Thulani Mahlangu of UP Libraries looks back on his rise to information specialist and chats about what makes his job fulfilling.

“These days, librarians are like tech wizards juggling library management systems, databases and online research tools. The key is to always be eager and open to learning and adapting to new technology.”

It is this keen and adaptive mindset that has made Thulani Mahlangu a firm favourite among staff and students at the Merensky 2 Library.   

“One of the best parts of my job is helping students and researchers find the information they need,” he says. “Whether I am showing a student an important research article or working with researchers on new projects, each time I help someone feels like I am helping to make learning better.”

Mahlangu holds an honours degree in Library and Information Science from UP, and started working part-time at the UP Libraries’ digitisation office while he was a student.

“As I progressed, I had the opportunity to rotate between various faculty libraries, serving as an information assistant,” he recalls. “This rotational experience provided me with valuable insights into different library environments and operations. Eventually, I secured a permanent position as an information specialist at UP Libraries, so my entire professional experience and growth have been within UP Libraries.”

Mahlangu started working at the Merensky 2 Library in August 2015.

“Honestly, I did not specifically target higher education libraries,” he says. “I was young and had just graduated, so I was eager to gain practical experience and applied for internships across various sectors. Fortunately, UP provided me with an opportunity to advance in my profession, and that is how I found myself in the higher education library space. I find great satisfaction in collaborating with researchers, faculty members and students, and contributing meaningfully to the academic community.”

Mahlangu says his work has been a great teacher.

“I have learned how important it is to be organised and to pay attention to detail, which helps things go smoothly and makes it easy for people to find what they need. I also love helping people, whether it is finding a great book or helping with research. I have learned to stay curious and open to learning because there is always something new to discover in the world of information. I have also learned to be patient and to adapt to different challenges.”

Connecting researchers, students and faculty staff with relevant information is what he enjoys most about his job.

“This helps them to generate new knowledge and make informed decisions based on comprehensive and accurate data. Additionally, keeping up with emerging technologies and trends keeps me engaged and excited about the evolving landscape of information management.”

For those keen to pursue a career in the information science sector, Mahlangu has this to say: “Get ready to embrace the digital world! Not only will you work more efficiently, but you will also offer top-notch service. Therefore, stay curious and keep exploring new technologies, and you will thrive in this dynamic field.”