ANGLIA RUSKIN UNIVERSITY • BIRKBECK, • BRITISH LIBRARY • BRITISH MUSEUM • BRUNEL UNIVERSITY • CANTERBURY CHRIST CHURCH UNIVERSITY • CENTRAL SCHOOL OF SPEECH AND DRAMA • CITY UNIVERSITY • COURTAULD INSTITUTE OF ART • GERMAN HISTORICAL INSTITUTE • GOLDSMITHS, UNIVERSITY OF LONDON • HEYTHROP COLLEGE, UNIVERSITY OF LONDON • HORNIMAN MUSEUM • IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM • KING’S COLLEGE LONDON • KINGSTON UNIVERSITY • LAMBETH PALACE • LONDON METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY • THE LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS AND POLITICAL SCIENCE • LONDON SCHOOL OF HYGIENE & TROPICAL MEDICINE • LONDON SOUTH BANK UNIVERSITY • MIDDLESEX UNIVERSITY • OXFORD BROOKES UNIVERSITY • QUEEN MARY, UNIVERSITY OF LONDON • RAVENSBOURNE • REGENT’S UNIVERSITY • ROEHAMPTON UNIVERSITY • ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18

ROYAL COLLEGE OF ART • ROYAL HOLLOWAY, UNIVERSITY OF LONDON • ROYAL SOCIETY OF CHEMISTRY • • SCHOOL OF ORIENTAL & AFRICAN STUDIES • SCIENCE MUSEUM •SENATE HOUSE & SAS LIBRARIES • ST GEORGE’S UNIVERSITY OF LONDON • ST MARY’S UNIVERSITY, TWICKENHAM • THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES • UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON • UNIVERSITY FOR THE CREATIVE ARTS • UNIVERSITY OF BEDFORDSHIRE • UNIVERSITY OF BRIGHTON • UNIVERSITY OF EAST LONDON • UNIVERSITY OF ESSEX • UNIVERSITY OF GREENWICH • UNIVERSITY OF KENT • UNIVERSITY OF READING • UNIVERSITY OF SURREY • UNIVERSITY OF SUSSEX • UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS LONDON • UNIVERSITY OF WEST LONDON • UNIVERSITY OF WESTMINSTER • UNIVERSITY OF WINCHESTER • VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM • WIENER LIBRARY • Front cover image: Library, University of the Arts London Images on following page (top to bottom): The Reading Room, the Library, Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. The Foundling Museum and Victoria Terrace, Edinburgh. M25 Annual Report 2017-18 1

Contents

1 Chair’s Report 2 Treasurer’s Report 3 cpd25 Report 4 Annual Conference 5 Networking Event 6 Support Team 7 Online Services Group 8 Steering Group 9 Directors’ Briefings 10 TeachMeet (Ravensbourne) 11 London South Bank University 12 University of the Arts London 13 Staff Development Awards

See front cover for list of Members. 2 M25 Annual Report 2017-18

Chair’s Report

I was delighted to be elected Chair of the M25 Consortium of Academic Libraries at the AGM in April 2018. I’m sure all member staff will want to join me in thanking my predecessor Helen Workman (Oxford Brookes University) for all her hard work during her four years as Chair and for providing the Consortium with clear direction.

I would like to take this opportunity to conferences, including the Consortium’s a meeting in February at the National acknowledge the excellent work of the own annual conference and cpd25 Library of Scotland with the managers M25 Support Team for all their efforts training, to staff in Member libraries. Over of the other regional consortia operating over the year and I’m very grateful to 20 applications of a high standard were in the UK for a very valuable information- my fellow Trustees for supporting me received and we plan to run the scheme sharing session. during my first few months in the role: again next year. A working group led by The highlight of the year was undoubtedly Cathy Phillpotts (London Metropolitan Regina Everitt (University of East London) the annual conference in the sumptuous University) as Treasurer, Caroline has reviewed and revised the Business surroundings of the Theatre Royal Drury Thomas (University of Surrey) as Continuity documentation which will Lane. A new approach was adopted for Secretary and David Archer (London be made available as a resource to this year with all contributions gathered School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine) Members. The work which commenced by a call for papers from Consortium as cpd25 Chair. It is a privilege to be last year on the governance of the Members. Under the title “Engaging able to work with them and the Steering Consortium was concluded, with Caroline Users” delegates listened to a wide range Group to lead the Consortium. Thomas leading work on drafting a set of presentations including a session of Articles of Association which were One of the strengths of the M25 of “Pecha Kuchas” which provided approved at the AGM. Consortium is the regular influx of new snapshots of new projects and initiatives. ideas to the Steering Group as new The Consortium continues to play an I would like to finish by thanking members are elected. We were delighted important role in collaboration and colleagues in our 54 Member libraries. to welcome new members Alison Chojna sharing which is exemplified in the You are the driving force behind the M25 (London South Bank University), Leo staff development activities offered by Consortium and it is your initiatives and Appleton (Goldsmiths, University of cpd25. In David Archer’s first full year as contributions which makes it possible for London) and Pat Christie (University of cpd25 Chair a wide range of events were us to deliver valued events and activities. the Arts London) who were elected to the organised by David and his colleagues in Steering Group at the AGM. In addition the task groups. In addition Michelle Wake Adjoa Boateng (British Library) joined us (UCL School of Pharmacy) organised during the year as a co-opted member. two well received Directors’ Briefings on the GDPR and the UK Scholarly Of course the downside is that we also Communications Licence and Model have to say farewell to valued colleagues. Policy. Further Directors’ Briefings are Over the last year Marcus Woolley being planned. (University of Bedfordshire) and Susan Scorey (University of Roehampton) have The Steering Group’s annual planning day stepped down and I’d like to thank them was held in January at the University of for the time and energy they have put into Roehampton and this year the theme was the ongoing work of the Consortium. “growing and sustaining membership”. We also held a successful networking We were pleased to approve and event in January at the Foundling welcome a new Member into the Museum, Brunswick Square. It proved to Consortium this year: The National be an enjoyable and worthwhile occasion Matthew Lawson Archives Library. with plenty of networking and socialising Head of Library and Learning There have been several new initiatives taking place. Enhancement this year including the launch of a new Middlesex University A further example of networking was competitive Staff Development Award M25 Chair provided by Thomas Baldwin (Executive scheme, offering a range of prizes to Manager) who convened and attended support attendance at professional M25 Annual Report 2017-18 3

Treasurer’s Report

As a charitable company the Consortium undergoes independent examination of its financial accounts each year. Once again we have appointed Kingston Smith for this scrutiny and their report will be made available to members at our next AGM.

For the 2017-18 financial year income from • Space and Support Team IT costs at subscriptions was £127,796.99. Senate House, University of London Further income from sponsorship (for • Production of marketing materials the Conference and for the Networking Improvements to the M25 Webpages and Event), M25 Conference bookings and • Search25 costs. Directors’ Briefings brought this figure up to £145,269.49 (these figures are subject to For the 2018-19 year reserves confirmation by Kingston Smith when they of £134,410.00 were calculated as conduct their independent examination). required in order to cover any potential risks to the Consortium. cpd25 activities have produced a surplus; the 2017-18 surplus is projected to be Once again, I would like to thank Kingston £19,152.26 (again this is subject to Smith formally for their invaluable confirmation by Kingston Smith). assistance and advice in relation to financial matters, and, I would like to thank the Expenditure for the Consortium included: M25 Consortium’s Support Team for their • Support Team staffing costs invaluable help and attention to detail in relation to the Consortium’s finances. Catherine Phillpotts University Librarian London Metropolitan University cpd25 Report M25 Treasurer

Feedback from event participants during 2017-18 indicates that the cpd25 programme is continuing to maintain a high level of satisfaction with the quality and delivery of the programme, attracting delegates from far and wide. A total of 597 delegates attended 32 events and visits over the course of the year, with Staff Management & Supervision and CPD & Learning Technology amongst those drawing the highest number of attendees.

2017-18 saw a number of changes to the The four Task Groups and the Working cpd25 Working Group. Sally Faith (University Group have met regularly over the course of Sussex) stepped down as Chair of Task of the year, and in March we held a very Group 4 in Autumn 2017, and following a successful planning day at the Foundling call for expressions of interest from across Museum where all of our Task Group the existing cpd25 Task Group membership, members gathered together to explore Sara Burnett (Kingston University) was ideas for the year ahead. During the year the approved by the M25 Steering Group as the cpd25 programme received several direct new Chair of TG4, and Ian Clark (University requests from the wider M25 membership of East London) was approved as Chair of to develop events on particular topics, which TG3, replacing me. In Spring 2018 Peter were acted upon. Some interesting themes Williams (Birkbeck, University of London) also emerged out of the M25 Steering also stepped down, having reached the end Group planning day around additional/new of his term of office as Chair of TG1, and ways of providing professional development Kevin Wilson (LSE) was appointed as his opportunities and resources to members successor. Vicky Robertson (UCL School of the Consortium, which cpd25 is keen to of Pharmacy) continued as Chair of TG2. In explore. It is important that the programme addition, Beverley Roberts stepped down as remains relevant and keeps moving cpd25 Coordinator in December 2017, and forwards, so please do let me know if there David Archer Valerie Antwi returned as temporary cpd25 are particular areas you would like to see Head of Library & Administrator to provide valuable support to the cpd25 programme cover in the future. Archives Service the programme. Thank you to everyone who London School of Hygiene has contributed to the cpd25 programme over the course of the year, and also to Jeni & Tropical Medicine Kutaika Billiard and Thomas Baldwin in the cpd25 Chair M25 Support Team for their assistance. 4 M25 Annual Report 2017-18

Annual Conference

The annual conference of the M25 Consortium of Academic Libraries took place on 24 April 2018 in the Grand Saloon of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. This Grade 1 listed building, constructed in 1812, is the fourth theatre to occupy the site, the earliest having opened in the 1660s. Our theme was “Engaging Users” and we were thrilled to welcome 106 delegates and 7 sponsors to this unique venue.

For the first time in the history of the conference we had put out a call for papers and Pecha Kucha presentations. We received a fantastic response, reflecting both the rich professional expertise and knowledge available in our member libraries and the generosity of colleagues in sharing their practice. Feedback on the conference was very positive, with delegates commenting particularly on the quality of papers and presentations on a range of topics, from using audience response systems for information literacy teaching to partnership working with students to co- Catherine Walsh design and evaluate services and spaces. Director of Library Services As ever, delegates took advantage of and University Librarian networking opportunities over lunch and University of Essex at the reception afterwards to catch up M25 Steering Group Member with colleagues, make new contacts and engage with our sponsors. Adam Ray, recipient of the M25 Staff “How the award helped my Development Award, reflects on the personal and institutional conference here. development” by Adam Ray (2018 winner of free place at conference)

I won a place at the 2018 M25 Annual Conference through submitting a written piece for the Consortium’s Staff Development Awards and in this submission I mentioned that I have often found the knowledge gained from peers at cpd25 events extremely valuable in my work. This was again the case with this conference, as I was able to translate and transpose ideas, initiatives and projects from the conference speakers to the challenges and opportunities facing my institution, King’s College London. M25 Annual Report 2017-18 5

Keynote speech: translating “giant treehouse”, as it nestles within The three following talks from colleagues student feedback into the the beautiful campus environment at QMUL, UEL and Essex all took varying design of a new Library dominated by mature trees and the approaches to user engagement (as is of historic Founders Building on campus. course necessary in a general sense) and building at Royal Holloway again provided ideas I could take back As a Special Collections Manager, the to my role at King’s as we continue to The keynote speech was concerned mention of a new exhibition and events develop services in line with students and with the development of the new Emily space which would be used for teaching customers changing needs. Wilding Davison Building at Royal obviously excited me and I look forward Holloway, University of London. This to visiting this in the near future to find Audience response systems to impressive sounding new building posits out more. the library at the heart of the institution enhance student engagement It was good to hear that the future was with new aplomb. The talk by Paula Funnell (QMUL) was part of the planning process and the concerned with using resources like Making the library central to the student building hadn’t been just designed with menti.com, which is an online resource experience and making it unavoidable, today in mind. Feedback on design was allowing for interactive presentations, in the most positive sense of the word, encouraged and facilitated (through workshops and meetings, through use of is what we are trying to do at King’s, so a first impressions feedback board) a smartphone, tablet or laptop. Students hearing about the new design features for academics and students and there (and indeed conference delegates in and the process of deciding upon these was continued testing employing user this session) are able to feedback in enriched my awareness of opportunities experience and customer journey real-time and respond to questions available to us. mapping methodologies. Future and tasks as the session develops. The proofing was also fundamental to Engagement with library communities, software allows the trainer to assess the the construction of the building, with the creation of focus groups with relevant existing knowledge of attendees, collate the ability to repurpose rooms made personnel in them, and the harnessing of questions and see patterns of interest possible by the implementation of flexible user experience (UX) was fundamental or enquiry as a session progresses, in the design of the new building at Royal electrical facilities. Holloway. It was evident that from the very start of planning that groups from all levels of study and those with specific needs were involved. Feedback on the conference was very positive, with Services in the building’s “seamless space” incorporate areas for a Student “delegates commenting particularly on the quality of Services Centre, Careers Service and papers and presentations on a range of topics, from Exhibition and Event spaces, with the Library and Archives Services using audience response systems for information remaining at the heart. The architect literacy teaching to partnership working with students describes the new building as a to co-design and evaluate services and spaces. ” 6 M25 Annual Report 2017-18

and avoids the rather formulaic “Any The team’s work in listening to and Transforming users into questions” end to sessions we have all exploring the experiences of marginalised partners at Essex University witnessed. In this instance, delegates at and silenced users, which can include the conference could see responses and those from poorer backgrounds, those In this talk, Emma Wisher and Stephanie infographics related to Paula’s questions with dyslexia or the large number of Gibson from the University of Essex displayed on the screen. their students who are parents, was did a great job of debunking myths and undertaken with the use of 1 to 1 misconceptions about library work and The use of menti.com seems like interviews, consultative UX initiatives relaying to the conference how they something that could add an interactive (using open rather than closed questions), had rethought their library committee tool of engagement to a variety of training and Customer Journey Mapping. to transform users into partners and and teaching sessions. discussions into actions. The positive results of these processes UEL and the experiences included follow-up work to improve the Their 10 step engagement programme of marginalised and Library environment and the layout of involved getting students more actively silenced users signage, the installation of additional baby involved in meetings, the use of open changing facilities and enhancements to forums to discuss tricky issues and UEL recently went through the process their fetching service. This talk defined the of course, the provision of cake. The of Customer Service Excellence essentials of listening and engaging with resultant co-creation of services and Accreditation, and this demanding library users, placing people at the heart transformation of users into partners is process allows identification and tailoring of services. an essential element of delivering high of services that cater for all library groups quality library services in the 21st century. and users. The Library Advisory Group meetings at Essex allowed for discussion and exploration of possibilities – and a forum where the reasons why some things We received a fantastic response to the call could not be achieved could be explained. Also, importantly, when an objective “for papers, reflecting both the rich professional or new idea was implemented library expertise and knowledge available in our customers were told what had been done and informed of any resulting issues or member libraries and the generosity of further developments. colleagues in sharing their practice. ” Transforming users into partners at Essex University

In this talk, Emma and Stephanie from the University of Essex did a great job of debunking myths and misconceptions about library work and relaying to the conference how they had rethought their library committee to transform users into partners and discussions into actions.

Their 10 step engagement programme involved getting students more actively involved in meetings, the use of open forums to discuss tricky issues and of course, the provision of cake. The resultant co- creation of services and transformation of users into partners is an essential element of delivering high quality library services in the 21st century. The Library Advisory Group meetings at Essex allowed for discussion and exploration of possibilities – and a forum where the reasons whyM25 someAnnual Report 2017-18 7 things could not be achieved could be explained. Also, importantly, when an objective or new idea was implemented library customers were told what had been done and informed of any resulting issues or further developments. PechaKucha and on the day library staff provided an This gaining of multiple perspectives, a owl related competition, badges, masks “revisioning of the standard library lens” PechaWith kucha respect to the style of the genre, I and chocolate. using the UX techniques described above, will describe the post-lunch PechaKucha was followed up by further observations With sessionrespect briefly, to the reflecting style ofthe the provoking genre , I willNot describe surprisingly, the the post owls- lunchwere incredibly pecha kucha session briefly, and work on the findings by staff. This reflectingand punchy the provoking nature of these and talks punchy naturepopular of these and as talks well as a big increase in was a very impressive analysis and digital impressions on Twitter related to 1 Use of metric widgets ( ) demonstration of embedding UX in a 1 – Use of metric widgets J L K in librarytheir areas presence to assess a large service number ofprovision visitors . It is useful to be able to in library areas to assess service project so that findings could be used in drill down beyond the emoticons and gaugeengaged which with customer library staff, group who were the ableresponses are from. provision. It is useful to be able to the future design of a planned new library to answer questions about the library (as drill down beyond the emoticons and at Kingston. 2 – SOAS’s implementation of Open Librarywell Environment as the owls) and (OLE) deliver for study their tips. Library Management system.gauge User which experienc customere testing group the (very importantly by staff operators as well as Library customers) The owls were sourced from a Overall impressions of was fundamental.responses are Excellent from. insight into future design of Library management platforms and how professional zoo with high standards of the conference 2 SOAS’s implementation of Open online catalogues and resources can shapeanimal customer welfare: journ they wereeys, not something allowed to University libraries must Library Environment (OLE) for their All of us who work in libraries are aware take seriously and manage carefully. be touched and had regular breaks during Library Management System. User that we operate in a time of significant the day. The planning of such events experience testing (very importantly and evolving change, and the speakers 3- Human book project at Middlesex Universityis obviously. People time-consuming could check and out this a knowledgeable person for by staff operators as well as Library at this conference did an informed and a short insight into their wisdom: this is a greatshould ideabe factored for positioning in, but this was the clearly library as a repository for all customers) was fundamental. excellent job of addressing the range sorts of knowledge and for publicising its services.a very popular event and successful in Excellent insight into future design of of challenges we face in the intelligent, promoting library resources. It sounded library management platforms and thoughtful and inclusive way I have come 4 - Games for learning and engagement: Librarylike a lot ofcustomers fun for all involved. were encouraged to engage and interact to expect from colleagues who work with thehow library online through catalogues lego, and resourcescard games and even Dewey! Commented [WC1]: I’m not sure who presented this in university libraries. As I have noted can shape customer journeys, The impact of a collaborative one..CW 5 –Rovingsomething in the UniversityBritish Library libraries explained: must student/staffthe challenges UX of undertakingproject at a rovingthroughout, support I willapproach take back their valuable in largetake and seriously varied andspaces manage carefully. insights and suggestions to my own work Kingston University in King’s Library Services and I am sure 3 Human book project at Middlesex Owls at Middlesex This talk by Robert Elves (staff) and other colleagues will do the same. University. People could check out Kateryna Ivanova (student) of Kingston a knowledgeable person for a short At Middlesex University’s Student SupportUniversity festival ,provided real-life us owlswith a were great used as part of a multi-faceted insight into their wisdom: this is a great promotion of the university’s study hubs andexample libra ofry a servicesuccessfuls. Necessarilystaff/student the owls were located idea for positioning the library as a collaboration to develop library services. outsiderepository the building for all andsorts helped of knowledge attract students who might not be familiar with the services on Kateryna had been employed in a offer. Theand owls for publicising’ visit was its services. accompanied by a parallel digital ‘wise owls’ campaign promoting library UX project that aimed to see beyond services and support for students, and on the day library staff provided an owl related competition, 4 Games for learning and engagement: the mainstream data (of for example badges,Library masks customers and chocolate. were encouraged the NSS), and give an alternative Not surprisingly,to engage and the interact owls were with the incredibly perspectivepopular and on library as well and as student a big increase in digital impressions Library through lego, card games and services. The scheme that underpinned on Twitter related to their presence a large number of visitors engaged with library staff, who were even Dewey! the work SADRAS (Student Academic able to answer questions about the libraryDevelopment (as well as Research the owls) Associate and deliver study tips. 5 Roving in the British Library Scheme) is designed to benefit those The owlsexplained: were sourced the challenges from aof professional zoo with high standards of animal welfare, they were not that may be marginalised, such as those undertaking a roving support allowed to be touched and had regular breaksstudents during from theBME, day. disabled, The mature, planning of such events is approach in large and varied spaces. lower socio-economic groups and those Adam Ray Owls at Middlesex who may be care providers. Special Collections Manager At Middlesex University’s Student Kateryna explained that her work involved King’s College London Support festival, real-life owls were used interviewing other students to find as part of a multi-faceted promotion of out how they used library spaces. The the university’s study hubs and library technique of drawing cognitive maps services. Necessarily the owls were to trace journeys and perceptions was located outside the building and helped used, as was a reversal of the common attract students who might not be library tour: students took staff around familiar with the services on offer. The the library, in a process described as a owls’ visit was accompanied by a parallel “touchstone” tour. digital “wise owls” campaign promoting library services and support for students, 8 M25 Annual Report 2017-18

Networking Event

The annual networking event of the Consortium took place on Monday 22 January 2018 in the unique setting of the Foundling Museum, Brunswick Square. Nearly 90 colleagues registered to attend, representing a diverse range of staff from over 30 Member libraries.

The M25 Consortium takes pride in Guests viewed the introductory exhibition holding its events in locations that are of the Museum before proceeding to the new, interesting or indeed just different Picture Gallery and Court Room for a from anywhere we have been before. The drinks reception. The conversations had Foundling Museum in Brunswick Square that evening reinforced the importance of tells the story of the former Foundling networking to all Consortium Members. Hospital, which was founded by Thomas We look forward to welcoming delegates Coram. The hospital was established for to next year’s event, which will also be the care of abandoned and vulnerable celebrating the 25th anniversary of the babies in 18th century London. M25 Consortium.

M25 Consortium guests were allowed an exclusive after-hours use of the Museum’s space.

Thomas Baldwin Executive Manager M25 Consortium M25 Annual Report 2017-18 9 10 M25 Annual Report 2017-18

Support Team

The M25 Consortium relies on both elected volunteers, who serve on the Steering Group, Working Groups and Task Groups, and on an employed Support Team.

Following the departure of Beverley Roberts, One role of the Support Team is to represent opportunities to raise the profile of the cpd25 Coordinator, in December 2017 the the Consortium externally. In the last year Consortium’s membership and work, as well Trustees took the opportunity to review the Executive Manager has represented as to build professional networks. the staffing structure. In consultation the Consortium at the annual conference with existing staff they redefined the of both NoWAL, at Lancaster University, two Administrator roles to allow for and the Consortium of European Research Thomas Baldwin Executive Manager greater efficiencies and streamlining of Libraries (CERL) at the Rijksmuseum, M25 Consortium responsibilities. The new roles will become Amsterdam. He also convened an important effective at the start of the 2018-19 year. In meeting with the managers of four regional the meantime, Jeni Kutaika Billiard (formerly consortia at the National Library of Scotland Smith) continued as M25 Administrator and in February; M25, NoWAL, Mercian and Thomas Baldwin as Executive Manager. SCURL. All these meetings were important Online Services Group

2017-18 was very much a year of consolidation for online services within the Consortium following the launch of the new website in 2017.

This year resources were focused friendliness of the current service while work over the past year: Adjoa Boateng (British on addressing issues with the new continues to plot the Consortium’s future Library), Tamsin Rothery (Oxford Brookes), website design, with a number of visual role in resource discovery. We are grateful Graham Seaman (Search25 Developer) and improvements being made by our new web to Graham Seaman for technical work on Jackie Skinner (Reading). design partner Webbed Feet to address this project, along with Tamsin Rothery and issues identified by the Online Services Jackie Skinner for their input in testing the Group and website users. Improvements new interface. were made to the Members’ Area of the In the latter area, the group has continued site, including an improved user registration to liaise closely with the Jisc Resource and password reset process, as well as the Discovery team over the past year as the addition of new members’-only content. National Bibliographic Knowledgebase Changes were also made behind the scenes (NBK) project progresses towards service to the event booking forms on the site to launch in early 2019. As part of this work improve the efficiency of this process and we are pleased to report that the three enable the M25 Support Team to respond to M25 institutions which participated in bookings more rapidly. the initial joint M25-Jisc pilot (Birkbeck, To complement the new website, a mini- London Metropolitan and Surrey) now have project also took place to further update the their library catalogues integrated into the Search25 discovery interface using Mobile Copac/NBK database. The next stage is for Responsive web design principles. This the Consortium to make evidence-based Jonathan Lucas involved customising the Bootstrap open decisions on the future of the Search25 Head of Information source interface framework to produce service in the context of the launch and Resources and Content a workable mobile-friendly interface for growth of the NBK. St Mary’s University Search25. The completion of this work in My thanks on behalf of the Consortium to Chair of M25 Online Services early 2018 gave Search25 a smartphone- the current Online Services Group members Working Group friendly interface to match the website, for their continued participation and input helping to extend the lifespan and user- M25 Annual Report 2017-18 11

Steering Group

Helen Workman Matthew Lawson Caroline Thomas Catherine Phillpotts Michelle Wake David Archer

Leo Appleton Robert Atkinson AdjoaRegina Boateng Everitt Alison Chojna PatRegina Christie Everitt © David Bracegirdle © David Regina Everitt Jonathan Lucas Susan Scorey Catherine Walsh Marcus Woolley

M25 Chair Helen Workman, Oxford Brookes Members Leo Appleton, Goldsmiths, University University (until April 2018) of London (since April 2018)

Matthew Lawson, Middlesex University Robert Atkinson, Birkbeck, (since April 2018) University of London

M25 Secretary Caroline Thomas, University of Surrey Adjoa Boateng, British Library

M25 Treasurer Catherine Phillpotts, London Alison Chojna, London South Bank Metropolitan University (since April 2018) cpd25 Chair Michelle Wake, UCL School of Pharmacy Pat Christie, University of the Arts (until September 2017) London (since April 2018)

David Archer, LSHTM Regina Everitt, SOAS (since September 2017) Matthew Lawson, Middlesex University (until April 2018)

 Jonathan Lucas, St Mary’s University

Susan Scorey, University of Roehampton

Catherine Walsh, University of Essex

Michelle Wake, UCL School of Pharmacy (since September 2017)

Marcus Woolley, University of Bedfordshire (until April 2018) 12 M25 Annual Report 2017-18

Directors’ Briefings

The M25 Consortium was pleased to hold two Directors’ Briefing events in 2017-18, both of which were created in direct response to members’ requests and were also provided exclusively for M25 libraries. Designed to give information in an efficient, easily digestible and timely manner, with the opportunity to ask questions of the experts as well as learn from colleagues, the Briefings were specifically designed for half-day sessions. Both were held at Chandos House, easily accessible by public transport in central London.

The first event on 30 November • John Gilchrist, Information Governance from libraries, academia and publishing 2017 examined making practical Officer at Middlesex University. there was much discussion during preparations for the General Data the coffee break as well as in the Q&A Slides from the presentations are now Protection Regulations (GDPR) and we Panel section of the programme: available at m25lib.ac.uk/2017/12/05/ were pleased to welcome presentations slides-directors-briefing-gdpr- • Paul Ayris, Pro-Vice-Provost, University and advice from: published/ College London Library Services • Benjamin White, Head of Intellectual The second event was held on 16 • Chris Banks, Director of Library Property at the British Library April 2018. Entitled “The UK Scholarly Services, Imperial College • Jon Elliott, Head of Public Affairs, Communications Licence and Model • Stephen Curry, Professor of Structural Archives and Records Association Policy (UK-SCL)”, the session began Biology, Imperial College (UK & Ireland) with background information on open access publishing in the UK and the • Stuart Taylor, Publishing Director, the • John Kelly, Subject Specialist rest of Europe before examining the Royal Society. (technology and the law) at JISC UK-SCL – ukscl.ac.uk/. With speakers Special thanks to Paul and Chris for facilitating the UK-SCL programme.

Given the popularity of the Briefings, which have had waiting lists, we hope to Designed to give information in an efficient, continue this type of event going forward. easily digestible and timely manner, with the “ Michelle Wake opportunity to ask questions of the experts Librarian and Site Libraries Manager as well as learn from colleagues. UCL School of Pharmacy ” M25 Steering Group Member M25 Annual Report 2017-18 13

TeachMeet (Ravensbourne)

The M25 Consortium kindly supported the London Library TeachMeet August 2017 @ Ravensbourne University London.

Supporting library users is something at help students with their wellbeing of best presentation were awarded the heart of all libraries. The TeachMeet and inductions and workshopping a crochet bumblebee made by enabled librarians to share experiences digital library skills to aid students’ Emma Illingworth! and techniques they have used to understanding of their digital footprint. Thank you to all who attended and improve support and engagement with There is also a need to reach out and for those who presented their library spaces and resources. collaborate/share best practice with FE inspiring projects. and public sector libraries to build skills Delegates took value from the earlier for a better student transition examples of all of the projects that use into HE. Billie Coxhead different tools to get information to Library Services Co-ordinator students including community forums Winners (Steven Bowman, London Ravensbourne University London for search strategies, video diaries to South Bank University and Jane Pothecary, King’s College London) 14 M25 Annual Report 2017-18

London South Bank University

In 2017, London South Bank University celebrated its 125th anniversary. Established in 1892 as Borough Polytechnic, the aims of the institution were “the promotion of the industrial skill, general knowledge, health and wellbeing of young men and women belonging to the poorer classes”. Over the following 100 years, Borough Polytechnic was joined by and merged with various institutions, including Brixton School of Building, College, National College for Heating, Ventilation, Refrigeration & Fan Engineering, Battersea College of Education, parts of the Rachel McMillan College of Education, Central Catering College, Redwood College of Health and Charles West School of Nursing.

In 1992, the institution gained degree Resources Centre a short walk away previously housed in the LRC. This has awarding powers, becoming South Bank at the other end of the campus. involved a major review of the physical University and a final name change in Havering campus also has a Library at collection to create more floor space for 2003 saw it become London South Bank the heart of the campus building. The PCs, large format printing, an IT support University. LSBU is mostly located on Perry Library has been located in its helpdesk and more staff accommodation. one campus at the Elephant & Castle present location since 1992 and plans Going into the 2018-19 academic year, the in Southwark, with a smaller satellite are now underway to refurbish the Perry Library will hold 750 study spaces, campus in Havering for some of our existing London Road Building in the 400 desktop PCs and 20 Macs. The print Nursing students. Like many institutions, middle of campus to become a new, collections have reduced to 200,000 items LSBU has partnerships all over the world, contemporary library space. We hope to but the electronic collection continues the largest one being with the British move into the new library in 2021 and in to grow with 160,000 e-books, 165,000 University in Egypt, where thousands order to facilitate this development, there e-journals and a range of other online of students are undertaking LSBU will be a series of building moves across resources, including online training accredited degrees. In addition to our campus. The first move in the sequence platforms, such as Lynda.com higher education mission, LSBU sponsors was for the LRC to move into the Perry the South Bank Engineering University Library summer, 2018. Although it will be a bit of a squeeze, Technical College in Brixton and the having most of the staff and services in The current challenge is trying to maintain University Academy of Engineering South one building provides opportunities for the same level of student satisfaction Bank. We like to think of all the institutions more joined up services and allows the for the next three years whilst Library as the LSBU Family, which may well grow teams to experiment with different ways and Learning Resources (LLR) occupies in the future. of working. We are thinking of the Perry 40 per cent less space. To enable the Library as a giant sandbox environment The main University Library, The Perry merger to take place, several floors have that will inform plans for how the service Library, is based on the Southwark been reconfigured to accommodate our will be delivered in the new library. campus, with a separate Learning student IT support function which was M25 Annual Report 2017-18 15

LLR has always taken a continuous In February 2018, the Digital Skills Centre improvement approach, using feedback became the new home for our Digital from our customers to develop new Skills Training Team. The team of four services and adapt existing ones. In 2016, deliver digital skills support and training LLR achieved the Institute of Customer to LSBU students and alumni, including Service (ICS) ServiceMark which has qualifications such as Microsoft Office since been retained and improved upon. Specialist. In the last few months, the In recent years, we have introduced a team has also assumed responsibility “Classroom of the Future” space in the for digital skills training for LSBU staff Perry Library which allows our Academic and now provides all VLE training, as Liaison and Teaching Team (ALTT) to well as other user skills. In 2019, the deliver information literacy teaching Digital Skills Centre will open to the in creative and innovative ways. We public, providing accredited training to encourage innovation in our staff and this the local community, which supports year, our Information Skills Advisers put the LSBU mission of being an together and delivered a very successful “enterprising civic university.” LSBU Fake News Conference, which was well was proud to win the Entrepreneurial Alison Chojna Head of Library and received by colleagues across the sector. University of the Year at the Times Higher Education Awards 2016. Learning Resources The Library and Learning Resources London South Bank department is more than just the Library In the last six months we have been University Service, as it also encompasses the experiencing a period of substantial and student IT support function for the rapid change. However, with the majority University, as well as the University of the department now in one location, Archives and the Digital Skills Team. we have opportunities for greater The University Archives moved under collaboration and to consider new ways LLR jurisdiction in 2015, having been in of working. The planning for the new abeyance for a short time. Interest in library is about to begin in earnest so the Archives is growing with requests there are a busy few years ahead. to embed sessions in the curriculum to support student research projects. The recent 125th anniversary celebrations have led to an increased demand for The recent 125th anniversary celebrations have archive materials and we are working led to an increased demand for archive materials with architects to ensure that the “ Archives have a prominent position in and we are working with architects to ensure the new library. that the Archives have a prominent position in the new library.” 16 M25 Annual Report 2017-18

University of the Arts London (Library Services)

Context We have many internationally renowned community and empowerment. Since special collections and archives, including then we have developed various iterations University of the Arts London (UAL) is a the extensive , of the Learning Zone concept, and specialist university that provides extensive a major collection of Artists’ Books and currently work is underway to develop our programmes of study in art, design, fashion, an expanding collection of Zines, plus a Camberwell Learning Zone as a student- communication and performing arts from Materials & Products Library of new and led digital makerspace. Foundation through to PhD level. The innovative materials that represent current A strategic priority for UAL is to consolidate student population is c18,000, with students trends in design and manufacturing. We and upgrade its estate so we are currently coming from over 130 countries and from often use these collections in object-based engaged with multiple building projects: diverse backgrounds. UAL consists of six learning as they have a key role to play in a new academic building and halls of colleges, each with its own rich history creative arts pedagogy. They also form the residence, with a new library and learning and world-class reputation – Camberwell cornerstone of UAL’s research environment zone, for Camberwell College of Arts College of Arts, (CSM), and frequently feature in internal and opened in Autumn 2017; a new campus, , London College of external conferences, exhibitions and including a new library and archives centre, Communication (LCC), London College of publications. For example, in 2017-18 for London College of Fashion is planned Fashion and Wimbledon College of Arts. some of our Artists’ Books featured in the for 2022; and a new campus, with a new It is the world’s sixth best university for Astro-poems and Vertical Group Exercises library and archives centre, for London Art and Design in the QS World University Exhibition at Chelsea Space, the LCC College of Communication is planned for Rankings® for 2018. It is also the largest art Library Zine Collection featured in the 2024. Additionally, in the next few years and design university in Europe. Queer and Now Festival at , Wimbledon College of Arts will be developed and the Stanley Kubrick Archive Exhibition into a “total performance” environment. We Library Services and travelled to Copenhagen. are hopeful this will include a new library. Collections The Library as Place Student Support and Library Services is made up of six College The library as “place” has always been a Libraries, three Learning Zones plus the Engagement strong theme underpinning the student University Archives and Special Collections experience and satisfaction levels at Being student-centred is a core value of Centre. We are the largest specialist UAL, not least because students view the the department. We have been steadily university library service for the creative arts library as a place for inspiration as well improving our NSS scores in recent years, within the UK, with significant holdings in as information, and a place for creative achieving 91 per cent in 2017 and 2018. We print and other formats as well as a large practice as well as for scholarly research. also achieved Customer Service Excellence collection of e-resources. We also manage For this reason we provide learning in 2016 and successfully re-accredited the University’s institutional repository, environments that can accommodate a in 2017 and 2018. In 2017 the Assessor UAL Research Online, which is globally wide range of learning activities, including observed “Testimonials from academic recognised as the most prominent open making activities. We established our first partners/customers remain strong with access collection of original research Learning Zone in 2006 as a flexible and all interviewed very much seeing LS as an outputs in arts, design and media. innovative learning space with a strong extension of the student learning experience emphasis on social learning and practice- and a key delivery partner in teaching based work to facilitate student creativity, through several proactive initiatives which M25 Annual Report 2017-18 17

support and benefit the students. Similarly, We are committed to being inclusive in all enhancement theme of the University’s students report on high levels of satisfaction that we do. In 2015 we were shortlisted for Academic Strategy, 2018-20 and represents with LS and their staff with many examples the Times Higher Education Leadership an exciting new phase in our development. of above-and-beyond unexpected and Management Award for Outstanding We are now in the process of developing a behaviours. The students described LS as a Library Team due to our work on being an Library and Student Support Strategy. This department which “listened and acted” on all inclusive library. Recently our attention has will reflect our commitment to develop an their feedback.” focused on diversifying library collections. inter-connected and holistic offer that is For example, in 2017-18 we launched a responsive to the different academic profiles In addition to our service standards and joint initiative with the Students’ Union to of the Colleges as well as to the needs of our responsiveness plans, we have embedded encourage students to suggest books diverse student communities. partnership working with students into as part of the Liberate My Curriculum our practices, using their insights to See arts.ac.uk/students/library-services Campaign, plus we participated in a improve many of our services. Recent for further information. collaborative project at LCC on re-thinking examples of this include a variety of user reading lists to ensure a fair representation Pictures by: Ana Escobar experience projects to evaluate our library of ethnically diverse, queer, disabled and spaces, to learn about our students’ feminist thought in our courses. Also in information seeking behaviours in the digital 2018, we held the Towards a Critical (Art) environment and to evaluate our overnight Librarianship Conference that explored the service at CSM. All these projects have theories and practices that are enabling led to service improvements as well as libraries, including UAL, to act as agents for strengthening our relationship with students. social change to ensure all our students, The development of strategic leadership whatever their gender, ethnicity and for academic support has been a key background, feel that they are valued by the priority since 2012-13. This has led to a Library and belong in the University. highly visible and innovative offer based on an enhancement model of support that is Looking to the Future tailored to the creative arts. In addition to In Autumn 2017 Library Services providing support through College-based came together with Student Services, teams, Library Services offers a wide range Academic Support and International of workshops and an ever-expanding suite Student Experience, including Language of online resources coordinated by our UAL- Development, to form the new Library and wide Academic Support Team. These open Student Support Services Directorate. The up exploratory spaces for students’ personal creation of this Directorate signifies our development. 3D modelling LEGO® Serious Pat Christie aspiration to deliver integrated academic Play®; object-based learning; performance, Director of Libraries and and pastoral support to enable the drawing, design thinking and whole systems development of creativity and resilience Academic Support Services thinking; coaching and mindfulness so that students can fulfil their potential University of the Arts, techniques are all utilized. Year on year we and get the very best from their university are seeing increased student engagement London experience. This aspiration is a key with this offer and high levels of satisfaction. 18 M25 Annual Report 2017-18

Staff Development Awards

The M25 Staff Development Award was launched this year to assist staff in Member libraries with their professional development. Staff could apply for awards in four different categories. A strong field of candidates submitted their applications and a sub-group of the Steering Group assessed them against agreed criteria. The following five candidates were announced as the winners in March 2018:

• Free place at M25 Annual Conference • Bursary to support attendance at an in Montreal, Canada which takes place Adam Ray (Special Collections appropriate conference after this report goes to print. Her report Manager, King’s College London) Verity Allison (Journals and will be published on the M25 website E-resources Librarian, St George’s later in 2018. • One full day of cpd25 training University of London) Amy Rippon (Academic Engagement Congratulations to all the winners, and Librarian, University of Roehampton) Alice Gibson (Research Publications we look forward to another strong field Officer, London School of Hygiene & of applications in 2018-19. • Two full days of cpd25 training Tropical Medicine). Iona Preston (Academic Engagement Librarian, University of Roehampton) The winners have written about how Thomas Baldwin they used their prizes in this annual Executive Manager report. Adam Ray’s report about the M25 Consortium M25 annual conference is on page 4. Alice Gibson chose to use her bursary to attend the FORCE2018 conference

I attended two cpd25 sessions as Since this session, my colleague (who also attended the part of my bursary. The first one training) and I have run a training session for our library staff was User Experience – on cognitive mapping. We are working on planning using Understanding the notion of the more UX techniques in our library including doing some User and applying UX techniques research focused on academics’ working processes. in April this year. Donna Lanclos I also attended The Role of the Library in Supporting Research started off the day with a talk in June. This started with a session thinking about data, about thinking about our users how to access it and how to store it. This session gave being part of a community, and me a strong background to some of the aspects of data also making understanding management that I hadn’t fully understood before. There student needs a specialist piece of knowledge that the library was also an interesting session about how to set up a has that they can share with the wider institution. In this talk research service from scratch. I found it really interesting to she introduced the idea of cognitive mapping, which took us discover what kind of sessions are popular with academics on to the next part of the day. (bibliometrics is apparently very popular), as I know attracting We all tried creating a cognitive map (a visual representation academic staff to training sessions can be difficult. of a brainstorm, where you can draw anything that comes to There was also an excellent session about policy making, mind) of all the places we did work. The next stage was to which was a common sense guide that could be applied interview our colleagues on the course to find out why they to any kind of policy making. The afternoon ended with a had drawn what they had drawn. The technique works as session thinking about how to identify what your research a really open-ended way to interview someone which helps staff need in order to build and promote the most effective avoid bias and leading questions. research service within your institution. Understanding the The afternoon had several different universities talk about research process and how it works for academic staff is really embedding UX techniques in practice. We heard about how important to my role, so this was a really useful session. to test wayfinding information to improve navigation around Iona Preston a library, how to use UX to find out what students really want Academic Engagement Librarian (what does “more books” actually mean?) and how to get all University of Roehampton staff in the library involved in UX. M25 Annual Report 2017-18 19

I was awarded the cpd25 Award had gathered interesting and meaningful results from “One full day of cpd25 training”. their initial projects which had led to changes in service I used the award to attend the provisions and study environments. event “User Experience – The other part of the day introduced the technique of Understanding the notion of the cognitive mapping to get a deeper understanding of User and applying UX users’ experiences of library services or spaces. I found techniques” on 17 April 2018. this part of the training day the most useful as it gave the I wanted to attend this training opportunity for hands-on practice at cognitive mapping. day because it was focused From my research prior to the training day I felt like I had on understanding how user a basic knowledge of what cognitive mapping involved, experience techniques can help to inform and improve and the ways that it could be used in libraries to gather library services and provisions. UX is participant driven, feedback. However, I felt much less familiar with what to allowing the user to explore what matters to them, rather do after the cognitive mapping to collate and analyse the than being steered by the librarians’ own agenda. This data produced from the drawings and interviews. is particularly relevant in my role which is focused on I think that my most valuable learning experience at the relationship management and working closely with staff training day was the demonstration on how to thematically across the institution. We particularly wanted to get a better code the data collected from cognitive mapping interviews understanding of how our academic colleagues work and by noting separate ideas on individual post-its and then the ways that the library can support them with teaching grouping these into more general themes. I haven’t had and research activities. UX felt like a perfect way to achieve much experience of working with data and was feeling this and will hopefully provide some interesting insights into slightly anxious about how to manage the data that I’m the academic teaching and research annual lifecycles. producing as part of projects that I’m working on. By The training day was split into two parts. We heard attending the UX training day I feel much more confident from colleagues at Anglia Ruskin University Library and about tackling qualitative data collection and analysis. I Kingston University Library who have been undertaking have begun to put this knowledge into practice with data user experience work. Their presentations were really produced as part of a student engagement project looking interesting but also importantly showed the range of at student reading behaviours and preferences around projects that could be undertaken in a manageable way. online reading lists. This was especially encouraging as I feel that it’s quite Amy Rippon a big step to begin a user experience project as it is a Academic Engagement Librarian noticeably different way of obtaining user feedback to University of Roehampton traditional surveys or questionnaires. Both institutions 20 M25 Annual Report 2017-18

UKSG 41st Annual Conference and Exhibition: Glasgow 2018 – people, evil twins and new literacies

Reflecting on my UKSG “evil twins” statement was as part of the opening plenary Conference experience, session on this topic. However, OA transition is a massive which funding from the M25 challenge across both the Scholarly Communications and Staff Development Award Higher Education sectors, and I believe that it is right that scheme supported, certain we all critically examine what our roles are in the status quo soundbites have stayed with and whether our working practices are doing all they could me – a couple being: to facilitate OA transition. For example, in how we negotiate, licence/purchase, and evaluate performance of subscriptions, • “Your library is people” (quote from Matt Borg’s breakout or what we choose to advocate for in our professional roles session on UX in libraries) – which chimed quite nicely with and networks. our host city’s own “people make Glasgow” Literacies: A love of literacies seems to have long pervaded • “The evil twins” characterisation of RA21 and SciHub by Ralf the Library and Information professions, from basic literacy to Schimmer from Max Planck Digital Library. information literacy and digital literacy. UKSG 2018 gave me a Short enough to maybe seem glib, the implications of these couple of new ones to ponder “Privacy Literacy” and “Impact statements go much further. Attending conference has really Literacy”. Privacy Literacy requires action and engagement at refreshed my engagement with some fundamental aspects a number of levels – the institution, library service (staff and of my profession, and also some of the challenges that we systems), and users all have responsibilities in relation to this are collectively facing in the sector. which need to be understood and supported. Impact literacy, People: The motivation to serve and help our users is a highly relevant in the context of the impending REF, and also central tenet to many librarians, reinforced through our potentially TEF, is a way of conceptualising the processes, training and professional frameworks. However, in a role skills and measures that are required to achieve the optimum that day to day interacts predominantly with systems and impact and benefit of an intervention in a demonstrable way, e-resources this can become somewhat neglected. To so that steps to realise this can be designed in to a project refocus on this purpose in the implementation of systems and planned for. based projects, such as an upgrade to a new user interface Being the first time I have attended the UKSG Conference the for our discovery tool, has not been without challenges but Exhibition was also a great opportunity to put faces to many ultimately has benefitted the outcomes for our users and names from existing and potential suppliers which I think our service. has really helped to strengthen these important relationships. Evil twins – alternatively known as the problems of People: Maybe people make the conference too! authentication and piracy? The dominance of Open Access Verity Allison (OA) transition at a conference traditionally attended by many Journals and E-resources Librarian subscriptions librarians could be seen as a bit of an affront, St George’s University of London as no doubt some parties may have felt Ralf Schimmer’s M25 Consortium of Academic Libraries Senate House Library London WC1E 7HU Email: [email protected] Tel: 020 7863 6080 m25lib.ac.uk

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