Twenty-one years ago, on 1 May 1978, an historic workshop was held which led to the formation of the Association for Archivists and Manuscript Librarians (AMLIB). This name was suggested by founder member Dr A M Lewin Robinson, and Dr Moonyean Buys provided the Afrikaans version as well as the format for the Newsletter. Hosted by Professor Reuben Musiker at the University of the Witwatersrand the theme of the workshop was Current Issues Confronting Archivists and Manuscript Librarians. The issues discussed were ‘A Coordinated Collecting Policy, Problems of Copyright, Sensitive Material’ and ‘Care of Collections.’

At the end of a stimulating and fruitful day the delegates resolved that an association should be formed and a steering committee was appointed, comprising Maryna Fraser (Barlow Rand Archives), Anna Cunningham (University of the Witwatersrand Library), and Marie Coetzee(University of South Africa Library).