intellectual heart.

These upgraded spaces blend thoughtful design with strategic investment, creating inclusive, accessible, and digitally equipped environments that support both focused study and collaborative research. Flexible seating, collaborative hubs, and enhanced technology allow the libraries to meet the needs of today’s learners while fostering innovation and discovery.

Spaces designed for excellence and impact

“This launch marks a deliberate institutional commitment to academic excellence, research intensity, and student success,” said Jeannet Molopyane, Director of LIS. “The libraries are no longer merely repositories of information. They are a dynamic ecosystem of learning and research. We launch with confidence that they will not only serve as centres of scholarship, but as symbols of institutional pride, intellectual ambition, and responsible societal futures.”

Vice-Chancellor and Principal Prof Hester C. Klopper highlighted the university’s guiding vision: “The launch of our 21st Century Libraries embodies our institutional commitment to walking with purpose. It demonstrates how we are positioning the University of the Free State as an innovative, research-led, student-centred, and regionally engaged university that contributes meaningfully to responsible societal futures.” She added that these spaces are designed to help students and researchers explore ideas, ask better questions, and create knowledge that benefits society.

Prof Vasu Reddy, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies, reflected on the enduring significance of libraries within academic communities. Quoting an African proverb, he reminded guests that, “When an elder dies, a library burns to the ground,” underscoring the idea that libraries preserve not only information, but lived knowledge and intellectual heritage.

He also challenged the notion that libraries are obsolete in the digital age, referencing Norwegian writer and law professor Jon Bing: “To ask why we need libraries at all, when there is so much information available elsewhere, is about as sensible as asking if roadmaps are necessary now that there are so very many roads.” For Prof Reddy, the relaunch signals the university’s continued investment in guiding students and researchers through an increasingly complex knowledge landscape.

Vukona Baloyi, Institutional Student Representative Council Member for Academics, said, “The value of libraries lies in their accessibility, relevance, and continuous adaptation to the evolving needs of students in a rapidly changing academic environment.” He also commended the UFS for prioritising these essential academic resources.

Knowledge, culture, and inclusive scholarship

The keynote address was delivered by Prof Mathole Motshekga, legal scholar and former Member of Parliament, who called on the university to continue recognising indigenous knowledge systems, ensuring they remain central to teaching and research. In support of this vision, he donated 20 of his own books to the LIS, strengthening collections in law, governance, and African thought.

By combining redesigned physical spaces with enhanced digital tools, the UFS libraries now serve as platforms for learning, discovery, and societal contribution. Prof Klopper summed it up: “The libraries provide spaces where students, academics, and researchers can explore ideas, ask better questions, and create new knowledge that serves the common good.” Through these investments, the university is nurturing not just knowledge but the next generation of innovators and leaders.