Minutes of a meeting held on 28 October 2002

02/30

Minutes of the previous meeting (17 June 2002)

These were accepted.

02/31

Matters arising from the minutes

02/20
(02/03, 01/43, 01/20)

Structure charts publication.

This publication has now been distributed. It was noted that members of the Committee should receive individual copies of publications produced by the Committee.
Action: GD to check

02/20
(02/03, 01/43, 01/32)

Staff development policies paper.

MO did not consider that there were any future themes from this paper for the Committee. She raised the possibility of an article in the SCONUL Newsletter but the Committee did not express strong enthusiasm for this.

02/22

Evaluation of staff development policies paper.

A summary of responses received by AM was distributed. These were all very positive, endorsing the approach which had been taken for this publication.
It was agreed that JS would select two or three comments to add to the ACoS web site.
Action: JS

02/20
(02/04)

lis-sconuldeputies

GD had received no volunteers to encourage use of this list following an email request

02/20
(02/06)

Publicity for management courses.

JM reported on the feedback received concerning the lower level of attendance at the middle management course in June. 22 responses, of which:

• two simply requested information on the courses
• seven indicated expense as a negative factor
• eight responded that in-house or more local such training was available and preferred
• eight had no 'sinister' reason for not considering the course - dates had been difficult or no member of staff needed this particular course at this time.

(some institutions gave more than one reason)
It was agreed that it was worthwhile to run the middle management course again next year (May 2003), perhaps with improved publicity.
The introductory and middle management courses would therefore be advertised together again.
Action: PG

02/20
(02/10, 01/51)

Performance indicators for staffing.

JM reported that NB had agreed to liaise and work with Stephen Town on this topic and report progress at the next Committee meeting.
Action: NB

02/21

SCONUL Award Scheme

The Committee discussed a revised timetable:

• November: publicity (electronic only if printing posters etc produces delaying factors)
• end January: close for applications
• end February: decision on winner
• early April: announcement at SCONUL conference

JM agreed to try and meet this timing or to email the Committee and admit defeat otherwise.
Action: JM
Committee assessors for the applications were suggested as MC, JP and perhaps AM.

02/23

Committee membership

After discussion MC proposed to nominate John Bagnel (Dundee University) and Fiona Parsons (Birmingham University) to Executive Board for approval as new members. This was agreed.
Action: MC

02/24

SCONUL task force on access for users with disability

JP reported that this task force had met recently and was making good progress, aiming to publish its briefing paper in December(ish).

02/28

ACoS News Digest

MC was working on this. It was suggested that the opportunity might be taken to mention ACoS web site links on consortial staff training and also to highlight HESDA management training (top management training for PVCs, also training for Deans and for Heads of Department), as PG reported that no librarian had been on the HESDA training so far as he knew and they may need alerting to its existence. (Self nomination is possible for the Deans and Heads courses, though not for the PVC's course.)

02/32

Training Together 7

JP circulated feedback on this event which had clearly been successful and well appreciated, with 48 atttendees.
A profit of over £800 had been made which GD explained would be semi 'ring fenced' for ACoS use and certainly the Executive Board reminded/kept in mind for any future ACoS project needs.
The Committee thanked JP and MO for their work on this event.

A possible theme for TT8 had emerged from the feedback - VLEs, both their use in staff development and developing/training staff for using VLEs. The Committee agreed that a gap of 18 months/two years would be acceptable before the next Training Together event and that therefore TT8 might perhaps run in Spring 2004. The longer lead-in time might also make it easier to enlist SCONUL secretariat help more.
Action: JM to agenda for discussion at next meeting

02/33

Consortial staff development

MC was still working on this.
Action: MC

02/34

HEFCE Human Resource Strategy

MC considered that there was not yet enough material for a discussion paper. It was agreed that this should be kept on the ACoS agenda and put in the action plan.
Action: JM agenda for next meeting; MC Action Plan

02/35

Annual gathering of Deputy Librarians

MO introduced the paper written by Martin Lewis.
In a lengthy discussion the following points were made

• second tier staff may not all be aware that SCONUL's autumn conference has been opened to them for the past few years. Should this be advertised on lis-sconuldeputies?
  Action: GD to check with Toby Bainton
• the Advisory Committees now include second tier staff in their membership and they are invited to express interest in these
  Action: GD to consider inviting expressions of interest on lis-sconuldeputies
• SCONUL would offer administrative support for the annual gathering. Under these auspices an ACoS member (second tier staff) might attend the meetings to provide an informal link to SCONUL
• two meetings per annum might be organised. Each could have a limit on numbers but this would still increase access and participation
• feedback on the meetings could reach a wider audience via lis-sconuldeputies

In this light it was suggested that the next meeting proposed (in Maynooth, 2003) might be publicised more widely, albeit with a limit on total numbers.
The meeting would accommodate as many as possible but also generate a waiting list which could be used to arrange a second meeting. Someone specific might be sought this time to arrange the second meeting to try and encourage the breaking of the perceived exclusivity circle. Thereafter it was hoped that organisers for the meetings would volunteer from amongst the second tier staff.
Action: MO to discuss above suggestions with Martin Lewis

02/36

Annual Report and Action Plan

The following were suggested as topics for inclusion:

Annual Report

• membership changes
• TT7
• SCONUL Award 2001 winner
• two publications; staff development policies, staff structures
• management courses - comment on popularity of introductory, poor take-up on middle management, reconsideration of strategic course content
• continuing development of web site - links to training consortia

Action Plan

• second tier staff meetings
• HEFCE HR strategy
• SCONUL award continuation
• strategic management course content reconsideration
• TT8 - planning for 2004
• web site development, linking to web development at SCONUL generally. Flag up ACoS activities on main site
• PI for staff
• consortial staff training opportunities
• consideration of the feasibility of a directory/list of training expertise
  
  

02/37

Management of strategic change course content

MO/JM summarised feedback from CF and AM. It was noted that both had mentioned the HIMSS project. A concern over developing leaders for the profession was also highlighted.
Two ways forward were considered:

1. remain with Aston and what they can offer
2. reconsider completely, content and provider, and therefore have a gap in provision for a while

• Pat Noon
• Rep from HIMSS project
• MC
• HESDA rep (PG)
• CILIP rep - perhaps Biddy Fisher who has been working with CILIP recently
• someone who has done the original course who is now a chief?
• a second tier staff rep or delegate (perhaps AM?)
• UCISA rep

A suggested timescale was to aim for a new course to run in Spring 2005.

02/38

HESDA report

PG outlined the management courses offered by HESDA indicated above for a mention in the ACoS News Digest. An interest in, and need for, a variety of management training opportunities looks set to continue in the foreseeable future.

02/39

ACoS web site

It was noted that SCONUL was to migrate to a new host soon. GD reported that she is organising a meeting for all SCONUL 'web weavers'.
Action: GD

02/40

Resolving the Human Issues in LIS projects: Final Report July 2002

The Committee noted the above report to the JISC and the RSLP from CHEMS (The Higher Education Consultancy Group) which had been circulated to institutions. A dissemination event is awaited.

02/41

Date of next meeting

11, 12, 14, 19 or 20 March were suggested. To be confirmed via email.
Action: JM