The Robertson Library and Office of Skills Development and Learning to merge
Over the last 30 years, libraries have been transformed by the changes in information and learning, many of them wrought by developments in digital technologies.
"The Robertson Library at the University of Prince Edward Island," says Vice-President Academic Christian Lacroix, "has been an innovator in the development of new approaches to serving a diverse community of learners and scholars, and has demonstrated a creative approach to developing new services. The intersection between skills development and libraries is an increasingly prevalent one, with many libraries delivering a strong information and digital literacy effort in partnership with faculty."
“In order to better leverage this intersection, the Office of Skills Development and Learning (OSDL) will be combined with the Library,” adds Dr. Lacroix.
This new unit will include responsibility for the Library, Central Printing, Copyright Office, Professional Development and Continuing Education, PLAR, Seniors College, Explore/EAL, Career Services, and eLearning.
The merged portfolio will provide an innovative approach to the delivery of academic support services, and build on the natural synergies between the Library and OSDL staff. Since the Library is open seven days a week throughout the year, it will also open opportunities to deliver more services to more people at more times, leveraging the entire building as an academic hub: the information and learning crossroads of the UPEI campus.
Dr. Lacroix says, “The current University Librarian has a seat at the Deans Council, providing a critical connection to the broader academic activities on campus and the development of more partnerships with Faculties and Schools. As part of this merger, the University Librarian will assume responsibility for all academic matters pertaining to Continuing Education and Adult Learner programs and will provide an academic home for the creation and delivery of certificate programming.”
With the recent resignation of Mark Leggott effective February 8, 2016, Donald Moses will serve as interim University Librarian while a search process is established.
