The event seek  to bring together around sixty stakeholders, including high level government officials, representatives of international organizations, and library leaders will come together to discuss current perceptions & situation, as well as potential transformations of public libraries in Zimbabwe.

The event, titled “Stakeholders Sensitization Dialogue on Public Libraries in Zimbabwe: Current and Future Perceptions.” is co-organized by Zimbabwe Library Association (ZimLA), the National Library and Documentation Services (NLDS), and EIFL’s Public Library Innovation Programme (EIFL-PLIP). According to the EIFL website, “This event aims at starting a dialogue among local and national government officials and library leadership about libraries as catalysts for change in the areas essential for community well being and development such as health, agriculture, employment, youth, education and others.”

The website further reported that, “After the official opening, Mr. Geoffrey Kimani, Director of Research and Insights, TNS RMS, will begin the dialogue with a presentation of findings of a six-country study, Perceptions of Public Libraries in Africa, with focus on results from Zimbabwe. The study was commissioned by EIFL-PLIP and conducted by the international market research company, TNS RMS. In 2012, similar presentations of this unique study, held in Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, have raised energetic discussions among respective library communities and stakeholders.

Speakers in Harare event include Mr Tendekai Gift Bhowa, the President of ZimLA and Ms Ramune Petuchovaite, Programme Manager for EIFL-PLIP. Government officials will be invited to talk in the panel session on the value of public libraries within different policy areas.”

The event will also include six facilitated thematic discussions: Advocacy and lobbying strategies; ICT innovations; Public libraries and media reporting; Legislation and Policy environment; Public libraries and MDGs.

Further information can be accessed at http://www.eifl.net/events/dialogue-perceptions-public-libraries-zimba

Held under the theme “School libraries: a key to the past, the present and the future”, the celbrations acttracted a number of schools and pupils that joined hands with librarians to commemorated the event.  The following are branch reports that summerised the events and a paper that was presented in Bulawayo by ZimLA Secretary General, H. R. Ncube.

• ZimLA Mashonaland Branch report Mashonaland Branch ISLM Report 2012
• ZimlA Matebeleland Branch report Matebeleland Branch ISLM Report 2012
• ZimLA Manicaland Branch report Manicaland Branch ISLM Report 2012
• ZimLA Midlands Branch report Midlands Branch ISLM report 2012

The following is the paper presented by ZimLa SG, H. R. Ncube titled “School Libraries : Which Way Forward???: a focus on recognition of School Libraries & Librarians” which can be view here Recognition of School Libraries & Librarians

Colleagues,

Attached is ZimLA 47th Conference Call for Papers, with the theme “Informing Zimbabwe, Developing Zimbabwe: Libraries Powering Development” to be held in Mutare on June 24th – 28th, 2013.

KINDLY FEEL FREE TO CIRCULATE IT WIDELY

TG Bhowa

The school libraries are instrumental in fostering intellectual growth amongst the students and further prepare the students to be independent researchers through imparting information literacy skills to allow students to study and seek information effectively in the information age. Thus the benefit to the students is competences to utilise information effectively and be able to participant in the education system as an informed student.

The Zimbabwe Library Association Chapters in Masvingo, Mashonaland, Matebeleland, Midlands and Masvingo are to commemorate the month in different activities that honour the school librarians for their resilience in working towards achieving the Unesco/IFLA School library Manifesto that states that, “The School library is essential to every long-term strategy for literacy, education, information provision and economic, social and cultural development.” Training activities are to be part of the events to equip the school librarians with skills that make them remain relevant in the environment were electronic gadgets are becoming popular with students. We hope that school librarians will have a School library Open Day to create awareness about the school library and its purpose in the learning environment.

ZimLA would like to wish you all a happy month filled with fun and fair as we celebrate the true story of a school librarian and the library.

Hosea Tokwe has scored a first in the development of grassroots libraries in Zimbabwe by scooping two prestigious awards in a month that aim at providing support to the development and improvement of school libraries in the Midlands region of Zimbabwe. The awards are the International Association of School Librarianship (IASL) Books for Children Award that awarded Tokwe a grant for t he purchase of books and the International Library and Information Group (ILIG) International Award for supporting Matenda School Library in Zvishavane.

According to Chartered Institute of Lilrary and Information Professionals (CILIP) website, “The ILIG International Award is awarded to a person, group or committee, which has made a real difference to a community through their work in library and information services in countries outside the UK.” The award comprises a cash prize and a one year’s free subscription to Focus on International Library and Information Work, ILIG’s journal.” In nominating Hosea Tokwe, “The judging panel was struck by the commitment and contribution that Hosea . . . has made in the establishment of the Matenda School Library in Zvishavane, Zimbabwe. . . . to be inspirational and that the efforts and work . . . was worthy of further recognition.” said CILIP website.

One of the two individuals that nominated Hosea, Professor Paul Sturges stated that, “The success story of Matenda School Library points the way to fruitful co-operative structures that can involve committed professionals in a developing country, professionals in the Diaspora and other interested individual.” reported CILIP website.

The IASL Books for Children Award is a cash prize for the purchase of books to support the library with reading material.

Tokwes’ efforts at Matenda started off with the establishment of a school library utilising local resources and book donation from Darien Book Aid Plan, and Weaver Press among other generous donors. The school library is now helping children to develop reading habits and acquiring knowledge.

Tokwe challenged fellow professional colleagues to commit to projects of developing community libraries to ensure that those who seek information can  receive and use it to fulfil their desires .

Regarded as the prime leader in bringing together information professionals from all types and forms of libraries, documentation centre, records centres in Zimbabwe, ZimLA suffered a natural death in the mid of the past decade due to a myriad of challenges. It was not of anyone’s making but the entire nation was facing a mammoth task to stabilize with a runaway inflation way above 100 percent, massive currency devaluation, food shortage and a massive fuel crisise and information service providers in Zimbabwe.. All these ills had a negative impact on ZimLA activities as other professionals were also facing daunting task to operate as well as giant companies with some closing shop.

The biggest disappointment is the non membership being experienced at ZimLA which pose a great threat to the office bearers who are planning to restore ZimLA pride. Membership is the critical resource in a professional association and as we slowly move out of hard times ZimLA membership is anticipated to grow through resuscitation of Branches structures that are instrumental in reaching out to all the people. The recent efforts are positive expression from the entire library fraternity eager to see ZimLA back on its feet as a giant professional association. A number of library associations in Africa faced similar challenges resulting in non functionality to the disgruntlement of librarians who require professional development and skills improvement programmes that are run by library association.

ZimLA Branches in Mashonaland, Matebeleland, Masvingo and Manicaland managed to put structures in place to spearhead the revival process at the branch level. This is a positive move that require librarians to join hands to put ZimLA on the map in tandem with other library association in Southern Africa for instance, Library association of South Africa (LIASA) and Botswana Library Association (BLA). They have made strides to improve the position of library association due to membership and activity support. Once the ground work has been done – preparing of strategic plans e.t.c – ZimLA has potential to be the best library association ever considering the energy and ability with the librarians.  The setting up of branches will ensure smooth communication and networking which are key components to success and teamwork.

Among other things that lead to a successful revival of ZimLA is the participation of members. It is important to note that the success of professional association depend on full support from members both in attending meeting, events and payment of membership subscriptions. What was witnessed in Kadoma reveal the potential in ZimLA and the positive attitude carried by the 46^th conference participants expressed the needed for support to make ZimLA a giant again.

As ZimLA start to paint the bigger picture be part of that picture in every right that concern your profession.

The theme of the conference is “Information Centres as gateways to information: advocacy and lobbying strategies” and several other sub-themes should be reflected in the papers and posters for the conference. In a statement NLDS said that “the conference offers an opportunity to present new and exciting innovations in the information sector at an interdisciplinary forum.” The conference is expected to attract personal from libraries, archives, records managers and artist to discuss and share how they are facilitating access to information as a basic right. Libraries – information centres alike – have been in existence since time immemorial and continue to serve the multitudes as a sources of information critical for development. Along with that technological advancement has threatened the roles of the library somehow, thus need for advocacy and lobbying strategies to for  to maintain the role of libraries in communities they exist.

The concept of social media has a negative impact on library usage as people can easily share information. Libraries thus are forced to implement advocacy and lobbying strategies to remain relevant and reclaim their roles in society. The NLDS conference is expected to address such issues through papers and posters that address the concept of information centres as gateways to information and provide new innovative ways to play that role.

Last year the NLDS conference was held in Kariba and attracted more than 100 participants. The annual conference is part of the NLDS of engaging information professionals to promote the continual usage of libraries.

Complete call for papers NLDS Call for Papers 2012

Branch Chairperson – Mr Kenneth Mangemba
Vice Chair – Mr Ariel Muvhunzwi
Secretaty – Ms Winnie Mutetiwa
Treasurer – Mrs J. Phiri
Advocay Officer – Mr Edwin Madziwo
Branch Editor – Mr Tinashe Muchuri

At least 19 librarians attended the meeting and agreed to take action regarding the Mash Branch activitie by electing a new committee to steer the activities of ZimLA Mash Branch.

As agreed the outcome of the meeting is the electing of a new committee and for the committee to work towards a road map to revistilise the Mash Branch activities and start to plan activities.

The new committee require all librarians and interested persons to point put theirs views as we plan to make a branch plan. Please use the regular communication platforms until new communication plans is made available.

Thank you for the support.

“Celebrating Librarianship”

According to LIASA, “The cornerstone of any democracy is access to information and knowledge and the capacity of individuals and institutions to utilize that information and knowledge for the creation of growth paths.”

In a statement LIASA said, “ This 14thAnnual LIASA Conference provides a platform to engage in discourse on the ‘epicentredness’ of the library in empowering all communities (the higher education community, the special library community, the public library community, the school library community and the national library community) en route to building a stronger South Africa.”

The conference has a number of sub-themes that will contribute to an exciting and creative event and are inviting contributions from all sectors and disciplines that intersect to grow library and information provision. The full conference anouncement is available here. LIASA 14th Annual Conference anouncement

Day One Presentations and Author Biographies

The Keynote was delivered by LIASA President Naomi Haasbroek titled Death of the Librarian – Long live the Librarian. The summary of the speech is given here Summary of Naomi’s speech. To read the entire speech please click here Keynote Zimbabwe Library Association 46th Conference and AGM

The first presentation was given by Herbert Mapfumo. Mapfumo is currently the Librarian at Masvingo Poly and  holds a Masters in LIS fom NUST. He’s presentation was titled Why people are looking down on librarianship as a profession.  To view the presentation click here  KADOMA-MAPFUMO’S PAPER

Harriet R. Ncube is the Librarian and Section Manager at the National railways of Zimbabwe. She previously worked at the National Free Library and was extensively involved as a Lecturer at Bulawayo Poly in Library and information science studies. Her presentation was titled Information professionals at the workplace: key to recognition. To view the presentation click here Information professionals.

Ronald Munatsi is the Principal Librarian at the Zimbabwe Parliament. Munatsi’s presentation was titled Business unusual: aligning libray and information services with business models. To view the presentation clilck here business unusual.

 Freeman Dube is the Research and Documentation Co-ordinator at National Aids Council (NAC). His presentation was titled HIV and AIDS as a threat to the Librarianship profession: work place responses that work. Find the presentation here HIV & AIDS workplace.

Praymore Tendai is currently the Assistant Librarian – Client Services at the Great Zimbabwe University Library in Masvingo. He holds a Msc and Bsc in LIS from National University of Science and Technology (NUST). Tendai presented on Libraries and culture. To view the presentation click here libraries and culture.

Day Two Presentations and Author Biography

Tinashe MuchuriTinashe Muchuri is a performing poet, actor, writer, and blogger based in Harare His poems appear in the following anthologies, Jakwara reNhetembo (2008), State of the Nation: Contemporary Zimbabwean Poetry (2009), War Against War (2010), Visions of Motherland (2010), Daybreak (2010), Defiled Sacredness (2010), Mudengu Munei (2011) and several international journals and magazine. He also contributes to Writers International Network Zimbabwe blogspot under the column, ‘The Regular Writer’, Wealth of Ideas and Izimbabwe. He featured in the following films: Tanyaradzwa, I want A Wedding Dress, NyamiNyami and The Evil eggs, Playing Warriors, The Husband, and it the following Television dramas: Suburb D, New Dawn, and Tiriparwendo. He performed poetry at platforms such as NGO events, Harare International Festival of the Arts, Intwasa Arts Festival koBulawayo, Dzimbahwe Arts Festival, Chimanimani Arts Festival, Arts Alive International Johannesburg, SADC Poetry Festival in Botswana among others. He is the current secretary for Zimbabwe Writers Association Board. Tinashe’s presentation was titled Information Professional Associations at the crossroads: Opportunities for potential objective relationships. The presentation is available here information professionals association.

Diston Store Chiweza is currently a PhD external research student registered with University of Pretoria in Republic of South Africa and the proposed research title is Information behaviour of medical doctors in Malawi. Chiweza is currently the College Librarian at the College of Medicine of the University of Malawi. He has widely published in various international journals and has presented papers at various conferences. Chiweza is President of the Malawi Library Association and his term runs from 2008 – 2012 (February). He has also served as a member of the Board of Directors for the National Library of Malawi Service of Malawi from 2008 to 2010. He presented a paper titled Access to information for research, teaching and learning in the University of Malawi: The role of INASP & MALICO. To view the presentation click here access to information.

 Kenneth Mangemba is currently a Library Technician at the American Resource Center and has previously worked for Zimbabwe Open University as Senior Library Assistant and for The Manica Post as News Librarian. He graduated from the Bulawayo Polytechnic library school. Kenneth’s paper highlighted the embracing to emerging technologies in library as an alternative for information dissemination. The paper was titled “Podcasting at the American Resource Center: an alternative for information dissemination”. To view the paper click here podcasting at arc.

Alfred Ndhlebe is the Special Collections Librarian at The Herald Editorial Library. He is a graduate from Midlands State University. He presented a paper titled “The marketing of special collections Information centres”. To view the presentation click here marketing special collections.

Reggie Raju is in charge of the eRepository Office – which is responsible for, inter alia, SU’s institutional repository (SUNScholar) and open access publishing of peer-reviewed journals (SUNJournals) at the Stellenbosch University in South Africa. Dr Raju is on the IFLA Open Access Working Group and is an executive member of the South Africa professional association (LIASA). He is also is on the editorial board of Perspectives in International Librarianship and has a number of publications in peer-reviewed journals on open access and has presented on open access at LIASA conferences, chapters in books and a book publication. Dr Raju has presented at a number of regional, national and international conferences (including IFLA conferences). In 2010 Dr Raju was invited to speak on open access in South Africa at the Berlin 8 Conference in China. He presented a paper titled “Africa’s transition from the shadows into the open: with specific reference to Stellenbosch University’s contribution to open access“. The view the presentation click here Africa’s transition.

Obadiah Moyo is the Secretary-General of Rural Libraries and Resources Development Programme and has been influential in the establishment of donkey-drawn cart libraries in Matebeleland region mostly. Currently it is operating four mobile book carts in Nkayi, Bubi, Tsholotsho and Matobo and has 300 static libraries in the rural areas. At the 46^th Conference Moyo’s presentation was titled “Current challenges for the Zimbabwean librarian” and can be viewed here challenges for.

Jerry Mathema is currently the Media Specialist at Masiyephambili College and is also the ZimLA Matebeleland Branch Chairperson for 2012 – 14. At the ZimLA 46^th Conference his presentation was titled “Social media risk and rewards: a study of the use of social media by students”. Click here to view the presentation