INFORMATION SERVICES STRATEGIC PLAN - Aberystwyth … · Information Services Strategic Plan...
Transcript of INFORMATION SERVICES STRATEGIC PLAN - Aberystwyth … · Information Services Strategic Plan...
Page 1 of 18
I N FO RM A TI O N S ERVI C ES S TRA T EG I C P L A N
2014 -19
ABER YS TW YT H U NIVER SI TY
Information Services Strategic Plan 2014-2019
Page 2 of 18
WELCOME
Welcome to the Information Services Strategic Plan. This document has many potential audiences,
including the customers of our services who want to find out more about what we’re doing, our own
staff, to help them plan and prioritise their work, and the University’s management and governing
bodies. It demonstrates how we will help to deliver the institution’s objectives over the next five
years. The plan sets out Information Services’ strategic objectives and how we will deliver these
through the expertise of our staff, our information resources, and through the use of technology. To
achieve this we will collaborate with colleagues across the University and externally. Information
Services seeks to deliver maximum value for money and will be transparent in demonstrating our key
performance indicators, impact, and progress against this plan.
To achieve our vision Information Services acts as a
Service provider seeking to continuously improve our delivery of customer-focused services
through a cycle of planning, implementing, checking, and effecting corrective actions where
required. We are committed to the principle of continuous improvement by actively
monitoring performance, results and the opinions of our customers to feed into the planning
and development of our services.
Leader in innovation delivering University-wide initiatives that meet institutional objectives
through effective implementation of best practice, business processes, technologies, change
and project management.
Learning Organisation which is central to our students’ education. We are a frontline service
and an enabler for learning in every part of the students’ academic life. IS responds to and
engages with students as well as anticipating their future learning needs. We encourage our
own staff to develop their skills and expertise to better respond to our customers’
requirements.
We aim to be an approachable, responsive, flexible and agile department alert to technological
developments as well as reacting to developments in higher education, legislative changes, research,
scholarly publishing, and technology locally, nationally and internationally.
This strategy is set within a wider context. The external environment that is impacting on Aberystwyth
University is changing rapidly. Higher education is going through a period of unprecedented change.
As Saad Rizvi, Katelyn Donnelly and Michael Barber indicate in the IPPR report “An avalanche is
coming: Higher education and the revolution ahead” (March 2013) “Just as globalisation and
technology have transformed other huge sectors of the economy in the past 20 years, in the next 20
years universities face transformation”. Students are confident consumers of IT and library services,
and will expect up-to-date facilities in the University where they choose to study. The HE environment
is now far more competitive, for both students and research funding. It is more vital now than ever
before to develop an effective Information Services strategy and to successfully operationalise it
through project and service management.
Development of this plan has been driven by the input of students, Information Services and
University staff. Combined with the support of our colleagues across the University, IS staff
professionalism, customer-focus, and commitment will drive the successful delivery of this strategic
plan over the next five years.
Tim Davies, Director of Information Services, October 2014
Information Services Strategic Plan 2014-2019
Page 3 of 18
CONTENTS
Welcome ................................................................................................................................................. 2
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 4
About Information Services ................................................................................................................. 4
Our Service in Numbers ....................................................................................................................... 6
Information Services Strategic Objectives ........................................................................................... 7
Vision ..................................................................................................................................................... 10
Mission Statement ................................................................................................................................ 10
Values .................................................................................................................................................... 11
Sustainable and Excellent Services Programme .................................................................................... 12
Information Services Strategic Objectives 2014-2019 ........................................................................... 13
1. Excelling in Customer Service .................................................................................................... 13
2. Enabling a Digital University ...................................................................................................... 13
3. Providing Information Resources to meet Learning and Research Needs ................................. 15
4. Enhancing Learning Through Technology .................................................................................. 15
5. Supporting the University’s Research and Enhancing its Impact ............................................... 16
6. Delivering Spaces that meet the needs of Learners, Teachers and Researchers ...................... 17
7. Becoming A Learning Organisation ........................................................................................... 17
Information Services Strategic Plan 2014-2019
Page 4 of 18
INTRODUCTION
ABOUT INFORMATION SERVICES
Information Services (IS) is a professional service department in Aberystwyth University (AU) that
provides the library, computing, e-learning, and media services to Aberystwyth University students,
teachers, researchers, administrators and visitors. See www.aber.ac.uk/en/is for more details. It is a
converged library and IT service of 113 staff (96 FTE) with an annual expenditure of around £6M (June
2014). The department currently provides the following services:
Help and Support: ICT and library enquiry desks are sited in a number of locations, offering
library and ICT advice to staff and students. Enquiries can also be made by phone, email,
Facebook, Twitter, and instant chat. IS also offers extensive online IT and library advice in the
form of “Frequently Asked Questions”, “Show me” videos, and “Do it for me” functions. IS
provides a bilingual help and support service.
Runs the University’s Libraries:
o Hugh Owen Penglais, houses the University’s main collections in the Humanities, Life
Sciences, Social Sciences, Education, Rural Studies, and Welsh
o Thomas Parry Library, at the Llanbadarn Centre, houses the University's main
collections in Management, Business, Law and Information Science
o Physical Sciences Library, Penglais, houses materials for Physics, Mathematics and
Computer Science
Manages the Libraries’ Physical and Digital Collections
o The University libraries hold over 845,000 printed volumes and subscribe to around
45,000 periodical titles.
o Generous opening hours at all sites throughout the year
o The library holds a unique and rare collection of special materials and archives
including the George Powell, Appleton, and Horton collections.
o Over £1.5 million is spent on material acquisition annually
o Access to nearly 90,000 e-books and over 40,000 electronic journals
o Provides Voyager library catalogue, Primo resource discovery, and book
recommender services
o Extensive daily newspaper collection
o Book swop and book sales
o Digitisation and document supply services
Supports and promotes the use of Library and Information Services through
o Specialist in-depth subject support
o Academic librarians liaise with departments regarding their research, library and
information needs
o Academic Services blog
o Support for research and open access initiatives, including the PURE Research
Management database and Cadair open access repository
o Subject-embedded information skills taught in undergraduate and postgraduate
programmes
o Training, such as using referencing software
o Information literacy work with departments
The University’s Information and Communication Technology Services including:
o Central infrastructure including servers, storage, networking, and backup
Information Services Strategic Plan 2014-2019
Page 5 of 18
o The University’s VoIP telephone system
o A wireless network facility covering social areas, such as the Students Union bar,
cafes, and relaxation areas, many of the main teaching rooms, libraries and halls of
residence.
o Email and file store
o Web site and intranet
o 800 computers for students located in 23 different areas
o Self-service, combined printing, photocopying and scanning service
o University software packages and licenses
o Business Information Systems including the ASTRA student record, finance and HR
systems.
o Integration of in-house developed, third party and cloud based systems
Procurement and sales of ICT equipment and Consumables, including binding and specialist
printing services.
ICT Support and maintenance installing and supporting pedagogical equipment, including
Video conferencing, Lecture Capture, and translation equipment within centrally time tabled,
and public service rooms. The team offer maintenance, repair, and upgrade service for PC’s,
Laptops and peripherals.
Multimedia Services including specialist staff, software and loan equipment. Facilitate off air
recoding and filming services to departments
Videoconferencing facilities including booking facilities and desktop conferencing
University Teaching spaces (lecture theatres and seminar rooms), including design, support for
AV equipment, refurbishment, and timetabling
Technology Enhanced Learning services including
o AberLearn Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment including Campus Pack building
blocks for Blackboard (blogs, wikis, journals, and podcasting)
o Turnitin e-submission
o AberCast Lecture Capture and Helix streaming media / off-air recording server
o Questionmark Perception (for summative and formative online exams)
o Qwizdom in-class voting system
o Support and training for use of technology and media in learning and teaching
o Run the e-learning Brownbag Series and other special events provide platforms for
teaching staff to share good practice with their peers across departments
o Host Nexus the website for sharing good practice in teaching with technology
o Runs the new Aberystwyth Academy, a centre for developing pedagogical practice
around space and technology, including a media lab, filming studio, and dedicated
teaching space
o Hosting of the regional CADARN project to showcase, promote and facilitate
technology enhanced learning across the CADARN group of higher education (HE)
institutions and support access to bilingual learning (see www.cadarn.ac.uk for more
details).
IS reports to the Pro-Vice Chancellor for Staff and Student Services, and to the University Executive
through the Heads of Professional Services (HOPS).
Information Services Strategic Plan 2014-2019
Page 6 of 18
OUR SERVICE IN NUMBERS
A sample of some of our Key Performance Indicators (2012-13)
Annual Visits to Libraries 661,458
Individual users who borrowed a book 7,692
Total Loans 422,375
E-book accesses 236,388
Full text electronic downloads 868,703
Enquires to IS by phone, email and face to face (IT and Library) 77,455
Staff hours spent training 307
External Store requests 1,134
Visits to the library catalogue 349,680
Full text and bibliographic records in Cadair 7,369
Blackboard accesses 26,327,793
Information Services Strategic Plan 2014-2019
Page 7 of 18
INFORMATION SERVICES STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
Currently Higher Education (HE) is going through a period of unprecedented change. The HE
landscape is changing as a result of globalisation, technological developments, the marketization of
Higher Education, and economic factors. Understanding the forces at work, the components of a
University, and strategies being adopted across the sector is critical to ensuring the success of AU. It is
vital that Information Services, as a strategic business unit within a HE institution, responds and aligns
its strategies to deliver the overall corporate strategy.
The Aberystwyth University Strategic Plan 2012-2017 outlines the following aims:
1. Creating Opportunities
2. Research With Excellence that Makes an Impact
3. Teaching that Inspires
4. Engaging the World
5. Working in Partnership
6. Investing in Our Future
We will support and deliver these aims through the following seven Information Services Strategic
Objectives 2014-2019:
1. Excelling in Customer Service
2. Enabling the Digital University
3. Providing Information Resources that meet Learning and Research Needs
4. Enhancing Learning through Technology
5. Supporting the University’s Research and Enhancing its Impact
6. Delivering Spaces that meet the needs of Learners, Teachers and Researchers
7. Becoming a Learning Organisation
Information Services Strategic Plan 2014-2019
Page 8 of 18
IS Objectives
University Aims
Exce
lling
in C
usto
mer
Ser
vice
s En
ablin
g a
Dig
ital
Uni
vers
ity
Del
iver
y of
Info
rmat
ion
Reso
urce
s th
at
mee
t Lea
rnin
g an
d Re
sear
ch N
eeds
Enha
ncin
g Le
arni
ng th
roug
h Te
chno
logy
Supp
ortin
g th
e U
nive
rsity
’s R
esea
rch
and
Enha
ncin
g it
s Im
pact
Del
iver
ing
Spac
es th
at m
eet t
he n
eeds
of L
earn
ers,
Tea
cher
s an
d Re
sear
cher
s
Beco
min
g a
Lear
ning
Org
anis
atio
n
Creating Opportunities Research with excellence
that Makes an Impact
Teaching that Inspires
Engaging the World
Working in Partnership
Investing in Our Future
Information Services Strategic Plan 2014-2019
Page 9 of 18
As a guiding principle in prioritising initiatives under these broad headings, IS will give greater priority
to projects that meet some or all the following criteria:
Does it help increase student recruitment?
Does it improve the student experience?
Does it help generate income?
Does it ensure we meet regulatory, legal, or compliance requirements?
Does it reduce costs or improve efficiency?
This is an ambitious but achievable plan written in the context of the resources available in 2014.
Clearly the success of this plan is heavily dependent on the availability of funding, staff and resources,
as well as the level of Institutional support. This strategy is a live document and will be reviewed
annually as part of the planning round to take account of changing institutional priorities, the external
environment and to the resources available. IS will produce yearly operational plans to implement our
strategic objectives.
Information Services Strategic Plan 2014-2019
Page 10 of 18
VISION
Information Services’ vision is for our library and IT services to be at the heart of the University’s
academic activity and to be consistently amongst the best in the UK.
MISSION STATEMENT
Information Services’ mission is to provide excellent services for the University’s information, library,
ICT, technology-enhanced learning, and media requirements today and in the future. IS promotes
effective learning, teaching, research, and administration by meeting the information needs of our
customers. IS delivers services that allow the University to reach and engage staff, students, visitors
and the public on campus and also nationally, across the UK, and globally.
Information Services Strategic Plan 2014-2019
Page 11 of 18
VALUES
Everything Information Services does reflects our strong core values
Customer First. Information Services prides itself on excellent customer service. As a
professional service department putting the customer first is our most important value. This
includes interacting with our customers in an approachable, friendly, and respectful way. We
will always do a better job for our customers by seeing things from their perspective.
Innovation. We value creativity to best exploit technology, information, and processes to
support the University’s teaching, research, and administrative objectives. We also embrace
change and value a flexible and agile approach to project and service delivery.
Ambition. We believe in empowering our staff to reach their potential. People are our
strength and we are passionate about what we do. We value leadership at all levels of the
organisation.
Professionalism. We value knowledge, skill, and expertise combined with high standards of
ethical practice. This includes integrity and being accountable for what we do. Furthermore,
as information professionals, we value a learning organisation for the continual development
of our skills and knowledge.
Efficiency. Providing the University with high quality and best value for money services by
deploying our resources in a cost-effective manner. If we do more with less, we can do more.
We value providing services in a long-term sustainable way that has least impact on the
environment.
Honesty. To celebrate our successes and challenge our failures. We value open and
transparent decision-making processes. Information should be made available to the widest
possible audience.
Fairness. We value treating each other and our customers fairly and with equality. We aim to
provide our services in Welsh and English.
Collaboration. We value collaboration and sharing within Information Services, across the
University, and with external partners, customers, and suppliers. We believe in strong
teamwork where the contributions of individuals are recognised and celebrated.
Information Services Strategic Plan 2014-2019
Page 12 of 18
SUSTAINABLE AND EXCELLENT SERVICES PROGRAMME
Information Services will take an active part in the Sustainable and Excellent Services Programme
across the following four strands:
1. Front-line
2. Back office
3. HR
4. Trading
Information Services will collaborate with colleagues internally and across other professional service
departments and Institutes to:
Assist the University in reducing overall complexity and cost by developing lean, customer
focused ways to enhance and simplify service delivery.
Remove inter-departmental charging, to reduce wasted administration effort and improve
access to services.
Assist in business process mapping and improving the efficiency of process workflows.
Identify functions that provide similar services or work in similar ways to see how these can
be delivered in a more joined up integrated fashion. We need to consolidate staff expertise
and experience in order to offer sustainable services. This will include the following IS
functions:
o Back office IT
o IT support
o Front-facing Customer Service
o Procurement and sales
o Printing and related services
Information Services Strategic Plan 2014-2019
Page 13 of 18
INFORMATION SERVICES STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES 2014-2019
Details of how these objectives will be delivered can be found in the Information Services Operational
Plan 2014-2019.
1. EXCELLING IN CUSTOMER SERVICE
The most important element of Information Services work is delivering excellent services aligned to
the needs of students, the University and its Institutes. IS prides itself on a customer focused
approach. We will continuously strive to improve what we do and respond to our customers’
requirements. We also need to ensure we are delivering the right services and that they are provided
as efficiently as possible. IS will focus on online, self-help, self-service and mobile (BYOD “Bring your
own device”) facilities as well as quality staffed services. IS will continue to strive to achieve high
satisfaction levels in ICT and Library services in the National Student Survey and our regular student/
staff satisfaction surveys. IS will explore the use of shared services to enhance service delivery where
appropriate. In addition, IS will engage closely with Institutes and departments to assist the delivery of
their objectives.
IS will enhance its delivery of excellent services through identifying our customers and their
requirements, developing appropriate services and adapting to new technologies to meet those
needs. Investment in staffing is crucial as they are our largest and most important resource, delivering
a high quality customer service and underpinning service provision. We will develop our mechanisms
for demonstrating the value and maximising the impact of Information Services. All IS staff have a
customer-centric approach, regardless of whether or not they have a direct frontline role,
understanding the impact of their work on all IS customers.
Our planning priorities to achieve this are:
1.1. Respond to and Engage with our Customers
1.2. Provide an Integrated Customer Service Experience
1.3. Grow the Delivery of Customer Service Electronically
1.4. Provide Performance Standards that match or exceed Customer Expectations
1.5. Achieve the Customer Service Excellence (CSE) Standard
1.6. Enhance our Student Induction Processes
1.7. Market ourselves and Communicate effectively with our Customers
1.8. Develop services and support for International students
1.9. Provide effective second line IT support
1.10. Provide IT Procurement Services
1.11. Provide and Support the AberCard
1.12. Develop our capacity to deliver a comprehensive bilingual service
2. ENABLING A DIGITAL UNIVERSITY
IS will continue to invest in a sustainable ICT infrastructure that empowers our users to create, store,
share, find and use information. IS will ensure our IT delivers improved performance, sustainability,
resilience and efficiency savings, migrating from legacy technologies and adopting cloud, shared and
open source services where appropriate. We will ensure our systems adapt to meet the University’s
objectives and business processes. IS will ensure that data held on University systems is as accurate
and consistent as possible, delivering business intelligence to support management decision making.
Information Services Strategic Plan 2014-2019
Page 14 of 18
An effective and efficient ICT infrastructure is key to the delivery of the University’s strategic
objectives. IS seeks to prioritise the following areas over the 5 year plan:
University Web Site
Central Information Systems and Integration
IT infrastructure include cloud, shared services, core server, storage and backup systems
Network and telephony infrastructure
Wireless Network
End-point, desktop, mobile IT and printing
In the development of the University’s ICT we are guided by the following principles:
Reduce duplication – particularly with departmentally run systems
Centralise IT services where efficient and appropriate to the business needs
A “single version” of the truth for any key data source and we will adopt the principles of
storing the data once
Coordinated planning between academic and professional units on Information System
development
Simplify our systems
Adopt a standards-based approach for all new developments
Reduce administrative overheads
Minimise running costs
Reduce carbon footprint
Ownership and responsibilities for data must be defined, and owners need to be aware of the
legal implications of use and storage of their data
IT services will be available anywhere, 24x7, on any device
Our planning priorities to achieve this are:
2.1. Improve Processes around Project Management and Change Control
2.2. Exploit Cloud Computing, Software as a Service (SaaS) and Shared Services.
2.3. Provide a Centralised University Print / Copy / Scan Service
2.4. Enhance Desktop Provision
2.5. Expand our Wireless Network
2.6. Enhance our Network Connections to University Buildings and Sites
2.7. Provide a Central Server and Storage Infrastructure
2.8. Protect the University’s Data
2.9. Provide a Central Networking and Telephony Infrastructure
2.10. Exploit Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
2.11. Ensure our Data and Systems are Secure
2.12. Deliver / advise IT infrastructure requirements for Overseas and Other Campuses
2.13. Review University data centre provision
2.14. Develop our Business Information Systems
2.15. Provide a Website that best showcases the University
2.16. Promote the Greening of ICT University-wide
2.17. Ensure Effective Information Governance and Compliance
Information Services Strategic Plan 2014-2019
Page 15 of 18
3. PROVIDING INFORMATION RESOURCES TO MEET LEARNING AND RESEARCH
NEEDS
Information resources will continue to be developed so that they are accessible and focused on the
learning and research needs of the University. Changing models in scholarly publication including the
open access agenda and accelerating move towards digital resources are key features of this
objective. Strategic to this is integrating information literacy and library resources within the
curriculum so that learners are better able to exploit the University’s information resources.
Our planning priorities to achieve this are:
3.1. Revise the Information Resource Allocation Model
3.2. Continue to build upon Library Academic Services Liaison with Institutes
3.3. Raise Awareness of the Library’s Collections
3.4. Adopt and Deliver a University-Wide Information Literacy Policy
3.5. Adopt and Deliver University-Wide Digital Reading Lists and an Associated Policy
3.6. Implement a Next Generation Library Management System
3.7. Provide easy to use and intuitive Resource Discovery
3.8. Increase Uptake of Digitisation
3.9. Improve access to physical library materials to support teaching and learning
3.10. Enhance student experience by increasing the number and range of books
3.11. Enhance student experience by increasing the number and range of electronic resources
3.12. Support plans for Overseas and remote campuses, distance learning, and franchise agreements with Information Resources
4. ENHANCING LEARNING THROUGH TECHNOLOGY
Students expect technology to be seamlessly integrated in their University experience. IS will work to
further develop an integrated online learning environment for our students. We will maintain our role
of evaluating, providing and supporting the most appropriate range technologies for both face-to-face
and independent learning activities. IS will continue to provide and enhance support and training for
staff in the use of technology-enhanced learning. We will work, alongside regional and national
initiatives, on open educational resources and the online delivery of courses. During this planning
period, IS will take a proactive role in enhancing learning through technology across the University
engaging with stakeholders driving uptake and increased quality.
This objective will be achieved through a number of initiatives:
Building a strong, flexible and extensible IT infrastructure for Technology Enhanced Learning
(TEL). This will include close integration with the student record and other central systems
(e.g. Scientia Timetable).
Continuous monitoring of the educational technology environment, adopting tools and
methodologies as appropriate. Being innovative and introducing new technologies where
clear benefits can be identified.
Working closely with IEGPD, to further develop our support and training for staff and students
in the use of technology to enhance learning. Encouraging the uptake of technology
enhanced learning across the University.
Assisting in the development of media rich learning materials to support on-site or distance
learning.
Information Services Strategic Plan 2014-2019
Page 16 of 18
Identifying opportunities for funding in support of projects that support our overall
objectives.
Information Services will continue to monitor developments across Welsh HE, in particular the
emphasis on technology-enhanced learning in the recent Policy Statement on higher education (2013)
and the soon-to-be-updated HEFCW strategy for Enhancing Learning and Teaching through
Technology due to be released during 2014.
Our planning priorities to achieve this are:
4.1. Develop and enhance the use of information systems in the delivery of learning and teaching processes.
4.2. Enhance the Role of Multimedia in Teaching and Learning
4.3. Develop the Aberystwyth Academy as a Centre for Developing Pedagogical Practice around Space and Technology
4.4. Enhance the Provision of Learning Activities and Opportunities via Mobile Devices
4.5. Enhance Uptake of Technology Enhanced Learning
4.6. Develop and Implement a Strategy for Online Learning
4.7. Deliver Branded and Customised VLE for Projects
4.8. Support for Welsh Medium technology enhanced learning
4.9. Support creation of Open Educational Resources
4.10. Facilitate the CADARN project hosted at Aberystwyth University
5. SUPPORTING THE UNIVERSITY’S RESEARCH AND ENHANCING ITS IMPACT
IS will develop and enhance research systems, services and technologies to meet the needs of
individual researchers and collaborative groups at the University. IS will provide services,
technologies, training and assistance targeted to the needs of researchers. IS will contribute to
enabling, curating and disseminating University research outputs and will develop open access
solutions.
This objective will be achieved through a number of initiatives:
Research outputs: Working with the Research Business and Innovation (RB&I) IS has been
heavily involved in the PURE Current Research Information System (CRIS) implementation.
Work continues to integrate PURE with University corporate systems involving BIS, IS & RB&I.
IS will assist in the further integration of PURE and the institutional repository CADAIR into
our standard service offering.
Research data: A University operational group on Research Data Management (RDM) has
been established with staff from the RB&I and IS. This project group will take forward AU’s
response to the research councils’ requirements on RDM (open access to research data by
May 2015). Through the Aber-Bangor partnership, AU’s and Bangor’s operational groups are
collaborating in areas of requirements analysis, technology, policy and training.
Supporting research processes and access to information resources.
Supporting research-led teaching. The distinctiveness and quality of our teaching is due to the
link to high quality research.
Implementation and support of central research systems to help drive research synergies, to
build research strengths, and further cross-discipline research.
Information Services Strategic Plan 2014-2019
Page 17 of 18
Our planning priorities to achieve this are:
5.1. Support and Develop the Institutional Repository
5.2. Develop and Implement Solutions for Research Data Management (RDM)
5.3. Promote and Develop Information Services Support for Researchers
5.4. Improve Awareness of Special Collections
5.5. Increase Uptake of Document Supply
5.6. Improve Research Success and Research Outputs by Facilitating Open Access
6. DELIVERING SPACES THAT MEET THE NEEDS OF LEARNERS, TEACHERS AND
RESEARCHERS
IS will develop an effective range of study environments and learning spaces that are fit for purpose,
comfortable working environments and suit the varied needs of our users. This will be achieved by
identifying student and staff requirements, by working with Institutes, departments, Estates and
Campus Services, and supporting the University Estates Strategy. Through the Aberystwyth Academy
IS will enable and support the focus on spaces and technology to enhance learning, teaching, and
pedagogical practice. IS will ensure the teaching and examination timetables best utilise our spaces
and also inform their development.
This objective will be achieved through a number of initiatives:
Through engagement with stakeholders a clear understanding of space requirements can be
reached. Once established, these will be the primary drivers in any refurbishment or new
build project.
A review of best practices within the HE sector, in the UK and wider, will inform the
development and management of our learning spaces.
Identification of ring fenced budgets for development projects i.e. CTT room refurbishment
and Library refurbishment budgets need to be separate and clearly identified in terms of
amount and scope.
Clear time scales must be agreed prior to the start of any projects with clear and identified
sponsor, project leader and steering group. IS will work closely with other services
departments in delivering these projects.
Our planning priorities to achieve this are:
6.1. Refurbish Centrally-Timetabled Teaching (CTT) Rooms
6.2. Develop the Aberystwyth Academy
6.3. Develop Library Spaces
6.4. Deliver Teaching and Examination Timetables Effectively
7. BECOMING A LEARNING ORGANISATION
Continuing the development of customer-focused, professional, skilled and motivated staff is
essential to the delivery of Information Services’ strategic objectives. Our staff’s strengths, ambitions,
ideas, and ability to reach their potential underpin our success. IS will develop its staff through
involvement in the academic life of the University, attendance at training, conferences and other
community events. Furthermore, we are committed to good people management practice,
involvement of staff from across IS in setting priorities and objectives, in staff development and
review processes, regular internal training, communication and awareness raising sessions to ensure
Information Services Strategic Plan 2014-2019
Page 18 of 18
transfer and development of skills. Utilisation of online and sector resources such as JISC, JANET, HEA,
CILIP, SCONUL, UCISA will also be maximised.
Our planning priorities to achieve this are:
7.1. Consistently Implement Staff Development and Performance Reviews (SDPR)
7.2. Develop a Training, Travel and Conferences Annual Plan and Budget
7.3. Develop an Annual Internal Training Programme and Training Needs Analysis
7.4. Recognise and Reward Success
7.5. Develop Leadership Skills for Staff
7.6. Communicate well both internally and externally
7.7. Provide the Right Environment for our Staff
7.8. Provide Structures that Enable and Clarity on Team Roles
7.9. Work innovatively to Assist Staffing our Services