Peter Johan Lor

Peter Johan Lor was born in the Netherlands and emigrated to South Africa. He did his studies in Librarianship and Library Science at the University of Stellenbosch and the University of Pretoria in South Africa and at the University of Caen in France. He received a B.Bibl. Honors (an honors degree in Library Science) from the University of Stellenbosch as well as a Masters in Library Science from the University of Pretoria. He also was granted his D.Phil. in Library and Information Science from the University of Pretoria in 1990. In 2008, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy from the University of Pretoria for his extraordinary professional work in different associations and as a professor and researcher in Library Science.^[1]

Throughout his varied career as a professor, librarian, manager, and researcher, Peter Lor has been passionate about issues of International Librarianship, specifically the development of libraries around the world. As a practitioner, Lor served in various libraries in South Africa as well as holding the position of senior librarian at the University of Pretoria (1976–80). He also worked as the director of South Africa's State Library for eight years. In 1999, the National Library of South Africa was created by merging the State Library in Pretoria and the South African Library in Cape Town. Lor became the first National Librarian, responsible for this merger. Peter Lor was also active in the creation of the Library and Information Association of South Africa.^[2] This association replaced former library associations that had been segregated along racial lines. Further, he was involved in developing national library policies for post-apartheid South Africa.
^[3]

In addition to his active role in the Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA)in its early years (1996-2000), he served in a variety of capacities in other organizations such as the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) and the Conference of Directors of National Libraries (CDNL). Beginning in February 2005 until September 2008, he served as the Secretary General of IFLA.^[4] He has also served as a consultant on library development and has worked as an advocate for libraries in the World Summit on the Information Society.^[2]

As for his extensive teaching experience, Lor began as an associate professor and then professor in Information Science at the University of South Africa (1986-1992). He has also taught at the University of Pretoria in the Department of Information Science. As of January 2009, he is a visiting professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in the School of Information Studies.^[5]

Peter Lor is the author of around 150 professional and research publications. Some of Peter Lor’s most recent research interests include:^[1]

• Developmental role of libraries in developing countries
• National and regional information policy
• Library and information services legislation
• Information flows between developed and developing countries
• International and comparative librarianship and information work
• National digital heritage: capturing, organization, preservation and access
• Research methods in library and information science

References

1. 1 2 "International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, Honorary Doctorate for Peter Lor"
2. 1 2 "Intellectual Network for the South, Peter J. Lor Profile Page"
3. ↑ "Libraries – the Information Society in Action, Peter J. Lor"
4. ↑ "International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, New Secretary General: Professor Peter Lor"
5. ↑ "University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Dr. Peter Lor"