UFH librarian wins prestigious award as best in country

TOP LIBRARIAN: University of Fort Hare librarian Sibongiseni Mrwashuwas recently awarded the librarian of the year award by the Library Information Association of SA, becoming the first person from the Eastern Cape to receive the honour. Picture: SUPPLIED

University of Fort Hare (UFH) librarian, Sibongiseni Mrwashu has been awarded the librarian of the year award by the Library Information Association of SA (LIASA), a prestigious award that celebrates Mrwashu’s commitment to her the library and information science field.

Mrwashu says the recognition highlights her commitment and passion for libraries and access to information.

“This award serves as a source of inspiration and confidence. Receiving this honour validates the hard work and dedication I have invested in my career.

“As the first individual from the Eastern Cape to achieve this recognition, I take great pride in highlighting the importance of representation and the necessity of paving the way for future librarians in our region. This achievement also reminds me of the invaluable support and encouragement I have received from my family, colleagues, and mentors throughout my journey,” Mrwashu said.

The LIASA librarian of the year is an accolade that is granted to a person whose contributions make a lasting impact on the sector. Mrwashu was shortlisted after being nominated by a colleague.

Her professional career began in 2013, after she graduated with a BSc in environmental science and a PG diploma in library and information science from the University of Cape Town.

At the East London campus, Mrwashu has implemented innovative initiatives to help streamline operations at the library. Some of the initiatives include an e-suggestion box, a Discussion Room booking system, and a reading circle for junior staff to advance learning and innovation.

Some of the other positions she has held in the industry include content editor at the Southern African Legal Information Institution and Law Librarian at Stellenbosch University.

Mrwashu says what’s important to her is advocating for open scholarship and exploring new service models while contributing to the evolution of the librarian profession.

“As a librarian, I consistently seek innovative approaches, particularly in the realms of digital services, open access and information literacy.

“Having benefitted from mentorship myself, I am dedicated to giving back by fostering the development of the next generation of librarians, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds.

“I am pursuing my LLM research, with a primary emphasis on intellectual property,” Mrwashu said.

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