Bad timing

I really cannot say that I learned anything today. And this is not because of the presenters themselves.There needs to be a rethink about the way the program is structured.

Since Prof. Theo Bothma announced the assignments we would have to do by the end of the Academy, the preoccupation among participants has just been that - a focus on assignments.

This week's presentations probably did not get any justice. There was less interaction and engagement compared to the previous week. Today was worse. Most of us had slept very late working on the assignment to be presented on Friday.We were all very tired, could not concentrate, could not focus. Everyone kept wondering when the session is coming to an end. I do not think this was a very good reflection on the academy and what it seeks to achieve.

I do agree that we have to be kept busy while at the academy.Perhaps a different appoach could be found. Maybe a less pressured group work that does not need presentations?

Hot-cold day

I personally appreciate being taught anything to do with Web. 2.0. I thought today's session of the same topic was helpful and I will be more confident using tools such as Twitter.

The Digitisation presentation was too steeped in content but too thin on leadership issues. I would have been more interested to hear about leadership challenges and related issues in this field. Yes, the Digital library is the future. But it does not help addressing people who are never even going to apply the skills learned. Were the selectors not properly briefed, did they not have access to the profiles of the applicants?

There are many more approaches and models of Client Services. Many of the things that Dr. Hilda Kriel advised on were not entirely new to me.In fact some of those items discussed were a repetition from other presentations. Only that they said differently and clearly given a leadership context.

Dr. Sewdass saved the day, in a week so far that seemed to be going down in terms of the quality of presentations. She was a charming and able presenter. Her message was very clear about how we as leaders could use Competitive Intelligence and turn it into Competitive Advantage.

Organisational leadership

The two day presentation focused on core leadership issues. It is exactly what I think the Academy is about. The heightened level of interaction and the case studies were great stimulators for focus. Not once did my mind wander off or my attention deteriorate.

Leadership - visibility

John Tsebe & Naomi Haasbroek's presentations - The South African LIS professionals are clearly having a presence in the broader South African Society and doing very commendable work. The profile of the profession is on the radar through the efforts of our leaders. Good working relationships have been established with the respective stakeholders. There has been enactment of key and enabling legislation. Funding has been provided and delivery on agreed targets is happening now.

The Association is vibrant and growing. More opportunities for continuing professional development are emerging.

We have been challenged to follow suit, starting small and gradually rising to the highest offices. I hope I can first volunteer to assist at Branch level and start to make my way up.

Are we a threatened species?

Questions about how librarians will or should look in the future abound in LIS literature. All too often the exponential growth in technology is seen as a threat or at worst a replacement for a librarian. The question is never ‘how do we want to look’? The debate in the literature borders on the presumption that librarianship is a refuge for the mediocre. It is as if librarians have no choice in deciding who and how they would like to be. This is a very false and unfortunate notion. Librarians do have a choice and the brains to make decisions by themselves. I see technology as a means to the end rather than the end itself. Some of the functions of the librarian can today be performed better and much more efficiently than was the case before. Whenever technology invades the work space of the librarian, it at least provides an opportunity for the librarian to focus on other things or try out new projects. Yes, in the absolute end there will be no Reference desk, no Circulation desk, no book shelves. But somewhere in the background, the librarian will be making sure that technology achieves the ultimate goal of excellent service delivery. The role of librarian will change from that of just pointing to the relevant sources and providing information literacy. The librarian will in the future be a consultant, actively seeking and packaging information for the user. Because of the big push for subject knowledge, the librarian will also be advisor, rattling the departmental bars of the Tutor.

As the profession is changing, and with nobody being able to accurately predict the future, I will be looking for opportunities out there to carve a sustainable career move. While I have to be receptive to fresh challenges and embrace new developments, I still would like to carry the badge of honor bestowed by the profession that librarianship is.
Public librarians are doing a very commendable job in our communities. That is where I think one sees the soul of the profession. Public librarians interact with people across all manner of diversity. Their stories and testimonies are always inspiring. These are people who will come up with simple innovations for complex challenges, do more with less.

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HBDI

The HBDI personal and group profiling was for me a really helpful tool. It helped me understand who I really am. The exercise helped to clarify some of the habits I knew I always had in a precise but succinct way. The presenter was also lively and full of energy, which added to the rich experience.
The results of the test say I am a triple dominant, flexible and able to move across three quadrants. During the presentation, I came out as a really strong Yellow, and the characteristics were spot on.

WEB 2.0 Hands-On approach

Two guests presented very useful and hands-on sessions on the use of Web 2.0 tools. We learned how to create personal blogs and Wikis for groups who share a similar interest(s). We will be using these tools on a daily basis to communicate our thoughts on given sessions of the day.
We are set for serious, hard work over the festive season. When Prof. Theo Bothma outlined the work we have to complete by the end of the academy and by February 19th 2011, I kept wondering how I got to immerse myself in something that now seems to be burdensome. I was shaken by the apparent strict and very hands-on approach at this academy. It seems they really mean what they say. There is a certificate of competence that we have to earn at the end of the academy. If you do get a pass, there is even a graduation ceremony.

Arrivals, Registration & Introductions

After leaving my home later than the scheduled departure time of 13:00, driving through an unforgiving Joburg traffic, I finally arrive at the Leriba Lodge Hotel and Conference Centre in Centurion to attend the two week long third edition of the Carnegie Library Leadership Academy.
I checked in, dumped my luggage and quickly joined the group for coffee and informal chatting. Then it was time to register, sign two sets of forms, get a name tag, file and a bag.
At around 17:00 the formal proceedings started. The icebreaker introductions had been prepared earlier and were by way of Power point presentations. Everybody seemed nervous, not sure what to say. All went well though. Good introduction and welcome by Project Co-ordinator, Ms. Ujala Satgoor. She assured us that this academy is unlike any other, no institution telling UP what to do, No selection of a few librarians to be sent abroad. The aim is to reach a target of one hundred and twenty librarians who will have gone through the Academy at the end of the project.
As I have dinner later, I still have not met my roommate. Yes, we are sharing accommodation at this academy, very awkward arrangement. When I do get to meet him, it turns out that he is a big man from the Eastern Cape, Fort Hare university - Mr. Andile Magocoba.

We start off well with Andile.He is a married father of two children. He tells me he’s played rugby and cricket in his heydays.He is a Union leader with some years of experience.
Single beds are too small even for a small man like myself. I do not mind because I always set myself to expect the worst in situations like these. But it is my roommate who has a serious problem. Every time he turns, he is already on the edge of his bed, about to fall off!