The Veterinary Science Library held a special function on 18 October 2007
to celebrate the past 20 years of its existence. It is actually older than 20 as it started way back in 1974, but 1987 was
a momentous year in its history as it moved then into its beautiful new premises.
Erica van der Westhuizen, head of the library, welcomed all the guests.
Top management of the Department of Library Services was there, as well as the heads of the other faculty libraries.
The Faculty’s departmental and unit heads were present as well.
The Vet Library committee members, who represent all the departments of the faculty were also present.
The Head of the OVI Library, David Swanepoel, our highly valued colleague from across the road, joined us as well.
A number of ex-colleagues also attended – Ida Thomson, Lourina de Beer, Annaline Schoeman, Krista Verster, Marietjie
van der Westhuizen and Hannetjie
Boshoff. It was great to remember the good old days!
After messages from the Library Services Director, Robert Moropa and the Dean, Prof Gerry Swan, the unveiling of the
special commemorative quilt took place.
Barbara Kellermann, Circulation desk staff member, was responsible for the design and final quilting. Antoinette Lourens,
Amelia Breytenbach, Tertia Coetsee and Marguerite Nel also contributed material and sewed the squares.
We are tremendously impressed with the final product – not only is it a beautiful decoration for the entrance wall,
but it
represents excellent teamwork!
The occasion ended with refreshments, arranged by the Vet Library staff.
The
story of the quilt ©
In August 2006 an invitation was posted on the Library Listserv for interested staff members at the main campus library to become involved in the making of a group quilt for the library. Erica van der Westhuizen, head of the Veterinary Science Library, was very taken with this idea and suggested that the Vet Library staff also undertake such a project.
The design chosen for the Vet Library quilt was based on a quilt shown in Joen Wolfrom's book "The visual dance", with animal silhouettes based on pen sketches by the artist Ralph Thompson (from the book "An artist's safari") appliqued onto the background.
Amelia Breytenbach, Antoinette Lourens, Marguerite Nel and Barbara Kellermann all contributed fabrics for the quilt. Each of these four staff members together with Tertia Coetsee made a number of the strip-pieced diamond-shaped blocks for the background, which were then stitched together to form a stylized landscape with mountains, veld and greenery, and a sky with a setting sun.
The animal silhouettes appliqued in black onto the background include a number of buck, three ostriches, a rhino and two trees.
Barbara did the final quilting by machine, and Antoinette machine-embroidered the names of the participants and the date 2006 onto a piece of fabric which was sewn to the lower right-hand corner. The size of the quilt is 1,80 m by 1,30 m, and it was completed in early December 2006.
© Copyright University of Pretoria, Veterinary Science Library
