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Welcome to 5^th Jozi Book Fair 2013!

25 - 26 October 2013,

Museum Africa, Newtown, Johannesburg

Reading the Word and the World: the Role of Libraries

Dear Friends  

Registration for participation in Khanya College’s 5^thAnnual Jozi Book Fair is now open. The Fair will take place from 25 - 26 October 2013 at Museum Africa, in Newtown, Johannesburg.

We call on authors, self-publishers, small publishers, indigenous-language publishers, libraries, literacy and literary organisations, children, youth, adults and the general public to participate in the Fair.

The Jozi Book Fair (JBF) is the Fair for everyone: readers, writers and small publishers alike.

We welcome your participation to exhibit your written work and materials at the Fair, and also take part in the JBF Programme by hosting or attending the various activities at the Fair. These activities include roundtable discussions and informal conversations, seminars, book launches, and readings as well as screenings related to the world of books and training workshops. The Jozi Book Fair is also a space to network and meet other people interested in the world of reading, writing and books!

To read more about the Jozi Book Fair click here.

Jozi Book Fair 2013: A focus on the role of libraries

The theme of this year’s annual Book Fair and its related programmes is: Reading the Word and the World: the Role of Libraries.  As part of the focus on libraries the Book Fair will also include a Conference on the Role of Libraries.

A key aspect of developing a reading and writing culture on a broad and consistent basis in society rests with libraries. Historically, libraries collect, organise, protect and preserve knowledge and information and also make this available to individuals and communities. Knowledge and information is vital to all human beings: it drives their development and influences their daily living. Knowledge and information is also particularly important in the information-driven 21^st century.

However, in South Africa, despite almost 20 years of democracy, many schools and communities throughout the country still do not have access to libraries. Access to libraries is still linked to issues of colour, education and social class. As a result, there are still only a few public libraries in rural areas and black townships and the majority of township schools still do not have functioning libraries. This is expressed in the national education crisis, the high unemployment and poor levels of skills, and the generalised poor quality and standard of living of the majority of people in the country.

Through various activities, the Book Fair will reflect on the important role of libraries historically within society and within South Africa; the state of libraries within schools and communities in South Africa; and the challenges faced by librarians. The fair will also examine ways to strengthen and develop access to library services and how to go about building a reading culture at the local level.

In addition to the participation of small publishers and indigenous language publishers, given our theme, we will include and facilitate the participation of local libraries, schools community organisations and social movements in South Africa, who will also be invited to exhibit their work and educational materials. 

The theme, ‘Reading the word and the world’ has a multiplicity of meanings. Besides the importance of reading and writing, it includes social reflection, building the social justice movement in South Africa and beyond as well as building social responsibility and social action to protect the earth and all living things, (including all human beings).

JBF Conference on the Role of Libraries

This year, as part of the Fair’s thematic focus on ‘Reading the Word and the World: the Role of Libraries’, the JBF will host a Conference on the Role of Libraries, on Thursday, 24^th October 2013. Details about participation in the conference will be posted on this site in the near future.

Annual Jozi Book Fair Event

The annual Book Fair event will proceed on the 25^th and26^th October with its usual programme of seminars, workshops, roundtable discussions, debates, film screening, storytelling, poetry sessions and book launches. This will include a specific programme for children, young adults and the general public.

JBF 2013 Partners

The Jozi Book Fair also seeks to build alliances in the struggle to promote a culture of reading and writing. This year the Jozi Book Fair is partnering with local and national libraries, local schools and resource centres to highlight the important role that libraries play in developing a reading and writing culture. The Jozi Book Fair is also building links with various projects, including libraries, in the Southern African region with the aim of positioning its work in South African within a broader African context.

To read more about the JBF 2013 Partners click here.