1. OVERVIEW
This report primarily focuses on the activities and achievements of three distinct areas, namely, digital scholarship services, information literacy programme and Library ICT. This cluster of responsibility has arisen mainly through circumstance; there is not a strong crossover between these functional areas of library service. Keeping up with rapid developments in each of these requires active monitoring, reading and sharing of ideas to sustain the growth and understanding of those who are engaged in the actual work. A more focused portfolio would likely produce a better yield in terms of progress and results. This may be one of the important outcomes of the planned organisational restructure for 2018.
Looking back at the 2017 calendar the number of Alma meetings and activities is marked. This project demanded significant investments of time and attention with some fallout in terms of other work which was set back to accommodate Alma. The learning opportunity for two of the LIbrary IT staff who were assigned to support the project was immense and they reported enjoying the process. The process elevated their significance in the library and they felt pivotal to important milestones and appreciated the trust and reliance of their colleagues.
The dedication and energy of all the staff working in these service area is to be commended. Each of them produced work that is of good quality and they were responsive to the demands and challenges facing them. Difficulties were approached with professionalism.
2. PLANNING
Activity plans were prepared by each individual in these units. These were used as a guide for monthly meetings and library reports. The PDS planning and review sessions also created opportunities to assess progress towards the annual activity plans to establish what support could be needed in achieving these. In response to a request from the DVC Academic an eStrategy for the library was presented to the STLC in August.