Presentation slides for Keynote by Janet Peden - University Librarian and Deputy Chief Digital & Information Officer, Ulster University.

2. Digital transformation
across the Library Service
at Ulster: A leadership
perspective
Janet Peden - October 2021

3. Overview
This presentation provides a high-level overview of the process to
deliver digital transformation in the Library Service at Ulster University

4. Background
• Ulster University is a geographically dispersed institution
• At present we have four campus locations
• That means we have four campus libraries
• We are a widening access institution with a diverse user population
• A marathon and not a sprint

5. Organisational context

6. Drivers for change
The University is
transitioning through a
period of disruptive and
transformative change
The development of a
new 75,000m2 city centre
campus for up to 15000
students and staff
Ulster’s educational
mission and related
strategies
An updated academic
plan with changing
campus narratives
Move towards cross-
university technology
infrastructure, standards,
resources and
development processes
Library contribution to
the corporate agenda

7. Benefits
• Enhance the visibility of the Library Service
• Clearly align the Library Service with the corporate strategic agenda
• Place the student at the centre of service redesign
• Position the Library Service as an integral element of the Institutional offering

8. Principles
Deliver
Deliver “excellence
in service provision
and continuous
development of
sustainable library
services and
resources”
Focus
Focus strategic
direction on
digitisation of
services where it will
enhance the user
experience
Enable
Enable flexibility and
agility in terms of
service delivery
Position
Position the Library
Service as an
integral element of
the digital
transformation
process
Empower
Empower staff to be
part of the process
of change

9. New
Service Delivery
Models
Push the service out to end users
Deploy self-service where possible for
routine business processes
Redeploy staff to high value business areas
Prioritisation of digital access to services
and information
24/7 access to services and information

10. Setting the direction
• Refocussing of the Library’s Collection and
Information Access Policy
• A shift to e First
• Strategic shift from 2012 onwards
• The increasing emphasis on electronic capability in
the delivery of services to users at a time and place,
and to a device of their choosing

11. Phase 1:
Technical
Infrastructure
Renew the core infrastructure to support digital
transformation
The Library’s circulation and security was
upgraded to RFID technology
Investment in the web-based staff interface for
the Library Management System
Investment in portable technology for library
staff
Invest in mobile technology for library users

12. Self service
The introduction of self-service
RFID technology in 2017 was a key
enabler in the Library’s digital
transformation

13. Mobile
technology
Introduced across all campus Libraries

14. Learning landscapes
Phase 2

15. Learning and Teaching Strategy 2013-18
“To promote, embed and develop safe, yet challenging, learning
environments that support active learning, through a learning and
teaching ethos underpinned by current and appropriate discipline-
specific and pedagogic research and scholarship - building, where
appropriate, upon new and emerging technologies”

16. Pedagogies
Tech
Spaces
CONCEPTUAL
FRAMEWORKS
MANAGEMENT OF CHANGE
EDUCATIONAL MISSION
REALISATION

17. Digitally enabled collaborative spaces
• Space is a service and a learning resource
• Shift in focus from collections to users
• Focus on delivering a library learning environment aligned to emerging
pedagogies
• Active and collaborative spaces
• Diverse and versatile
• Technology-enabled

18. Choice​
Individual Nest
Collaborative

19. Flexibility

20. Digitally enabled
active learning
This technology enabled active
learning space was introduced in
the Library at Coleraine in 2019

21. The Library space at Magee was turned upside down to
provide silent study at the top of the building and move
the technology into a more social learning space

22. Study Huts
A design feature of the Library space at Magee

23. Learning hub
A learning hub was established
in one campus library

24. Study pods
• Introduced across every floor in
one campus library

25. Digital and Information literacy
• The formation of a Digital and Information Literacy Sub Group
• Embrace the concept of Digital Literacies
• Embed new technologies in the teaching process to increase engagement
• Digital learning objects are an integral element of this process

26. Staff development
• Introduction of Self-Directed Achievement to encourage CPPD
• Adoption of LinkedIn Learning as a development tool for all staff
• Digital skills playlists were created
• Focus on new and merging technology to enhance the user experience

27. Risks and issues
• Funding is a major issue
• The Global pandemic
• Sustainability
• Staff capacity to cope with change and new ways of working

28. A work in progress
• Workforce planning exercise is needed to create new roles
• This will include the development of new roles
• Full business process review to identify areas for service enhancement
• Linking to institutional digital solutions where appropriate

29. The Future is here!