Webinar: Strategic Repositioning and Koha Mastery for Special Libraries

Special libraries must continue to evolve to stay relevant, visible, and aligned with the goals of their parent institutions. Technology and innovation are no longer optional; they are essential tools for delivering impactful, efficient, and sustainable library services. To support this transformation, the Special Libraries Section of AfLIA is hosting a 2-day online workshop focused on empowering special library professionals with the strategic insight and practical skills needed to thrive. This workshop is designed to empower special libraries with the tools, strategies, and technological skills necessary for sustainable impact in today’s fast-evolving knowledge environment. Whether you are looking to sharpen your vision, improve service delivery, or master Koha Library Management Software, this workshop is designed with you in mind.

Topic

Repositioning Special Libraries through Innovation and Technology: A Practical Approach with Koha Integrated Library System (ILS)

Theme:

Empowering Special Libraries for Relevance, Visibility, and Sustainable Service Delivery

Why this Training?

In a digital age where access to information, speed of delivery, and institutional visibility are more important than ever, libraries, especially Special Libraries, must evolve to remain central to decision-making, research, and innovation. This workshop will provide a practical roadmap for transformation; combining strategic repositioning with hands-on mastery of Koha, the world’s most popular open-source Integrated Library System (ILS).

Date – April 22–23, 2025

Time – 11 am UTC | 12noon WAT | 1pm CAT/SAST | 2pm EAT

Training objectives:

Participants will:

Explore the evolving role of special libraries in a digital, knowledge-driven era.
Learn strategies to reposition libraries for greater institutional impact.
Gain hands-on experience in using Koha LMS to streamline operations.
Engage in peer learning and collaborative networking with fellow professionals across Africa.

Target Audience:

This training is ideal for:

Special librarians
Information professionals
Records and knowledge managers
Library IT personnel
Institutional decision-makers overseeing library services

Workshop Outline:

Day 1 – April 22, 2025
Theme: Repositioning the Special Library in the 21st Century

Understanding current trends and challenges
Aligning library goals with institutional strategy
Innovations and advocacy for visibility and impact

Day 2 – April 23, 2025
Theme: Koha Library Management Software — Practical Insights for Special Libraries

Setting up and configuring Koha
Managing cataloging, circulation, and reporting
Customizing Koha for special library contexts

Expected Outcomes:

By the end of the workshop, participants will:

Understand how to strategically realign special libraries with institutional priorities
Build core competencies in using Koha ILS for daily operations
Develop a strategic plan for increasing their library’s visibility and relevance
Join a growing network of professionals shaping the future of special libraries in Africa

Registration

Click button to register. Kindly note that once you register, you will receive reminders about the event.

CLICK TO REGISTER

Facilitator:

Richard Fordjour is the Chairperson of the AfLIA Special Libraries Section and serves as Librarian and Data Protection Supervisor at the National Banking College in Ghana. He is a certified Data Protection Supervisor with a strong background in special library management. Richard offers valuable expertise in strategic library repositioning and the practical application of Koha ILS to enhance service delivery.

Technical requirements

Upon registration, reminders will be sent to all registrants periodically. This webinar will be hosted on Zoom Conferencing Platform. Participants, who do not have Zoom on their mobile devices and or computers, need to download, install and create an account on Zoom ahead of time (CLICK TO DOWNLOAD). Webinar attendees are encouraged to join early, preferably 15 minutes before the start of the webinar, as one may need time launch the application. The speaker will use a webcam to connect with attendees. Audio and video for the session will be streamed over computer speakers. Attendees are therefore encouraged to connect with a headset or earpiece for maximum utility.

Webinar materials

A list of resources and further information will made be available at the end of the webinar, to enable thorough engagement with the webinar content. All registrants will have access to the presentation slides. The webinar recording will be uploaded on AfLIA Youtube Channel soon after the webinar to facilitate continuous engagement with the webinar content by webinar attendees and non-attendees. Please note that this webinar does not involve certificate of participation.

Enquiries

For further enquiries and any assistance relating to the webinar, contact us at afliacomm@aflia.net.