Founded in 1983, Sabinet is a South Africa-based aggregator and online publisher of journals and other literature produced in Southern Africa, and provider of digital services and platforms to libraries in South Africa. Sabinet's client base also includes research organisations, law firms and individuals. Sabinet aggregates and publishes electronic journal content in several fields: law; labor; medicine and health; science, technology and agriculture; and the humanities and social sciences. The databases are available through subscription or openly accessible on the web.
Overview
Website
Type of Organization
Provider Role(s)
Details
Alternative Names
Sabinet
Prior Names
South African Bibliographic and Information Network
Year established
1983
Still in Operation
Yes
Main Address
No 3, Centurion Office Park
1021 Bank Avenue
Centurion
0046
South Africa
Subject Areas
CRL Analysis & Profile
Mission Statement
"We facilitate access to information." (2014)
History
Sabinet was established in 1983 as the South African Bibliographic and Resource Sharing Network (SABINET) by the universities and research institutions of South Africa.
Sabinet was previously a non-profit corporation, but is now a for-profit "social benefit" corporation. For the early history of Sabinet, see JohnWillemse, "The South African Bibliographic and Information Network (SABINET) as a Model for Library and Information Resource Sharing" conference paper for the United Nations Economic and Social Council, Economic Commission for Africa, 1995.
Financial Information
Sabinet is a social benefit corporation, owned by employees, former empoyees and member institutions. Sabinet shares a portion of its profits with the community. According to Sabinet (2014):
At least ten percent of Sabinet's pre-tax profits are donated to the [Sabinet] Chairperson's Fund. Educational and social development of deserving communities in South Africa remained the focus of the activities during the 2010/11 period. Formal corporate initiatives were augmented by the efforts of Sabinet staff who contributed generously of their time and personal funds to assist in a number of projects.
Projects undertaken in 2010/11 include enterprise development, Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET), community library assistance, educational sponsorship of school children, mathematics tuition and support for various charities that uplift and empower young people in the community.
Governance: Board / Owners / Parent organization
Sabinet is governed by a nine-member Board of Directors. The Managing Director in 2014 was Sabinet founder Rosalind Hattingh.