2014 UL TURFLOOP CAMPUS OPEN WEEK PROGRAMME: LIBRARY STAFF SHOWCASING LIBRARY RESOURCES AND ENCOURAGING THE LOVE OF READING

ANSWERING THE BIG QUESTION; WHAT IS LIASA DOING FOR ME ? BY LIBRARIAN OF YEAR 2013

It’s  so interesting that at last we question our existence as LIASA. I agree with all those who define us as LIASA and have to ask ourselves what it is we are doing as LIASA and not committee members. I am aware that sometimes we do not attend crucial meetings. LIASA is achieving a lot such as;

South Africa is hosting IFLA for the second time. Remember IFLA was established in 1923. We first hosted it in 2007. Some members have attended IFLA conferences for free in overseas countries.

-          We have LIASA conferences where we share ideas in terms of our services, products and address challenges as well as provide solutions to such challenges.

-          LIASA has managed to secure Carnegie grants used provincially to build libraries

-          Right now it is busy pushing that LIASA becomes a regulatory body where the move is to ensure that universities should offer 4 year degrees (still debates are going on about 3 year ones)

o   Make sure that libraries are run by qualified librarians

o   Pushing for a  code of conduct and if we have enough membership we will be able to be recognised as a professional body. Once a professional body we’ll have to be registered for one to work as librarians in the same way as doctors, teachers and nurses. No one will work without a degree in LIS if we remain members.

o   Young librarians and students are given  a chance to read conference and seminar papers. Who is benefitting?

o   Through LIASA we attend workshops at a very low cost and some workshops were fully sponsored by LIASA.

o   Curriculum has improved as academics meet regularly to address such challenges and they do invite senior managers “employers” to assist us in terms of required skills. Right now as a country we need systems  librarians, research librarians and archivists to mention a few. We have this information from attending LIASA meetings.

 

There are so many benefits and its best if we raise some issues when we have meetings. What we have to do is recruit more members and promote us as LIASA.

 

 

Best regards

Ntsala, Morongoenyane

 

LIASA LIMPOPO BRANCH MEMBERSHIP UPDATE

Dear LIASA Limpopo Branch Members and Non-Members
 

The current membership figures for 2014 is shocking we have only 132 paid up members as on 7h30 this morning. The worst part is that the branch has lost members instead of retaining, the branch executive committee pleads with members to renew their LIASA membership in order for us to retain our membership challenge. We have a target of 152; we need at least 20 members to be on the running.

We have 15 Members took an instalment payment option methods and they haven’t paid their second instalment. Please ensure that the instalment payment is settled before the 1^stof August 2014.The branch always exist because of its members and without members the Limpopo Branch will seize to exist. Limpopo Branch will always strive to improve its branch membership and retention. I believe we are bigger in hearts and determined to prove ourselves against all odds.

We have done so well as a branch and we will remain the winning branch together as a team and even when my term in office is coming to an end these coming weeks, am going to live with a big smile on my face knowing we have made a difference, brought hope, humour, cohesion and good governance to the branch and am happy to have worked with members of your calibre am eternally grateful and honoured

Regards

Madichakga Malahlela
PRO: LIASA LIMPOPO BRANCH
Tel: 015 268 2368. Fax: 015 268 2198. Cell: 071 1658 717
E-mail:  Madichakga.phoshoko@ul.ac.za

KEEPING THE LEGACY ALIVE : 67 MINUTES

University of Limpopo Library staff gear up seven month since the death of iconic leader and former president, Nelson Rolihahla Mandela to give 67 minutes of their day back to their community. Library staff members donate toys, books, clothes, and food and non-perishable items to Itumeleng Orphanage at Makanye Village, Mankweng on the 18 July 2014.