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Tommy Matthee: LIASA President, Ms Rene Schoombee, Ms Sanet Vos: SABINET
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18 August 2007
Media Statement
ANNOUNCEMENT OF LIASA/SABINET LIBRARIAN OF THE YEAR FOR 2007
SCHOOL LIBRARIAN WINS PRESTIGIOUS NATIONAL AWARD!
On behalf of the National Executive of LIASA and Sabinet Online, we are very pleased and proud to announce that the LIASA/Sabinet Librarian of the Year for 2007 is Rene Schoombee.
The North West Branch nominated Rene, School Librarian at Rustenburg Primary School. She receives an award of R25 000 to be used for any educational purpose (further studies, visits to relevant institutions locally or internationally, attending relevant conferences).
The Librarian of the Year is seen to be a role model to the rest of the Library and Information community and a person whose contributions make a lasting impact on the sector.
René started her library career, after passing matric in 1990, at the Rustenburg Public Library. Working as a Library Assistant in the Children's Section, René realized that Librarianship was her calling and she decided to study part time for her Diploma: Library and Information Services, and later on completing her B Tech Degree. After obtaining this diploma, René was appointed as Librarian: Children and Youth Services. A position she held up until 2006, when she decided to take up a new position at Rustenburg Primary School, as an Information Facilitator.
René was selected for the South African Library Leadership Project in 2003, and believes that this experience assisted her with her studies towards her Masters Degree, as well as equipping her with life skills and information that motivated her to share her experience with her fellow colleagues.
René furthered her studies and completed her Masters Degree (UNISA) in 2006. The title of her dissertation was: "Interventions in Community Library Services for HIV/AIDS Awareness in the Bojanala Region". She received a SALI Trust Research Grant to assist with the costs of her studies.
René's main aim now is to enhance School Librarianship in South Africa. Being involved in this for a year now, made her realize that this is a sector that has tremendous potential. Children need to be educated in the correct use of information, and this can only be done through proper Information Literacy classes. She is currently developing activities that can be presented by teacher librarians that will ensure that children will enjoy the classes while learning.
During November 2005 René was invited to take part in a seminar in Belgium by delivering a paper about Reading Awareness Programmes for children. This experience made her realise that all over the world librarians have the same challenges, which can be overcome by sharing experiences.
She was also invited to present a paper at the ASIS & T Conference in Texas during November 2006, based on the theme of her Masters degree
Children and Youth Library Services is René's big passion. She became popular amongst the community for her reading awareness programmes especially in the rural areas of Rustenburg and environs.
Rene has been actively involved in LIASA, serving first as the Public Relations Officer for North-West Branch, then as National Public Relations Officer. She also was editor of the LIASA-in-Touch, the official magazine of the Association.
The judges believe that René's passion for the profession, for her clients and for the development of her colleagues makes her a vibrant role model. Her ability to see opportunities and to then pursue these will ensure continuous innovation wherever she applies her skills.
2nd place went to Magriet Lotz who was nominated by the Limpopo Branch. She receives an award of R3000.
Magriet, a public librarian at the Polokwane Municipal Library, currently the Senior Librarian in charge of the Children's Section of the five Polokwane Libraries and responsible for outreach programmes and library promotion. She is particularly interested in researching how rural libraries can meet the needs of needs of all sectors of rural communities.
Magriet is the organiser of an annual debating tournament of five rounds, including over 400 senior learners, for the past ten years. It has since become an established library activity. She also convened the Organising Committee for Limpopo Indigenous Languages Book Fair held earlier this year from 23 - 26 April 2007, involving 29 exhibitors and 10 different presentations, 1 200 visitors, a writer's workshop and a competition for Foundation Phase stories.
3rd place went to Alida Schlebusch, representing the Gauteng-North branch, who receives an award of R2000.
Alida Schlebusch has been Deputy Manager at Tshwane Community Library and Information Services since 2002.
Alida is set on convincing the Local authority that libraries are an essential service, like housing and basic services. She is determined to help the authority understand that libraries, as the agents of knowledge, play a major role in the socio-economic well being of the communities. Libraries should provide access to information and communication technology in order for people to take care of themselves and improve their quality of life. Adequate funding is vital to implement programs effectively to achieve Millennium Development Goals.
The branches selected all finalists as Branch Librarian of the Year for that particular branch. Each received a trophy and a certificate of acknowledgement.
The other finalists were:
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Charlie Molepo, Universal Knowledge Software, Gauteng South
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Erna Mostert, Free State Dept of Education, Free State
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Mandla Ntombela, Maunduzi Municipal Libraries, Kwa Zulu Natal
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Rose Damon, EDULIS, Western Cape
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Veronica Galvin, Secunda Public Library, Mpumalanga
LIASA:
The Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA) is a professional non-profit organization uniting and representing all institutions and people working in libraries and information services in South Africa. It strives to unite, develop and empower all people in the library and information field into an organization that provides dynamic leadership in transforming, developing and sustaining library and information services for all people in South Africa.
The Association is divided into 10 branches that reside in each province in the country with two based in Gauteng. A Representative Council elected by its members governs the Association. An Executive Committee consisting of elected officials are mandated by the Council to implement its policies and programmes.
2007 is a banner year for the Association as it celebrates its 10th year in existence. LIASA also hosted the World Library & Information Congress 73rd IFLA Conference in Durban in 19 - 23rd August 2007 - a major international library conference which attracted hundreds of librarians from all over the world. This is the second time this conference is being held in Africa.
Sabinet Online:
With a sound history of more than 23 years in the information industry, Sabinet is firmly established as a leader in facilitating electronic access to information. Sabinet is one of a limited number of companies in this industry with a long track record of experience and effectiveness in addressing the diverse needs of a large and continually growing client base, spanning the corporate, academic and government markets.
http://www.sabinet.co.za
For more information and to arrange interviews with the LIASA/SABINET Librarian of the Year and other finalists, contact:
Ingrid Thomson
National Public Relations Officer
Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA)
P O Box 34181
RHODESGIFT
7707
Tel: (+27) 21 650 3703
Cell: 083 692 4254
Email: ,
Sanet Vos
Marketing Communications Manager
Sabinet Online Ltd
Centurion, South Africa
Tel: (+27) 12 6439500
Direct fax: 0865137943
Fax: (+27) 12 6633543
Cell: 082 7747 216
E-Mail:
WWW: http://www.sabinet.co.za
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