Kia ora tatou

Every manager has done this slightly differently so I have taken the opportunity to report on a eclectic range of things that  I have been involved in to some degree over the last few days.   The vast majority of the work has been done by other library staff.

Staffing
The Kaitakawaenga and Pacific Library Liaison positions have been advertised and will close in mid November. The AUL position description is currently with Mary Boyce, our Kaiārahi, for comment. The Team Leader fixed term position in ELS will close shortly. Sara and Stuart are working on a new subject librarian position description as the first stage of replacing Fiona. We have also written a position description for a part time Project Manager for the NZLPP project which will be advertised shortly.

Policies
The updated Information Resources Policy was approved by Library Committee last week and will now go to Academic Board for consultation. The principles are similar to the last version with some of the practice updated (remove reference to Collection Plans except for MB) and some of the wordiness removed. The Borrower and Access Policy is mostly duplicated in the UC regulations. Sara is working on getting the remaining bits into the regulations and then this policy will be retired.

Emergency Management
Library Managers did an emergency exercise last week over at the UC EOC (Emergency Operations Centre) about a plane hitting the old Rutherford building in a storm to test out the Library emergency response and the Library Business Continuity Plan (BCP). Many events can be managed as part of BAU but in some cases the speed, size or complexity of an event means it is better to pull a team together to decide on the best way to respond. As an example the Library Managers formed a response team during the COVID lockdown which met daily via Zoom. There are key roles in a Response Team. Library Response Manager, normally the most senior staff member present; Communications, who receive and disseminate information to stakeholders; and Welfare who focus on providing staff with support they need to be effective during the emergency. Often in an emergency there is a strong desire to do something, to be seen to run the response, but best practice indicates that often it is more effective to create the space to think and take in the big picture view. The Library Response Team will work either from Level 5 PJH or online. So next time there is an emergency this may be what your manager is doing. Our next exercise will be on a Cybersecurity attack on the university.

COVID
COVID has had an impact on the Library but spare a thought for Auckland. Today I have been in meetings with Auckland University and Auckland Council Libraries who have now been in lockdown for 71 days. University of Auckland Library is running a click and post service but all other services are online. The university is likely to mandate vaccination for everyone on campus (the Stuff article is a bit premature). Auckland Council Libraries are providing an online service only which is frustrating for library staff and borrowers alike https://thespinoff.co.nz/books/27-10-2021/why-is-the-library-running-out-of-e-books/.

The Value of Libraries
NZLPP are creating a list of evidence for the value of libraries.  I have been asked to comment on the draft by Friday.     If you have a favourite recent paper that highlights the value that libraries create, send it through to me, preferably with APA reference.

Ngā mihi, Anne