Turning  Aspire  around  

at  the  

University  of  Edinburgh      

Angela  Laurins  Library  Learning  Services  Manager  

Angela.Laurins@ed.ac.uk  

Talis  Aspire    at  the  University  of  Edinburgh  

Resource  Lists  Pilot  launched  in  July  2012  •  Year  1(2012-­‐13):1  published  list    •  Year  2  (2013-­‐14)  :  33  published  lists      Now  entering  Year  3    •  Year  3  (Session  2014/15):  50  new  published  lists*  +  30  to  rollover    

*@end  June  2014    

 Why  did  it  take    2  years  to  reach    

this  point  

?    

Obligatory  StaUsUcs  

•  University  of  Edinburgh  founded  in  1583  •  3  Colleges  •  22  Schools  •  5  campuses  •  32,591  students  (all  levels)  •  8571  (FTE)  staff  (academic/non-­‐academic)  •  3454  (FTE)  academic  staff  •  5600  (approx.)  courses  delivered  p.a.    

Source:  h`p://bit.ly/1plROJL    

Yet  more  stats…..  

•  1  converged  service  (InformaUon  Services)    •  5  divisions  •  2  Library  divisions  (Library  &  University  CollecUons  and  User  Services)  

•  14  Academic  Support  Librarians  •  6  VLEs  ……  and  counUng  •  3  portals  (at  least)  •  1  Library  Learning  Services  Librarian  •  0  dedicated  resource  

Danger  Librarian’s  head  exploding  !  

Gartner  Hype  Cycle  

Trough  of  disillusionment  End  2012-­‐  May  2013  

•  High  expectaUons  •  Complicated  &  imperfect  library  workflows  &  processes    

•  No  individual  responsible  •  Overwhelmed  by  task  ahead  •  Short  window  of  opportunity  

 OrganisaUonal  re-­‐structuring    

June  2013    •  Library  Learning  Services  takes  on  

rollout  of  Resource  Lists  using  Talis  Aspire.    

•  Approx.  20%  of  remit.  

First  steps  towards  enlightenment  June  2013  

•  Being  realisUc  •  Focusing  on  one  thing  at  a  Ume    •  SUll  not  understanding  all  exisUng  workflows  and  processes  but  

realising,  that  with  limited  resources,  you  can’t  do  it  all…  and  accepUng  that  this  is  ok  ……  

h`ps://www.flickr.com/photos/105427157@N08/    

Milestones  

•  May  2013  –  Advocacy  begins    •  June  2013-­‐  OrganisaUonal  restructuring.  Library  Learning  Services  takes  on  Aspire    

•  June  2013-­‐  Business  case    •  July  2013  –  IniUal  webpage  and  first  user  guide  published  

•  July  2013-­‐  University's  Accessible  and  Inclusive  Learning  Policy  published  

•  August  2013  –  Hierarchy  uploaded  •  Sept  2013  -­‐  BriUsh  History  1  &  Veterinary  Medicine  lists  published  

•  Oct  2013  –  PresentaUons  to  various  Library  &  College  Commi`ees  begin    

Milestones    

h`p://edinburgh.stv.tv/arUcles/279418-­‐tough-­‐mudder-­‐returned-­‐to-­‐scotland-­‐for-­‐a-­‐second-­‐year/    

Turning  point  •  Nov  2013-­‐  Approval  for  dedicated  post  •  March  2014  –  New  Library  Learning  Services  Assistant  

in  post  

Source:  www.allsparkfireworks.com/blog/    

   Plateau  of  producUvity  

March  2014-­‐  ?    

 Preparing  for  scalability  

•  Hybrid  approach  to  list  creaUon  •  Encourage  D.I.Y.  •  Offer  to  create  and  then  handover  – Library  Learning  Services  Assistant  – Some  Academic  Support  Librarians  – Trained  Library  Helpdesk  Staff  –  Interns    

Increased  programme  of  advocacy  

•  PresentaUons  •  Workshops  •  1-­‐2-­‐1  sessions  –  Find  the  USP    –  Good  customer  service  helped  build  relaUonships  –  Find  Champions    

•  Academic  Support  Librarians  •  at  College  level  •  Student  reps  

 

Joined  up  markeUng  &  communicaUons  

•  Consistent  brand:  Resource  Lists  @Edinburgh  (using  Talis  Aspire)  

•  New  set  of  webpages  •  Blog    •  Twi`er  account  @ResourceListsEd  •  PromoUonal  materials  

h`p://libraryblogs.is.ed.ac.uk/resourcelists/  

Images:  h`p://images.is.ed.ac.uk    Postcards  and  posters  

Improving  support  materials    •  Producing  short  task-­‐focused  guides    –  anUcipaUng  support  needs  (and  awkward  quesUons)  

 

•  Publishing  example  lists  •  to  show  good  pracUce    •  PromoUng  learning  skills  •  to  engage  

Having  support  documentaUon  removes  pressure  and  reassures  users  

June  2014-­‐  VLE  integraUon  

•  Learn  (Blackboard)  •  Moodle  

Next  on  the  ‘to  do’  list  

•  VLE  integraUon  (Blackboard  &  Moodle  )  •  Rollover    •  Implement  review  stages  •  Integrate  library  processes  (e-­‐reserve,  course  reserve)    

•  Evaluate  and  plan  for  next  year  

Big  challenges  ahead  •  Meet  academics’  expectaUons  around  course  materials  

•  Prepare  for  impact  of  new  Library  Management  Plaqorm  (scheduled  summer  2015).  

Turning  Talis  Aspire  around    

•  Don’t  let  the  big  picture  overwhelm  you  •  Focus  on  achievable  milestones    •  Write  a  business  case  •  Get  buy-­‐in  from  senior  management  (especially  

from  teams  whose  support  you  need)  

•  Find  champions  •  Build  relaUonships  across  the  Library  &  University    

•  Find  dedicated  resource  (if  possible)  •  Advocacy  with  a  smile  –  stay  posiUve  •  AnUcipate  support  needs  &  awkward  quesUons  

•  Provide  good  customer  service  •  Speak  to  other  insUtuUons  (Thank  You  RGU  &  Glasgow  J  )    

•  Take  advantage  of  the  support  offered  by  Talis  Aspire.  

Thank  you    

Angela.Laurins@ed.ac.uk  SUll  smiling  J