As so often with these issues, there is always a history, and I am not
sure anyone remarked on this aspect in the discussions.
Unlike the pre-1992 universities, the ex-polys had to engage with
quality management and enhancement as part of their demonstration to
CNAA of the quality of their degrees (back in the days when they did not
have degree awarding powers). I was new to the ex-poly sector in 1995
and found the pre-occupation with a Quality Framework a new challenge.
However, the emergence of Quality Assurance Agency (QAA), Teaching
Quality Assessment (TQA) and Academic Subject Review brought about a
transformation in the way our academic colleagues viewed the importance
of libraries. Overnight we became important contributors to the student
experience of our universities and, as libraries and IT departments took
part in ALL subject reviews, we built up a body of knowledge and
experience in managing these events. This in turn made us part of a
joint effort to improve the quality of the student experience and thus
enhance the prospects of our Universities in the recruitment of
students through published data (as promoted in the 'Cooke Report of
early 2003).
Work such as that Carol has previously done, and will progress in her
new post, is a necessary activity that measures the impact and value
that of libraries and learning centres have within universities. Few
Public Services are exempt from this type of accountability and we
should embrace it too, because we spend as overheads the money that our
academics earn through recruitment of students and getting research
contracts.
As for the Utility mark - didn't it re-emerge with the early computer
games, particularly Pac Man?
Ms Biddy Fisher MLib, FCLIP
Head of Academic Services & Development
Learning Centre
Sheffield Hallam University
Howard Street
Sheffield S1 1WB
UK
Tel +44 (0)114 225 2104
Fax +44 (0)114 225 3859
Email [log in to unmask]
-----Original Message-----
From: Chartered Library and Information Professionals
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Adrian Smith
Sent: 09 December 2003 15:22
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: MEDIA RELEASE: Personal Development Award winner
demonstrates her competitive edge
As the saying was, never mind the quality, feel the width ... Perhaps
"quality" can be qualified, if not quantified, in some way? Does anybody
apart from Edward, and me, remember the Utility* Mark?
adrian smith
headingley
*Utility scheme operated by the British government's Board of Trade to
control scarce materials and the quality of goods manufactured in
wartime. The scheme operated from 1941 until 1952 and, although
originally intended to ensure the provision of basic reasonably priced
items, the CC41 Utility mark came to represent quality of design and
construction because of the tight controls over both.
-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Morris [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 09 December 2003 09:17
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: MEDIA RELEASE: Personal Development Award winner
demonstrates her competitive edge
I don't think it's "impertinent" to comment on just one aspect of the
tide of Newspeak gibberish we are bombarded with every day. If we are
information workers one of our concerns should be the clear transmission
of that information with minimal verbiage. Obviously in my postings I
was not criticizing Carol personally. I still don't understand what
"quality systems" are supposed to be, since the term is grand-sounding
but vague, a bit like the "pursuit of excellence".
Mike Morris, Librarian, ISCA
51 Banbury Rd., Oxford OX2 6PE
----Original Message-----
From: Chartered Library and Information Professionals
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of John Hughes
Sent: 09 December 2003 08:54
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: MEDIA RELEASE: Personal Development Award winner
demonstrates her competitive edge
On Tuesday, December 9, 2003, at 07:51 AM, Carol Wurcbacher wrote:
> my new job title has certainly sparked some discussion!
> I will be joining the Quality Support Team at JMU. In a nutshell...
Personally, I'm full of admiration on three fronts:
that Carol has replied to impertinent discussion about her job title; on
her successful appointment;
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