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Dear GAELIC friends
This year, GAELIC celebrates 10 years of existence. Let's look at some of the highlights of the past decade:
GAELIC had its origin in a meeting of representatives from 7 tertiary institutions in the Gauteng region with members of the Andrew W Mellon Foundation in 1996. The group was informed that the Foundation would be willing to fund the purchase of a common library software package for libraries in the area, in order to facilitate resource sharing.
Implementation of the INNOPAC Library System, funded by a generous donation of $ 1,500,000.00 by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, was successfully achieved in six libraries in the first half of 1998.
The strategy and structure of GAELIC, as finalised in 1999, was firmly established in 2000 and the focus area teams and workgroups of GAELIC worked well, with over 180 staff members serving on 14 different teams.
In 2000, the Marketing Workgroup hosted the first GAELIC and Friends Marketing Day, at which institutions were invited to explore ways of making the most of information products and services. The Marketing Fair was so successful that it was held again in 2002 and 2004.
Over the years, GAELIC successfully negotiated licensing agreements for various valuable databases at reduced costs. In 2002, license negotiations were eventually taken over by SASLI, the South African Site Licensing Initiative.
GAELIC reviewed its strategies and structures at a strategic planning workshop in 2002. New needs required the services of a full time Director. The FOTIM Board approved the appointment and Gwenda Thomas took up office in October 2003. A major activity during 2004 was the compilation of GAELIC's strategic and business plans. Realignment of the structure took place, with focus groups as opposed to teams and workgroups being identified as a more effective means of encouraging participation by addressing specific needs. Guidelines for Focus Groups were approved during the first quarter of 2005 followed by the first meeting of the INNOPAC System Focus Group.
Over the last few years GAELIC has assisted merging libraries, particularly in terms of staff support and vendor negotiations for the migration of data and reallocation of user licenses with regard to the Innopac system. Members valued the expert discussion forums and practical workshops that were arranged during the merger process.
The QuestionPoint electronic reference services pilot project ran from January to December 2004. The project provided the opportunity for seven pilot sites in GAELIC, and one library in CALICO (the Cape Library Consortium), to test and evaluate an electronic reference service. Currently, 6 GAELIC institutions are using the service.
2005 was a very busy GAELIC year. Firstly, we saw the successful completion of the GAELIC member survey which assessed the libraries and surfaced needs. Secondly, the first GAELIC Symposium "The e-Services environment: changing to a higher gear" was held in May 2005. In addition, GAELIC obtained a grant from the South African Library and Information Trust (SALIT) to investigate the performance levels of GAELIC Libraries in the inter library loan system. The investigation concluded with a series of practical workshops addressing ILL staff training needs in libraries.
The Focus Groups gained momentum during 2006, and by November, the Governing Board had approved the charters of 5 Focus Groups. Sadly, half way through the year we said goodbye to our Director, Gwenda Thomas.
GAELIC was chaired by Prof Heather Edwards from 1996 to 1999. Dr Judy Henning was chairperson from 2000 to 2003, and Felix Ubogu chaired from 2004 to 2005. Our current chairperson is Dudu Nkosi.
We pay tribute to the chairpersons, library colleagues and to their directors for allowing them to devote time, energy and expertise to the consortium, and we look forward to another 10 years of library cooperation.
Innovative Advanced System Administration and Access Workshop
A successful training session, facilitated by an Innovative trainer, Eva Lachonius from Malmo in Sweden, was held at the Unisa Library on 6-7 November 2006.Library Systems Administrators were invited to attend the workshop, and learned to make specific system changes without asking the Innovative Helpdesk. The workshop was attended by GAELIC members (including the University of Namibia) and representatives from SEALS, FRELICO and the National Library of South Africa.
Library 2.0 discussion
GAELIC hosted a Library 2.0. discussion with Richard Wallis, a Technology Evangelist from Talis (UK). The discussion was held at the University of Pretoria on 30 October 2006. Participants were given an overview of Talis activities and of Web/Library 2.0. An overview of GAELIC, its structure, motivations, issues and ambitions was provided. The possibilities of proactive partnerships in learning and research within the changing digital environment were debated.
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The Department of Library Services and the Department of Information Science hosted a Research seminar on Friday 27 October 2006.
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NOTABLE
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NOTE
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Congratulations to Rachel More (Interim Executive Director: University of Limpopo Library Services) on her appointment as President-Elect of LIASA.
Mr Andre Schonken has been appointed as Director (Library and Information Services) of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. Congratulations!
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NOSEY NOTES
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I must say that I find television very educational. The minute somebody turns it on, I go to the library and read a book.
Groucho Marx (1895-1977)
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QUOTE OF NOTE
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Fostering Research and Education Networking in Africa: Announcement and Call for Proposals
TENET announces a program of assistance to emerging NRENs in Africa and calls for proposals in this regard...
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NOTICES
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