[1][2] “The vision of SEALS is to create a virtual library for the Eastern Cape to promote and enhance information literacy, education, research, and economic development for all who need it.”.

[3] At various stages since 1992, higher educational consortia were formed to foster collaboration between the various previously disparate tertiary institutions.

In this regard academic library consortia were established, with the South East Academic Libraries System (SEALS) cooperative of specific interest to the Eastern Cape region.

Although established in 1998, the consortium was formally recognised as an academic library consortium in 1999, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation endowed funds to SEALS in 2000 to implement a single shared library management system for all member institutions within SEALS.

[5] In 2004 the higher education environment in South Africa was restructured, realigning the previously advantaged and disadvantaged institutions.