Events
Before the Fire
The Jagger Library was established in the 1930s. Over the years, it housed different departments, including the first main library venue, the short loan desk and the African Studies Library. Before the fire, it was the home of the Special Collections Department.
Read moreThe Fire
On 18 April 2021 the fire that engulfed Table Mountain and across a swathe of the southern suburbs of Cape Town impacted several buildings at UCT. This included the Jagger Library’s Reading Room, which was destroyed by fire.
Read moreSalvage
This salvage exercise commenced on 22 April and was completed on 17 May through the concerted efforts of Libraries staff and a volunteer corps of 2000. It involved the installation of a triage area staffed by expert conservators and members of the public who volunteered their time and resources to assist UCT Libraries.
Read moreRecovery
The recovery of Special Collections is a long term plan to restore the world-class preservation library as far as possible. Recovery work is based in Maitland House 2, situated in Mowbray.
Read moreConservation
Conservation is critical for the recovery of Special Collections. The triage infrastructure implemented during the salvage offered an immediate response for the separation of wet and dry materials, and appropriate interventions to stabilize the items as recommended by conservators on site.
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