So, another fortnight has passed and it’s time for a sixth update from inside and outside the Library. This was due last Friday. But last week was a bit of a whirl, so it’s happening on Tuesday instead. As previously stated, this is not a synthesised managerial view but direct from my head so “all views represented below are those of the author’s and do not represent UC’s… etc etc etc”

Library Operational Plan Update

So we’re drawing to the end of the third quarter of 2021. Each quarter, we measure our progress against the Operational Plan.  So over the next week, all managers have to update the 2021 Ops Plan. This can be a moment of celebration or a quiet elbow nudge to refocus on a particular area or task.

Increase Access to Māori and Pasifika resources

This is an area of focus for the plan for 2021. And work has been happening. But building relationships takes time. And assessing what we can actually do, and deciding what is a priority, also takes time. And co-creation of anything is a bit of a new concept for the Library, and for UC.

So we’ve done a lot of talking. Firstly, with our Kāiarahi (first Jeanine Tamati-Elliffe and now Mary Boyce), then with CONZUL and with the National Library of New Zealand. And there have been lots of Librray tīma (team) discussions.

We’re now improving records for core Māori publications. The improvements mean our Māori students and staff will find useful content more easily. We’re also updating agreements and policies, like the Information Resources Policy, the Kaitiaki Agreement and Research Data Policy. So these reflect our bicultural approach. And because UC loves a policy, and you’ve got to get them in the feels.

UC 150th anniversary

The deadline of 2023 is a little bit closer again. Rā and I have been ensuring that the Library is included in the UC-wide discussions. We hope the Digital Voyages platform could be used to support the new book on the history of UC, which is being written now. The book aims to capture different voices and stories than the previous histories… and may even be slightly contentious! Gosh.

Reflection and listening

Doing is my happy place… so this year I’ve been working on strength building in my weaker areas, which are self-reflection and listening. UC is also trying to change. UC aims to not just create but to support the UC values. One area is reducing negative social encounters. I attended a course yesterday called DARE. (Yes, the title totally sounds like management gubbins). However, the session was attended by professional and academic staff from across UC. I’m sharing below one of the slides which spoke to me about the small changes we can all make to improve our workplaces.

If these have sparked any thoughts for you… feel free to pop into my office to discuss. Always happy to chat listen.