International honour for SU director

Ms Ellen Tise, Senior Director of Stellenbosch University’s Library and Information Service and President of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), is in Washington where she has received an international award for her leadership and contributions to IFLA and international librarianship.

The award was presented by the International Relations Committee (IRC) of the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) during the annual conference of the American Library Association (ALA).

IFLA is the leading international organisation representing and promoting the interests of library and information services and their clients worldwide. In August 2009, Ms Tise became the first South African to fill the position of IFLA President. The IFLA Presidency is the highest position for a professional person within the library and information services. Her term ends in 2011.

Ms Tise’s presidential theme is “Libraries driving access to knowledge”, with specific focus on user orientation, advocacy, library as place, the role of libraries in social inclusion and the need for strong partnerships.