University Librarian from 1940 - 1970. A new chapter in the history of the University Libraries was heralded in by the appointment of Dr. Rene Ferdinand Malan Immelman as University Librarian in 1940. Jagger Library was little more than a large College Library with a library collection of 110 000 volumes and ten staff members.
Over the next 30 years, Immelman became instrumental in the rapid expansion of the University Libraries into an internationally recognised Research Library with over half a million books. Many branch libraries were established during his tenure as University Librarian.
Being a well-known local historian, Immelman collected many special collections and rare books, and by approaching potential donors. A Special Collections department and African Studies Library were eventually established.
Mr. Immelman retired from the University Library in 1970, leaving behind him a great research resource of which he and the University could be very proud. He would later be awarded an honorary doctorate for his services to the University.
A multilingual philologist at the then South African College (SAC) became the first honorary librarian.
In 1905, Professor W. S. Logeman from the Department of Modern Languages was installed as the first Honorary Librarian of the South African College. He brought all the books gathered in various departments to the old Zoology Lecture Room where he catalogued and arranged them in a systematic order.
Professor Logeman remained in his post as Honorary Librarian until his retirement in 1920.
