An achievement worthy of celebrating

LET ME take this opportunity of wishing all information professionals happy Library and Information Week 2019, and in particular Library and Information Professionals’

Day, which will be celebrated on October

31. This year represents a significant milestone in our history as we celebrate our platinum jubilee. I am sure we can all agree that 70 years represents the average life expectancy for many countries in the Western Hemisphere, and as such, it is quite an achievement worthy of celebrating. The theme guiding this year’s proceedings, Celebrating the Past: Influencing the Future, is not only fitting but insightful, since we as information professionals have been like beacons of hope in a world that continues to be littered with fake news and alternative truths. Studies world over have increasingly shown that increased access to information and knowledge is an essential pillar of sustainable development.

Consequent on the plethora of information resources available to the modern-day information seeker that may contain these ‘alternative truths’ it has, therefore, become even more important for us as information professionals to demonstrate our value. It is more critical now more than ever for us to take up our rightful place as gatekeepers of this information. We must recognise that we have a vital role to play in providing access to credible information that is needed to enhance the personal and professional development of our citizens, and by extension our country.

My ultimate wish is that this week will continue to build up the momentum that will ensure that we continue to see ourselves as key players in the information service sector and never spectators. I pray that like ships being tossed by perilous waves look to beacons as hope for survival, so will our leaders recognise that it is us as Information Professionals that will ultimately be the guiding lights to take us from peril to prosperity.