The Department of Library Services is proud to announce that its Director, Robert Moropa, received the Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA) Executive Librarian Award at their gala dinner on 3 October in Durban’s International Convention Centre. This award is in recognition of his outstanding leadership, mentoring, contribution and commitment to Library and Information Services (LIS) Sector of South Africa.

The Executive Librarian Award is aimed at recognising the captains of the LIS profession; the powerhouses who are currently inspiring and building a legacy, not only for themselves but also for all LIS practitioners.

“I am grateful to be the recipient of this professional merit award. I thank LIASA, the sponsors of this award: NEVADA, SABINET and UKS as well as the staff members of the UP Library for having made it possible for me to receive this award,” he says.

Moropa has served the LIS profession in various capacities.  He served as the LIASA President from October 2002 to October 2004.  He was also Vice-Chair of the South African National Library and Information Consortium when it was founded.

As the Library Director at UP, he is passionate about positioning the library in the University agenda.  In 2017 he led the development of the strategic plan which made room for junior staff within the organisation to lead strategic projects. The library had nine strategic projects and a few of these were led by staff who occupied managerial positions. Each of these project leaders were assigned coaches who were part of senior management.  This approach was adopted to mentor new leaders within the organisation and to develop those already in managerial positions.

“In declaring me the recipient of this award, LIASA has recognised my contribution in the growth and development of the LIS (Library and Information Services) profession in South Africa. I view the granting of this award to me as a proxy recognition for the high level of successes attained by the UP Library in recent years.”