Well done everyone for making it through another aftershock. Thank you to all the staff who went out to their library users seated in the various branch libraries and asked if they were okay. Everyone was certainly “shaken” by the tremour. I noticed medicinal peppermints were being handed out to students in the Central Library!
A branch by branch roundup –
Central Library – a few more books fell off the shelves but otherwise all was okay
EPS Library – some ceiling tiles fell down on Level 3, in order to assess the situation EPS staff asked students to leave with the help of Security staff. Level 3 is off limits but the rest of EPS is up and running.
Macmillan Brown Library – all okay
Education Library – all okay
Law Library – all okay
Staff areas in the James Hight were rocked by the aftershock, however no further damage was created. Some ceiling tiles on Level 5 are looking a bit dodgy, and Collections staff are keeping a close eye on them.
The Crown staff, the Enterprise staff and the Library staff working on Level 4 certainly noticed the shake and all elected to carry on working on the floor.
Ian Town has sent out an email today to inform us that Sue McKnight has been readmitted to Christchurch Hospital and we join Ian and the rest of the University in wishing Sue all the best as she undergoes additional tests. Until Sue is well enough to return to work, a temporary reporting line for the Senior colleagues from the Learning Resources portfolio has been set up and they will now report to Yvonne Shanahan until further notice. A meeting for Learning Resources Portfolio holders has been called for Wednesday afternoon.
Joan has been keeping us updated with progress on the many and varied Central Library projects, however I thought I would let staff know the latest update around the staff areas proposed on Levels 4 and 5 (as per a previous CounterCulture message from me).
Firstly I accidentally left off a very import part of the message and that was that Levels 4&5, or Level 5&6 were being looked at as possible staff floors for Learning Resources. My apologies. FM are bringing in people to create concept plans and to see what the best use of these spaces would be. We are hoping to set up a meeting on Monday with FM and an architect to start working through some of these choices.
However. since the original suggestion re turning Level 4 into a staffing floor was voiced, concerns have been raised about where all the bookstock would be housed, and support for the Levels 4&5 option is waning.
I will update you again next week when there is some progress to report.
It was the final day for the EPS Library Manager, Dawn McMillan today. We are very sorry to see her go and wish Dawn well in her new life outside of the University of Canterbury Library.
I am pleased to be able to announce Christine McKee has kindly agreed to take on the role of Acting EPS Library Manager until 30th November and I welcome Christine to the Branch Leadership Team .
After a meeting with the PVC Learning Resources, FM, Library and the Digital Media Group staff last Thursday, it was agreed that Collection Services and Library IT staff would be relocated on Level 5 in what used to be the Loft. Staff from these areas have been packing up their work belongings and FM has been removing the benches from the previous Loft area. Today, ICTS staff are working in this area to set up access to the IT network. Library staff need to move out of this area as the ceiling tiles, those that did not fall during the earthquake, have been taken down and must now be replaced.This means that when the Level 2 & 3 areas of Central Library reopen next week for limited hours, that the Collection Services will be back working on Level 5. Library IT will remain on Level 2.
Also at this meeting it was agreed that there needs to be further discussion and concept drawings created to investigate housing Learning Resources staff (exception will probably be for most of the FM staff) together on Levels 4 & 5 of the James Hight Building. Also raised and discussed was the concept of merging the Commerce and Law collections, this idea was shelved earlier this year however it will now be reinvestigated.
I will update you as progress is made in these discussions.
Heather
Catherine Werner is helping out this week in the Central Library, she is helping to pack up the books and serials in the area on Level 3 that collapsed. Catherine is working alonside Tony Phillips, and worked today and will be back Thursday and Friday for part of the day.
Scott McKenzie will also be helping out on Level 3 on Friday morning.
Crown had expected to have the area cleared by the end of the week, however the clearance has proved more complicated than first thought and many well spill over to next week.
Thank you to all of you who so generously responded to the request for additional hours in order for the Education and Law libraries to be opened for longer hours.USCA have also requested extended hours just before and during exams and request this is under consideration by library management who will be involving the Union in their discussions.
Sue McKnight meet with Nick McDonnell from UCSA and the feedback is that the students would appreciate Education and Law matching the opening hours that Central Library previously operated under. The Library is able to to this and the opening hours are now on the Library webpages.
The Macmillan Brown Library will be changing its opening hours, opening until 6.00 p.m. from next Monday, and the Saturday opening hours will then match the other libraries of 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Once again thank you for responding to the call for volunteers and thank you to Helen and Sandra for the work they did to get the roster organised.
I hope you all got to share in the “yummies” that were sent through to us from Paul and the team at Office Research.
I sent through a thank you email and this is Paul’s reply –
Hi Heather
Glad to contribute to easing what must have been a very difficult time for you all.
At the moment the opening hours for all of the libraries are changing on a regular basis.
The hours will be up dated regularly by staff in the Library IT team to enusre that the most current information is available to all.
If there are any questions about the hours please contact me on ext 3533.
Heather Jenks
