There is definitely a lot going on at the moment as we try our best to welcome our students back to campus.

There has been another case of COVID reported in the Halls today. Close contacts are now being identified and informed.  UC remains in Step One of the Red Traffic Lights and we are continuing to monitor the situation closely.

There is a protest being planned tomorrow. The expectation is that the various protest groups will gather at Ilam Fields at 11am then around lunchtime proceed through campus likely stopping between Matariki and PJH. There will be a police presence and additional extra security on campus. Police advice is to let the protesters through campus without confrontation. Please take care to avoid any areas with protesters, including Ilam Fields and the concourse between Matariki and PJH.

If there are any significant problems Security will lock down the buildings of concern. Security will continue to manage access to PJH. If you have any concerns during the protest, depending on the context, let a manager and/or Security know.

The protest groups are associated with Cramer Square and Wellington protests. There is also expected to be a small number of prospective and current students.

Your manager is considering the specific issues for your team.  Please also talk to your manager if you have specific concerns.

Take care of each other.

Ngā mihi nui
Anne

Kia ora koutou

I am very happy to announce that Rebecca Fisher has agreed to be the Library Administrator in a 0.5 FTE role until the new continuing position is in place.     Rebecca is working two days this week, is on leave next week, and will then be working part of each day  Monday to Friday in Summer, and during term Monday to Thursday to fit around some of her ELS shifts.

Ngā mihi
Anne

It is early days and things were relatively quiet yesterday the first day in the Red traffic lights.

Yesterday Library Managers reviewed our Library Services under COVID-19 Protection Framework to ensure our services aligned with the government and UC guidelines.    We have reduced the distancing in Libraries on our website from 2M to 1M to be consistent with university messaging however at this time the limits on total numbers in each library remains based on 2M.  We are not currently reaching these limits.   We have also changed who can access the Library.   PJH is open to the community, including external borrowers, and will remain so during enrolment.   MB is open to external borrowers on request.  We have taken the pragmatic decision to restrict EPS to staff and students with swipe card access as the cost of security guards is not justified at this point.   We will review access before the start of the semester or earlier if required.

Library managers are looking at how services will run when Omicron starts to spread more widely.   More on this later.

The university has had a number of questions from staff about working from home and mask wearing as there are some inconsistencies in practice across campus.   Updated advice should be available soon.

The Auditors are working in the space between the Staff Room and my office.   They are working closely with Finance and are normally on campus for around 4 weeks.

Take care of yourself and others.

Ngā mihi nui
Anne

The Tautāwhi | Administrator Library Administrator role is now live, closing on 14 Feb 2022.

The Library is looking for a proactive, professional and motivated individual to provide administrative support and ensure smooth running of the Library.

In this varied role, you will ensure the provision of timely and efficient administrative service to the library, particularly to the University Librarian and Associate University Librarians. Tasks involved in this role include: organising meetings, seminars and functions (in-person and online); project support; minute-taking, operational planning and reporting; induction and training support; and the coordination and maintenance of resources and information.

Most Library roles have a strong administrative component so feel free to apply.

If you would like more information on the position please talk to Helen or me.

Ngā mihi
Anne

Helen and I are really missing someone in the Library Administrator role and the routine tasks are piling up as we move into a busy time of year.    The continuing Library Administrator position will be advertised shortly at 0.8 FTE.    In the meantime, I am seeking Expressions of Interest (EoI) for a part-time 0.5 FTE fixed term until the new person is appointed.  This position will be filled internally and will likely be through a Higher Duties Allowance equivalent to band 3 for an estimated 8-10 weeks.

The PD is available at K:\Operations\HR\Library-administrator-2022-01.pdf  and includes organising meetings, seminars and functions (in-person and online); project support; minute-taking, operational planning and reporting; induction and training support; and the coordination and maintenance of resources and information.   Given the short time period we are not expecting someone be proficient for the whole role.   Gabrielle has left some very good notes which will help someone get started.

If you like problem solving, attention to detail, are self-managing, can cope with changing priorities and can keep confidentiality then this would be a good opportunity for you.

If you would like to discuss this opportunity, please feel free to contact me or Helen.

Expressions of Interest should be submitted to anne.scott@canterbury.ac.nz by 5pm on Thursday 27 January 2022 with Library Administrator Expression of Interest in the subject line.

Your EoI should be no more than one A4 page outlining:

• Why you are interested in this role
• What skills and experience you will bring to the role
• What technical or professional knowledge you will bring to the role.

The recruitment process will comprise of the EoI and an interview.

Nga mihi nui
Anne

We are all aware that Omicron is coming and there are some things we can do to prepare.    Library managers are keeping up-to-date with the situation both in Aotearoa and internationally; and discussing how we can prepare, while also knowing that things are constantly changing.

I would like to encourage everyone to ensure that you and your whānau are fully vaccinated.   This is a reminder that you can use work time to go get vaccinated including boosters, or to support the vaccination of your children, or anyone in your wider family group who you would normally look after.    If you are eligible you can book a booster this week by ringing 0800 28 29 26.  Get in before the rush next week when online bookings open for children and boosters.   As usual let your manager know what is happening to ensure coverage.

Have your say through the survey sent out to staff on 16 December asking if you support mandatory vaccination.  It closes this Friday on 14 Jan.   The university will then review the outcome along with risk assessments to make a decision by 23 Jan 22, with an announcement shortly after.    Any decision will come into effect on 21 Feb 22.

You can add your vaccine status to Assure  https://ucsafety.assurasoftware.net/ (click on Vaccination Status link on left) and update it with your booster information if you wish.

UC has developed a form based on government guidelines to evaluate each position for COVID risk and the impact of mitigations we can put in place.   Library managers will be working on these evaluations over the next few weeks with staff, probably starting with the positions that have the largest number of staff.    Staff are encouraged to participate in the evaluation process.

The TEU have some good resources on their website about COVID and vaccinations, and there are a couple of zoom sessions that they did in December that are worth watching if you are interested.

Some other things to think about:

• Do you have everything you need to work from home at short notice?   If not, talk to your manager.    If you are in a new role, or have not worked from home for some time, you can arrange a practice day with your manager.
• It is a good idea to prepare to isolate at home at short notice if required.   Create a COVID wellness kit for your home, including a plan, food, basic medical supplies etc.   Work and colleagues can provide support if you need it.  See https://covid19.govt.nz/prepare-and-stay-safe/be-prepared-for-covid-19/ for more information

Take care of yourself and be kind to each other, knowing that everyone’s situation is different.   If you need support or someone to talk to please ask.

Ngā mihi nui, Anne

Kia ora koutou

I am very pleased to announce that Aurelia Arona has accepted the position of Pou Tuarua, Associate University Librarian.    Aurelia is well known to many of you, both from UC and from CCC.  She is currently Kaiwhakahaere Ratonga Māori at Christchurch City Libraries, leading a growing and highly successful team responsible for Māori and Cultural Services.   She worked for UC Puna before from 2013-2016 as Kaitakawaenga Ako based in the old Education Library and was for a for a time acting as Deputy to Alison McIntyre in the Academic Services (now LTR) team.

She will start on 14 February.  We will arrange an appropriate welcome closer to the time.

Helen and I are really looking forward to Aurelia joining us.   She brings with her significant knowledge and leadership skills, and is passionate about making a difference for staff and students.  Her new role will have a significant bicultural component and will  manage learning and engagement.

Please join with me in warmly welcoming Aurelia to this new role.

Ngā mihi nui, Anne

Kia ora

Last year I indicated that I was thinking of retiring this year and now I have chosen a date, the 15 July 2022.   This will give Ian the six months he wanted to find a replacement.

I really enjoy working with you all and I love that I get to do so many interesting things as University Librarian.   Now more than ever I believe in the importance of tuia te tangata ki te mātauranga.   What we do makes a difference in peoples lives.   However you cannot continue in a role forever.    When I accepted the University Librarian position I had intended to stay for five years, by the time I retire it will be eight.   It is time for someone with fresh ideas and perspectives to take over.

Retirement will allow me to slow down a bit and focus on the other things that I love to do such as walking, biking and gardening, maybe even some tramping and if not there are lots of cycle trails.

There are many things still to accomplish before I retire so lots will happen in the next six months.

Ngā mihi nui
Anne

Please remember to add a title and your name to your Counterculture posts.     A title makes it more easily searchable, and your name means we do not have to work it our from your username 😊

Ngā mihi, Anne

Toni O’Donohue in Finance is coordinating a collection of gifts and food items to take into the Christchurch City Mission the week before Xmas.   Library staff are welcome to contribute.   Please drop off any items by Wednesday 15^th December to her office on Level 5 PJH.

Ngā mihi, Anne