The Midlands State University (MSU) is participating at the Zimbabwe Library Association (ZIMLA) 51st Conference currently underway at Fairmile Hotel in Gweru.
Running under the theme, “Libraries in the National Development Agenda: Repositioning Libraries for Sustainable Development,” the four-day conference, which kicked off on the 4th of July 2017 was officially opened by His Worship, the Mayor of Gweru, Councillor Charles Chikozho who welcomed participants to the City of Gweru.
Speaking at the conference, as guest of honour, the MSU Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Victor Ngonidzashe Muzvidziwa highlighted how the conference resonated well with the obtaining development discourse of the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (ZimAsset). “Library information science plays a crucial role in the fruitful realization of our ZimAsset thus it should be accompanied by a library information systems policy,” said Prof. Muzvidziwa.
The MSU Librarian, Ms N. P Chibanda also delivered a motivational speech which emphasized on the need for libraries to adjust to the changing trends in Information Communication Technology and the need to carry out empirical research on customer needs and library management systems.
In a presentation delivered by the Principal Director in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary, Mr Peter Muzawazi entitled, “Curriculum Framework for Primary and Secondary Education 2015-2022: Repositioning Libraries for Sustainable Libraries for Sustainable Development,” The director emphasized on the role of libraries in sustainable development and the need to reconstitute the material in libraries such that it speaks to the obtaining national development priorities.
In attendance was Mrs V Mwale Munsanje, the President of the Library and Information Association of Zambia, members of the African Library and Information Association and Institution (AfLIA), the Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA) and library personnel from different universities, colleges, primary and secondary schools around Zimbabwe.