Surviving and Thriving in the Internet Age: An auto-ethnographic Approach (original) (raw)

The advent of Internet as a tool used to facilitate and share information impacted negatively on the library and information fraternity. Traditional roles and the status libraries used to enjoy as gate-keepers of information have declined, because the Internet made information available fast and massive in the form of Web pages accessible via the Internet. This paper is about the role played by the Internet and how it impacted negatively on our fraternity. As the competition with Internet became rife, libraries especially in South Africa struggled to survive or define the role they should really play, and I felt the same. At the beginning of 2000 universities in South Africa started to close down departments that used to offer library and information studies. Those who survived are still struggling to attract students in the field. A new dawn called Internet Age made its impact felt by all. These changes were the defining moment for me. This paper further explore the move I had to take as a results of this new dawn, that is how I embraced it, transformed and get out of my comfort zone and acquire new skills in order to survive. The new skills enabled me to develop a vibrant information literacy programme, thus making myself visible as a librarian. Seeing Vaal University of Technology students developing quality research papers, making informed and critical decisions, producing new knowledge through effective use of information will put a smile not only on my face but to other librarians as well.