(A) Personal Details
Surname: Masonya
First Name: Oabona
Sex: Male
Place of Birth: Tonota
Nationality: Motswana
Date of Birth: 20th March 1964
ID No. 214212504
Marital Status: Married
Cell: 71749424
Email: masonyao@state.gov
masonyaob@gmail.com
Knowledge of Languages
Setswana; Excellent
English; Excellent
OBJECTIVE: To realize my dreams in life by forming relationships with institutions that matches my integrity.
(B) Qualifications
(a) Post Secondary Institutions.
· University of Botswana; Post Graduate Diploma in Library and Information Studies. (Aug 1994-June 1995)
· Botswana Defence Force Training Establishment;
Platoon Commander/Military Training (Aug.1990-Aug1991)
· University of Botswana; BA degree in Humanities (Aug1986-June 1990)
(b) Post Primary Schools.
· Mater Spei College………….COSC (1983-1984)………2nd Class
· Francistown Sec School…Jr Certificate (1980-1982)…2nd Class
(C) Employment:
· January 2007 to Date: Embassy of the United States of America, Gaborone; Information Resource Center Director
· January 2006-December 2006: Self employed Farmer
· Nov 2002- December 2005: University of Botswana Library
(Humanities Section)
Position held; Librarian
· Sept 1999-October 2002: Self Employed Farmer Managing:
1. Poultry project of 25000 broilers and employing 15 Batswana.
2. 10 hectares of land for planting crops, mainly Maize, cabbages and melons.
· March 1998-Sept 1999: University of Botswana Library:
Botswana Documentation and Special Collection (BDSC)
Position held; Assistant Librarian
· January 1993-March 1998: Botswana Defence Force
Position held; Force Librarian
· January 1992-August 1993: University of Botswana Library:
Staff Development Fellow on attachment from Botswana Defence Force
· August 1991-January 1992: Botswana Defence Force Headquarters
Position held; Commissioned Officer/Lieutenant
(D) EXPERIENCE
I. Embassy of the United States of America.
At the embassy my major duties and responsibilities are as follows: -
(a) Management:
Works with the Public Affairs Officers on issues of post programming and information outreach, and to ensure that the target audience and members of the Mission receive information necessary to carryout their work.
As head of the IRC, I independently plan, develop and manage the IRC in accordance with Mission Program Plan objectives and priorities.
I oversee all research and reference services and ensures the target audience receives authoritative information about the USA
Devises strategies for cost-effective automated means of handling information inquiries.
Develops the strategic plan for the IRC.
Advises Mission staff on the services provided by the IRC.
Works directly with members of the mission to coordinate contributions for the Mission Home Page with.
Manages the IRC budget and coordinates IRC budget expenditures and procurement with the Public Affairs Officers (PAO) and the USIS Administrative Assistant.
Advices the PAO on strategies for managing resources to ensure maximum cost effectiveness and productivity.
Prepares reports and writes briefs on special IRC programs and problems; ensures adequate IRC records and statistics are maintained.
Assigns work and provide guidance to Public Affairs Section junior staff.
Assesses professional development needs and recommends training.
Prepares evaluation reports on subordinates and recommends appropriate personnel action.
Monitors and reports on developments in information technology in the US and in Botswana evaluate their relevance to the IRC program and recommend cost effective strategies for their use.
(b) Outreach/Public Programs:
Promotes awareness of American policies and positions in contemporary affairs through a variety of innovative outreach
With the PAO and other Mission officers, make decisions on high-level recipients (e.g. parliamentarians, government officials, academics, senior civil servants and others who influences decisions in Botswana) of outreach.
Tailors appropriate information outreach products to suit the needs of the target audience, including members of the Mission, using resources such as the internet, article alert, commercial online databases, CD-ROM databases and print reference resources.
Reviews information resources at regular intervals and oversees distribution of materials to outreach recipients
Maintains personal contacts with the target audience to ensure adequacy and use of information outreach.
Designs promotional materials and develops marketing strategies highlighting IRC products, programs and services.
Edit the Mission Home page, recommends and develops appropriate materials and links for inclusion.
Promotes and market the Home Gage to the target audience
Participates in professional organizations by attending conferences and workshops, and maintains close and regular ties with local and American information specialists.
© Reference Services/ Research:
Responds to inquiries for in-depth information, primarily from the target audience or staff of the mission.
Analyses content of the inquiry and, if needed, contacts the client to discuss and clarify the request.
Researches inquiry by interpreting US government, legal and legislative documentation or other appropriate resources.
The research is completed using a wide range of traditional and electronic resources including, but not limited to, Internet, CD-ROM databases, commercial online databases and US government sources.
(d). Collection Development:
Determines the appropriate mix of print and electronic based resources for the IRC program and budgets accordingly.
Selects databases and materials such as US Government Printing office publications, congressional and other documents for the IRC.
Prior to selection, assesses content of material for authority, relevance and balance, as well as for contribution to Mission Program plan goals
II. Self Employed Farmer
I have always had interest in agriculture and when my contract with UB library in 2005 expired, I embarked on a horticultural project and I had employed three Botswana. My interest in farming emanate from the fact that farming has a lot of potential, particularly in employment creation and economic development. My keen interest is more on employment creation for Botswana and contributing to the economic development of this country. I have been using my librarianship skills in accessing information for this project.
III. University of Botswana Library
(Librarian -November 2002 to December 2005)
Humanities Section of the Library
Subject Librarian responsible for African languages and Literature, and Library and Information Studies subject areas.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
(Academic Responsibilities/Key Performance Areas)
(a) Collection Development
· Planned, managed, analyzed and maintained a balanced collection in support of teaching, learning and research in African Languages and Library and Information studies.
· Based on the budget and the average price of a book in the assigned subjects, selected relevant titles using selection tools including the Internet.
· Ensured relevancy and currency by evaluation (including weeding) of the collection, identified books to be repaired send them to bindery or replace.
· Ensured the correct status of the material is reflected (classified) in OPAC.
· Ensured proper collaboration between lecturers and subject librarians in determining and placing of reserve materials for use by students.
· Ensured effective shelving and shelf reading of collection is maintained.
· Ensured proper and timely assistance to customers in requesting and receipt of Inter Library Loans materials evidenced by statistics of different customers assisted
· Participated in the development of new programmes and revision of existing ones in assigned departments for the efficient provision of their Library resources and services.
(b) Liaison:
· Liaised with academic departments for purpose of creating partnership and for provision of enhanced information resources and services
· Developed and maintained proactive current awareness services (CAS) to the faculty
· Effectively communicated with University of Botswana departments, government departments, publishers, NGO’s, and private organizations to promote the legal deposit of all materials on and in Botswana.
· Attended departmental meetings and kept records of such meetings
© Curriculum Analysis:
· Identified weaknesses of the collection through the analysis of the curriculum of the assigned subjects
· Analyzed academic staff profiles to identify and established their research and teaching needs, provided selective reference and information resources based on the profiles, and solicit their inputs on Library materials to be acquired.
· Analyzed curricula in assigned subjects and produced collection maps and reports to guide collection development to meet the identified curricula needs.
· Analyzed data on use of print and electronic resources, interlibrary loan requests and circulating materials to guide decision-making on information resources development.
· Designed, developed and published information guides, subject portals, indexes and bibliographies to market the library services to enhance the exploitation of the resources.
(d)User Education
· Designed, developed, implemented and evaluated bibliographic instruction programmes in specialized subject areas for faculty and students to effectively exploit library resources.
· Effectively delivered information skills component of the General Education Courses (GEC I & II) to undergraduate and other new students.
· Participated in the teaching of Communication and Study Skills/General Education Course 121/122/ Information Literacy Skills (GEC 121/122) to DABS and CABS students at Lobatse and Gaborone centers for the past two academic years.
· Ensured assessment of students’ ability to exploit information resources through the use of tests and practical assignments
· Trained users in emerging information technologies and provided orientation and induction to facilitate access and effective use of Library resources.
· Assisted in the planning and provision of reference and information services
(e) Reference and Information Service
Ensured appropriate signage and helpful guides to the collection are provided
Ensured provision of subject based and general reference to all patrons through rota at the information desk and on the Humanities section in the office.
Ensured that first year students and new customers receive orientation and library guided tour programmes to maximize utilization of resources.
Designed and developed subject gateways to expand and complement the library’s resources to broaden the resource base for the customers.
(f) Other Professional Services
· Member of the UB Library GEC Online Course Team (Participated in the establishment of the Online Information Skills Course)
· I was a member of the UB Library Webpage Team, responsible for updating the UB Library Webpage.
· Undertook any other related duties as assigned by the supervisor
· Member of the Botswana Library Association
· Member of the UB Library Fire-Marshal Team
IV. Self-Employed Farmer
The two years of self-employment as a farmer is evidence of my great interest in farming, food production and employment creation. This displayed my interest in Agriculture, which was through self-motivation as well as self-driven. Since the knowledge and interest were self-driven, I gained a lot of experience and knowledge on Agricultural practices, as well as Agricultural Information producers and services, using my librarianship skills. With my knowledge and experience in information retrieval and accessing, I gathered a lot of information from numerous Agricultural related databases, both local and international, to support my project. I was managing a broiler farm of 24000 chickens, producing vegetables and employing 15 Batswana.
V. University of Botswana Library
(Assistant Librarian-Mar 1998-Sept 1999)
Botswana Documentation and Special Collection (BDSC)
I assumed duty with the University of Botswana Library (BDSC) on March 1998 as an Assistant Librarian, and the professional duties I performed were as follows:
- Collection Development
- Information Management
- Reference Services
- Supervisory and Administrative Activities
- Development of the University Archives
- Liaison activities
a) Collection Development
Under Collection Development I performed the following functions:
1. Acquisition of materials:
Analyzed newly published materials including retrospective bibliographies in conjunction with the needs of clients and the curricula. That is, book selection from nation bibliographies, publishers’ catalogues, Liaison with publishers/book sellers locally and internationally through the Internet, also liaison with government departments and NGO’s.
2. Legal Deposit:
-Pursued legal deposit activities by visiting government departments, parastatals, and NGOs:
-Identified and Corresponded with publishers in Botswana
-Visited Conferences, Seminars and workshop venues and procured the proceedings
3. Periodicals:
Procured proceedings published in Botswana including newspapers through subscription and legal deposit requirements
4. Ordered materials selected with the assistance of Botswana Collections assistants
5. Informed staff and other Library clients about newly acquired and processed materials through newsletters
6. Identified materials for binding, repair or replacement. Also examined materials returning form bindery for proper binding, spine labeling and correct spelling title and authors names
7. Checked on information on periodicals received in Botswana Collection in the Visible Index File, to check on issues not received and made a follow up of them
8. Checked data entered by Library Assistants into the Library system for spelling and other errors
9. Press cuttings:
Selected current news and views expressed in local and regional press in the following area, primary health care, environment issues, employment and investment, street children, crime, democracy, SADC, agriculture, women and education. Then compiled these press cuttings and took them for binding after six months
b) Information Management
1. Contents Analysis:
-Classified and catalogued all the current accessions as soon as possible
-Classified and catalogued the backlog
-Entered data into Motswedi (Library database) for final checking by Senior Librarian
-Retro converted materials not entered into the system
2. Abstracting:
-Did abstracting of the undergraduate degrees and MA Thesis
3. Document Security:
-Checked on work dome by Library Assistants on bar coding, stamping, sticking reference stickers and triggers for security of documents
4. Shelving/shelf-reading:
-Shelving and shelf reading of Botswana Collection materials everyday from 0745-0900
c) Reference Services
Assisted readers in literature search and to locate specific materials, documents, manuscripts, etc, through OPAC, CD-RO, Internet and other electronic resources.
Manned the reference inquiry desk on a rota basis
Participated in teaching of Information Literacy Skills to first year students and other Library clients
d) Supervisory and Administrative Activities
Supervised Library Assistants (Botswana Collection)
Participated in various staff meetings
Attended conferences, seminars and workshops, particularly for acquisition of proceedings
Served on Library/University Committees
Responsible for initiation and formulation of policy matters related to Botswana Collection
e) Development of the UB-Archives
I was a member and Secretary of the UB Advisory Committee on Archives set to establish the UB Archives (1998-1999)
As a member of this committee one of my tasks was to acquire Tshekedi Khama papers located in Pilikwe, and relocated them to University Library as part of the UB Archives.
f) Liaison Activities
Liased with the University Department/Faculties, Government Departments, Companies, Individuals and NGOs on matters relating to acquisition of materials and on professional assistance on Botswana and SADC.
Other Duties:
Performed any other task assigned by the Director Library Services
Member of SCOPAC
Member of Botswana Library Association
Knowledge and Skills in Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
My attachment to the University of Botswana (UB) Library as a Staff Development Fellow in 1992 coincided with the beginning of the computerization of the UB Library. This gave me an opportunity to learn and gain a lot of practical experience on automation of a Library system. My knowledge was further enhanced when I later rejoined the UB Library in 1998 on fulltime employment. By then, the UB Library was still in the process of automation; hence a lot of on-job training on computerization was provided. Through this training, I gained a lot of experience and knowledge. In addition, during my Postgraduate Diploma training, I took a course on Information Organization and Retrieval, which covered Library Computerization. Again the UB is continuously providing on-job training on computers, such as internet searching, accessing various international data bases, such as Net Library, Southern African Bibliographic Network (SABINET), LISA, ISA, EcoLit, EBSCOhost Web, Silver Platter, Web of Knowledge and many others. With this experience, I am very confident that I can work in any automated information center or any environment where automated information storage and retrieval skills are a prerequisite. I am also convecent with the use of Microsoft office word, Microsoft office excel and other programs along the information science profession. I also attended the following E-learning workshops offered by Center for Educational Technology Unit of the University of Botswana:
-Webpage Design
-Teaching in a smart classroom
-Information Resources and Services
-Legal Issues of information Use
-Webpage Design and Authoring, Leading to Library Web Pages by The International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications and University of Botswana Library from 11th to 15th August 2003.
VI. Botswana Defence Force Library
(Librarian: January 1993-March 1998)
I started and established the Botswana Defence Force library, and I was responsible for all the activities and functions of the Library. These functions included:
- Administration and supervision of library staff
- Acquisitions of materials
- Cataloguing and Classification
- Liaison with NGO’s, government departments and publishers
- Reference Services including sourcing out information for clients from other information centres
- And any other activities related to Library work and military duties.
REFEREES:
MR. Edwin Qobose
Deputy Director
University of Botswana Library Services
Tel; 3555049
Mobile: 71764511
Gaboikanngwe Maphakwane
Coordinator–Social Sciences Librarian
University of Botswana Library
Tel; 3555169
Major Abel Rukamba
Staff Officer
Botswana Defence Force Headquarters
Private Bag X06
Gaborone
Cell No: 72227716
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