Strengthening Capacity of the Zimbabwe Library Association through Sustainable Partnerships. Convergence & Inclusivity: synergies for leadership development

Abstract

What should be the strategy for Zimbabwe Library Association to enable its Information Practitioners in Zimbabwe to participate at international forum? Present day National Library Associations should link up and collaborate with other International Associations like IFLA for sustainable partnership in order to promote leadership development. Professional Associations’ viability depends in part on effective leadership. In essence Effective leaders engage in both professional leadership behaviours such as setting a mission, creating a process for achieving goals, aligning processes and procedures and personal leadership behaviours which includes amongst others building trust, caring for people, acting morally. In reality leader behaviours and actions are important determinants of effectiveness. Professional leadership is an essential first step in the leadership process. It provides a foundation that leads to willing cooperation. Personal leadership is an essential contributor to willing cooperation. This particular paper takes a look at leadership in Librarianship at National Association Level and how it can be harnessed. It considers direction to undertake. This paper will also look at coordination within the National Association set-up to juxtapose with strategic alignment. It will also touch on aspects such as caring and sharing of information. It finally concludes with the issue of morality that touches on professional ethics that is the engaging in behaviours that promote effective leadership