VUT hosted the 14th Innovative Users Group- (IUG) SA annual conference under the guidance of the library department from 23-25 November.
Librarians’ 14th Iug-Sa Annual Conference 2016
VUT hosted the 14th Innovative Users Group- (IUG) SA annual conference under the guidance of the library department from 23-25 November.
Manager: Technical Services, VUT, Sarah Kibirige welcomed all guests and introduced the conference theme: “III Inside out: share your expertise”.
IUG-SA is a platform for new and experienced users of innovative library products in the Southern African region. The annual conference provides users with an opportunity to learn from one another and, in addition, discuss needs and future expectations of the library department.
On the first day of the conference, Silvia Guivernau; Suzanne Saunders and Carine Basson presented insightful case studies and projects on creative and effective systems and products used by librarians in various higher institutions of learning. The speakers also held online systems training with the participants. Wynand van der Walt presented a paper that outlines the processes involved in incorporating e-resources usage statistics into ERM modules with Sierra.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic and Research, Prof Kuzvinetsa Dzvimbo was the keynote speaker for the afternoon session and commented: “Make libraries that will accommodate 2065 students, re-imagine what the library will look like in the future and work towards that whilst also Africanising and decolonising the African students’ library environment.”
On the second day, the speakers were: Silvia Guivernau; DoretteSnyman; ThanyaniMpeiwa; Yolanda van den Berg; Bronwyn Rassmann and Maretha Allwright. Ms Allwright held an informal session which included short presentations and discussions on the importance of authority control across all library platforms and systems.
The second day was concluded with an elegant gala dinner where various librarians shared their testimonials of how and why they became librarians.
The speakers for the final day were: Molatoli Sephoko; Eric Skosana; Khomotso Maphopha; Freda van Wyk and Suzanne Saunders. Mr Skosana gave an informative presentation about implementing the Sierra programme at WITS. Eric shared how the upgrades implemented over the years have caused a few challenges with the system.