Nobuntu Mpendulo, the Director of Library and Information Services (LIS), is at the forefront of steering the digital transformation of libraries in the City of Johannesburg. She is leading a digital transformation strategy for the City’s 90 libraries, which includes skills development training for interns in response to 4IR and the Covid-19 pandemic. As City libraries become more digitally focused and pioneer new digital programmes, a greater number of digital services are being offered. They include mobile literacy training, senior citizen writing, coding classes for children, and Google and Microsoft courses.
Nobuntu says the City is moving libraries to residents’ palms.
“The current library users were born into the digital space. We don’t want to be left behind because libraries have always been at the forefront of educating communities.
If we want to empower communities, we need to move with the times. We cannot keep on thinking libraries are about books only.
We want to make libraries interesting and draw young people to our spaces.”
Before joining the City in 2008, she was a teacher and lecturer. Nobuntu lectured at teacher training colleges in Mthatha for 12 years, and while working, she received a scholarship from the Department of Education to do a Postgraduate Diploma in Librarianship, which was followed by an Honours degree in Library Science.
She then moved to the then Technikon Natal (Durban University of Technology) as an librarian. She received the Australia-Mandela scholarship to pursue a Master’s in Librarianship at Curtin University of Technology in Western Australia.
She says there’s still a lot to look forward to since libraries are always looking for innovative ways to serve communities. “Libraries are no longer defined by physical spaces, communities can access information anywhere, anytime, as long as they have a smart device and internet access. We are moving forward with providing hybrid services to cater to the varying needs of the communities. The integrated library system will be used as a gateway to all library services and resources and will be a one-stop shop.”
She wants to leave a legacy of a highly competent and skilled workforce that understands the value of libraries in uplifting or empowering communities. “We’re aiming for a hybrid library system, where there is a full understanding that print and electronic can coexist to cater for different community needs, fully functional libraries that are networked with ICT equipment and resources, and managed by a digitally literate workforce.”
Nobuntu is an avid reader. African and local fiction are top of her list. She also loves the work of Dan Brown and Paulo Coelho. “When you read, it opens you up to see what is happening out there and improves your vocabulary.”
When she’s not working, she’s exercising, watching movies and spending time with her grandchildren. She also enjoys travelling and sees it as an opportunity to learn from different cultures and environments.
Written by Brümilda Swartbooi
06/04/2023