Pivotal, connected and flying : transforming libraries in HE Jason Briddon Director of Library Services UHMLG Spring Forum 2015

The Crowded HE Market Where does UWE Bristol sit? What do we want to be known for? The Crowded HE Market Where does UWE Bristol sit? Strategy 2020 development work suggested: UWE Bristol known for: Inclusive and supportive Locally connected / embedded Quality learning and teaching Degrees that lead to jobs Professional Innovative BUT... We under played Bristol There was a lack of clarity about our USP We should: Maximise impact of partnerships Focus our mission on transforming student’s lives Put learning more clearly at the centre Ensure high level of professional accreditation/ practice-orientated approach Be responsive, agile and forward- looking • Best for professionally recognised and practice-oriented programmes • Best for connecting and working with our local and regional economy, businesses and communities, and international partners • Best for being digitally advanced, agile and responsive in the way we work • Best for being inclusive and global in outlook and approach Know highly competitive and changing environment which we are responding to and also need to differentiate. Strategy 2020 set out our ambition to be clear on what we want to be known for. Strong reputation in Malaysia and Vietnam but less well-known across the UK (although this is not uncommon for universities)

Libraries deliver

UWE Library : student view

UWE Library : student view  satisfaction with Library  Library staff  Access to information – highest priority Library as place Expectations increasing Largest gap between desired and perceived Most negative / improvements comments

Transformation Gatekeepers  Facilitators of learning, teaching and research Connecting with content : Collection  Access Library space  re-purposed Engagement with learners New metrics  value and impact People  evolving roles, skills and relationships

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Connecting people with content  digital  “collection”  user driven “just in time”  embedding in learning environment; user workflow and independent use  open access  Showcasing UWE content (“inside out”)  

Library space  re-purposed Enable learning “get work done” “Discover” “Interact” “Produce” Co-locate / integrate service delivery The “sandbox” innovation@library Print collections  frees up space

Engagement with learners Understanding learners Behaviour Expectations Data Reframe our messages

Metrics : inputs  value / impact The old... inputs New and evolving ... Value and impact Volumes held Impact on student enrolment, retention, achievement Expenditure Impact on student learning Gate counts Contribution to research activity Enquiries Impact on faculty grant proposals and funding Teaching sessions Impact on course design and delivery

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People  evolving roles, skills and partnerships Build on good practice Relationships, collaboration.. and engagement Externalise low value / Focus on local services of high value Flexibility and agility Innovative .. try things New expertise and skills required Develop or partner?

UWE Library Services “A good library has always been essential to both academics and students, but UWE’s Library Services were always in a class apart… distinctive in trying to put the needs of students first… librarians saw their job as not just about looking after books, but as enabling students to learn” “UWE Bristol a family history” Bill Evans