Staff from the University of Aberdeen’s Sir Duncan Rice Library have been shortlisted for an award at this year’s Times Higher Education Leadership and Management Awards.
The team, led by University Librarian and Director of Library Special Collections Chris Banks, has been shortlisted in the Outstanding Library Team category.
The award nomination comes following the opening of the Sir Duncan Rice Library in 2011 and highlights the commitment and effort of the team who worked tirelessly to ensure the library became the focal point for the University’s scholarly and social activities.
Among the team’s recent achievements are the seamless move to the new building with only two days closure, the introduction of new software for issuing and returning books and the complete re-vamp of the library website.
Library staff have also introduced new educational, cultural and public engagement programmes ensuring a widening of access to the University’s facilities for schools, community groups and visitors from across the region.
Representatives from the team will travel to London to attend the awards ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London on Thursday June 20.
Commenting on the award, Chris Banks, said: “The ‘Team’ in this context is in fact all the library staff as they all had roles to play in the very complex process of planning spaces and services for the new Sir Duncan Rice Library. I’m really delighted, therefore, that their hard work, dedication and enthusiasm has been recognised through this nomination.”
Principal and Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Sir Ian Diamond, added: “It is testament to each and every member of the library team that the Sir Duncan Rice Library is the exceptional facility that it is.
“I am thrilled that the effort and hard work of the library staff has been recognised by the Times Higher Education Leadership and Management Awards and I wish the team the best of luck for the ceremony in June.”