This post will contain updates on the following matters:
- Feedback: Usage of Library Public Computers
- Feedback: Combined Management Meeting
- Feedback: Campus Librarians Meeting
- Feedback: VC’s visit to the APK Campus
- Feedback: Moving of books
Feedback: Usage of Library Public Computers
In the last post, I promised to give you feedback regarding the ‘over usage’ of computers in the library. On 22 February some library staff members had a meeting with ICS staff to discuss the possibility of implementing a time-out functionality on computers in the library. The idea is to find relevant software that will allow students to use computers only for a certain time (hypothetically speaking, say 45 minutes) some time (say three hours) will have to pass before the same student have access to the computers again. Currently both ICS and UJIT are working on this proposal and we should have feedback regarding this quite soon.
Please also note that Wi-Fi is available on level one in the library. Students who have their own laptops can therefore also connect to the network via Wi-Fi. Should they have difficulty to connect to the network via Explorer, please advise them that they might want to try Firefox. I am also happy to inform you that according to current plans, the whole library should have Wi-Fi towards the middle of the year. We hope that this will also alleviate some pressure on the library computers.
Post graduate students can also be directed to the Post Graduate Centre for access to computers. This centre (located in the library) has 19 computers available for postgrad students.
Feedback: Combined Management Meeting
Once a month, all Campus Librarians have a meeting with the Executive Director: UJLIC , Directors: UJLIC, Finance Representative (Eon Botha) and HR Representative (Heleen Kruger). The last meeting took place on 27 Feb and from this meeting I would like to share the following:
Staff is requested to take note of the following policies regarding HR (available on the Intranet):
Performance Management: This policy gives clear guidelines regarding this process and sets a framework for line managers. According to the policy, all performance management documents for staff must be in place by the end of March.
Retirement: The age of retirement has changed from 60 to 65 and early retirement stays at 55 year. Note that the change in the age of retirement will only be applicable to current employees.
Resourcing: The new Resourcing Policy provides line managers with valuable info regarding the process to be followed for appointing new staff.
All Line Managers were urged not to underspend on budgets allocated to them.
Line Managers were also requested to report on all calls logged for maintenance as well as progress regarding the work that was done.
During this meeting members also bid farewell to Ms Neli Kuanda, who left the employment of UJ at the end of February. Members were informed that Neli’s portfolio will be temporarily handled by Mrs Sander.
Feedback: Campus Librarians Meeting
This meeting took place on 28 February and the largest part of the meeting was devoted to implementation plans for an Information Commons (for undergraduate students) and a Research Commons (for postgraduate students) in all campus libraries. For our library extensive changes to the physical space will have to be made, but before we can even start with this, we will have to look seriously at the current space occupied by our printed collection. Weeding of some items will have to be considered as well as the storage of valuable items that are less used.
Feedback: VC’s visit to APK
Professor Iron Rensburg visited the APK campus on 1 March. Several library staff members attended this event as well.
In his opening statement, Prof Rensburg mentioned that all staff has an important role to play at UJ and working together towards a common goal is extremely important - our common goal is to support teaching, learning and research.
Previously the focus was on planning, goal-setting and performance management and this have produced the required results. He suggested that some leadership styles will have to adapt in order to make provision for a more collagist approach.
He also mentioned that the university is in process of revising its mission, vision and values. Note that the new draft for the vision and mission have been forwarded to your Team Leaders. Please provide your input (via your Team Leaders) no later than 12 March.
A concern was raised regarding parking and traffic on campus. It was mentioned that the current Parking Policy is being revised and that paid parking (on campus) will probably be implemented later this year. Some members raised their concerns regarding paying for parking on campus and these concerns were noted. Please note that the speed limit on campus is 20km per hour.
ICS reported that the rolling out of Wi-Fi is currently a priority and that the over usage of computers in the library is being addressed. Currently Wi-Fi is available on the following places on campus:
- Student Centre
- Library (Level 1)
- In front of A-Ring
Notices to advertise Wi-Fi hotspots are in progress.
As was the case in the Operations Forum, the issue regarding the availability of AVU material in lecturing halls were addressed again by lecturing staff.
Feedback: Moving of Collections
The changes to the locations and loan rules on the system have been completed for theses and dissertations on levels one to four. Please note that from now on it will display as follows:
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Work on changing the remaining reference works from Zastrau to Dewey will also now proceed at a faster pace. Student assistants have been employed to assist and apart from the Shelving Department, ILL staff will assist as well. I sincerely want to thank staff from these two departments in assisting with the last of the Dewey project. If all goes well, we should be finished with the reference works by the end of April.
In closing – on a lighter note:
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