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Update to the Databases A-Z page

By Lindsay Ure, on 14 March 2024

An updated Databases A-Z page will be launched on Tuesday April 23rd. This post provides more information about the new page.

The look and feel will be very similar to the current page. Changes to highlight are:

  • A new alert box at the top, to be used for key messaging, e.g. technical issues, or updates.
  • Changes to the search filters, which will allow users to:
    • search by keyword within “Subjects”, “Vendors” and “Database types”  (in addition to selecting from a drop-down list as they do now)
    • select more than one option from within a search filter, for example “Art” and “Biomedicine and Health” within the Subject filter
  •  New or trial databases will be flagged when they’re added to the database list so that they appear in a New / Trial databases box in the sidebar on the right

Below is a screenshot of the new page, showing a keyword search for “history” in the Subject search filter. Users can then click on one or more of the resulting subjects to view relevant databases.

The URL for the page will change to https://library-guides.ucl.ac.uk/az/databases, but there will be an automatic redirect in place so we won’t need to worry about broken links initially. Those of you who maintain skills materials might want to identify any instances of images/videos of the Databases A-Z page that might need updating ahead of the new academic year, as well as any links to the page, as while the redirect will be in place, we don’t want to rely on that longer term.

Following the April launch, there are some additional, optional features we’ll be exploring, in consultation with Site Librarians and Subject Liaison Librarians. We aim to do this over the Spring and will be in touch with relevant colleagues about that at a later date.

If you have any questions, concerns or feedback following the launch of the updated page, please contact Sarah Gilmore via lib-eresource-help@ucl.ac.uk.

Cataloguing Practice at the IOE Library

By utnvmoa, on 9 February 2024

This post is about running a short course for colleagues on cataloguing.  I’ve written it to let people know what we offer, and to discuss too the benefits of sharing expertise for those giving as well as those receiving.

We started running introductory training courses on cataloguing in the IOE Library almost by accident.  Back in mid-2014 a member of staff working in Library Acquisitions in SSEES joined the ‘Peer Shadowing Scheme’, a brief joint IOE and UCL entity before the two institutions merged, and came to the acquisitions section of the IOE Library.  While with us, the shadower asked if he could see how we went about cataloguing too.  We showed him and gave him some to do.  The experience was very positive.  Our first student took to it so well he got a job as a cataloguer at LSE.

Since then a total of 21 library services colleagues have been through 28 courses.  Some have done both general and ebook cataloguing, some both those plus work on metadata for the IOE’s Digital Education Resource Archive (DERA).  Mostly this has been post-pandemic. In the chart below, LCCOS of course means ‘the rest of LCCOS not including the IOE’, just to be clear.  I make the distinction between IOE and rest of LCCOS simply to show how we’ve cast the net more widely over time. In addition to what’s on the chart, Tom Meehan (Head of Cataloguing and Metadata) has also been offering cataloguing practice courses and has seen 7 students (3 in 2022 and 4 in 2023). To find out what the boomerangs are doing on the chart by the way, you’ll have to read a bit further.

So what do we offer?  It’s not shadowing, it’s practice.  The student is given an introduction to the theory of cataloguing and its application here, shown an actual catalogue record or two, then given typically three items to take away and catalogue from scratch, plus a lot of links to documentation for reference.  A feedback session is scheduled on the practice records that result.  After another round or two of practice cataloguing and feedback, if the student wants to do more, we suggest they find items to practise on, then check the catalogue record to compare and if they have questions to ask us.

Those are the bare parameters but the course can be tailored according to what the student wants.  Some may simply want to know what cataloguing is and how it affects other areas of library work, others may have some items in their area of work which they want to be able to catalogue themselves with our guidance. Some may want to add knowledge and practice of cataloguing to their skill set for their own development (and their CV).  Some may even think they want to be a cataloguer, and others may just want an excuse to get away from their own desk for a while (it happens!).  All of the above is fine with us.

Three of the five of us in the IOE cataloguing team are directly involved in offering cataloguing practice.  Kristina Macdonald joined me doing this in April 2022.  She says she was motivated by wanting to gain confidence when explaining our work to colleagues, and a strong desire to demystify cataloguing which she feels is often a gatekept area of library work. And since last year Christina Egan has also been keen to offer an add-on course practising ebook cataloguing as well as our work managing the metadata for records on DERA. Christina cites her love of teaching as the main reason she wanted to join in – she says having that element to her role keeps her happy professionally. As her line manager, I’m happy about that! Plus there’s now Tom Meehan joining in too, and the three of us at the IOE and Tom all liaise on what we’re offering and how it works.

Five temporary staff have taken the course and three people (two of them temps) went on to take jobs either as cataloguers or involving a significant amount of cataloguing.  All three of those jobs were outside of UCL, but I can prove we’re not about providing an escape route: two who did the course and then went on to land a cataloguing job elsewhere, ended up a few years later getting cataloguing jobs back here at UCL. So that’s two boomerang students.  We don’t do the courses as a long-term staffing strategy of course, but well-trained new starters has turned out to be one of the benefits.

It’s also very good for us.  Having to explain what we do, how, and why, makes us think about our own practice, and all these new people coming in and asking questions gives us lots of fresh perspectives.  Those who’ve done the course and go back to their roles here in LCCOS will also have gained some understanding of our work and how it fits in or doesn’t with theirs, which can improve communication between different sections of the library.

A few years ago for a presentation I came over all Venn trying to illustrate how librarians feel about cataloguing knowledge (reproduced below).

How things might ideally be when library staff from other sections meet cataloguers.

 

How I fear they sometimes are.  (This will vary from individual to individual of course.)

I hope our Cataloguing Practice courses are helping bring those circles together.

Nominate a colleague or team for a UCL Education Award

By Angela Young, on 5 February 2024

Do you know a colleague or team within LCCOS that makes an outstanding contribution to support students’ learning? Consider nominating them for this year’s UCL Provost Education Awards.

The UCL Provost Education Awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of staff and how they have enabled excellent practice or facilitated innovation in teaching and learning. Several LCCOS colleagues had success in last year’s awards (See LCCOS colleagues win UCL Education Awards).

How do nominations work?

Any staff member can make a nomination and submit it first for consideration within their Faculty or Vice-Provost’s Office. Each Faculty or VP Office can then put forward up to a total of 8 nominations for the awards, with a maximum of 6 individual and 6 team nominations.

There are new award categories this year, to align with UCL’s ambitions for Education Excellence:

  • Innovating
  • Enhancing belonging
  • Improving the student experience
  • Celebrating education
  • Impactful partnerships

We are now inviting nominations from across LCCOS. To nominate a colleague or team, please download and complete the nomination form (Word document) on the UCL Education Awards webpage and send by email to Angela Young.

The deadline for submission of nominations to LCCOS is midday on Wednesday 20 March 2024, to allow time for consideration on submission by the Pro-Vice-Provost (LCCOS), and in turn by the Office of the UCL Vice-Provost (Faculties), for the overall deadline of Tuesday 9 April.

Why nominate a colleague or team?

This is your chance to ensure your colleague or an LCCOS team gets the acknowledgement they deserve, so they can be rewarded and celebrate in their achievements whilst highlighting to the wider UCL community the impact that LCCOS staff have on the experience and success of our students. Nominations can be from any colleague, not just from managers, so take the opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate your peers, or more junior or senior members of staff, either as an individuals or as a team, from your own team or beyond.

Congratulations to a new LCCOS HEA Fellow

By Angela Young, on 29 January 2024

Jo BainesMany congratulations to Jo Baines (Academic Liaison Librarian / Archivist – Special Collections) who has achieved the award of HEA Fellow, through UCL Arena Fellowship, which is testament to Jo’s commitment to professionalism in supporting learning and teaching in higher education.

Why apply for HEA fellowship?

HEA fellowship is a nationally recognised award and can be great evidence for your CV or when applying for jobs. In addition to gaining post-nominals, the process of applying for fellowship means you reflect on your teaching and work to support learning and develop your skills, identify areas for your future development and enhance your support of students so contributing to the user experience. There are various categories of fellowship depending on your role and experience, including Associate Fellow, Fellow and Senior Fellow, so it’s relevant to all sorts of roles across LCCOS. UCL Arena Fellowship provides an accredited route to HEA Fellowship and is free for UCL staff. Why not make working towards HEA Fellowship a development goal in your appraisal this year?

LCCOS support for HEA fellowship

Did you know that there are monthly peer-support meets for colleagues in LCCOS who are interested in applying for HEA fellowship? Jo found the meets invaluable for providing encouragement and support, as well as motivating her to get on with her application and get it submitted. Jo will return to a meet soon to share her experiences and what worked for her.

We also have an LCCOS Teams site for sharing friendly tips, asking questions and providing peer support and motivation for getting started and getting on.

How can I find out more?

The UCL Arena Fellowship website and Moodle course are great places to get started with finding out more, or attend a UCL Arena Fellowship initial guidance session. To join an LCCOS HEA Fellowship support meet, or be added to the Teams site, please contact Angela Young.

We need your help! Library Induction January 2024

By Angela Young, on 11 December 2023

Around 1000 new students join UCL in January 2024. These are a mixture of undergraduate, postgraduate taught and postgraduate research students. Many of them are affiliate students (on degree programmes at other universities with some time spent at UCL) and / or international students.
The Library Services Induction Working Group invites all LCCOS staff to contribute to library induction events on Friday 5 January and Monday 8 January as part of our Library Induction Taskforce.
  • Support Services Fair: Help staff a stand, promote our services and answer questions. We need two people on each 1 hour shift on Friday 5th and Monday 8th January, 12.00-15.00, South Cloisters.
  • International student library seminar – 45 minute presentations with Q&A for international students so they know what to expect from our libraries. We need one presenter and one support person to usher attendees and help facilitate Q&A on Friday 5 January 12.15-13.00 and Monday 8 January 13.15-14.00.

To get involved, with consent from your line manager, please indicate the activities you would like to support on this form and we’ll come back to you to finalise your contribution.

Many thanks.

Angela Young (on behalf of the Library Induction Working Group)

LILAC conference 2024 – express your interest in attending

By Angela Young, on 5 December 2023

Deadline for expressing interest – 5pm Tuesday 19 December.

LILAC 2024 will be held at Leeds Beckett University from Monday 25 – Wednesday 27 March 2024. LILAC is a hugely inspiring and motivational conference, focusing on information literacy in libraries, and is relevant to anyone involved in teaching library skills or with an interest in information literacy. It comprises 3 days packed with seminars, workshops and lectures, a networking evening and conference dinner.

If you are interested in attending LILAC 2024, please complete the LILAC conference request form by 5pm on Tuesday 19 December and ask your manager to give consent by completing the manager’s consent form by the same date.

As the conference is costly, places for UCL LCCOS staff to attend are limited. The decision on who may attend will be made by the Staff Training and Development Oversight Group.

Eligibility for UCL LCCOS staff:

  • Priority will to be given to LCCOS staff who have never attended LILAC before or who have had an abstract accepted.
  • Applicants must have completed their probationary period at the time of application.
  • All attendees will be expected to contribute to ‘Lessons in LILAC’, a training and development activity to cascade training to colleagues as part of the eXperience eXchange – Library Skills in May 2024, an online staff training and development event for LCCOS staff involved in training and liaison activities.
  • Applicants must have line manager approval.

Please contact Angela Young with any questions.

Professional Registration Questionnaire for LCCOS

By Craig Martin, on 28 November 2023

Aside from obtaining a formal qualification (e.g. Masters / diploma / apprenticeships), there are several options available to LCCOS colleagues who wish to advance their professional knowledge, experience and skills. This can provide evidence for your expertise and commitment to professional development in the sector through attainment of a professional qualification. This survey will give us an understanding of the current status and future aspirations of LCCOS colleagues in relation to these qualifications, which will inform how we can best support staff who would like to work towards them.

To get a full picture, we kindly request all within LCCOS complete the survey by 12th January 2024.

All responses will be treated in confidence.

Please get in touch if you have any questions.

Many thanks

Craig Martin, Subject Liaison Librarian
Angela Young, Head of Library Skills

 

 

Dates for LCCOS Leadership Surgeries November 2023 – Jun 2024

By Rozz Evans, on 17 October 2023

We’re delighted to announce the latest series of dates for our regular LCCOS Leadership Team surgeries.

LCCOS Leadership Group Surgeries

These surgeries are just one of several ways that colleagues are able to engage directly with senior managers if they want to.

You can raise issues and ask questions about any aspect of LCCOS or how it is run.  Suggestions for improvement are also welcome. You might want to share things that have worked really well in your job or team that you would like to see taken up more widely. We are always interested in your ideas!

One of the most important things about working for LCCOS is that no matter what our roles we are united by all wanting to do the very best job we can and provide a service we can all be proud of.

It is also an opportunity to raise problems, but please do make sure that you speak to your Line Manager first if your feedback is of a personal/sensitive nature or relates to another colleague or Library user.

You can attend on your own account, as a representative of a group or team, or come along in small groups.

Surgeries are currently scheduled to run via Teams, but sometimes it will be possible to conduct them face-to-face. Please feel free to request this if you prefer it and we will do our best to accommodate it.

The times and dates below all fall between 9.30am and 4pm, but we are very happy to arrange surgeries for colleagues who work evenings and weekends – please email me directly (rosalind.evans@ucl.ac.uk) and I will arrange it.

Site visits and meeting attendance

Members of the LCCOS Leadership Group are also available to visit sites and join team meetings. You can request this either via your section head, or by directly contacting the relevant member of LCCOS Leadership Group if there is someone specific you’d like to invite.

Online Feedback form

Finally, there is an online feedback form if you prefer. If you put your name on it, you will receive a response, but you can also post anonymously if you are more comfortable with this.

Scheduled dates

Dates are scheduled as below. Please email the named person to book as indicated. I will be sending out a monthly reminder via the lccos-allstaff@ucl.ac.uk mailing list.

  • 20 Nov:  10:00 – 11:00: Paul Ayris (Pro-Vice-Provost, UCL LCCOS) & June Hedges (Director of Liaison and Support Services; Deputy Director of Services) – email j.hedges@ucl.ac.uk 
  • 14 Dec:  14:00 – 15:00: Martin Moyle (Director of Services) & Lara Speicher (Head of Publishing, UCL Press) – email l.speicher@ucl.ac.uk
  • 17 Jan:  11:00 – 12:00: Andy Pow (Head of Finance, LCCOS) & Rozz Evans (Head of Collection Strategy) – email rosalind.evans@ucl.ac.uk
  • 16 Feb:  11:00 – 12:00:  Margaret Stone (Director of Digital Services and Service Improvement) & John Maisey (Head of Visitor Services) j.maisey@ucl.ac.uk
  • 19 Mar: 15:00 – 16:00: Karen Jeger (Head of Collection Services) & Peter Dennison (Head of Customer Service) – email p.dennison@ucl.ac.uk 
  • 22 Apr: 11:00 – 12:00: Paul Ayris (Pro-Vice-Provost, UCL LCCOS) & Sarah Aitchison (Director of Special Collections) – email s.aitchison@ucl.ac.uk
  • 22 May: 14:00 – 15:00: Martin Moyle (Director of Services) & Kate Cheney (Director of Site Library Services) – email k.cheney@ucl.ac.uk
  • 18 Jun: 14:00 – 15:00: Peter Dennison (Head of Customer Service) & Michelle Wake (Site Libraries Manager and Senior Librarian, UCL School of Pharmacy) – email m.wake@ucl.ac.uk

Do feel free to email me directly if you have any general queries, comments or questions about the LCCOS Leadership Surgeries.

NSS 2023 Results: Another great year for UCL Library

By June Hedges, on 16 October 2023

A rather long post on the NSS results, mainly due to changes that have been made to the survey by the Office for Students. The important news though, is that we have done really well again, gaining UCL some of the highest scores across all the NSS questions.

First: the changes to the Survey

Several major changes have been made to the survey in 2023. A completely new set of questions and question areas was introduced. The question relating to overall satisfaction (“Overall, I am satisfied with the quality of the course”) was removed as were questions relating Learning Community questions. These have been replaced with new questions on mental wellbeing services and freedom of expression. In addition to this, the response scales to the core questions were revised. Students no longer respond to statements on a five-point ‘Definitely agree > Definitely disagree’ scale, but instead on a four-point scale, which differs between questions. For example:

  • Option 1: Very good
  • Option 2: Good
  • Option 3: Not very good
  • Option 4: Not good at all

So, students earlier this year responded to 27 core questions, relating to nine aspects of their experience:

  • Teaching on my course
  • Learning opportunities
  • Marking and assessment
  • Academic support
  • Organisation and management
  • Learning resources
  • Student voice
  • Mental wellbeing services (new for 2023)
  • Freedom of expressions (new for 2023)

In addition, UCL also asked students two UCL specific questions, which appeared after completing the core questionnaire:

  • I would recommend UCL to others thinking of studying here
  • I feel prepared for my next steps after UCL (i.e. I have a job, further study place or other activity confirmed)

UCL also included two extra, optional question banks from the Office for Students (OFS) in the survey:

  • Students’ Union (Association or Guild)
  • Social Opportunities

NSS 2023: Results

The NSS survey was open to final year undergraduate students from 12th January to 30th April 2023. In total 4,619 students responded, a response rate of 72%. In terms of headline results for the main categories, Learning Resources has once again received the highest positivity score. A result we have become used to in recent NSS surveys. And while the questions within the Learning Resources have changed very slightly in wording, this year’s 89.4 represents an improvement in positivity score of 3.2 from 2022.

Table of positivity scores for three question areas
Positivity scores for UCL, the Russell Group and entire sector for the three question areas “learning resources”, “teaching on my course” and “academic support”.

Further testament to the continued hard work of Library colleagues to support students is also evidenced in the results for the library-specific question (now question 20), which again this year is the highest scoring question for the UCL results set.

Top 3 scoring questions
Question Score, %
20. How well have the library resources (e.g. books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning? 92.1
21. How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g. equipment, facilities, software) when you need them? 89.6
1. How good are teaching staff at explaining things? 88.6

Comparison with Russell Group institutions

A closer look at the results within Learning Resources show that UCL is outperforming Russell Group institutions in this category and is above the entire sector for all three of the questions. However, a Russell Group average of 90.3 and sector average of 89.1 for question 20 does mean that we must not become complacent if we hope to continue to lead the sector in terms of positivity score for ‘library resources’. But that note of warning should not detract from what is another set of excellent NSS results for the Library, which show a strong endorsement of our services from our  students.

Table of positivity scores for three NSS questions
Positivity scores for UCL, the Russell Group and entire sector for the questions 19, 20 and 21 within the area of  “learning resources”.

LCCOS Strategy SharePoint Update October 2023

By Bethan Smith, on 16 October 2023

Following on from the feedback we have received since the staff conference in June, as well as previous LCCOS Strategy consultations which occurred during the spring term, the final draft of the LCCOS Strategy is now available to view.

This is a broad document which aims to act as a guide for our strategic direction over the next four years. It will be supported by an action plan, co-created with LCCOS staff. The goals and the actions will be reviewed and updated collaboratively during the lifetime of the strategy

Key points to note:

  • We have updated the goals and the explanatory text as a result of your feedback. We have also included Mission and Vision statements and LCCOS values, based on consultation with LCCOS staff.
  • The shaping of the strategy will be an iterative exercise. We will update the strategy year by year to capture updates and new opportunities, collaboratively with LCCOS staff.
  • Goals which relate to years two to four may be solidified and added throughout the lifecycle of the strategy.
  • We are working on an action plan for year one, and will be working with LCCOS teams to flesh this out.

As a next step in this collaboration, between October and December 2023 members of the Strategy Working Group (Martin Moyle, June Hedges, Margaret Stone and Bethan Smith) will be available to attend team meetings to discuss the strategy, and how it relates to team activities, in more detail. Managers can contact the working group to arrange this. Staff can also submit feedback at any time.