Crisis Management – Floods

Much of my work during the first weeks of March was spent coordinating issues related to the recent floods and wild weather. From 28 February – 11 March the majority of library services were delivered online. Library buildings were closed until Wednesday 9 March and most staff could not access campus until Monday 14 March. Collection Access Staff were an exception and they resumed work on campus on Monday 7 March. Gardens Point staff worked at Kelvin Grove on Monday 7 March  and Tuesday 8 March.

There was substantial damage to Kelvin Grove Library, level 6 and 5 following water damage. Around 300 books were removed from the shelves. Thank you to everyone involved, including my 16-year old son, Emile, who – because State Schools were unexpectedly closed due to a severe weather warning on the day – was able to help me remove books from the shelf.

2022 QUT Strategic Planning Forum

I attended the 2022 QUT Strategic Planning Forum (held on the Gold Coast) on 15 and 16 March. This year’s Forum focused on the connections that power our vision and strategy. We collectively explored how we build upon the existing and vital connections to our students, our research, our collaborative partners, communities and, ultimately, to our purpose. It was a fantastic chance to hear from senior leaders, discuss upcoming challenges and opportunities and network with colleagues from across the University.

Academic Division

I chaired the first meeting of the Academic Division (excluding Research) Health, Safety and Environment Meeting (9 March). Huw Davies (Chief Information Officer) welcomed the group. Berni Cooper (Health and Wellbeing Strategic Initiatives Project Lead) spoke about the draft QUT Health and Wellbeing Strategy.  The Terms of Reference and the Committee Action Plan for 2022 were finalised. Members reported that responses to COVID-19 and recent flood events have been a recent focus. Psychological safety is an area that they would like to focus on. The next meeting will focus on the Risk Register as well as mandatory training, and psychological safety.

I attended the Academic Division Leaders  and the Education Portfolio Leaders meetings (both 17 March).

Library Sector Engagement

QULOC

I am currently the Mentor for the QULOC Client Contact Points and Space Working Group. The first meeting was held on 11 March. Tanya St. Clair Honey (Southern Cross University) is the new Convenor.  Caroline Dunk also attended as  our representative on this group.  Much of the discussion centred around the recent floods and service impacts and responses.

I attended the QULOC University Librarians Meeting on 11 March. On the agenda was discusion about a new model for QULOC which had been proposed in 2019 – following a survey of all QULOC library staff –  but shelved due to COVID-19 disruption. The model will be revisited in 2022. More advice will be sent to Working Party Convenors.

CAUL

I attended the CAUL 2 Day Council meeting on 24 and 25 March.