I would like to close off the consultation on changes to the Library Operational Plan for this planning round. I have asked managers to have all the changes in place by Friday 11 March.
I had an hour last week to present the Strategic Plan to SMT. It was an opportunity to both present the plan and increase the understanding of the role of the Library (communication for learning)
The SMT discussion on the plan was very positive. They thought it was a very clear and well thought out document that they were happy to endorse. During the discussion that followed a range of SMT members made some very positive comments on Library services. The discussion included:
Complement on the way the Library has worked with the Research Committee over the last 18 months
MB described as a hidden jewel that is important to UC
The importance of bringing Ngā Awa e Rua and Rautaki Whakawhanake Kaupapa Māori closer together (as discussed in Māori staff hui)
The great work being done in Commerce with the Liaison Librarians
the Archives moratorium, was there any progress and how this affected relationships with donors (an opportunity to talk about Education Library)
how we could work with SSAC to highlight the positive stories about the Library in a marketing context. How can SSAC and the Library work together on customer services
Who is using the Library and why? Feedback from research Postgraduates is that they are using the Library rather than their allocated spaces. Can we find out more through surveys or tracking of mobile devices (has privacy implications)
Discussion on space raised the issue of group work being more popular with education students and there was concern from students if there would be sufficient group study space in Central (I talked a little on the transition plan)
Complement on how well we are working with academics on the Copyright Project
That efficiency and effectiveness be added into the strategy with a requirement to measure what we are doing
Alex as usual provided very good support
As a result two aims have been added to Goal 7: Manage our resources wisely as a result of the discussions
Ensure our physical and digital spaces evolve to meet the changing needs of students
Ensure the effective and efficient use of our resources and that outcomes are measured and benchmarked appropriately
The plan will now go out to the academic community, including faculties, Learning and Teaching Committee, Research Committee and Academic Board, for consultation over the next two months. Once that is complete the final version of the Library Strategic Plan 2016-2020 will return to SMT for approval.
The draft Library Strategic Plan 2016-2020 is now available for staff comment. This is a living document and it will continue to change over time. It will go to Library Committee on Friday, the LR Managers on 8 Feb, SMT for the first time at the end of February, then to Faculty and Academic Board in late March/April before going back to SMT. It will then be reviewed again as part of the normal planning cycle each year.
The operational plan 2016-2018 is also available. This plan is 14 pages long but it covers the next three years so it is not a daunting as it looks. We will regularly review the plan to ensure that the goals remain realistic.
Please send your feedback to your manager or to me on the plans.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the creation of these plans. The content looks really great and the Strategic Plan will expose the Library’s vision and direction to a much wider audience.
Congratulations to staff who were successful in this year’s GSRR round.
Staff who received a step progression, accelerated progression below the merit, progression above the merit or bonus will have received a letter from their manager.
A summary of the GSSR outcome by band is available from the link below. The number of staff getting a progression or bonus above the normal step progression was similar to the last few years.
There is still an opportunity to provide feedback by November 25th on the Strategic Plan before the Library Managers start working on the next version of the document.
You are warmly invited to a Learning Technology showcase organised by UC Learning Resources to see and experiment with some of the latest technology and how it might be used for teaching. The displays will include:
Google Glass
Oculus Rift
Robots
Myo Bands
3D printing
Remote collaboration (Lync with Zoom)
Quiver
Between 12.30-2.00 (on half hour is best) in the Council Chamber Level 6 Matariki on Friday 20 Nov.
A Strategic Planning follow up session will be held from 2:30pm to 3:30pm on Tuesday 17th November in Room 308, Level 3, Central Library. Staff who are unable to attend the previous session are encouraged to attend.
The scene setting by Library Managers was videoed and is available from the link below
Congratulations to Sara Roberts and Donna Barber who have each been awarded a Vice-Chancellor General Staff Development Award for 2015. Sara applied last year but needed to wait until her paper was accepted for the British and Irish Association of Law Librarians Conference in Brighton, UK before being granted the award. Donna Barber will be attending the COSA Conference in Sydney, Australia. This conference specialises in the SirsiDynix Library Management Systems, including Horizon software currently used by the Library and BlueCloud their new offering.
Congratulations also to Jenny Owens and the DPI Team who have won a UC Health and Safety Award for their support and running of the Discomfort, Pain & Injury (DPI) Awareness Programme in the Library and investigating best working practices. The prize will be used to purchase items for trial and demonstration purposes for the group.
