Students’ library services improved by three universities working together – Library and IT news.
Canterbury Christ Church University, the University of Greenwich and the University of Kent are to share a Unified Library Management System (ULMS). The ULMS will:
- enhance students’ experience of library resources
- improve academic outcomes by providing better access to the universities’ digital and physical collections
- enable the partners to deliver library support more efficiently. This new, collaborative way of working offers real value for money for the universities.
The partners have chosen SirsiDynix as their supplier through a vigorous joint selection process. SirsiDynix will work with the universities closely over the next year to realise their vision for an enhanced student and academic experience, increased data intelligence and learning analytics, as well as to explore resource sharing. This is the first project of its kind, bringing together three universities in a unique collaboration.
The driving principles, as agreed by the three universities involved, are to:
- deliver more effective, efficient and sustainable services across all the institutions, with students being the prime focus
- share each other’s expertise, increase buying power and generally work to the common good through active collaboration.
The universities are nationally and internationally recognised for teaching and research excellence. The ULMS will enable them to introduce innovative ways of working, which will enhance their reputations for delivering an exceptional student experience.
As the Universities at Medway, the partners share a campus at Chatham Maritime which is home to more than 9,000 students. The award-winning Drill Hall Library, which is at the heart of the Medway Campus and used by students and academics from all three universities, will showcase the capabilities of the ULMS.
The ULMS will also serve students at the partners’ 11 other campuses and centres.
In the picture, the heads of Library services at all three universities meet SirsiDynix staff at the Drill Hall Library: John Sotillo (University of Kent), Pete Ryan (Canterbury Christ Church University), Paul Butler (University ofGreenwich), Barbara Pacut (SirsiDynix) and Andy Panayiotou (SirsiDynix).