Reflection on the LIS 10th Annual Planning Session: charting the future
The 10th Annual Planning Session of the NWU Library and Information Service (LIS) was not just a milestone—it was a profound opportunity to shape the future of the LIS in the evolving landscape of academic support and innovation. Held at the Mmabatho Palms Hotel, Mahikeng, from November 18–20, 2024, this gathering was steeped in critical reflection, strategic foresight, and dynamic dialogue.
The programmes’ opening sessions set a visionary tone with Dr. Mathew Moyo, the NWU LIS Chief Director, emphasizing the importance of aligning the LIS initiatives with institutional strategies and global trends. Discussions centred on celebrating successes and acknowledging challenges, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement. These reflections were crucial in evaluating the LIS’s contributions to the 2024 Departmental Operational Plan (DOP) and broader strategies, ensuring alignment with institutional goals.
Key sessions on emerging themes like Artificial Intelligence (AI). Dr. Krauss’s presentation on “Practical AI Skills and Ethics in Academic Libraries” illuminated the transformative potential of AI in enhancing library services while addressing the ethical complexities it introduces. The session underscored the balance between innovation and ethical stewardship in academic libraries highlighting actionable AI skills and fostering critical discussions on responsible implementation. A notable highlight of the session was leveraging the feedback received from the Library Life Pulse Survey. This survey, a key tool in understanding user needs, provided invaluable insights. By identifying critical issues and areas for improvement, the feedback served as a springboard for actionable strategies. The LIS’s ability to see these weaknesses and threats as opportunities for enhancement is a testament to its progressive ethos.
Breakaway commissions and reports exemplified collaborative planning, with each entity and section —Information and Learning Services, Research and Open Scholarship, Shared Services and Outreach, Projects and Quality, crafting actionable insights for future initiatives. This participatory approach underpinned the session’s success, ensuring every voice contributed to shaping the collective vision.
The session concluded with a focus on 2024 and beyond strategic objectives and refining the 2025 DOP, while also mapping out the way forward. It was a testament to the LIS’s commitment to innovation, excellence, and responsiveness in meeting the needs of its university community. As the LIS moves beyond this session, it does so with a renewed sense of purpose and a robust framework to navigate the challenges of tomorrow. This gathering was not just about planning; it was about reimagining the role of LIS as a pillar of teaching, learning, and research.
Reflection on the LIS 10th Annual Planning Session: charting the future
The 10th Annual Planning Session of the NWU Library and Information Service (LIS) was not just a milestone—it was a profound opportunity to shape the future of the LIS in the evolving landscape of academic support and innovation. Held at the Mmabatho Palms Hotel, Mahikeng, from November 18–20, 2024, this gathering was steeped in critical reflection, strategic foresight, and dynamic dialogue.
The programmes’ opening sessions set a visionary tone with Dr. Mathew Moyo, the NWU LIS Chief Director, emphasizing the importance of aligning the LIS initiatives with institutional strategies and global trends. Discussions centred on celebrating successes and acknowledging challenges, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement. These reflections were crucial in evaluating the LIS’s contributions to the 2024 Departmental Operational Plan (DOP) and broader strategies, ensuring alignment with institutional goals.
Key sessions on emerging themes like Artificial Intelligence (AI). Dr. Krauss’s presentation on “Practical AI Skills and Ethics in Academic Libraries” illuminated the transformative potential of AI in enhancing library services while addressing the ethical complexities it introduces. The session underscored the balance between innovation and ethical stewardship in academic libraries highlighting actionable AI skills and fostering critical discussions on responsible implementation. A notable highlight of the session was leveraging the feedback received from the Library Life Pulse Survey. This survey, a key tool in understanding user needs, provided invaluable insights. By identifying critical issues and areas for improvement, the feedback served as a springboard for actionable strategies. The LIS’s ability to see these weaknesses and threats as opportunities for enhancement is a testament to its progressive ethos.
Breakaway commissions and reports exemplified collaborative planning, with each entity and section —Information and Learning Services, Research and Open Scholarship, Shared Services and Outreach, Projects and Quality, crafting actionable insights for future initiatives. This participatory approach underpinned the session’s success, ensuring every voice contributed to shaping the collective vision.
The session concluded with a focus on 2024 and beyond strategic objectives and refining the 2025 DOP, while also mapping out the way forward. It was a testament to the LIS’s commitment to innovation, excellence, and responsiveness in meeting the needs of its university community. As the LIS moves beyond this session, it does so with a renewed sense of purpose and a robust framework to navigate the challenges of tomorrow. This gathering was not just about planning; it was about reimagining the role of LIS as a pillar of teaching, learning, and research.