Retirement of Leonora Wydeman

It was with a nervous heart that I started the first day of my career in January, 1978, at the Atomic Energy Board (Pelindaba), as an Information Specialist. I had a bursary for my studies from the AEB, so I was obligated to work for them for 4 years. This turned into an amazing 11 years. I started as an Information Specialist and later moved to the IT section of the Library, where I was appointed as the Manager. I still remember us using punch cards and large magnetic tapes for data storage. This was all done on a large mainframe computer.

Here, I first learned how to do online searches using a modem. This was extremely stressful for me, as I had to learn how to type. I could not understand why the keys on a keyboard are not in alphabetical order! To this day, I still do this with only two fingers, but now I am fortunately faster than I was then.

From February, 1990, I started working at the Library of the University of Pretoria until my retirement in March 2021 – a full 31 years! I started as an Information Specialist in Natural and Engineering Sciences until 1998. This was where we first started using CD-ROM disks and did online searches on Dialog, which was a very exciting time.

I then moved to the Library IT division in 1999 and was the first Webmaster of the Library. I still remember typing everything in HTML and how excited I was when I first saw this on the internet. I attended various IT courses and, later, had the privilege to be appointed as the Manager of the Library IT Division until 2012.

After that, I worked as a Senior Information Specialist in the Economic and Management Sciences Library for a year, before I started working at the Medical Library for almost 8 years, before retiring at the end of March 2021. Being an Information Specialist was such a fulfilling position, especially working directly with clients and to see the relief and delight – sometimes amazement – on their faces when they received the information they wanted.

Looking back, I can say I have no regrets. I had many opportunities, learned a lot and met wonderful people – some of whom now are life-long friends. These are moments I will always treasure. And for all of this, I give thanks to our Lord and Saviour who was with me every step of the way. Now I look forward spending more quality time with my husband, children and grandchildren.

My message to everyone is do not try to be someone else. Be the best you that you can be, and never ever give up.