Ms. Neli Tshabalala
Neli Tshabalala is the Director of Shared Library and Information Services at North-West University (NWU), South Africa. A passionate advocate for innovation in library services, she has led pioneering initiatives in the integration of emerging technologies—most notably the development of an autonomous robot assistant, created in collaboration with academic staff and students, to support personalised referencing, learning engagement, and digital marketing within library environments.
With a strong professional focus on artificial intelligence and machine learning, Neli has successfully driven multiple IT-led transformation projects aimed at enhancing library systems, service delivery, and inclusive access. Her expertise spans intelligent automation, content management, systems integration, and strategic planning.
Neli holds qualifications in Library and Information Science, Education, Business Management, and Project Management, including an MS (LIS) from Clark Atlanta University in the United States. She is an active member of IFLA and has contributed to several sections, including Libraries Serving Persons with Print Disabilities, Big Data, and Information Technology. She also played a key role in organising the 3rd IFLA AI Symposium hosted at NWU.
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