I have been awarded the Western Cape LIASA Sabinet Online Librarian of the year at the branch AGM on 2 August 2006, at UWC Library Auditorium.
The framed and signed certificate, and trophy also to be handed on a later occasion, came as a surprise. I assumed that an announcement on the award would be made at the AGM. But thought it would be an announcement only.
From the LIASA website the selection criteria below:
SELECTION CRITERIA
All nominations submitted will be treated with the strictest confidence. All nominees will be evaluated on the following criteria:
The nominee should:
» Be a paid up LIASA member for a least two (2) consecutive years
» Be an expert and very knowledgeable of the library sector and its resources
» Be committed to improving library and information services in South Africa
» Be involved in a library project or demonstrate best practice
» Demonstrate high levels of professionalism
» Demonstrate excellence in marketing, promoting and advocating for library and information services
» Be currently engaged in library and information work
» Have a minimum of five (5) years experience in the field
» Be an excellent communicator
Naomi read the entire motivation. The next day at the SABINET regional seminar there were lots of congratulations from Johann and Helene Smit and the Stellenbosch crowd. Lots of e-mails from colleagues and friends - all highly appreciated. I must say it was absolutely lovely to be acknowledged for one's work.
I was also elected branch chair for 2006-2008. I had though about this for a while and was concerned with the impact on personal time. It had become a decision between me and time with my son and service to others. On another level, also about whether I had something to contribute that no-one else could - unique contribution. I do believe the same philosophy I had in WCHELIG is what I have to offer to the branch.
In my acceptance speech I had written:
From the vision statement, of LIASA will strive to provide dynamic leadership. The Western Cape has certainly provided that dynamic leadership. It has offered the Western Cape LIS community with quality workshop, events and speakers. It has set the standard for other branches. The WC won the 2005 Presidential Branch Award, and is set to do so again this year. To a large extent this has been due to the nurturing, direction and guidance of the people who have occupied the seat of chair of the branch, since its inception.
It is therefore an honour and a privilege to be elected chair, and have placed in me the confidence of the membership and the outgoing executive committee to take the branch into the next decade of LIASA’s existence. I thank you for that, from myself and on behalf of the newly elected committee.
In 2007, LIASA will celebrate its 10th anniversary. The imperative for this term of office is to continue offering to our members in the Western Cape with -
what has worked, - therefore what do we do more of
what has not worked and therefore to stop what does not work,
to envision what does not yet exist,
But have to add that my guiding philosophy is:
*Non-profit does not mean - no surplus
*LIbrarians need to value one another if we are to be valued outside of the profession and therefore we need to value the time in monetary terms as an indication of valueing the people, their competencies, skills, experiences and insights.
