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Manicaland Bureau
LIBRARIANS must embrace technological transitions to keep abreast with changing times, a senior Government official has urged. Primary and Secondary Education Minister Professor Paul Mavima made the remarks in a speech read on his behalf by Manicaland provincial education director, Mr Edward Shumba at the Zimbabwe Library Association (ZIMLA) 2018 conference being held in Mutare on Tuesday.

Prof Mavima said the Zimbabwean learning population continued to expand while the library system lagged in terms of both networking and the availability of library skills, especially digital technology.

He explained that librarians were facing challenges, chief among them the failure to keep pace with a rapidly changing digital environment, which was always presenting new ways and channels of information delivery.

Librarians must not remain static, but should be aware of information transition and technological developments in the global village, said Prof Mavima.

The three-day conference is running under the theme: “Libraries in transition: Emerging Trends and Technologies.”
“As modern librarians we need to embrace and welcome the current transition in libraries as this approach takes everyone on board,” said Prof Mavima.

“This is an opportunity for the country to bring vibrancy and life to citizens by improving access to information, via information communication technologies whose trends we all need to learn.”
Prof Mavima stressed on the need to have competent information practitioners.

“Institutions play an important role in equipping individuals and learners with the knowledge and skills demanded by society in different professions,” he said.

“This task, however, remains elusive without a vibrant library system. It is therefore critical to support library development through the Zimbabwe Library Association.”

Speaking at the same occasion, Manicaland Minister for Provincial Affairs Monica Mutsvangwa said the learning environment continued to evolve daily, stressing the need to adapt to emerging technologies and trends in teaching.
She said this in a speech read on her behalf by director for provincial affairs in her office, Mr Kennedy Mugarisanwa.

“Everyone is aware that the learning environment continues to evolve to keep up with emerging technologies and trends in teaching and learning, therefore it is necessary for librarians to move towards designing spaces for that flexibility and adaptability,” she said.

“Technology will never replace great teachers, but technology in the hands of great teachers is transformational.
“We are aware of the challenges that libraries may be facing, but that should not be deterrent for us to face those challenges and find solutions for information seekers.”

Minister Mutsvangwa said today’s teen generation was diverse and what was needed was to create equitable, bias-free learning opportunities and spaces.

ZIMLA president, Mr Lantern Fusire said the conference’s aim was to equip people in the field of information with skills to organise information, skills to access the information and to manage that information.
This year’s event is the 52th annual edition of the ZIMLA conference.