#LIASA2014 : Dear Colleagues, the 2012-2014 term may be described as a time of openness, boldness, consultation, change, growth, consolidation, dialogue, lots of work but also tremendous camaraderie and teamwork! The presidential theme adopted for this term “LIASA in Dialogue” informed many activities in alignment with the LIASA strategic plan. These dialogues were with librarians, the LIS schools, government & civil society, and our partners & stakeholders. It is my hope that LIASA continues in a spirit of dialogue so that we can grow as professionals and a nation! I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge each one of you for your support, confidence and trust placed in me for taking the Association forward - it’s been an absolute privilege working with and for you! I wish to acknowledge: - Rhodes University Management, as represented by Dr Peter Clayton, DVC: Research and the Rhodes University Library staff fro their support, advice and interest in all my LIASA related activities. - The Executive Committee and Representative Council for embracing and engendering a strong team spirit as reflected by their ideas, discussions, debates, camaraderie and professionalism. - The Executive Committee - Segametsi Molawa, Therese Els, Karin Kitching, Mandla Ntombela, Joyce Myeza, Ingrid Thomson, Manda Hough, Tebogo Mzizi and Annamarie Goosen for their unstinting support and willingness to give up their long weekends and working hours for meetings and teleconferences so that our strategic priorities were met. We have indeed travelled many miles together and you have been an amazing team! - The LIASA National Office staff for their support and assistance variously over the years. - The various partners and sponsors who always responded positively to the various calls made on their time and resources. - The LIS sector which responded so positively to our roadshow, meetings and the willingness to talk and be heard. We have huge challenges and opportunities presenting itself but I know that we can make a huge difference to building South Africa. I urge Library Directors to come forward and share their expertise so that this sector may be strengthened and consolidated. - My family and friends who resigned themselves to competing with LIASA for my time and attention - I promise I will now be available to all of you! If I have offended or upset any person during the course of my responsibility as LIASA President, I sincerely apologise! It is not my intention to create divisions but rather to question and foster transparency and consultation. I wish the incoming President Ms Segametsi Molawa and her team, Mandla Ntombela, Danie Malan, Betsy Eister,and Nikki Crowster well as they take on the reins for the 2014-2016 term and lead LIASA towards a brighter future! Having travelled to all branches, seen some of the varied library and community environs, and being cognisant of the huge challenges in the education sector, I truly believe that librarians can fill the gaps towards the realisation of educational goals and a knowledge society provided they realise the enormous power of libraries and their own roles! Be proud of the work you are doing and embrace the opportunity of being a nation-builder. Ensure your libraries are places where people become informed citizens and lifelong learners. Let us forge ahead as a strong and dynamic collective! Together we can make a difference… LIASA will always have a special place in my heart and life as I entered it at a time in my professional career when I was looking for something different - it certainly gave me that different experience! I have met and worked with exceptional librarians from all over the world, who have contributed to my thinking and conduct as a professional. I have also worked with exceptional librarians here in South Africa and know that they are making a difference wherever they are located. From being an employee of LIASA to becoming its President was indeed an amazing journey! I will always be a proud LIASA member! Ujala Satgoor
Posted on: Fri, 26 Sep 2014 06:27:47 +0000
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