Ntombikayise is the Assistant Librarian at the University of Eswatini in Manzini- Matsapa, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland). She has been a member of ACL since 2012.
Describe yourself using a book title: I would relate myself to the title Love Is a Decision by Gary Smalley. It is a book where I am always reminded that there is a lot that goes with the term “love.” One would mistake it to the butterflies they feel when they see someone, yet it is a decision that one has to take every day; to love and to spread love and love in spite of the situation. Love can move you to the acts of service even in the library world!
What’s the best thing about being a librarian? The best thing about being a librarian is seeing the smile whenever an information seeker gets the information they need. Their relief is priceless. There is nothing as frustrating as coming to a library and looking for something without a clue where to start. So I can safely say that the best thing about being a librarian is the ability to guide users, especially students to the relevant information within a short space of time. Being the “answer engine” isn’t easy, but it is very satisfying!
What are you currently reading? He Is There and He Is Not Silent by Francis A. Schaeffer
Describe ACL in three words: Empowering, Guiding, Inspiring!
How do you (or How have you), as an academic librarian, contribute to your campus? I have contributed to my campus through advocacy for library usage to undergraduate students. I do this through teaching library skills and reference services to most of them, especially the first years. Since I am in the Library Marketing Committee, I have also contributed to the visibility of the library services accessing E-Resources available to both students and lecturers as well as the University community.
I began my career as a librarian…I believe that my career as a librarian began way back when I was doing secondary school. I remember that as a member of a youth group called Prince Makhosini Award Scheme, I used to be a volunteer in the library of my school, Ka-Lamdladla Secondary. I would help in organizing and issuing books to fellow colleagues. These activities of the library made me fall in love with the profession as I loved being among books and reading anything anytime I wanted. As a result, my first composition on what I want to be when I grow up was on being a Librarian. However, when I finished school, I proceeded to study law at Varsity. Upon graduating, I felt that I needed to help people access legal information to protect their rights rather than going to active court services. Hence when an opening for a librarian with a legal qualification appeared, I was over the moon!
What do you value about ACL? I most value the fact that there is a sharing of ideas and information in the library profession, which is coupled with Godly principles from brethren colleagues.
How were you introduced to ACL? I was introduced by my sister in Christ, colleague and friend, Ms. Andrea Abernathy!
How are you or have you been involved in ACL? Living in Eswatini, I haven’t been involved much in activities, but I enjoy following everything through the emails on the ACL Discussion List.
Do you have any specific interests in the library world? One specific interest I have in the library world is the ease of access to information sources in the digital era for the remote areas of my country. It is my dream to open an Information Resource Center in the rural community of Mliba-Eswatini, my home area. I wish I could have this to serve the many less privileged youth of the area through availing basic information services to enrich them as they prepare to face the information superhighway in their educational journey.