“Effective knowledge workers of the future will need to be skilled in... emotional intelligence, critical thinking, the ability to engage and to build and sustain relationships, comfort with ambiguity and, co-creation and collaboration. The role of the professional in delivering services in new constructs and helping others to interpret and navigate the changing higher education landscape will be further heightened.” (Future Ready Library Strategy p18)
What makes our approach distinct is the holistic focus on people and organisational health in all facets of Library operations. We recognised that an agile and flexible workforce was the hallmark of an effective and innovative university library.
Our emphasis on staff digital dexterity and a culture based on trust, transparency and accountability ensured that critical projects were delivered at exceptionally high standards.
In 2020 we transitioned from our two-phased digital dexterity program and encouraged several communities of practice which fostered shared learning and social connection alongside our established self-directed, self-paced learning initiatives.
The Future-Ready Capabilities Framework (FRCF) was developed, including the capabilities and attitudes and skills of the knowledge worker of the future.
Staff can complete a self-evaluation survey to discover existing skills or attitudes – are they ‘seeding’, ‘growing’ or flourishing’?
A ‘Seed Bank’ of resources provides pathways for more learning and development. In its first year, the FRCF has received attention from colleagues at other ANZ academic libraries, with several requests for the content.
Throughout the four years of the Future Ready Library Strategy we also supported countless professional development opportunities, including:
Library receives VC Outstanding Service Award (2022)
Pictured (L-R): Leanne Campbell, Leanne Webster, Professor Patricia Davidson, Donna Dee, Georgina Konstanta, Keith Brophy
Newton, K & Brophy, K & Dee, D 2021, 'Why Three Perspectives? A human centered design approach to supporting digital dexterity: People, Design and Systems Thinking', Digital Dexterity https://digitaldexterity.edublogs.org/2021/11/29/why-three-perspectives-a-human-centred-design-approach-to-supporting-digital-dexterity-people-design-and-systems-thinking/
Newton, K 2021, 'Design thinking as a tool for innovative libraries', Digital Dexterity https://digitaldexterity.edublogs.org/2021/09/20/design-thinking-as-a-tool-for-innovative-libraries/
Dee, D & Brophy, K & Newton K 2020, 'University of Wollongong Library: Embedding Learning and Development as Part of Our Organisational DNA', International Information & Library Review, 52:3, 250-252, DOI: 10.1080/10572317.2020.1793551
Grant, RC & Organ, M 2020, ‘Digital Journeys @ UOW Australia: From Digital Dexterities to Digital Humanities and Beyond’, International Information & Library Review, 52:3, 244-249, DOI: 10.1080/10572317.2020.1785173
Hardy, A & McKenzie, C 2020, ‘Meeting Students Where They Are: Just in Time Embedded Delivery of Information and Digital Literacy Skills’, International Information & Library Review, 52:1, 64-72, DOI: 10.1080/10572317.2019.1710672
Konstanta, G & McKenzie, C 2020, ‘Reconfiguring a Library Service Model to Reduce Exposure’, Council on Library and Information Resources https://www.clir.org/2020/05/reconfiguring-a-library-service-model-to-reduce-exposure/
McKenzie, C & Brophy, K 2020, ‘Readiness and rapid transitions to remote delivery’, Council on Library and Information Resources https://www.clir.org/2020/04/readiness-and-rapid-transitions-to-remote-delivery/
Jantti, M 2020, ‘Sliding Doors: Parallel conflicts and opportunities for library futures’, IATUL Director’s Summit, Innsbruk (online) 4-5 November 2020.
Jantti, M 2020, ‘The UOW Library Future-Ready Strategy: Personalised, human-centred experiences’, IEEE ISTAS Public Interest Technology Conference, Arizona State University (online) 12-14 November 2020.
