The University has won the Outstanding Library Team category of the Times Higher Education (THE) Awards 2019.
This award ‘recognises outstanding work in library and information-services departments, in particular with regards to collaboration with other administrative and academic departments to enhance the team’s delivery, and the effective use of leading-edge practices from other sectors’.
The Library Team is part of Information Services and its collaboration with colleagues from a range of Schools and departments on the University’s accessibility project OPERA and its Student Success Project contributed significantly towards its success. Its Collection Engagement Strategy, through which it connects with local communities, alumni and other libraries, and the Kent Book Club – created alongside Kent Union for students who want to discover new books and resources outside of their academic studies – also played an important part.
The judges remarked on the team’s ‘inventive collaboration’ and its ‘particularly noteworthy’ innovation in fostering co-created reading lists. They said the work was an example of ‘collaborative working in the digital and physical environment’ that sought to ‘transform’ the student experience by building inclusivity and diversity into learning and research.
Kent’s Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Karen Cox said: ‘On behalf of all our students and staff I would like to congratulate the team on winning this award. The work of Library colleagues is inspiring and the team should be rightly proud of this tremendous achievement.’
John Sotillo, Director of Information Services, added: ‘I am absolutely delighted that the professionalism, dedication and enthusiasm of our staff has been recognised with this prestigious award. I would like to thank everyone who has helped make our Library services one of the best in the UK. Many congratulations to all.’
