The week that was ...

Saturday (17 April):

I am tired but relieved. Had my research report interview with Karin and Colin, and once again they gave me some valuable guidance and advice. Thanks Karin and Colin!

Prof Robert Shell is one of a kind. Technology sure had a huge impact on the way indexing can be done. Prof Shell shared lots of interesting snippets with us.

This week has been extremely informative and valuable for me ... I have learnt so much, and my horizons have been broadened tremendously ...

Input from floor re: If you have to go back to your university, what is it what you want to change, and how will you change it?

- Business management skills need to be developed
- More exposure e.g. conference attendance
- Think beyond consortia
- Be part of the department
- Continued contextual training should take place
- Librarians should further their studies, write articles
- Needs analysis should be conducted from time to time
- Re-structure qualified staff in the library
- Promote digitization, open access
- BE a professional
- Gain knowledge of the publishing industry
- Create a database of experts in the field according to disciplines
- More cooperation between librarians
- Open up minds back at home

Some feedback from Colin & Karin:
- We should not wait for permission from management to do something
- "Lead, follow or get out of the way" (Colin)
- "Librarians are the intellectual equals of researchers" (Colin)
- Develop capacity, support and help develop promising researchers - they need special support because of inequalities

Note to myself: when doing a thesis create it on a DVD, and build in interactivity.

Ina