School libraries in the Northern Cape Province - where do we stand?

The shortage of reading material and information resources in many South African schools, especially those in poor communities, is a problem that needs to be addressed. While there has been considerable progress with the implementation of an outcomes-based curriculum relying on a learner-centred, resource-based methodology, libraries are largely absent in disadvantaged schools. This paper reviews the situation of school libraries in the Northern Cape, highlighting progress made in the last few years. Lessons drawn from policy and implementation factors have implications for education planners, librarians and library educators.