Jagger Special Collections in Recovery – Four years on from the Fire
April 18, 2025, marks the 4th anniversary of the Jagger Library fire. Marking this occasion is a reminder of the enormous loss, but it is also a chance to consider the resilience of the Libraries to restore its collections and services to the academic enterprise.
Ongoing recovery and move of Special Collections
The Special Collections Department, displaced after the fire, moved to a new interim premises in Observatory in June 2024, with the transfer of over 7,000 crates of Manuscripts and Archives, 100+ map cabinets with salvaged architecture, maps and posters, fragile conservation equipment, and the entirety of the African Studies Library. Staff worked tirelessly to manage the transition and ensure safe passage of materials, all of which had survived the fire. The ton of salvaged material awaiting restoration is being treated in Belgium. A UCT team, sanctioned by the university executive, will undertake an investigative visit in May to the restoration site.
Business Continuity to support Teaching and Learning
Over the past year, dozens of researchers have been able to arrange access to archives by appointment. Demand remains high, particularly from international researchers, with notable interest in collections like Black Sash—currently in the spotlight ahead of its 70th anniversary. This past year has also seen the department engage more deeply with digital innovation, training, and institutional collaboration. Special Collections staff presented at academic forums, contributed to digital showcase updates, and hosted interns from the University of Pretoria and the Centre for Film and Media Studies at UCT.
Jagger Library Refurbishment Project
The inaugural meeting of the Project Implementation Committee (PIC) for the Jagger Library Refurbishment project took place in April 2025. The committee is composed of multiple stakeholders with the option to co-opt members for completeness. In acknowledgment of the need to apprise the university and the broader community of the details of the project, the meeting resolved to devise a communications plan to be shared to stakeholders.