Tēnā Koutou,
After a brief but brave battle with a (possible) fungal gill infection, Swim Shady passed away in the early hours of Sunday Morning.
Swim Shady’s body is now buried in a small pot with a pepperomia growing out of it. This is in the ELS workroom if you wish to pay a visit. The white stones are from his tank.
Kia ora koutou,
Our New Library assistants who were recruited through the Assessment Center in January, have started their training today! The quality of applicants we saw was very high, and we are very pleased to announce the following new hires.
If you see them around say hello to:
Henare Nathan
Lynonah Tausa
Manaaki Fletcher
Molly McKinstry
Paekitawhiti Muriwai
Robyn Blaker
Vivian Ye
These are the new permanent AYO roles created for this year, and increase both our evening and weekend staff up to 4 across the board during the Academic Year. This will increase our level of service delivery during those hours, and allow staff to be better supported when working in those times when other staff are not often around!
We are very excited for them to start their regular hours next Monday!
Ngā mihi
Dale, Isabella, and Simon
Let’s raise a virtual toast to Fiona, the talented poet whose words shone brightly, claiming the top spot in this year’s AI Poetry Competition. 🌟 Fiona’s exceptional piece not only captured the essence of the University of Canterbury’s 150-year celebration but also seamlessly blended the festive spirit of Christmas with the scholarly environment within the library.
Key Highlights of Fiona’s Winning Poem:
In a competition filled with outstanding entries, Fiona’s work stood out, creating a memorable and joyful experience for readers. 🎊 Congratulations to Fiona for her poetic brilliance and the well-deserved victory! May this accomplishment be a source of inspiration for future creative endeavors. 🌈📜✨
Collect your winnings from my desk, when you are able, Fiona 🙂
See below for a summary of all the entries.
This year we had a tie between Stuart (The Incumbent) and Fiona’s poem. Chat GPT provided a detaield breakdown of why it preferred Fiona’s poem to win in 2023. Chat GPT was unaware of who wrote each poem until after it had declared the winner.
| Poem Author (In order of entry) | Originality (/10) | Relevance to Christmas themes (/5) | Possibility of a four-chord pop song (/5) | structure (/10) | Total (/30) | |||||
| Joanna #1 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 9 | 25 | |||||
| This poem displays a high level of originality, capturing the essence of Christmas celebrations within the context of a university’s 150th-year legacy. The relevance to Christmas themes is strong, incorporating traditional elements like carols, mistletoe, and festive cheer. The structure is well-crafted, creating a cohesive narrative. However, the possibility of turning it into a four-chord pop song might be a bit challenging due to its sophisticated language and structure. | ||||||||||
| Rebecca F #1 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 24 | |||||
| This poem maintains a good level of originality, skillfully intertwining Christmas themes with the celebration of the University of Canterbury’s 150-year legacy. The relevance to Christmas is strong, incorporating festive elements and imagery. The structure is well-crafted, creating a cohesive and rhythmic flow. While the possibility of turning it into a four-chord pop song is feasible, some sections may need slight adjustments for a more seamless transition to a musical format. | ||||||||||
| Joanna #2 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 23 | |||||
| This poem exhibits a commendable level of originality, crafting a unique Christmas tale within the context of Canterbury’s legacy. It effectively blends the festive spirit with the academic environment. The relevance to Christmas themes is strong, capturing the essence of a Southern Hemisphere Christmas. The structure is well-maintained, but some adjustments may be needed for a seamless transition to a four-chord pop song. | ||||||||||
| John #1 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 16 | |||||
| This poem takes a more somber and cynical tone, offering a unique perspective on Christmas within the context of Canterbury’s legacy. While it maintains a level of originality, it scores lower in terms of relevance to Christmas themes and the possibility of transforming it into a four-chord pop song. The structure is also less cohesive, contributing to a slightly fragmented narrative. | ||||||||||
| Leah #1 | 9 | 5 | 1 | 8 | 23 | |||||
| This poem excels in originality, offering a distinctive and eerie take on Christmas with a touch of darkness. The relevance to Christmas themes is strong, embracing the holiday spirit with a unique twist. However, the structure might pose a challenge for transforming it into a four-chord pop song due to its narrative style and intricate language. | ||||||||||
| Leah #2 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 20 | |||||
| This short poem carries a sense of originality by incorporating specific elements related to the university setting and its publications. It introduces a festive theme with the transition from ‘Horizon’ to ‘FOLIO.’ While the relevance to Christmas themes is present, it’s a bit subtle. The structure is concise and well-suited for its brevity. Turning it into a four-chord pop song might require expanding the content for a more dynamic musical adaptation. | ||||||||||
| Ishbel #1 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 23 | |||||
| This poem demonstrates a good level of originality, blending the Southern Cross, Pohutukawa, and academic jubilee into a festive celebration. The relevance to Christmas themes is present, though it leans more towards a general festive atmosphere rather than specific Christmas elements. The structure is well-crafted, providing a rhythmic flow, and the content offers possibilities for a four-chord pop song adaptation. | ||||||||||
| Ishbel #2 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 27 | |||||
| This poem showcases a high level of originality, effectively capturing the Kiwi Christmas traditions and blending them seamlessly with the celebration of the University of Canterbury’s 150 years. The relevance to Christmas themes is strong, and the poem maintains a festive atmosphere throughout. The structure is well-crafted, and the repetition in the chorus enhances its musical potential, making it highly suitable for a four-chord pop song. | ||||||||||
| Stuart #1 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 25 | |||||
| This poem is highly original, infusing the Christmas theme with an anarchic punk rock spirit that stands out. The relevance to Christmas themes is present, although the focus on anarchy and rebellion takes precedence. The structure is well-crafted, and the repetitive elements make it suitable for adaptation into a four-chord pop song. | ||||||||||
| Fiona #1 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 26 | |||||
| This poem displays a commendable level of originality, skillfully blending the festive spirit with Canterbury’s history and landmarks. The relevance to Christmas themes is strong, and the imagery is vivid. The structure is well-crafted, providing a rhythmic flow and a sense of celebration. The repetitive elements make it suitable for adaptation into a four-chord pop song. | ||||||||||
| Fiona #2 | 9 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 28 | |||||
| This poem demonstrates a high level of originality, crafting a unique Christmas celebration within the context of the University of Canterbury’s history and library setting. The relevance to Christmas themes is strong, and the incorporation of a student’s party in the library adds a lively touch. The structure is well-crafted, providing a rhythmic flow and a clear narrative. The repetitive elements enhance its potential for adaptation into a four-chord pop song. | ||||||||||
| Juliet #1 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 25 | |||||
| This poem exhibits a high level of originality, presenting a unique Christmas scene in the Australian context with kangaroos replacing traditional reindeer. The relevance to Christmas themes is strong, embracing the distinctive elements of a Southern Hemisphere Christmas. The structure is well-crafted, creating a rhythmic flow. While the possibility of turning it into a four-chord pop song is feasible, some adjustments may be needed for musical adaptation. | ||||||||||
| Stuart #2 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 16 | |||||
| This haiku displays simplicity and brevity, capturing the essence of the University of Canterbury’s history in a concise manner. The originality is moderate, and it adheres well to the haiku structure. However, it lacks explicit relevance to Christmas themes and may be challenging to adapt into a four-chord pop song due to its short length and thematic focus. | ||||||||||
| Stuart #3 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 20 | |||||
| This poem displays a good level of originality, blending the theme of the university’s 150 years with the quiet acknowledgment of the holiday season. The relevance to Christmas themes is subtle, and the focus on an introspective spirit might make it a bit challenging to adapt into a four-chord pop song. However, the structure is well-crafted, providing a smooth flow and a contemplative tone. | ||||||||||
| Kiera #1 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 24 | |||||
| This poem demonstrates a high level of originality, combining Christmas themes with the reflection on a university’s 150-year history. The relevance to Christmas themes is strong, incorporating festive elements while maintaining an eerie undertone. The structure is well-crafted, creating a mysterious atmosphere. While it might be possible to adapt parts into a four-chord pop song, the complex imagery and tone could present challenges. | ||||||||||
| John #2 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 26 | |||||
| This poem showcases a commendable level of originality, combining Kiwi Christmas elements with historical references and a festive atmosphere within the University of Canterbury’s context. The relevance to Christmas themes is strong, and the structure is well-crafted, creating a rhythmic and celebratory flow. The poem’s narrative could be adapted into a four-chord pop song with ease, maintaining a lively and joyful spirit. | ||||||||||
| Stuart #4 | 9 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 28 | |||||
| This poem exhibits a high level of originality, blending Kiwi culture, the celebration of the University of Canterbury’s 150 years, and Christmas themes in a lively manner. The relevance to Christmas themes is strong, and the structure is well-crafted, providing a rhythmic and celebratory flow. The poem’s narrative and repetition make it highly suitable for adaptation into a four-chord pop song. | ||||||||||
| Linda #1 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 9 | 24 | |||||
| This poem demonstrates a high level of originality, eloquently weaving together the celebration of the University of Canterbury’s 150 years with a rich tapestry of academic imagery. While the relevance to Christmas themes is not as pronounced, the metaphorical use of tinsel adds a festive touch. The structure is well-crafted, providing a rhythmic and evocative flow. However, the complex and contemplative nature might pose challenges for adapting it into a four-chord pop song. | ||||||||||
| Linda #2 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 7 | 19 | |||||
| This haiku embraces brevity and simplicity, capturing the essence of the University of Canterbury’s 150-year celebration and the association with Christmas through the imagery of glistening tinsel. The originality is moderate, and it adheres well to the haiku structure. However, the limited length and thematic focus might pose challenges for adapting it into a four-chord pop song. | ||||||||||
| Linda #3 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 7 | 20 | |||||
| Similar to the previous haiku, this one captures the celebration of the University of Canterbury’s 150 years within a concise form. The originality is moderate, and it adheres well to the haiku structure. While it hints at festive cheer, the limited length and thematic focus might pose challenges for adapting it into a four-chord pop song. | ||||||||||
| Linda #4 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 21 | |||||
| This haiku captures a sense of celebration, combining the University of Canterbury’s 150-year milestone with the embrace of summer and Christmas grace. The originality is moderate, and it adheres well to the haiku structure. While it hints at festive elements, the limited length might pose challenges for adapting it into a four-chord pop song. | ||||||||||
| Linda #5 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 24 | |||||
| This poem combines the celebration of the University of Canterbury’s 150 years with a bittersweet tone of nostalgia during a summer Christmas. The originality is commendable, creating a unique blend of emotions. The relevance to Christmas themes is strong, and the structure is well-crafted, evoking a contemplative atmosphere. While the complexity of emotions might pose challenges, it holds potential for adaptation into a four-chord pop song. | ||||||||||
| Hui #1 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 27 | |||||
| This song lyric demonstrates a high level of originality, blending the celebration of the University of Canterbury’s 150 years with a vivid depiction of a Kiwi Christmas in the southern hemisphere. The relevance to Christmas themes is strong, and the structure is well-crafted, providing a rhythmic and celebratory flow. The repetition in the chorus and the overall lyrical content make it highly suitable for adaptation into a four-chord pop song. | ||||||||||
| Margaret #1 | 9 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 25 | |||||
| This poem brings a delightful and original narrative to the celebration of the University of Canterbury’s 150 years, intertwined with a festive Christmas theme. The mischievous antics of Monty and Pepper add a charming touch, and the poem maintains a lively and engaging atmosphere. While the structure is well-crafted for storytelling, the complexity of the narrative might pose challenges for adaptation into a concise four-chord pop song. However, the festive and humorous tone creates a memorable piece. | ||||||||||
Chat GPT tie breaker judgement between poem 1 and poem 2 (Poem 1 is Stuart’s, Poem 2 is Fiona’s)
Originality:
Poem 1: The Kiwi-themed poem displays originality through its unique cultural references and language but is more straightforward in its narrative.
Poem 2: Demonstrates a high level of originality by presenting a Christmas celebration in the university library, combining scholarly elements with a lively party atmosphere.
Relevance to Christmas Themes:
Poem 1: Captures the essence of a Kiwi Christmas with references to Pohutukawa blooms, jandals, and barbecues, creating a festive atmosphere.
Poem 2: Integrates Christmas themes seamlessly into the university setting, emphasizing the celebration within the library, blending the festive spirit with the scholarly environment.
Possibility of Making a Four-Chord Pop Song:
Poem 1: Although it includes a festive and celebratory mood, it may require more adaptation to fit the structure of a four-chord pop song.
Poem 2: The rhythmic and celebratory nature of the poem, especially with mentions of a party and dancing, lends itself well to the possibility of creating a catchy four-chord pop song.
Structure:
Poem 1: Presents a well-structured poem with a clear progression of ideas and events, but its structure is more traditional.
Poem 2: Features a dynamic structure, utilizing different sections such as verses, chorus, and a bridge, resembling the structure of a song, which adds an extra layer of creativity.
In summary, while both poems showcase creativity and celebrate Christmas in unique ways, Poem 2 edges ahead due to its higher originality, seamless integration of Christmas themes into a university setting, potential for adaptation into a pop song, and a dynamic structural approach that aligns with the theme of celebration.
Enjoy Fiona’s Poem here:
(Verse 1)
In the heart of Canterbury, where the river winds its flow,
A student’s tale on Christmas Eve, where the library’s secrets grow.
150 years of wisdom, in the hallowed halls,
But tonight it’s time for revelry, as the Yule log calls.
(Pre-Chorus)
Among the ancient books, where the stories intertwine,
A student’s throwing a party, in the library’s grand design.
The shelves become their dance floor, the books their DJ,
A Christmas bash in Canterbury, in a wild, rocking display.
(Chorus)
Party in the library, on Christmas Eve,
In the 150th year, where the spirits weave.
Books and beats collide, in a scholarly delight,
A student’s Christmas party, in the rock and roll night.
(Verse 2)
The clock tower strikes, as the moonlight glows,
A Christmas bash in the library, where the wildness grows.
Among the dusty volumes, in a festive cheer,
A student’s rocking Christmas, as the end draws near.
(Pre-Chorus)
The pages turn to rhythm, and the silence breaks,
As the student celebrates, the library awakes.
With every laughter echo and every joyful cheer,
Christmas in Canterbury, a party so sincere.
(Chorus)
Party in the library, on Christmas Eve,
In the 150th year, where the spirits weave.
Books and beats collide, in a scholarly delight,
A student’s Christmas party, in the rock and roll night.
(Bridge)
Guitars strumming loud, like the river’s steady roar,
In the library’s embrace, where the tales adore.
The 150-year whispers, in the rock and roll air,
A Christmas celebration, beyond compare.
(Guitar Solo)
(Verse 3)
The clock strikes midnight, but the party rages on,
In the heart of Canterbury, where the magic’s drawn.
Among the bookish treasures and the scholarly thrill,
A student’s Christmas party, in the library’s skill.
(Pre-Chorus)
The ancient walls witness the revelry unfold,
In the 150th year, where stories are told.
The books and beats colliding, in a festive cheer,
A rocking Christmas party, echoing clear.
(Chorus)
Party in the library, on Christmas Eve,
In the 150th year, where the spirits weave.
Books and beats collide, in a scholarly delight,
A student’s Christmas party, in the rock and roll night.
(Outro)
As the dawn approaches and the festivities wane,
In the University of Canterbury, where memories remain.
A Christmas party in the library’s lore,
A student’s celebration, forevermore.
🎄✨ Unleash Your Inner Poet in the ChatGPT Christmas Poetry Competition! 📝🎅
🌟 ‘Tis the season to rhyme and jingle all the way! 🌟
🗓️ Competition Dates:
🎁 Opens: December 1, 2023
🎄 Closes: December 15, 2023
📣 How to Enter:
Compose your festive verses using Chat GPT and submit them via comments to this counterculture post below. Let the holiday spirit flow through your words!
🏆 Judging Criteria:
🌟 Originality – Wow us with your unique creativity!
📏 Structure – Craft your verses with precision and flair.
🎄 Relevance to Christmas Themes and the 150th Anniversary of UC- Capture the magic of the season!
🎶 Possibility of a Four-Chord Pop Song – Could your poem be the next holiday hit?
📜 Competition Rules:
📝 Unlimited Entries – Let your imagination run wild!
🍫 Prize: The undying jealousy of all other library staff and, of course, maybe some chocolate. 🍫
🌈 Why Participate?
✨ Showcase your poetic prowess
🎉 Join the festive fun
🤩 Claim the envy of your colleagues
🍫 Snag a chance at delicious chocolate treats
🎅 Get ready to sleigh the competition and spread the cheer! 🎁📜✨
To see last years entries and winners see this link: https://blogs.canterbury.ac.nz/counterculture/2022/12/09/ai-christmas-poem-competition/
(This post was written mostly by Chat GPT – edited slightly by Dale)
Swim-Shady
The fish has been named! A student’s submission: Swim Shady, has been officially chosen by the student poll on Tuesday. Swim Shady narrowly beat out Fin Diesel, by a mere 2 votes! It was neck and neck for most the voting period. 
The winner received a watercolour of Swim Shady on a tote bag, painted by our very own Zina Swanson, and a $20 UBS voucher.
For those of you familiar with the artist known as Slim Shady, Chat GPT has crafted some lyrics to the rhythm of his song: ‘The Real Slim Shady’. I present a taste for you here:
Y’all act like you’ve never seen a fish before
Jaws all on the floor like you can’t swim no more
It’s just a fish with fins, y’all, it’s not a bore
Unless you’ve seen a fish that rocks the ocean floor
I’m Swim Shady, yes, I’m the real fishy
All you other fishies are just so fishy
So won’t the real Swim Shady please come and greet me?
Please come and greet me? Please come and greet me?
Kia ora Koutou!
Ngā Mihinui to all those who helped out with Rā Tōmene this year! We tried something new, and we are so thankful for all those who pitched in and helped us out with the events on the day! You have all contributed to the outreach of the University of Canterbury, and as a direct result of your mahi, students will make an informed choice about what tertiary provider they will attend. We had 3204 registered attendees overall at Rā Tōmene, so it was a busy day!
Puna Stall
We engaged with a record 451 people at the stall this year! Our busiest times were 9am-12pm. We had a variety of library brochures, subject librarian leaflets, postcards, and fruit bursts for people to take. For our social media giveaway, people had the choice of a brain stress ball or a lip-balm if they followed us on our Instagram on the day. This was a huge success, and we completely ran out of both options by the end of the day (even with our next-door neighbours also giving away stress balls…granted they weren’t quite as cool as our brains…!). Overall, we went with a more pared-back stall than in previous years (fewer and less complex giveaways), which seemed to be very effective.
| Time | Number of people who visited the stall |
| 9-10am | 125 |
| 10-11am | 103 |
| 11am-12pm | 100 |
| 12-1pm | 45 |
| 1-2pm | 57 |
| 2-3pm | 13 |
| 3-4pm | 8 |
224 Library 101 Information Sessions
The information sessions were a novel plan for 2023. These sessions were bookable through the Central Events portal on the Rā Tōmene website.
This meant we knew how many people were planning on attending our events through the day. We had a 30 minute session each hour between 9 and 3. The second half hour of each session was a guided tour.
The session was deliberately designed to be a relational and interactive session which introduced our guests to our MB, ELS, and LTR colleagues, as well as a brief overview of the resources and services we provide at UC Library. The interactions at the sessions were really engaging, and each of the teams held activities at their tables which led to fruitful conversations with prospective students and their families.
The Events team notified us that our events were completely booked out in July – this shows that people were interested in understanding the services we provide.
On the day we had 155 people come through our information sessions on the day, which is about 2/3 of the number who booked (245). As anticipated, there was attrition during the day and by the afternoon, numbers dwindled – a phenomenon reported from most events across campus. During the session we also gave away the tourism style t-shirts designed by Ryan Dooley, as part of a quick quiz which promoted our services and resources.
The information sessions ended with the guests receiving an exclusive UC Library tote bag filled with the following handouts:
Guided Tours
After the information session, we ushered our guests out to meet more ELS staff members, who then took them on a guided tour of Puaka-James Hight. This was based on our self-guided tour, but was guided instead. Ishbel, Juliet, and Hui decorated the various floors with positive quotes from the 2022 Engagement Survey, which gave our attendees great information about what our students enjoyed abut our spaces.
The guided tours were a great opportunity for prospective students and their families to meet more staff members, ask questions, and see the space. The tour ended in the Makerspace, and many of the attendees stayed in there and engaged in some crafting as a break from the busyness of Rā Tōmene. It was great to see some former students bring their children back, and comment on the big changes in PJH, and how much they liked its newer furniture and study spaces!
Rā Tōmene 2023 was a great success, and it was pleasing to hear the in depth conversations happening around the information sessions, as people heard about the great services we provide to our students.
Brian, Isabella, Kerry, Dale, and Lani
Kia Ora Koutou!
Thanks to all those who voted for their favoured names in the name poll!
I am very flattered that so many of you considered my name as the best name for this lovely looking fish!
I have however made the decision to take it out of the running – for the main reason that I do not think students will really ‘get’ the joke.
I also made the decision to remove two other names after learning a bit more about them:
2. I’ve also made the executive decision to not put Fishy Mcfishface in the final running. It’s a funny joke, but it is from 2016, when most of our current students were in primary/intermediate school.
This means that the top five remaining names are:
Fin Diesel
Dewey
Neil Finn
Swim Shady
Huckleberry Fin
These five names will now go out to the student body to vote on in Social media for the rest of this week, and we should know the winning name by Monday next week!
Ngā mihi,
Dale
Kia ora Koutou,
Until next Friday, you may enter the fish naming competition here: https://canterbury.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9zuQOXx7SLvB5u6
Enter as many times as you wish 🙂
Ngā Mihi,
Dale
Kia ora UC Library Whānau,
Rā Tōmene is approaching fast!
On the 8th September over 2500 prospective students and their families will come to UC to sample our wares.
In the past UC Library has had a stall, but in 2023 we are hoping to have a bigger impact by providing bookable Library information Sessions in Room 224 through the day.
These sessions are all booked out, and will have around 35 people in attendance. The plan is to introduce them briefly to our services through the ELS, LTR, and MB teams. Sign up sheets for these are here: K:\Operations\Marketing\Events&Promotions\Rā Tōmene (Open Day)\Open Day Rā Tōmene 2023\Sessions and tours
We know that parents and prospective students impressions on Open Day is a key part of their choice in which University to attend, so I am excited for us to be increasing our engagement with Rā Tōmene this year, and contributing to the picutre of UC which prospective students will receive.
Please don’t hesitate to ask if you have any questions around this.
Rā Tōmene team:
Brian McElwaine, Dale Wang, Isabella Stainthorpe, Lani Tukariri, Kerry Gilmour