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3rd Carnegie Library Leadership Academy, 05‐19 November 2010Report on the Third Carnegie Library Leadership AcademyDuring the fortnight of 5‐19 November 2010, 19 librarians from seven provinces gathered at LeribaLodge in Centurion to participate in the third Carnegie Library Leadership Academy (CLLA). This thirdAcademy in a series of six was again hosted by the Centre for African Library Leadership (CALL) andthe University of Pretoria Library Services with a grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York.Following an initial call, 33 applications were received from which 20 participants were carefullyselected. Unfortunately one of the selected participants, Ms Tienie de Klerk from the NationalLibrary of South Africa, had to withdraw because of an unfortunate motor vehicle accident a fewdays before the start of the Academy. She conveyed the following message to the other selectedparticipants:‘Although I cannot participate, I do have a wish for this group of new and young library leaders:grab this leadership opportunity with both of your hands, learn whatever there is to learnand navigate afterwards with these tools at your respective workplacesto bring about positive change and progress in our profession.’The final group consisted of 12 academic librarians, representing seven academic institutions, andseven public librarians from four different metropolitan councils.Participants of the Third Carnegie Library Leadership AcademyFront from left to right: Sindi Mkhulisi, Vuyo Mbuqe, Rebecca Senyolo, Danie Malan, Viva Nodwengu‐Dastile, Ujala Satgoor, Martha de Waal, Eunice Lesejane Enny Nyathi, Marieta Buys and Jacinta Avontuur.Back from left to right: Lindiwe Magazi, Simon Lesejane, Maggie Moropane, Mittah Masilela, AndileMagocoba, Theo Bothma, Robert Moropa, Julene Vermeulen, Lormarcia Zwaan, David Thomas,Refilwe Matatiele and Kholeka Mbalo1

3rd Carnegie Library Leadership Academy, 05‐19 November 2010Arrival and registrationThe participants arrived at Leriba Lodge in a somewhat uncertain and nervous mood, not clear ofwhat is expected of them or what was lying ahead, yet with an underlying sense of excitement.Getting acquainted before the initial formal introductionsBeing a unique group of library professionals, the participants soon committed themselves toexplore this learning opportunity to fullest. On Sunday 7 November 2011 they attended thegraduation ceremony of the 20 participants from the Second Library Leadership Academy (CLLA2).Their success stories motivated and encouraged the new group to grow on a personal as well as2

3rd Carnegie Library Leadership Academy, 05‐19 November 2010professional level and to take back to their institutions all aspects that were needed to improve theirown library environments.This fun‐loving group, who on many occasions managed to turn a serious or embarrassing momentinto laughter and an unforgettable memory, very appropriately named the venue where the dailyactivities took place, ‘The serious room.’The ‘serious room’ … that could become the ‘fun room’… the appropriate venue for group discussions and working sessions… the classroom … or the quiet space to internalise what has been learned.3

3rd Carnegie Library Leadership Academy, 05‐19 November 2010The programmeThe programme again consisted of various learning formats which included lectures, workshops,interactive discussions, library visits, participation in a simulation game, brain dominance profilingand the assessment of leadership skills through a leadership descriptor tool.The content included theoretical and practical aspects of topics such as the national library agendawithin the South African LIS context, organisational leadership and the dynamic organisation,knowledge management, innovative thinking for contemporary librarians, multiculturalism and therecognition of diversity in the workplace, current and future trends in LIS practice, library marketing,effective communication and library advocacy. Practical workshops included Web 2.0 and mobiletechnologies. The participants engaged in individual tasks, as well as group assignments, andthroughout the two weeks never let the opportunity go by to have fun and find the humour in asituation.Two library visits have been included in the programme to allow the participants the opportunity toexperience libraries with clear visions which are strongly positioned within the LIS sector. The visitto the University of Pretoria included a tour of the main campus, a historical overview of the old andnew Merensky libraries and a first hand experience of the UP Library Services as strategicorganisation in action. During a visit to the new National Library of South Africa (NLSA) with its manyservices for libraries and communities, the importance of the preservation of our national heritagecollection was highlighted. The participants also had the opportunity to visit LIASA House and theNational LIASA Office, which is situated on the same premises as the NLSA.In front of the Old Merensky LibraryLearning more about UP Library Services: thestrategic organisation in actionIn the new Merensky LibraryIn the beautiful new NLSA building The de‐acidification project of the NLSA LIASA House4

3rd Carnegie Library Leadership Academy, 05‐19 November 2010Ms Naomi Haasbroek and the National Librarian, Mr John TsebeOther speakers from the LIS sector included Dr Buhle Mbambo‐Thata from Unisa, various libraryprofessionals from the University of Pretoria Library Services, as well as Prof Theo Bothma and ProfChristine Stilwell, from the partnering Library schools at the University of Pretoria and the Universityof KwaZulu‐Natal.Ms Christelle Steyn and Ms Janice de Wee(both from the UPLS) who facilitatedWeb 2.0 workshopsDr Buhle Mbambo‐Thata (Unisa) who sharedher view on African and International Librarianship7

3rd Carnegie Library Leadership Academy, 05‐19 November 2010Ms Karin Kitching from the US Embassy whounpacked the Library Advocacy toolkitMrs Hilda Kriel from UPLS on the strategic processA highlight of the Academy was a visit by the current IFLA President, Ms Ellen Tise who delighted theparticipants during a dinner presentation with an inspirational talk on her career achievements and areflection on how her leading role within LIASA contributed to her success in becoming IFLAPresident.The IFLA President, Ms Ellen Tise at the Third Carnegie Library Leadership Academy***The success of the Third Carnegie Library Leadership Academy is perhaps best described in thewords of the participants themselves:Jacinta Avontuur: ‘Learning can be fun. It has been a privilege to be chosen for the Academy. Thelibrary’s role is definitely changing and more so the role of the librarian and leadership. I want to bea part of it.’Marieta Buys: ‘I will use the knowledge that I gained at the Academy to the advantage of mycolleagues, clients, institution and library.’Eunice Lesejane: ‘The Academy provided me an opportunity to enhance my leadership traits andenabled me to learn and develop capabilities of becoming a successful and effective leader.’8

3rd Carnegie Library Leadership Academy, 05‐19 November 2010Simon Lesejane: ‘Presenters were knowledgeable and enthusiastic, which added to the richexperience of the Academy.’Lindiwe Magazi: ‘The Academy taught me that librarians need to step out of their comfort zones, toembrace technology and imagine what the future will look like.’Andile Magocoba: ‘We all benefited from the Academy and are determined to implement in ourlibraries what have been learned.’Danie Malan: ‘I thoroughly enjoyed the learning experience of the Academy. It relates to theconcept of life‐long learning. As academic librarian I gained a new perspective on what publiclibrarians have to deal with.’Mittah Masilela: ‘As next generation librarians, we should become ‘cybrarians’ to keep our users’attention.’Refilwe Matatiele: ‘The Academy allowed me to learn new and practical skills. I can now criticallyanalyse my management and leadership styles.’Kholeka Mbalo: ‘I discovered, as much as public and academic libraries are different, they also sharecommon goals such as community development and the alignment of strategies with those of theparent institution/organisation.’Victor Mbuqe: ‘As future leaders we need to be knowledgeable about LIASA and IFLA.’Sindi Mkhulisi: ‘As a leader I need to define the purpose of change and allow my subordinates toparticipate in decision making.’Maggie Moropane: ‘I am moved and invigorated by the overwhelming knowledge I have beenempowered with at the Academy.’Viva Nodwengu‐Dastile: ‘I learned that library leaders can create the future their patrons want tolive in.’Enny Nyathi: ‘To become a better leader I must improve my personal leadership style, energy andcultural awareness.’Rebecca Senyolo: ‘Diversity in the workplace brings diverse values and ideas which can lead tocreative and innovative thinking.’David Thomas: ‘The Academy highlighted my strengths and weaknesses as a leader, as well as theareas that I need to improve on.’Julene Vermeulen: ‘For me the Academy came just at the right time. The programme was wellconstructed and networking was a great benefit.’Lormarcia Zwaan: ‘We are living the dream at the Academy. If we can transfer to the workplacewhat we are experiencing here, we will be well on our way to transformation within the profession.’9

3rd Carnegie Library Leadership Academy, 05‐19 November 2010Participants of the Third Academy were excited to take Web 2.0 technologies further, toexplore the possibilities of mobile technologies, and investigate in gaming as instrument toenhance information literacy: Web 2.0 is not a thing, but a state of mind.Web 2.0 is not a thing, but a state of mind.Exploring social media to the benefit of the client … and gaming as information literacy toolThe Gala dinner***The two weeks of hard work, commitment and many learning opportunities ended on a high notewith the gala dinner. The participants had the privilege of listening to the dinner speaker, ProfDerick de Jongh, Director of the Albert Luthuli Centre for Responsible Leadership at the University ofPretoria, and his interesting views on the emerging field of responsible leadership.Ms Koekie Meyer (left) and Prof Christine Stilwell(both CALL Advisory Committee members),with Ms Martha de Waal (middle)Prof Derick de Jongh Mr Robert Moropaand Ms Ujala Satgoor10

3rd Carnegie Library Leadership Academy, 05‐19 November 2010A festive end to two weeks of personal and professional growthPersonality of the AcademyCongratulations to David Thomas from the Durban University of Technology who has beencrowned ‘The Personality of the Academy.’ David has been described as an encouraging andsupportive individual who thinks strategically and constructive when responding to librarymanagement issues and the solving of staff problems. He is well informed on Web 2.0technologies and social networking tools, is a motivational leader and has the ability to unitepeople to serve a common goal.Mr David Thomas with Ms Ujala Satgoor and Ms Martha de Waal11

3rd Carnegie Library Leadership Academy, 05‐19 November 2010We are looking forward to meet the next group of participants at the fourth Carnegie LibraryLeadership Academy to be hosted from 11‐25 March 2011 at the Villas Hotel and Conference Centrein Pretoria.All enquiries may be directed to the CALL Project Co‐ordinator (martha.dewaal@up.ac.za)‐ November 201012