Kia ora koutou

I am pleased to be able to share that we have appointed Dale Wang to the position of Poutoko Ratonga Kiritaki | Team Leader Engagement and Learning Support (Environment), fixed term until 27 May 2022.

Dale comes with experience in leading and managing teams in his previous role as Office Manager, strong bicultural commitment, and extensive library experience as Library Coordinator in his previous role.

In his current role as Assistant Librarian – Learning, he has brought technological solutions to Te Rua Makerspace and increased engagement with wider UC community. He brings practical knowledge and skills, and a vision to further develop the space by initiating a city-wide makers’ movement.

His proven relationship building skill will be critical for ensuring smooth operation of our library service in a new environment with Te Pātaka.

Dale’s starting date is Monday 20 December.

Consequently, we’ll be seeking EOI for Kaiāwhina | Assistant Librarian – Learning to fill his vacancy. More information to come soon.

Ngā mihi

Tomo

Kia ora koutou

I am seeking Expressions of Interest (EoI) for the Poutoko Ratonga Kiritaki | Team Leader Engagement and Learning Support (Environment) while I’m on secondment for six months. This a full-time  (1 FTE) band 5 role, fixed term until Friday 27 May 2022. Starting date is as soon as possible, ideally before the summer break. The position will be filled internally.

The role requires someone who can lead the ELS team and services.  This includes:

• Enhance student retention and success strategies and activities by managing the front facing engagement and learning services for the Library including close collaboration with other providers to ensure a seamless service to student, staff and community.
• Ensure the learning spaces within the libraries are fit for purpose, provide a safe and welcoming environment for library users, support blended online learning, and multi-disciplinary learning.
• Provide leadership, staff support, coaching, and supervision for team members.
• Be flexible and adaptable to work across three key result areas: engagement, services and environment (includes makerspace), as may be required by the team’s work programme, however focus on one key result area may be assigned based on skills, experience and the needs of the Library.

The integration of Library services with Te Pātaka will be an exciting opportunity.

Further details about the role are available in the position description: K:\Operations\HR\ Team Leader Engagement and Learning Support-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 Tuesday 7 December with Poutoko Ratonga Kiritaki in the subject line.

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

Music CDs previously on Level 4 have moved to Level 7 behind DVDs, to make space for the new floor layout.

Students not enrolled in summer school courses will need to get their Canterbury Card access extended to access Puaka-James Hight (Central) and EPS libraries over summer.  Visit the security office to do this for both libraries. Posters have been put up at PJH entrance.

https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/library/support/covid-19/

Kia ora koutou

6 x Student Library Assistant vacancies are now being advertised on UC vacancies website and UC Careers/NZ Uni Talent, with a closing date of Sunday 2 January 2022.

Job ID 7437, Kaiāwhina | Student Library Assistant

Ngā mihi

Tomo

Here’s a feedback report by Hui Xia on Social Justice at a Crossroads: Reimagining the role of the Library and Information Sector by Maretha Smit,  Diversity Works NZ, LIANZA Conference 2021.

The demographic shift in Aotearoa New Zealand means our communities are increasingly diverse but access to resources is increasingly inequitable. To facilitate higher standards of living and quality of life for the communities, the workplace needs a shift too in employee composition to strengthen social cohesion. Because as corporate citizens, workplaces are uniquely positioned to impact our society. In this context, diversity and inclusion are recognized as strategic enablers of positive business and social outcomes.

There is then a need to reimagine the role of libraries as workplaces. The library sector can take advantage of its respected institutionall position to participate as an agent of change in the conversation towards improved social justice. This can be achieved by building inclusive workplaces that reflect and represent the community they serve, creating spaces for bicultural exchange and social cohesion, supporting the digitally excluded, and becoming a beacon of truth in the jungle of misinformation (to take “truth leadership”).

Maretha also introduced the components of The Aotearoa Inclusivity Matrix (AIM): leadership, diversity infrastructure, diverse recruitment, inclusive careers development (all of which are internationally adopted practice), bi-culturalism, inclusive collaboration, and social impact (the last three being championed by New Zealand).

An interesting example of the library’s shifting role is that Copenhagen residents can now borrow a person to learn their story, engage in a dialogue and learn to unjudged one another.

Kia ora koutou

I’m looking at removing Library High Demand email (highdemand@libr.canterbury.ac.nz). The email will be aliased to the Library Contact Shared Mailbox (library@canterbury.ac.nz), or auto-forwarding will be set up.  This means our team has one less email to monitor. I’m currently aware of this email being used only for receiving notices from Horizon.  If anyone is using this email for any other purposes please let me know.

Ngā mihi

Tomo

We are excited to announce that Ryan Dooley has been appointed to the fixed term, full-time Library Assistant role starting Tuesday 7 September 2021. This role backfills for Caroline Anderson and works Tuesday to Thursday 7.45am-4.15pm, Friday 7.45-4.30pm, Saturday 9.30am-5.15pm  during the academic year. Ryan is a recent postgraduate student from UC, and comes with varied skills, knowledge and experiences in graphic design, teaching, Te Reo and English. We are preparing for an online induction to the role and team if we are still in AL3.

Kia ora koutou

Some updates from Te Rua Makerspace:

• We’re offering some of the planned activities online via Zoom
• Te Rua Makerspace webpage has been updated to reflect the change. This includes the Zoom links.
• Social media posts to follow to promote the online activities

Ngā mihi

Jessica & Tomo

A reminder that Room 224 is on our room booking system under Library Training Rooms. The room is for UC staff only. We can make bookings on behalf of our colleagues when  requested.  Please note the tables and chairs need to be restored to the original layout if moved.