The Durban University of Technology (DUT) Library recently hosted its third Annual Library Research Colloquium at the DUT Library Conference Centre. This hybrid event, organised by the library’s Staff Training and Development Working Group (STDWG), brought together library staff both in-person and virtually via MS Teams. Programme directors, Ms Patricia Badenhorst and Mr Sibusiso Gumede, ensured seamless coordination and delivered the event with exceptional engagement.
Delivering the welcome address, Mr David Thomas, Manager: Academic Services at DUT, emphasised the critical role of initiatives like this within the library ecosystem, highlighting their capacity to foster a culture of scholarly engagement and development of future researchers, thereby contributing to the broader pool of scientific knowledge production. Reflecting on the event’s evolution, Mr Thomas recounted the history of the event, explaining that it started as a small initiative called “Research Day,” which featured only ten presentations.
“In 2024, the initiative has grown exponentially, featuring 25 engaging presentations. Several of today’s presentations have been showcased at prestigious local and international conferences. This event enables all library staff to engage with the impactful research that represents our library on the global stage,” remarked Mr Thomas.
The colloquium featured three dynamic segments showcasing diverse and impactful topics. The first segment featured novice presenters, covering topics including global and DUT digitisation experiences, time management, internship journeys, innovations in circulation roles, acquisitions workflows, and IT-Library collaborations. Segment two focused on advanced initiatives, including transformational agreements, cultural competence in information literacy, RFID applications, user engagement strategies, the future of cataloguing practices, smart technologies, and the power of true mentorship. The final segment showcased research presented at prestigious conferences like the Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA) Annual conference and the International Conference on Information Literacy (ICIL). Presenters shared highlights from their presentations including exploring inclusive services for Deaf users, feasibility of remote working, indigenous language integration, emerging library technologies, self-paced learning, and strategic library marketing plans. These presentations underscored the library’s commitment to innovation, professional growth, and global knowledge exchange. Each segment was followed by an engaging Q&A session facilitated by a member of the of the STDWG, Mrs Kogie Naicker.
Adding a touch of artistic flair to the programme, Ms Mendy Sibisi, Assistant Librarian, dazzled the audience with her captivating vocals and energetic dance moves, proving that librarians don’t just shelve books, they can also bring down the house!
The Library Director, Dr Malefetjane Phaladi, delivered a compelling message of support and concluding remarks, expressing profound appreciation for the presenters and mentors who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to the colloquium since its inception.
“The collective effort behind this initiative has not only strengthened our library’s research profile but also nurtured a robust culture of professional excellence. “Colleagues, we should all rally behind this type of initiative as it allows the library to grow in a manner that is inclusive, developmental and sustainable”, added Dr Phaladi.
In delivering the vote of thanks, Mr Siza Radebe, Manager: Campus Libraries and Sites at DUT, acknowledged the invaluable contributions of all participants, presenters, mentors, and organisers.
“A heartfelt thank you goes to the members of the Staff Training and Development Working Group for orchestrating this outstanding event. We are deeply appreciative of the presenters and mentors whose commitment has been instrumental in its success. What began as a modest initiative has evolved into a significant event, reflecting the library team’s shared vision and dedication. This remarkable growth is a testament to our collective efforts,” Mr Radebe concluded.
The research colloquium not only highlights the library’s dedication to fostering professional excellence, scientific knowledge production and collaboration but also reinforces its alignment with the university’s strategic vision, ENVISION2030.
Pictured: Presenters and members of the STWG team.
Romeo Matumba
