UKZN Research Commons turns two years old

The popularity of this facility has exceeded all expectations!


November 2010 marks the second anniversary of the creation of the Research Commons (RC). The Research Commons is a designated space within the Library for postgraduates who need computer and other facilities as well as subject librarian support. At UKZN, the Research Commons is located on the ground floor of the EG Malherbe Library.


The Research Commons @ UKZN is a quiet, comfortable space with a total of 19 desktop computers (2 with JAWS software for visually impaired students), and is staffed during working hours by a qualified subject librarian on a roster basis. Subject librarians provide assistance with literature searching, bibliographic referencing, use of e-resources and more. Other facilities include a photocopier and printer as well as a scanner and comfortable armchairs for relaxing. Since its inception, WIFI has been made available within the sphere of the RC, and individual workstations have been added to accommodate laptops. Software on the computers includes Endnote, Refworks and SPSS.


The popularity of the RC has exceeded all expectations with students regularly having to queue for workstations. Originally, the RC was only open during working hours but since the introduction of swipecard access in 2009, the RC has been available during the entire opening hours of the Library.


Some 10602 visits were made to the RC during this two year period. Between November 2008 and November 2009, 5605 visits were made to the RC whilst in the 10 month period from November 2009 to date, 4997 visits were recorded, indicating that increased patronage is likely for the second 12 month period over the first.


The majority of user queries in the RC relate to software, technical matters and access, followed by assistance with e-resources and research activities. The RC obviously needs to be expanded to meet increased demand for such a facility, a matter that is being investigated by the Library.

Some comments from users are as follows:

“This is a wonderful research environment that has been painfully missing from UKZN’s support structures for Masters and Phd students.”

“Nice quiet working environment. Comfortable seats and enough space for own books and papers.”

“I think this is a great facility for masters and Phd students. Finally a quiet, work conducive environment. The décor is beautiful too so well done.”

“This environment is wonderful for master’s research as the campus computer lans are not conducive to productivity (due to noise, poor lighting, etc.”


Subject librarians have found the experience of working with postgraduates in the RC rewarding but also challenging in terms of the range of technical queries in particular that they are confronted with, but these queries provide opportunities for upskilling and training.


Written by Omesh Jagarnath and Rose Kuhn, Subject Librarians at UKZN

Academia.edu

Hi All,

I've just been alerted to a recently launched website called Academia.edu (http://www.academia.edu) which attempts to do two things:

• It shows academics around the world structured in a 'tree' format, displayed
  according to their departmental and institutional affiliations.
• It enables academics to see news on the latest research in their area - thelatest people, papers and talks.

Might be interesting to keep an eye on this one and possibly promote it among academics?

Regards, Seta

Job ad: Library Assistant - Research Commons - Wits

UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND, JOHANNESBURG
LIBRARY ASSISTANT (LB13) POSTS IN THE WILLIAM CULLEN LIBRARY
Applications are invited from suitably qualified and experienced persons for TWO positions of Library Assistant (LB13) in the William Cullen Library, one based in Historical Papers and one based in the new Research Commons.
WHEN APPLYING PLEASE STATE WHICH POST or POSTS YOU ARE INTERESTED IN.

1 - LIBRARY ASSISTANT LB13 RESEARCH COMMONS: reports to the Head of Cullen and works closely with the Principal Librarian: Research and the team of Research Commons Research Librarians. Is responsible for: checking out, setting up and and checking in equipment on request from research students and academics in the Research Commons; setting up the Seminar Room for use when required; assisting where necessary with photocopying, printing and scanning; keeping statistical and other user records; monitoring the basic operational state of Research Commons equipment and reporting problems to the Head of Cullen or Library Computer Services.

2 - LIBRARY ASSISTANT LB13 HISTORICAL PAPERS: Reports to the Curator of Manuscripts in Historical Papers and also works under the direction of the Librarian Early & Rare books in Africana. Responsibilities include: assisting in preparation of archival materials for scanning; assisting in scanning and related digitization tasks for archival storage; carrying out conservation work under direction; retrieving and reshelving archival materials for researchers; photocopying archival material.

Available: 1 - Research Commons - As soon as possible
2 - Historical Papers - As soon as possible

Qualifications: MUST HAVE Matric / Std10 / Grade12
Requirements:
□ Minimum one year relevant experience in a library, office, archive, digital scanning and printing centre, or similar workplace.
□ Basic working knowledge of and experience in handling scanning and digitizing technology for books, documents and other materials an advantage.
□ Experience handling computer, media and similar equipment a strong advantage
□ Basic knowledge of computerised library systems in the library;
□ Good interpersonal and English language communications skills;
□ Strong service orientation; physical stamina
□ Ability to work with students and academic staff under pressure;
□ Ability to work flexibly as part of a team.

NOTE: Library Client Services implements a policy of rotation between posts to ensure backup and shared skills. The incumbents in these two posts may therefore be required from time to time to rotate on a short term basis between departments in William Cullen. In the Africana Library in Cullen, staff work a Saturday morning on rotation, approximately one
Saturday in 4 or 5. These two posts are NOT at present part of that Saturday rotation but at some FUTURE time they MAY BE. If this were the case, time off in compensation would be given during the week.
Remuneration: Salaries determined according to qualifications and relevant experience. The package includes provident fund and medical aid.
To apply: Submit full curriculum vitae, certified copies of qualifications and contact details for two work referees to Sonti Masike, Library Human Resources, by e-mail sonti.masike@wits.ac.za or by fax to 011 717 1946
Closing date: Monday 28 July 2008

Running the RC

We have started the operation of our RC on 1 July and deliberately decided to start during the quiet term break. It gives us time to sort out the little hiccups which did not show before actual operation. It is staffed by our 2007 and 2008 Carnegie teams and we have advertised for an assistant. We have our launch on 31 July and team members are working on displays for each of the Research thrusts at Wits.
I am almost full time occupied with the RC at the moment just to get it off the ground, compiling a procedures manual, training and troubleshooting.
It is also very new to our team members in terms of venturing out of their familiar space and to fulfill a very important role in a brand new environment. I found a very interesting article which deals mainly with institutional repositories but it has very useful tips for us to keep in mind when we assist our users.
"Increasing impact of scholarly journal articles: practical strategies librarians can share."
Maryna @ Wits

A space for conversations about the Research Commons

This is a space where all of the library staff involved can participate in conversations about setting up and managing a Research Commons.