Kia ora koutou

The Late Team Library Assistants started their training this week.

Congratulations and welcome (back) to: Ann Yap, Ishbel Cullinane, Kaila Robertson, Kieran Williamson, Sue Lloyd and Vivian Ye

Ngā mihi

Tomo

Kia ora koutou

Our Helen has recently secured a full-time permanent Assistant Librarian position at Ara Institute of Canterbury Limited (Te Pukenga) – Congratulations!!!

This sadly means she’s leaving us☹

Started in 2017 as Library Assistant (AYO) in the then-EPS team, Helen has been an integral part of UC Library, balancing her part-time hours here with another library job at Canterbury Medical Library.

We remember many fond conversations with her about cycling, vege gardens and owls.

I’m so happy she got this fantastic opportunity as I know she’s been working hard to get a better job package, and this looks like a perfect opportunity.

Her last day will be Sat 22 October 2022. Remaining of her hours will be covered by casual staff. Options to fill the position are being discussed.

We’ll hold farewell morning tea at 9.30am Fri 21 October in ELS workroom – everyone welcome.

Ngā mihi,

Tomo

Kia ora koutou

I am so pleased to announce that Ryan Dooley has secured a continuing role of Assistant Librarian – Learning in the recent recruitment round.

Ryan initially started as a fixed-term Library Assistant last August, until this January when he took on the secondment in his current role.

During this short time, together with Jessica, he has made significant improvements in the space, services, and promotions of Te Rua Makerspace, which contributed to doubling the number of visitors.

His engagement skills from the teaching background, and his creative skills from the designing background will continue to serve as a highly valued strength, and we are excited to see it flourish beyond makerspace too.

His new hours will cover opening on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Ngā mihi

Tomo

Kia ora koutou

Forwarding the below email from Rā.

If anyone is interested please attend the zoom sessions or contact her directly.

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Whiria Te Tāngata is looking for 10 talented people with a diversity of backgrounds and experience in the library sector to be part of a dynamic cohort (Kākaho) working to deliver on the sustainability assets produced from the New Zealand Libraries Partnership Programme (NZLPP). This is an 8-month learning and development opportunity for you to grow your networking, collective impact, and leadership skills within a national context. With the support of your workplace, being a Kākaho will see you applying practical skills to highly relevant issues facing libraries and the library sector today.

Whiria te Tāngata – Kia toitū te mātauranga – weaving the people together for the sustainability of the sector.

Whiria Te Tāngata is working to further the sustainability goals of the library sector in Aotearoa as part of the sustainability mahi commissioned by NZLPP. This initiative aims to build the capability and skills of the sector; communicate the value of the sector, including how it supports community recovery and resilience; and take an ‘action learning’ approach to:

• Exploring a cross-sector partnership model that focuses beyond the sector
• Addressing the enablers for communication and collaboration
• Implementing the data research and evidence strategy and workforce capability framework created from the work commissioned from NZLPP

This future-focused mahi is built upon a foundation of Mātauranga Māori that enables us to apply a Te Ao Māori lens ensuring the principles, key concepts, practices and approach to engagement and collaboration is informed by tikanga. You will work with other Kākaho across Aotearoa with dedicated support provided by the National Library. You will remain within your substantive role, while learning and developing with your fellow cohort for up to a day a week through both online and in-person experiences.

What’s required:

•  time commitment of up to a day a week
•  ability to travel
• support for release time from your employer or manager
• this is a funded initiative which will be available for release time or other recognition as agreed between your organization and Whiria te Tāngata.

Zoom drop-in sessions to hear more: https://dia-nz.zoom.us/skype/84291199810

Dates: Wed 17 Aug 12pm, Tues 23 Aug 1pm, Wed 24 Aug 10am, Thurs 25 Aug 4pm

EOIs close by Wednesday 31^st August, 11.59pm. Before you can be confirmed within the role you will need to have all required documents in by 9^th September 11.59pm.

To receive an application form, please email LibrariesPartner@dia.govt.nz subject line “Kākaho Application Form”.

Please feel free to forward this email to any library or candidate you feel would benefit from this opportunity. To find out more about Whiria te Tāngata keep an eye on this page as it becomes available: https://natlib.govt.nz/about-us/collaborative-projects  

Ngā mihi nui,

Rā

Kia ora koutou

Isabella, Juliet, Ryan, Tomo and Zina are leading conversations to put together an Engagement Strategy 2023-2026 (previously known as Marketing Strategy).

We are holding an all-staff consultation session on 2-3pm Thursday the 18^th of August in PJH 210.

Questions we will be asking are:

1. What does “Library Engagement” mean to you? Please describe in one word.
2. Reflecting on the past 3 years, what did the Marketing Group do well? i.e. What do we do that you like?
3. What could we do better?
4. Looking ahead, what would you like to see us do in future? i.e. New ideas we haven’t tried yet?

For those who cannot make it on the day, or prefer to contribute online, please share your thoughts on this online form. The form closes on 9am Monday 22 August.

Ngā mihi

Tomo

Kia ora koutou

The continuing role is now live on the UC Job page and will close on 15^th August. Please share the following link with your networks and individuals who may wish to apply https://jobs.canterbury.ac.nz/jobdetails/ajid/kAs88/Assistant-Librarian,10533

Ngā mihi

Tomo

Kia ora koutou

I’m happy to announce the outcome of the recent Library Assistant recruitment round.

Kamalani “Lani” Tukariri has been appointed for the 22.5-hour position, to backfill Joe while he’s on secondment, until 11 November.

She comes with strong bicultural competence and confidence, as well as high level of initiatives, experiences in social media, and passion for community engagement.

Her starting date is 1^st of August.

Ishbel Cullinane has been appointed for the 30-hour position, to backfill Jane while she’s on secondment, until 16 December.

You all know Ishbel as she currently works as Student Library Assistant.

Her engaging personality and great customer service skills backed by extensive hospitality experience will be an advantage for the team.

Her starting date is 8^th of August. Her SLA hours will be filled with casual staff.

I know you’ll warmly welcome with whanaungatanga and show them the ropes.

Ngā mihi

Tomo

Kia ora koutou

I’m happy to inform you that Ryan’s secondment in Assistant Librarian – Learning position has been extended until 26th August.

This is due to the time frame required to review the PD before we can commence the recruitment.

Thank you Ryan for accepting this extension.

Ngā mihi

Tomo

I’ve come across a video that compared the current VR technology with the introduction of Windows 95.

We may be thinking the VR headset in the market is still too clunky and we cannot just see the coming of the Metaverse.

But it may be similar to how we felt when we first used the old Windows OS and patiently waited for the page to upload.

27 years have passed and that old massive computer is now in our palm in the form of a smartphone, and most of us cannot get past a day without it.

Technology is changing the world. How will it affect our library services? And tertiary education as a whole?

IFLA Trend Report updated January this year talked about people continuing to prefer to access library services remotely. It suggested libraries to fulfill their potential to be centres not just for knowledge management, but also knowledge creation, with more emphasis on producing and communicating digital content and services.

Another topic I’m interested in is Gen Z, referring to the generation that was born between 1997-2012, which covers majority our university students. Some general characteristics of Gen Z are: multitasking, heavy reliance on technology, reluctance to interact face-to-face, high expectation from the brands and companies, and a short attention span.

IFLA report also pointed out their expectation of the most modern technologies and service in the library, the risk of turning them away from libraries if they cannot find them there. Because of that, there may even be falling interest in traditional services. Recommendation was the personalisation of services as a response, making use of technology to offer an experience better tailored to individual expectations and needs. How would it look like in our library?

Interesting to see where we find ourselves in the next 10 years.

Tomo

Kia ora koutou

We still have a number of rapid antigen tests for library staff.

If you would like to keep some for your home please pick them up  from one of the two locations:

1. PJH L2, ELS workroom, next to the photocopier

2. PJH L5, LTR workroom, next to the photocopier

Ngā mihi

Tomo