Wits Library Digitisation Centre (WLDC)

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Wits Library Digitisation Centre (WLDC)

Preserving the Past, powering the Future

Since its establishment in 2012, the Wits Digitisation Centre (WDC) has played a crucial role in capacity building within the Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums (GLAMs) sector and has continuously enhanced its expertise in the field of digitisation. On the 29 May 2026, as the Centre turn a new page in the history of its existence, it will be launched and be known as the Wits Library Digitisation Centre (WLDC).

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The Wits Digitisation Centre’s Sustainability Fund, is an accumulative fund with the earned interests to be used in areas pertaining to its sustainability in perpetuity.

The Wits Library Digitisation Journey

Between 2023 and 2024, the Wits Library Digitisation Centre (WLDC) acquired advanced cutting-edge equipment to support the digitisation of the University’s intellectual property. Watch the video to explore how this investment is driving a new digitisation journey focused on preserving the past and shaping the future.

Discover the Wits Library Digitisation Journey

Timeline 1934 - 2024

The timeline below shows an overview of the progression of the Wits Digitisation Centre since it was established in 2012.

1934 - The William Cullen Library was opened in March,1934 and is located on the East Campus of Wits University and is one of the oldest buildings on campus. Its existence is due to a fire that occurred at the end of 1931 in Central Block, which was the first building at Wits University.

2010 - The old bindery at William Cullen Library. This is being cleared in preparation of the New Digitisation Centre.

2012 - Wits Digitisation Centre was established to offer digitisation services to the Wits community, galleries, libraries, archives and museums (GLAMs).

2018 - Wits University solidifies its vision of a digital campus through the launch of the Wits-NRF Digitisation Capacity Development Initiative. The initiative aimed at building capacity, enabling knowledge sharing and contribute to the skills development in digitisation in South Africa and in the Continent.

2022 - Wits-NRF Digitisation Capacity Development initiative resumed in November of 2022, after a short hiatus due to restrictions brought about the unforeseen occurrence of COVID-19 and its aftermath repercussions. This resumption of activities ran from the 10 - 29 November 2022.