Kia ora koutou

This week we are reaching peak numbers at PJH, and numbers at EPS have exceeded 100.

More queues have been forming at the entrance for security to scan customers’ My Vaccine Pass.

These may have contributed to the stress level of both students and staff.

We reviewed the current number limit and the method of vaccine verification, and made the following changes:

• The number limit at PJH and EPS to increase to 850 and 200, respectively
• Security to discontinue with NZ Pass Verifier and start sighting My Vaccine Pass

The decision is in line with the government’s current messaging.

We believe having a better chance to access the libraries and decreasing waiting time at the entrance will have a positive impact on both students and staff’s mental wellbeing.

These changes are effective from Monday the 21st March. Security has been informed of the changes and new instruction sheets will be provided to the guards.

Ngā mihi

Tomo

Kia ora koutou

Rā Steer has been on secondment to the National Library as Manager Strategic Partnerships.

She has recently accepted an extension to her contract therefore officially resigning from her position as Team Leader, Engagement and Learning Support.

She asked me to share with you some of her words in the resignation letter:

My heartfelt thanks and appreciation go to the University of Canterbury Library for the many opportunities and support that I have had in my personal and professional development over the last seven years.

Most of all, I want to pass on my aroha and appreciation to the staff within the Learning, Engagement and Support team for allowing me to be part of their lives and their journey while at UC.

May we cross paths in the not too distant future and our journeys come together once again.

We’re considering the next step for the recruitment of this position.

Ngā mihi

Tomo

Kia ora koutou

Just letting you know this Kaiāwhina role in the ELS team is now live, closing 30^th March.

Please share the below link within your professional networks as appropriate:

Kaiāwhina | Library Assistant – Ngā Puna Mātauraka | Library

Ngā mihi

Tomo

Kia ora koutou, welcome to Inside Out #15

Te Rua Makerspace

Crafternoon packs are small packs of crafting supplies with the aim to be a fun study break activity of around 15 minutes, paired with a Weekly challenge, and/or Zoom Crafternoon for something more social. As soon as she heard of many isolating students in the halls, our Engagement and Learning Librarian Jessica contacted Accommodation Services to see if they would like Crafternoon packs for their isolating students. This is a great opportunity for us to work together to improve the well being of students. Since then this developed into a more coordinated approach – involving Student Care, Accommodation services who provided some of the funding and finding people to help package, and Student Volunteer Army who organised volunteers to help pack 500 crafting packs, which were delivered last week, with other items to students in the halls that are isolating in their rooms. 300 more will be packed next week for those isolating at homes and flats, which will be dropped off by SVA.

Herea tō waka/O’Day

UC Puna welcomed students for Herea tō waka/O’Day on Friday 18th February. The events team set up a self-service information table on level 2 of PJH with handy resources for students to browse and collect as they ventured into the library. 1 of 5 branded UC hoodies were up for grabs to students who entered the Puna passport challenge (visit all 3 libraries + Te Rua Makerspace to collect the 4 unique stickers). It was a successful day with many engagement opportunities.

Summer Starter Expo

Last week we represented UC Puna at the UCSA Summer Starter Expo. We had our stall set up with library info brochures, Puna passports, Te Rua invitations, badges that were made in Te Rua, plus more. We also had our newly designed UC Puna banner and our very eye-catching Te Rua Makespace flag. Over the day we engaged with 85+ students, while hyping up our current promotions (the Puna passport challenge and the ‘UC Library 101’ Kahoot quiz) – as well as promoting our key library services.

Pride Week (11-27 March)

We will use the large billboards between the lifts in PJH to display Pride posters, and we have a selection of Pride books and colourful Pride bookmarks. We will also use our social media channels to promote pride e.g. inclusive posts, and updating temporary Pride profile and cover pictures for the week.

Library puzzle of the week

We are bringing back our popular ‘Library puzzle of the week’ segment on our Facebook page. The first puzzle will be in the style of the popular ‘4 pics 1 word’ smartphone game, so stay tuned!

UC Library Basics 101’ Kahoot quiz

We are finalising our ‘UC Library Basics 101’ Kahoot quiz which is part of the Orientation induction for new-to-UC students, which will go live very shortly! The Kahoot has a variation of essential library-related information so students can get to know the Libraries even if they’re isolating or unable to study on campus. Plus, this makes learning about the Libraries fun and engaging! To give incentive, UC branded hoodies are up for grabs for the top two players!

Te Pātaka

Canopy around the staircase went up over the weekend, the construction faced with delivery delay challenges is in its final stage. Albeit overwhelming long queues in the first week, the number of enquiries at Te Pātaka reception desk increased by 600+ for the month of February, compared to last year when the desk was located in Matariki. Its visibility in PJH likely contributed to this success. More collaborations have been seen across the desks and floors in Te Pātaka. Positive feedback have been sent by new students and their parents:

I just wanted to write a short email to sincerely thank you for your understanding, compassion and help… 

We spoke last week …. so after all my tears, everything worked out… So thankful for your help last week and reassurance, I’m glad I could get it all done…

Ngā mihi

Tomo

Kia ora koutou

We are delighted to share that Catherine Pope has been appointed to the role of Administrator in the College of Business and Law.

She had been on secondment to the College since last March and she was able to secure a permanent role this time.

Congratulations, Catherine!

Her Library Assistant position will be recruited in due course.

Noho ora mai,

Tomo

Many of you have noticed and reported on the seemingly locked door on LV7 East side. Security has checked and confirmed it’s unlocked so can be opened but jammed so requires a good push or pull. To be repaired in due course.

Kia ora koutou

Fumigation is scheduled on Friday the 4^th February, commencing at 8pm for:

• Puaka-James Hight
• Engineering and Physical Science Library
• Henry Field

These sites are off limits during the process, and safe to access from the following morning.

Mcmilan Brown Library and the Library Warehouse are scheduled for fumigation this Sunday.

Ngā mihi

Tomo Shibata

Kia ora koutou

We have requested IT to remove eps@libr.canterbury.ac.nz and highdemand@libr.canterbury.ac.nz from the system and it has been actioned.

If you still use either in your workflow or on your libguides please update.

Emails sent to eps@libr.canterbury.ac.nz will be redirected to library@canterbury.ac.nz (external emails only).

Ngā mihi,

Tomo

Kia ora koutou

I am seeking Expressions of Interest (EoI) for the Kaiāwhina | Assistant Librarian – Learning. This a full-time  (1 FTE) band 3 role, fixed-term until Friday 27 May 2022. Starting date will be early February. The position will be filled internally.

What You Will Do

You will assist the team in supporting the day-to-day operations of the makerspace. To do this you will collaborate with both the team and other providers to ensure seamless library learning support services (both on campus and online) to students, staff and the community.

The role will include:

• Working closely with the Engagement and Learning Librarian, and assisting with the makerspace operations and coordinating/delivering events/activities
• Ensuring equipment and machinery (3D printers, cameras, sewing machines etc) are maintained, efficient, and operated safely.
• Being a go-to person for library queries from staff, students and visitors and having the knowledge to either answer queries or know who to pass on to

Who You Are

Naturally, you will have an outgoing personality, with a passion and enthusiasm for working in the library and education sector. To be successful in this role you will ideally have the following:

• Knowledge and growing competence in te reo Māori or other Pacific languages and customs
• Significant library or administration experience, preferably in a tertiary education environment
• Supervisory and project management skills
• A degree in a relevant field
• Confidence and curiosity to learn new technologies and software, and use these effectively
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills and outstanding interpersonal skills with a good understanding and appreciation of other cultures
• Experience in report writing, excellent organisation skills and the ability to meet deadlines
• Knowledge of methods of organising and finding information in libraries would be an advantage
• Sound understanding of health and safety in the workplace

Further details about the role are available in the position description: K:\Operations\HR\ Assistant Librarian-Learning-PD-May-2021.pdf. If you would like to discuss this opportunity, please feel free to contact Tomo.

Expressions of Interest should be submitted to tomonori.shibata@canterbury.ac.nz by 5pm on Friday 14 January with Kaiāwhina | Assistant Librarian – Learning in the subject line. If you are going to be away around this time and would still like to be considered please indicate.

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

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

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

Ngā mihi nui,

Tomo