South African Library Week is held from 22 - 27 March 2010 to make people aware of the value of libraries

In 1997 the Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA) was formed. LIASA has worked diligently to centralise libraries and information related activities.  This was done to promote libraries and to instil a culture of reading in South Africa. In 2001, LIASA initiated a drive to have one week recognised by the South African Government as National Library Week to make people aware of the value of libraries. Libraries across the country would use this week to market the services they offered, promote reading and access to information to further their goal of fostering a reading nation. A formal application was made to the then minister of the Department of Arts and Culture, Science and Technology, Dr Ben Ngubane (no bio add to wish list).  This initiative was approved and it was suggested that instead of 'National Library Week', it should be named 'South African Library Week'. The date for South African Library Week was chosen to coincide with the establishment of the National Library of South Africa on 20 March 1818 bearing in mind that 21 March is Human Rights Day in South Africa.