Kia ora koutou
A week of two halves weather-wise, catapulting from +30 degrees on Tuesday to rainy chill on Wednesday!
Quite a busy week too (understatement?!) as students began cascading back onto campus in their droves. I’m thrilled to see our ongoing commitment to welcoming all people back for the year, be that in classes, in passing, through our service channels and desks, and as part of our floating “meet and greet” presence!
On a similar theme, I’ve spent a bit of time meeting many of you for one-on-one kōrero this week, and deeply appreciate the chance to get to know each other better, hear what’s on top, and share thoughts on the year ahead. Thank you also to those continuing – with great forbearance – to be “bumped” for later days/times, as I wait for my calendar to settle into a more predictable rhythm (this may never happen, I realise!!).
This week I attended my first CONZUL (Council of Aotearoa New Zealand University Libraries) hui. Aurelia, joined by Judith Waaka and Bron Austin from Auckland City Council, attended part of the meeting to provide an update on the journey to date with our NZLPP-funded mahi (New Zealand Libraries Partnership Programme), and next steps. The presentation and kōrero that followed was powerful and illuminating, particularly around what meaningful engagement with our ākonga Māori, communities and kaimahi can and will look like. CONZUL are committed to considering what contribution we can make (collectively, and at each member library), to ensure the research findings effect positive changes on our service offer and to ensure we are accountable in this mahi.
Also discussed at this meeting was a desire to share with staff in CONZUL member libraries what CONZUL is all about, how/if it has impact for us, and how to learn more and get involved. I’ve volunteered, along with Michelle Blake (UL at Waikato) to co-lead this presentation, as a newcomer learning about all this myself!
This week I also attended my first Research Committee meeting, where Open Access was discussed (yay!) as well as a stated desire to uplift the volume of research outputs deposited in our institutional repositories (across all 8 universities in Aotearoa). Our institutional repositories are freely accessible for all, and the more research deposited there, the more on-flow benefits for increased research impact and long-term positive social outcomes.
The Committee also learned about EEARN (Early and Emerging Academic Researcher Network) which has formed somewhat organically in response to a need for ongoing support and cross-disciplinary sharing amongst anyone identifying as an early or emerging academic researcher here at UC. The Network has evolved and grown in spades and they’re ready now to reach out for more formalised support. I’ve had a few quick discussions already with some of you, about how we can play a role here and get involved. Stay tuned!
Have a great weekend all. I’m heading to the Kāpiti Coast to catch up with whānau and friends. Safe travels if you’re venturing about as well. Mā te wā!