As former South African President Nelson Mandela’s alma mater, University of Fort Hare prepares to build a new library, its Vice Chancellor Dr Mvuyo Tom visits LSE Library, a major international library of the social sciences on a fact-finding mission.

In the 95 years of its existence, University of Fort Hare has educated the likes of Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. As its centenary celebrations in 2016 approach, there are plans to build a new library at the historic Alice campus and extend the Library in the port city of East London.

Fort Hare’s Vice Chancellor Dr Mvuyo Tom was accompanied by LSE governor Anne Page on a visit to the LSE Library on 10 June. He chatted with the Director of LSE Library Services Liz Chapman about important considerations in designing academic libraries.

LSE Governor Anne Page is setting up a fundraising body to find UK support for this venture and the LSE Library plan to remain in contact with the project and support the work as it progresses.

Dr Tom kindly presented the Library with Daniel Massey’s book, Under Protest: the rise of student resistance at the University of Fort Hare.