Getting ready for the US

I am sure you guys are all excited and getting ready to jet off to the US. Happy packing and see you at O R Tambo.

Co-Producers of knowledge

It's the end of the first week since we left Mt Fleur. I hope we have settled in well after some time away. Now it's time to work work and work. Institutional goals and strategies and how to implement them and those who will be going to the US please let us know so that we can send our lists of goodies to be brought back!

I already miss all of you, don't forget Prof Foster - you are guardians, distributors and keepers of knowledge.

SUNDOWNERS

Congratulations team, you did it!!!

Thanks Michael for taking us through the rough terrain.

Librarians to bring change and recognition to our profession

After the academy, it is clear that what we have learned, is going to bring changes and improvement in our profession and as it is known that our profession is under threat and the aging workforce, it is up to us the new generation of librarian on the move to carry the torch of light, development and research shine. The impact of ICT in library operations should not overwhelm us but we need to embrace and be leaders in this field as the technology is being used everywhere (e.g. I Pads and Mobile phones). We need to be on top of our game and this team is the one that is going to change the library world and gain respect it deserves.

THANK YOU MONT FLEUR STAFF

QUOTABLE QUOTES WEEK2 @ THE ACADEMY

"Librarians must understand user needs at their time of search", Ms Jenny Walker

"We need to be able to catalogue content to make it easier for eventual users, the way they want it, not the way we structure the library", Mr Richard Higgs

"Claim your space as librarians within content management", Mr Richard Higgs.

"Think about scholarly communication as a conversation", Prof. Moragh Paxton.

"Good writers capture ideas on the piece of paper, without worrying what the reader would say", Prof Chrissie Boughey.

"Writing is a process of discovering meaning", Prof. Chrissie Boughey.

"The function of copyright and intellectual property is to stimulate innovation", Dr Colin Darch.

"We need more patents because they are an indication of development", Dr Colin Darch.

"Doubt everything you read, unless you believe in it", Dr Colin Darch.

Farewell 21 October 2011

I echo the sentiments of Dilshaad and Jacob. It has been a fantastic experience. I have met such wonderful people and learnt so much in the two weeks that I have been here. I did not suffer from 'information overload' as the programme was so varied and stimulating. Thank you for the words of comfort and reassurance I received while my husband was in hospital. I will miss this beautiful setting, the warmth and hospitality of the staff at Mont Fleur and the delicious food. I will also miss the company of my friends.
Thank you to everybody who have made this experience worthwhile.

Packing up

The time has come to head home!I'll miss waking up to the twitter of the birds.

I would like to thank the following people for making the Academy such a memorable and rewarding experience: Joan Rapp and Pamela Snyman(and the rest of the UCT Law Library staff for holding up the fort in my absence. Karin, Colin & Pat for putting together an interesting, varied & stimulating programme. The participants for sharing their experiences and ideas and being such good company.

Not surprisingly, the Academy met my expectations.

Farewell to Mont Fleur

One of the hardest things is to say "Goodbye" to the people you spend two weeks with. It was hard for me to say "Goodbye" because I will miss the warmth that I enjoyed being surrounded by 19 ladies what made sure that I become settled and enjoyed my stay at Mont Fleur and not feel isolated as the only man. It was good for me to experience life in the women's world as there was no single day where I could go to sleep without enjoying jokes, laughing and sharing family matters. It was an experience of a life time and I enjoyed every minute. Ladies, we will always meet on "Cyberspace". Thank you for making my stay at Mont Fleur one of the unforgettable memories.

Changing role of a librarian

As Prof Christie has indicated in his speech, for South African Universities to compete equally in the academic world, libraries and librarians should play a pivotal role in supporting the research endevour in the research environment. How do we do this as librarians. Contentrate on PhD's. According to Prof Christie, "not only must our libraries be transformed to enable the writing of great PhD's by very many more people in South Africa than hitherto, but many more of our librarianss must themselves come to hold PhD's, whether in librarianship and informatics or in any academic subject under the sun". This is a challenge for anyone in the library sector to look at improving his/her educational qualification but fortunately those of us who attended the research academy, had an opportunity to endevour in this journey to start writing and to persue the ultimate goal of achieving PhD's in our field and beter still, being subject specialists in our fields. As we are supposed to support academics, Masters and Doctoral students, the notion that having the right qualification (PhD) means you will be able to talk the same language as your clients. Let's think about this????

Yoga

After listening to all the wonderful and informative session for the day, to refresh our minds and bodies, Yoga was the answer and also prayers from "Sma" helped a lot.

We can only do the best we can.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGMW6YWjMxw

Getting your research ideas down, to published outputs

Great stuff, Lucky thanks for posting the pics. Today's sessions were really outstanding. All 3 presenters (Prof Paxton, Prof Boughey and Prof Nassimbeni) touched to the core of the real matter.
I stayed up first part of the night just practicing free writing (thanks to Prof Boughey!)To be honest I found it difficult to stop after 5 minutes so I let my fingers carry on for a bit longer. Its great fun. I guesse this part of the brain just enjoys to be liberated. Lets keep the skill, or rather lets nurture it some more!

Let me retire now, am really exhausted after that mountain walk and seeing those breathtaking views! Its been an amazing day, and thank God we missed the storm!