Author: Veliswa Tshetsha
I am the Director of Research and Open Scholarship at the Library and Information Service (LIS) North-West University (NWU) in South Africa.
Five learning goals for the 2025 Mortenson Associate Program include the following:
Deepen Understanding of Open Scholarship:
I aim to expand my knowledge of open scholarship principles and explore practical strategies for their effective implementation across academic and research environments.
Develop Leadership and Communication Skills:
I seek to enhance my leadership capabilities by learning innovative leadership models and communication techniques that will enable me to lead teams effectively, drive change, and foster a collaborative library culture.
Support Inclusive and Equitable Access:
I am committed to advancing inclusive practices by learning how to build and curate digital and print collections that reflect diverse communities and ensure equitable access to information.
Improve Library Assessment Practices:
I intend to strengthen my understanding of assessment methods to more effectively evaluate the library's impact and continuously improve services based on user needs and data-driven insights.
Build a Global Professional Network:
I look forward to engaging with international peers to exchange ideas, share best practices, and cultivate opportunities for future collaboration and innovation in librarianship.