Is anyone interested in taking some of the Lundia shelving from the Library Warehouse? We are due to start installing the new B block in April so now is a chance to take what you want from the old shelving. There will be other opportunities around August as well.
Individual shelves measure 960mm x 290mm but it is possible to remove the framing holding these shelves and reconstruct it (perfect for a garage!). Or feel free to take as many shelves as you like.
Please just send me an email and we can make a plan for anyone keen.
New year, new shelves! The first tranche of archival shelving was completed just before Christmas and over the next month we will move archives from B block onto the new crisp white C block shelves. The process of moving is far from straightforward as this is the perfect time to bring together collections and many many many records needs to be updated with new locations. Many thanks in advance to Library Systems and casual staff as we get moving!
Finally, contractors will be installing the first tranche of shelving between November 29 and December 13. It will be great to see some nice new shelves before we head off for the break!
We will not have access to the archives housed in Warehouse B for those two weeks. There is a banner on Kā Kohika letting users know that some archives will not be available during that period and to email all requests through to Macmillan Brown.
Activity around the usually quiet warehouse will be increased and our colleagues in Te Ao Mārama have been notified. Please be aware of this; pallets of shelves are being stored in Warehouse A near the main entrance and other tables used in our space will temporarily be moved around.
Product Design School and School of Fine Arts have done an amazing job at taking the shelving from C Block where the first shelves will be installed. Product Design has even taken the work bench so it is wonderful to see so much being repurposed. Plenty more shelves will be available for the taking, I’ll be putting the call out to Library Staff first for the next block early next year. If you know of any other departments, colleagues, neighbours who would be interested in some shelves, please do let me know!
Congratulations to Cherilyn Clark who has accepted the role of Kaiāwhina for the Archival Shelving Project. She has great experience using Minisis and of the archives collection. It is wonderful to have her on board for this project!
We are seeking expressions of interest for a part-time Kaiāwhina/ Library Assistant role to help with the Archival Shelving Project. This is a 0.4 (15 hours a week) band 2 role with increased hours at key points throughout the project. At this stage it is anticipated that increased hours will be required for time during October 2023, February/March 2024, October 2024 and December/January 2025.
The role will suit someone interested in working with the archive collection at Macmillan Brown Library. While a large bulk of the work will involve moving collections in the Warehouse onto new shelving, the position will also offer the candidate a chance to learn about the collections and work with Minisis software by assisting with an inventory of the archive collection. There will be opportunity to complete preservation tasks such as boxing and wrapping items throughout the project.
Skilled required
Physically able to work with shifting large amounts of archival boxes and items.
Desire to learn about archive management software.
Communication and problem-solving skills.
Attention to detail.
Ability to use Microsoft Excel.
Desirable
Some knowledge of archives or an interest in archives.
Knowledge of library systems and processes.
Familiarity with handling heritage items.
More details can be found in the Position Description- K:\Operations\HR\PD-ASP-Library Assistant.pdf
The work hours will be within Monday to Friday, 8:30-5pm, but there is flexibility within this regarding timing of hours.
Please submit a letter and CV to Hannah O’Dwyer (hannah.odwyer@canterbury.ac.nz) by 25 August 2023, with a short informal interview for shortlisted applicants. Feel free to ask Hannah any questions about the role.
We can now announce that we have contracted Dexion Supply Centre to install the new archival shelving. They have great experience with this type of shelving, including installing at Archives NZ. While final details need to be made, work is likely to begin on the first tranche late September/October.
In the meantime, we’re busy preparing the space for the work to start and looking forward to farewelling these empty wooden shelves…. Keep an eye out for the call to take some of these off our hands!
We are now in full swing with the Archival Shelving Project to replace the old, well passed the ‘used by date’, wooden shelving in the Warehouse where MB archives are stored. As the new shelving will be installed in phases, we needed to clear the first block of shelves in preparation. So, last week we moved 300LM (that’s about 650+ boxes) over two days to Archives NZ for storage for the duration of the project. This was a significant piece of work as great care was needed to handle and keep track of the 40 odd different collections being moved.
These off-site collections will still be accessible and can be requested on Kā Kohika. A location note has been added to say these are off site and require 3-4 working days for retrieval.
Wonderful work by the team; Erin, Cherilyn and the rest of the MB team with casuals in support. Thanks also to Leah and Library Systems for the superb work updating those many thousands of records in Minisis. Archives NZ have provided a great and safe space for our collections, we will enjoy retrieving from there and knowing our shelves will one day be as lavish as theirs!!
The Library is very lucky to hold an impressive architectural drawing collection (is 130,000 odd drawings enough?!) These are not only works of art but tell so much of our social history.
Keep an eye out on Library news and the social media channels on how we are dedicating April to these treasures!
The question was asked of HR as to what happens about leave applications when managers are gone next week and new appointments are not yet in place. The answer from Pauline Clyne, HR Advisor, was as follows:
“If an approving position is vacant, the leave requests will automatically escalate up to the next level in the structure i.e. the manager to whom the vacant position reports. I will ensure that all position management for the new structure is correctly updated prior to 1 December which will allow this workflow to operate correctly. If there are other temporary arrangements outside of this workflow e.g. variations to reporting lines while recruitment is completed, then the reporting lines will temporarily be amended for the duration of the variation to ensure the workflow is correct.”
The result of this is that staff should submit leave applications on the PeopleSoft system as normal and the system will send them to the appropriate person for approval.
It would be helpful if staff could discuss with each other or across allied teams leave plans for the next couple of months to make sure enough staff are going to be around at any one time.
Farewell Functions
The Library will be hosting two functions next week to farewell staff leaving the Library at the end of the month. The first is the lunch on Tuesday from 12-2 on Level 2 to which all library staff are invited. This will mark the end of the Library pre Project STAR as well as be an opportunity to say goodbye to those of our colleagues who are leaving UC the following week. Libraries will close over the lunch period except for the Education Library.
The second is a drinks occasion on Thursday at 4.30 on Level 2 for the rest of the university community who have had close dealings with those leaving to attend.
The Library is really pleased that those of our colleagues who have left already will return for these functions.
Collections ordering
At the moment there is no news on who might be appointed to the new positions in the Library Support Services area and in case there will still be no news on 1 December, orders for collection items can continue to be sent to the collections@libr.canterbury.ac.nz address. This will be regularly monitored and the orders auctioned accordingly.
Borrower registration issues
With the departure of Helen Doidge the responsibility for the borrower registrations necessary for library access that cannot be achieved through either the Jade SMS or Peoplesoft software has been delegated to Sandra Gover and Jan Scanlyn. Discussions will take place next week with Susanta Banerjee to raise the software problems to find a solution that will not require a library work-around. Solutions were promised two years ago but have not been forthcoming. The need is now urgent given the loss of positions in the Library by 1 December.
Helen has left guidelines on the wiki for staff to follow on various lending matters. These can be consulted as necessary.
Appointments to new positions
Philip has already communicated the good news that the administration staff have all been made and accepted offers of positions in the new structure. Co0ngratulations Maureen, Carole and Liz – that continuity of knowledge about library administration systems will be invaluable.
Further news on appointments to new library positions will be made by Heather as they are confirmed.
My (Gail’s) final day at work will now be 30 November not 30 December.
Library management post 1 December 2010
Heather will be making an announcement about the interim arrangements in the near future.
