Our social:

Latest Post

Saturday, September 17, 2005

Networking: The Trick That Opens Doors

You know I love sharing from my experiences. Recently, I was at A University in Nigeria - Obafemi Awolowo University. I took my better -half to do her examinations. Thus, I was to while away hours while she is busy with her examinations. It was not that I did not have my plans, but the guy that was to take her disappointed us. I got into the institution and lo and behold I turned into my constituency - the University library. All I did at the gate was to cal few names I could remember at that point. Ofcourse, the door opened. I go to the last floor and I saw and insription - OUT OF BOUNDS TO NON-STAFF. I stepped in and lo and behold all I did was just to mention my name and that was it. The RULE was kept aside. I had a wonderful day. It was as if I planned it. I was well taken care of and we shared their valuable time discussing issues of common concerns to the LIPs - Copyrights issues (More on this another time)

Many do want open doors, but are not ready to network. When they are invited to programs. They still miingle with the 'usual' people. They never venture to meet new people. Even at conferences/Workshops/Seminars which was supposed to be networking events, many LIPs just look around and if they do find people they are familiar with, they waste the whole time.

I had a bad experience, last year on my way to Salzburg seminar (November 2004). I saw a lady who sat accross my seat for almost three houses while we were waiting to catch the next flight. Unknown to me, she was heading to the same direction. When we finally got talking later at the program, I doscovered she was from a Funding Agency in the USA. In fact, she came to recruit institution they might recruit into their programs. According to her, even if my program or so do not fit into their palns, at least she could show me the way. I tried to make up after the conference, but I missed out. Please learn to network and door will be opened to you.

I you are keen on reading more on this issue, here is one article that I read titled Networking http://www.jinfo.com/newsletter/Jinfo-Newsletter-99.txt

Monday, September 12, 2005

Mentoring - The Missing Link in the Development of The Young LIPs

Some months ago a colleague of mine was asking for younger LIPs for immediate employment. I told her I do not really know any of the students. I suggested that she should get in touch with the lecturers in the Universities whether they can be of help. She emphasized that she knew the lecturers could help but she is looking for younger LIPs that I know and can recommend. Particularly those that have gone beyond the details of the class unto the market palce. Self-motivated, teachable and responsible young LIPs. These qualities are hard to determine by teachers. It takes someone who is close that could figure out who as these inspiring and outstanding qualities.
 
Most of the younger LIPs if not all do not have any senior LIP that could even lead them into the profession life. There may be a few ones who are eager to learn, but are not that lucky to get someone to show them the way. I was very lucky in this respect. Some energetic young ladies told hold of me and literarily took me to where I am now. They were quick to share from their experiences on the best ways to do what. They were eager also to learn form me as a toddler. They sometime force me to do what i did not like to do, but was important for my future. They created opportunities for me. They took me up the ladder and I know very well how to climb the ladder of success. Well, you may ask me how have you brought the young up in the same way you were brought up. Well, i was able to do that to a few, but I had difficulties with many. Some were just not ready for it. At the end such people have missed great opportunities.
 
Mentors are greatly needed by the younger LIPs in Africa and especially in Nigeria. Many of them do now know why they are in the profession? Not to talk of what they can take out of the profession. They need you and me? But, how do we go about doing this? I have two published articles on this issue. One of my findings was that many LIPs in Nigeria do mentor the young informally. What i think we need the most is a structured montoring of the young.Who then will bell the cat? The NLA of the Library school? Any thoughts?

Copyright 2015. All Rights Reserved

Design By Premium Blogger Templates | Distributed By Gooyaabi Templates