Legal deposit of e-publications in South African legal deposit libraries

Abstract

Legal deposit is a legislative obligation requiring producers of manuscripts to submit copies to designated libraries. Expanding this practice to include e-publications presents unique challenges and opportunities for collection, preservation, and access. This study examined the legal deposit of electronic publications in South Africa. Guided by four research objectives, the study evaluated the legislative framework, institutional infrastructure, potential barriers, and strategies for successful implementation. The study employed an interpretive, sequential explanatory mixed-methods approach. Data were collected from 18 participants representing the Legal Deposit Committee and sub-committees, the publishing industry, designated libraries, the National Library of South Africa, and the Department of Arts and Culture. Online questionnaires and unstructured interviews were used to collect data. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS, while qualitative data were processed using ATLAS.ti. Findings reveal that while the five South African legal deposit libraries possess the necessary ICT infrastructure, human resources, and budget to manage e-publications, legislative gaps remain. Specifically, the Legal Deposit Act 54 of 1997 and the Copyright Act 98 of 1978 require amendments to ensure the comprehensive preservation of South Africa’s electronic documentary heritage. Consequently, the study recommends legislative and policy updates to include electronic preservation and web harvesting, alongside increased advocacy and a usercentred approach. This research contributes to an under-researched topic, offering vital insights to assist Library and Information Science (LIS) professionals and policymakers in navigating this evolving practice.