In this post you will find info on the following:
- Access to library computers (students)
- Stolen books
- Feedback from the Quality Task Team (QualTT) meeting
- Policy revisions
- Combined Management Meeting
- Feedback from the APK Operational Forum Meeting
- Feedback from the Collection Development Task Team(CDMTT) meeting
- Staff news
Access to library computers
In order to provide more students with access to the limited number of computers in the library, the following changes have been made the last two weeks:
- The computers on level one has been enclosed and students now only have one hour access to computers. This is being manually regulated by four temporary staff members.
- WiFi has been extended and is now available on levels one (24 hour study area included) and on level two. Notices informing students of where WiFi is available in the library has been put up.
- The computers in the foyer on level one, have been configured to give access to the library catalogue only.
We sincerely hope that these measures will be successful in giving more equal access to computers to our students. In the meantime, we are expecting WiFi to be rolled out throughout the library. The 'time-out' software (as mentioned in previous posts) is currently out on tender.
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| Example of WiFi notices in the library |
Stolen books
I previously reported on library books that were stolen and that Protection Services apprehended the people that did it. On 15 May I was summonsed to court for the theft case against one of the people accused of stealing the books. The person in question pleaded guilty to theft and was given a fine and a suspended sentence. It was encouraging to hear that the magistrate of the court also took the matter seriously and I want to thank UJ Protection Services and the SAPS for presenting a water-tight case.
Quality Task Team
The meeting took place on 16 May. Members were tasked to look at the ALA standards and establish if these standards would be applicable to UJLIC as well. Most members submitted their input and the chairperson will put all contributions into one document.
The library fact sheet has been updated by Hettie. This document contains important information regarding the library, such as: number of computers per campus, annual check-outs, seating etc. Please contact me, if you need a copy of the fact sheet.
Policy Revisions
A series of meetings has been scheduled during which library policies are discussed. Suggested changes will be discussed with relevant parties and policies updated if needed. The first meeting took place on 16 May and the remaining meetings will take place in June. I would like to remind you that current library policies are available on the Intranet.
Combined Management Meeting
Santha will compile a summary of the meeting and send to all library staff.
APK Operations Forum Meeting
The meeting took place on 18 May and started off by informing members that Mr George Maliobusa has been appointed as Operations Manager for APK and in future he will be chairing the meetings, should Adv Coetzer not be available.
Auxiliary Services and Transport : The short supply of buses to transport students in between campuses have been addressed: four more buses have been added to the current schedule and more queue marshalls were appointed.
The tender for the inter-campus courier service is in process of being finalised.
The lock-down of bathrooms in the library (when there is no water available) has been addressed. The library received keys to lock the bathrooms in times of a water-crisis.
The hygiene tender (currently with Steiner) is in process. In the new tender provision have been made for higher standards from the supplier.
In the new tender for cleaning services, weekend supervision of cleaning staff in the library has been included as well as for a full cleaning staff compliment on weekends (currently we only have skeleton staff on weekends).
Members form the forum thanked the staff from auxiliary services for cleaning the area outside the university as this creates a much better impression of our institution.
AVU: The back-log regarding AVU equipment in classrooms has been mostly addressed. During the meeting is was mentioned that due to the new time table, the demand for classrooms increased with 45%, while the number of AVU staff remained the same. Theft of AVU material still remain a concern.
Health and Safety: Recycling stations are available across the campus and staff were requested to make use of these as this is an important issue for the university.
Overcrowding of lecturing venues are being monitored. This year popular modules have been capped to ensure that there are sufficient seating space for students in classrooms. Attention must also be given to evacuation procedure especially for big events, the computer labs and the library.
Maintenance: The boilers for all air-conditioners on APK have been switched on. This should supply hot air in venues.
Paving repairs is currently being done on the APK campus.
Residences: The meal-of-the-day-kitchen is in full operation. Student who cannot afford a decent meal can get a meal once a day from this kitchen. This project is run by Student Affairs and current feeding about 800 students.
Feedback from CDMTT meeting
The meeting was chaired by Mrs. Sander.
The remaining items for the old ERC collection have been fully incorporated with the DFC collection.
The supply of newspapers have still not been resolved due to issues regarding payment.
At the meeting is was mentioned that the shelf numbers containing a slash "/" will be rectified this year still. A request was also put forward to limit the numbers after the decimal point (on the shelf mark) and this will be investigated.
The amendments to the Donation Policy was accepted by all members of this committee and will be forwarded to relevant stakeholders. Amendments had to be made to as previous procedures became time consuming, ineffective and resulted in a unbalanced collection. Legalities regarding ownership also had to be addressed. Please note that as from now: ALL DONATIONS MUST BE REFERRED TO RIETTE ZAAYMAN. She will facilitate the process and Campus and Faculty Librarians will be consulted if and when needed. All telephonic enquiries regarding donations can also be referred to Riette.
A concern has been raised regarding the low expenditure of information budgets for most of the Faculties. Faculty Librarians are requested to follow up with their faculties.
Staff news
As was communicated to you via email, Tiny will be leaving UJ at the end of this month. Tiny, thank you so much for your contribution at the APK Library and we wish you all of the best in your new job.
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| Tiny Makua |
Congratulations to Doreen who became a grandmother. Doreen, we hope that little Rethabile will bring you lots of joy.
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| Rethabile |
