Hello, all - We hope that you will join us for a brown bag lunch event with Dr. Buhle Mbambo-Thata of AfLIA<http://aflia.net/> (African Library and Information Association and Institutions) from South Africa, where she will discuss AfLIA and how the library field in Africa is evolving with ICTs and other initiatives. She will also discuss libraries in general in Africa and how they are contributing to community development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Buhle is a long-time partner and friend of the Technology & Social Change Group (TASCHA), and while she is in town for meetings with us, she graciously offered to meet with students who are interested in libraries in Africa. This is a perfect event for any of you interested in libraries around the world, international development, and international librarianship. When: Monday, May 8th, 12pm-1pm Where: Bloedel Hall 070A Brown bag lunch event - please bring your own lunch About Buhle: Dr. Buhle Mbambo-Thata is the Director of Resources Development of the African Library and Information Association and Institutions (AfLIA). Prior to that she was Executive Director of Library Services at the University of South Africa from 2006 until her retirement in 2016. She served as University Librarian at the University of Zimbabwe from 2001 until 2006. She serves as member of the Board of Directors of the National Library of South Africa, and Council on Research Libraries CLIR. Dr Mbambo-Thata has served as Governing Board member of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA). She was a member of the Strategic Advisory Network of the Global Libraries Programme of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. She has previously served on various committee affiliations including the Library Network of the Association of Commonwealth Libraries, the E-Knowledge Society for Women in Southern Africa (of which she was chairperson), the advisory committees of EIFL Found.net, 2004-2007; the Gender in Africa Information Network 1996-2001 and the Access to Learning Award of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Her research interests are in women and ICT and ICT applications in libraries. She is passionate about Library development generally, and in Africa in particular. -- Melody Clark Communications Manager Technology & Social Change Group (TASCHA) University of Washington Information School melclark@uw.edu<mailto:melclark@uw.edu> | 206.303.7910 Twitter: @taschagroup<https://twitter.com/taschagroup> | @melodyrclark<https://twitter.com/#!/melodyrclark> tascha.uw.edu<http://tascha.uw.edu/>