Dr Lynn Kleinveldt, Faculty Librarian: Applied Sciences and Health & Wellness Sciences on the District Six Campus, presented a paper during the 84th International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions’ (IFLA) World Library and Information Congress in Kuala Lumpur.
Kleinveldt also moderated a panel discussion held at the Reference & Information Services Section and IT Section joint satellite on "Reinventing Reference with Technology Transformations" at the University of Malaya on the eve of the seven-day conference.
She was invited to speak at the conference during the “Celebrating IT innovations in libraries” session since IFLA’s IT Section celebrated its 55th anniversary this year.
In line with the conference’s theme “Transform Libraries, Transform Societies” an open session was held to celebrate technologies and innovations over the last 55 years that still transform libraries today and explore emerging and innovative technologies shaping the future of libraries.
The purpose of her paper “IT integration into LIS education: an academic librarian's perspective” was to showcase how IT has transformed academic librarianship and the 21st-century academic library, particularly in the South African context.
She argues that some outcomes of IT integration in the Library and Information Science education include increased confidence in embracing and implementing new technologies in the workplace, continuous network building for collaborative projects, and the ability to disseminate best practices both nationally and internationally through conferences and publications. “The paper gives insight into new possibilities for academic librarians,” she says.
Kleinveldt is a Standing Committee Member of the IFLA IT Section for the term 2015-2019 and her nomination resulted from previous international collaboration. “My active participation in the IFLA IT Section develops both my librarian profession and places CPUT on the map with regard to making a contribution to IT and innovation on a global scale, overall adding value to the institution.”
