The role of libraries in student-centred learning: the case of students from the disadvantaged communities in South Africa

Among the recent changes in the South African education system are outcome-based education and student-centred learning (SCL). Reasons for these changes include the ever-growing pressure in school systems to provide job skills, the ubiquitous nature of information and communication technology and the increasing combination of work and study leading to a need for more flexible study arrangements. Education has therefore become more student-centred. The paper argues that, while the lecturer's time is "freed" for contact with students in SCL, the librarian is bound to play a more active role in ensuring the learning success of the students. The librarian's role becomes more crucial when one considers students from disadvantaged backgrounds for whom most of these learning resources may be entirely new. Libraries are expected to provide facilities like more spaces for study, more personal computers and workstations, online databases and Internet facilities. Librarians are also expected to give guidance and support in the use of the resources and to train the students on how to make effective use of them.