The University of the Free State (UFS) proudly celebrates the achievement of Joseph Nkanyane, Electronic Resources Librarian at the Sasol Library, who won the Best Lightning Presentation Award at the 2025 annual Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA) Conference. The event took place from 30 September to 3 October 2025 at Boardwalk Hotel in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), where Nkanyane represented the Free State Province. 

The LIASA Conference is a premier national gathering where information professionals from across South Africa come together to share best practices, innovations, and developments in the library and information science sector.  

Reflecting on his win, Nkanyane said, “Winning felt awesome! While I was having breakfast with a colleague, he joked that if I didn’t win, the judges will surely be biased.” 

Nkanyane’s presentation explored innovative library management systems being adopted across institutions in South Africa. At the UFS, he manages the subscription and renewal of electronic resources and focuses on systems such as Alma Ex Libris (library management system) and Rialto (ordering system). 

“We were encouraged to participate by our line manager, Nthabiseng Kotsokoane, who believed it was important to share our experiences of implementing these systems with other librarians,” he explained.  

Highlighting the evolving role of librarians in an era increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence (AI), Nkanyane noted that their work remains central to academic success. “Being a librarian in this age means being at the center of knowledge. We continually strive to mediate between students and AI,” he said, underscoring the profession’s enduring relevance. 

Nkanyane believes that participating in the conference has positioned the UFS Library Services as a leader in knowledge sharing and innovation. “Many attendees have since contacted me to learn more about the topic I presented - some even requested a copy of my presentation,” he added. 

In reflecting on his professional experience, Nkanyane emphasised the importance of institutional support for staff participation in conferences and professional forums. “I would like the University of the Free State to continue providing dedicated funding, time allocation, and recognition for staff who represent the institution,” he said. “Many institutions still struggle with access to updated technologies, systems, and training that support modern information management and knowledge-sharing practices.”