The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in collaboration with the Ghana Library Association (GLA) and the Health Library Staff Association of Ghana (HeLSAG), held a two-day workshop on 21st Century Library Services Literacy Training in Kumasi for library staff of the Ministry of Health Training Institutions (MoHTI) in the country.
Deputy College Librarian for the College of Science and Regional Representative of the GLA, Dr. Richard Bruce Lamptey, said the training which is being held on 11th to 12th October, 2023 is a response to the feedback from MoHTIs and GLA on their previous event. Therefore, HeLSAG through the GLA appealed for another training to be organised this year for its members. Dr. Bruce Lamptey continued that last year the training was on technology and resources that librarians and researchers need to know. However, this year, participants are being trained in leadership and Management of Libraries, Information Technology Management, Research Skills and the Role of Librarians in Research, Institutional Accreditation and Re-Accreditation Processes, among others.
President of HeLSAG, Citizen Francis Tetteh, said the workshop is for all library staff of health training institutions including all midwifery and nursing training colleges across the country with the intent of upscaling their knowledge in modern library practices. Mr. Tetteh said they have realised over the years that as information professionals, knowledge is evolving and they need to participate in such programmes to abreast themselves with the fast-changing trend in knowledge management, information management and research. He said at the end of the training they hope to build the capacity of librarians and library managers in modern library issues.
In her presentation, the Executive Director of African Librarians Association (AfLiA) and Former University Librarian, Dr. Helena Asamoah-Hassan, took participants through leadership and management concepts and types. She said leaders maintain an understanding of the mission and goals of an organisation and how they can be fulfilled. Dr. Asamoah-Hassan indicated that management and leadership skills are both essential for the survival and growth of librarians in the 21st century. She further advised that they lead with intention, communicate effectively, correct through reflection, and have emotional intelligence in discharging their duties. She added that they need to continuously work and learn, have the welfare of their subordinates at heart, empower and give opportunities for others to excel - before thinking of leading others in higher positions. The Executive Director AfLiA added that librarians work with humans and not machines, so they should have good human relations and good interpersonal skills.
Mr. Henry Akosah, the Public Relations Officer of HeLSAG on behalf of participants expressed his appreciation to all stakeholders in the organisation of the event for the collaborative learning environment and the opportunity for professional development. He was hopeful that the training received would enable them to serve the information needs of students and faculty better, to ultimately help in the health training community.
