The Office of the University Librarian of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, in collaboration with the Library Building Committee has organised a Three-Day Capacity Building Workshop for its staff on Tuesday, 29th November to Thursday, 1st December 2022. The Workshop was held under the theme “Capacity Building for Effective Library Service Delivery” at the KNUST School of Business Conference Room.
Dr. Samuel Kotei Nikoi, the University Librarian, in his welcome address, revealed that the motive of the workshop was to equip the library staff with the necessary skills and competencies to be competitive in the global educational eco-system and to develop their capacity - a shared value in the Vice-Chancellor's vision. “We work in a very competitive higher education environment and if you want to catch up with the eagles then you have to sharpen your skills to enable you fly high,” he added.
The Chairman of the Workshop, Professor Imoro Braimah, indicated that the library serves as the hub of the University where librarians interact with all stakeholders, including lecturers, researchers, and students. He, therefore, stressed on the need for librarians to be apt in handling users who approach them in the library, including those who are openly ignorant as well as those who are sufficiently learned.
Speaking on “Work Attitude and Attitudinal Change,” Mr. Oludotun B. Osiyemi, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Doterrys Consulting Limited, noted that, having a positive work attitude as a librarian makes you a valuable asset to the University. Therefore, he advised that the participants must possess a positive approach to work since it is a stepping-stone to greater heights in their career. He further outlined the key areas in building self-capacity in the workplace, which include positive thinking, goal setting, time and financial resources management, diligence, courage in telling the truth, excellence in health, continuous learning, and persistence.
Mr. Osiyemi also lectured on “Delivering Superior Customer Service and Building Team Skills.” He encouraged the participants to be dedicated to working toward the Institution's shared objective, which is to enhance teaching, learning, and research.
“Librarians must build team culture by synergising complementary skills, celebrating diversities, and providing coaching, with the core values of the University’s library serving as a reminder,” he emphasised.
He urged librarians to be responsible, trustworthy, time conscious, and look smart in their appearance to ensure quality customer service to users of the library. He also counselled them to see their patrons as the most important people and treat them professionally regardless of their age and appearance.
Presenting on “Quality Assurance and its Relations with the Library Environment,” Professor Adjei Boateng, Head of Accreditation of Quality Assurance and Planning Office, emphasised the need for librarians to deliver key services in the area of research and create a conducive environment for knowledge acquisition.
Topics like “the Role of Libraries in the Open Science Agenda,” “the Operations of the KNUST E-Learning Centre,” “Public Procurement Processes and Procedures,” and “Budgeting and Procurement Plans of KNUST” were also introduced to the library staff.
