Progress In Unifying South African Librarians and Information Workers

PRESS RELEASE: for immediate release
October 1996

An historic conference was held in Johannesburg, South Africa from 8 to 10 July 1996, to promote unity among South Africa's librarians and information workers. The conference, known as ULIS (Unification of Library and Information Stakeholders), was organised by a committee of SAILIS, ALASA and "non-aligned" representatives convened by Blyth van Niekerk. (The third significant library association, LIWO, unfortunately withdrew from the ULIS committee earlier this year.) IFLA was represented by Mrs Kay Raseroka, chair of IFLA's Africa Section, and Ms Christina Stenberg.

Delegates to the ULIS Conference enjoyed a well organised programme of plenary sessions ably facilitated by Kay Raseroka with the assistance of Christina Stenberg and Connie Price, and group discussions characterised by lively participation. At the end of the programme, the delegates enthusiastically adopted a resolution which commits them to embark on a process of unification that will culminate in the establishment of a new body for South Africa's librarians and information workers. The process that is envisaged will comprise two phases:

• During the first phase, designated the Transitional Phase, an Interim Executive Committee will draft a constitution for discussion by stakeholders, and undertake other preparatory work.
• During the second phase, named the Establishment Phase, the draft constitution will be distributed for discussion, after which a final draft of the constitution will be prepared and the draft constitution will be submitted to a constituent meeting. This meeting is to be held within a year of the July 1996 ULIS Conference, or as soon as possible thereafter.

A copy of the resolution as adopted is appended as Annexure A.

Following the adoption of the above mentioned resolution, the Conference's ten working groups elected a Broad Support Group (BSG) of approximately fifty persons, from whose ranks the Interim Executive Committee (IEC) was elected. The IEC has thirteen members. With the exception of two provinces, Mpumalanga and Northern Cape, for which representatives are being sought, each of the nine provinces is represented. A list of the members of the IEC is appended as Annexure B.

It should be noted that, while the membership of the BSG and the IEC includes members of inter alia ALASA, LIWO and SAILIS, members of the BSG or IEC do not represent any existing library associations or organisations. They were mandated solely by the ULIS Conference.

The IEC has established a core group of members who are able to meet regularly. The core group, to be known as the Executive Working Group (EWG) consists of the Gauteng members as well as office bearers who are not based in Gauteng.

The Executive Working Group held its first meeting within a week of the ULIS Conference, on 17 July 1996. Plans were made to ensure that the momentum built up at the ULIS Conference is maintained and that the constituent conference can be held by July 1997. A number of task teams were set up to ensure that the ULIS Conference is followed up rapidly.

They include task teams on:

• the structure and constitution of the new body - making maximum use of the proposals and comments already assembled during the first phase of the ULIS process;
• the coordination and scheduling of the consultative process;
• the planning of the Constituent Conference, July 1997;
• the construction and maintenance of a database of supporters of the ULIS process;
• communication (including public relations); and
• finance.

It was decided that a high priority will be given to communicating with LIS workers and stakeholders in general, as well as with existing LIS associations and organisations, appropriate government ministers, IFLA and foreign colleagues. Various means, including newsletters, an Internet listserv, and provincial support groups, will be used to communicate with these groups.

The provincial representatives on the IEC will set up provincial support groups in their provinces. These support groups will comprise members of the BSG resident in that province as well as other library and information workers who have offered their support. The provincial representatives and their support groups will be primarily responsible for communication between ULIS 2 and the stakeholders and for promoting the unification process in their provinces.

The chair of the ULIS-2 Interim Executive Committee, Peter Lor (Director of the State Library, Pretoria) will attend the forthcoming IFLA Conference in Beijing and will be happy to discuss the progress of the unification process with other IFLA delegates.

To keep IFLA informed of its activities and progress, the IEC has instructed our PRO, Mrs Gwenda Thomas, to supply IFLA with news about ULIS 2 on a continuing basis.

ULIS-2 thanks IFLA for its constructive contribution to a process which is in the interests not only of South Africa's library and information workers but also of their libraries and information agencies, and ultimately of all their clients and potential clients.

Annexure A

ULIS Conference 8 - 10 July 1996

Resolution

as agreed on 10 July 1996

This Conference noting:

1. The urgent need to unite all LIS workers.
2. The existence of LIS bodies with established interests
3. And practical difficulties in a sudden transition,

Resolves:-

1. To embark on a process of unification culminating in the establishment of a new LIS body, and comprising of two main phases :
   1. Transitional Phase - During this phase an interim Executive Committee elected by this Conference (details to be worked out) will
      1. Draft a constitution ;
      2. Design an organisational structure including regional structures ;
      3. Negotiate with existing LIS bodies and other interest groups ;
      4. Raise funds ;
      5. Recruit as supporters LIS and allied workers and institutions ; and
      6. Do whatever else is needed to establish the new body.
   2. Establishment Phase

   Once the constitution has been drafted, it will be distributed to the various regions and interest groups including through the existing LIS bodies and the ULIS address list for comments. The comments will be submitted to the Interim Executive Committee which will then prepare a final draft constitution for presentation at a constituent meeting to be held within one year or as soon as possible thereafter.

2. Recommend to the existing LIS bodies that :
   1. During the transitional phase they plan for the orderly phasing out of their activities, and encourage their members to commit themselves to membership of the new body ; and
   2. Following the establishment of the new body, they disband and transfer their assets to the new body. However, refusal to do so shall not hamper the process to form the new body.
   3. Interest groups affiliate to the new body.

Annexure B

Names and Telecommunication Details of Executive of New LIS Organisation

Eastern Cape

Christine Malan

Northern Province

John Tsebe

North West

Theleso Leepile

Free State

George De Bruin

Kwazulu-Natal

Arnold Kuzwayo

Western Cape

William Bennett

Western Cape

Thomas Matthee

Gauteng

Imelda Kekana

Gauteng

Irene Sitole

Gauteng

Gwenda Thomas

Gauteng

Peter Lor

Gauteng

Ellen Tise