Before that role, she led two large university libraries. Between 2006 and 2016 she was Executive Director, Library Services, University of South Africa (UNISA). Between 2001 and 2006 she was University Librarian of the University of Zimbabwe (UZ). In the early days of her career she was Senior Librarian at the University of Botswana (UB) 1995-2001; Social Science Librarian, University of Botswana 1990-1995 and Librarian, Hillside Teacher’s College, Zimbabwe 1988-1990, and trainee librarian 1985-1887.

Dr. Mbambo-Thata is a leader whose work spans international and continental work to advance the library sector as a key player in education and development. She has facilitated library consortium development in many countries in Africa, including Lesotho. She serves on boards of library develop organisations internationally. Her work on library development in Africa is extensive.

Dr. Mbambo-Thata is a distinguished librarian whose knowledge and expertise has been recognised with the following awards: the IFLA Medal for Distinguished service to Libraries in Africa; “the UNISA woman of the year” award, as well as the “Chancellor’s award for distinguished leadership”.

She has edited three books and published in several referred journals.

Her research interests are in women and ICT, and in technology applications in libraries. She is passionate about library development generally, and in Africa in particular.  She is also passionate about mentoring librarians.

Overview of the Office of the University Librarian

Established in 1954 as the nucleus collection of the former Pius XII College, the Library moved to the current building that was constructed in 1964. The Library building was named after Thomas Mofolo when it became NUL Library. The Library has since evolved into a conglomerate of a conventional library, the archives, documentation unit, a museum section and other services that harmoniously provide information for academic and related purposes. The service operates from the Roma campus-based Thomas Mofolo Library (TML) building that is the hub and the source of a variety of information resources. Structurally, the Library functions through three Divisions whose scope permeates satellite sites at the Faculty of Law, at ISAS and at IEMS.

The Library holds about 200,000 volumes of print books on the open shelves and over 189,000 titles of documentation and archival records that are kept on closed access. There are 501 titles of bound and current serial items. Electronic resources range from an increasing number of licensed databases, to several others available through subscription, exchanges and free deposits. The nucleus of the University museum is steadily developing. The entire collection of various conventional and non-conventional information-channeling formats is housed mainly at TML where the Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) describes and locates each of the items listed in the automated system. Although gradually being phased out, a manual catalogue for the semi-catalogued materials exists concurrently with OPAC. Subject areas of all these materials focus on the information needs of clients as they pertain to the academic programmes of NUL. As well, the expressed information needs generally reflect programmes and courses offered at NUL.

Services

The NUL Library at Roma, in Maseru and Mohale’s Hoek attracts learners as the principal clients who physically visit the service points in great numbers.

Reading Space and Study Carrels

Short and Long Term Loan

Reference Services

Internet Facilities

CD-ROM Search Services

Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery

Photocopying and Binding

Lesotho Question and Answer Service (LEQAS)

Staff

Secretary

Contacts

Tel: +266 22340601   Ext. 7020

Direct Line: +266 22340468

Fax: +266 22340231

Cell: +266 58854122

Email: librarian@nul.ls

Website: http://library.nul.ls

For more information please visit the Library Website