Staff Learning and Organisational Development Group
Purpose
The group supports a culture of continuous, inclusive learning and professional growth across the University of Manchester Library. Having achieved its initial objectives, including the creation of the Library Staff Learning Hub, the group now focuses on maintaining this resource and aligning Library learning and development with University and Library strategy.
Key Focus Areas
- Maintain and develop the Staff Learning Hub as a central resource for training, reflection, and professional development.
- Align activity with Manchester 2035, i2035, and Library strategic priorities, focusing on key areas such as digital skills, AI, and leadership.
- Work in partnership with central University talent team to ensure alignment and avoid duplication.
- Oversee the Library learning and development budget, ensuring equitable, inclusive, and transparent use of funds that support career development and succession planning.
- Embed Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) principles across all learning opportunities.
- Encourage team-level and role-specific training, supporting directorates to identify and address local development needs.
- Promote reflection and application of learning, developing mechanisms for staff to share outcomes and embed learning in practice.
- Monitor and report on learning and development investment and outcomes, with Leadership Team or Executive oversight where appropriate.
Staff Learning and Organisational group principles
- Alignment and University goals: Ensure that staff learning, and organisational development initiatives are aligned with the Library's Imagine2030 strategic goals and objectives.
- Continuous improvement: Emphasise the importance of continuous improvement; encourage and support ongoing learning and development opportunities for all staff, regardless of their role or level within the Library.
- Equity, diversity and inclusivity: Ensure that all staff have equitable access to staff development opportunities that are aligned to their objectives. To ensure that staff feel valued, respected, and empowered to embrace growth and advancement in both vertical and lateral career paths.
- Collaboration: Foster a culture of collaboration and knowledge sharing across departments and teams to promote learning and development.
- Innovation: Encourage creativity and the exploration of new and innovative approaches to learning and development that leverage technology, research, and best practices.
- Evaluation and measurement: Evaluate the effectiveness of learning and development initiatives regularly and measure their impact on organisational performance.
Group Membership and representation
- Sarah Rayner (co-lead) - Leadership Team, SMF, SL&D budget holder.
- Peter Wadsworth (co-lead) - Leadership Team, Library Executive Office Manager, Directorate of the University Librarian, SL&D budget holder.
- TBC – Digital Skills, AI and Ideas Adoption.
- Paul Ralphs - Education, Experience and Strategic Insights, Academic Libraries North Staff Development rep.
- Kathryn Miller - Education, Experience and Strategic Insights.
- Padma Inala - EDI, Education, Experience and Strategic Insights.
- Kathryn Sullivan - Leadership Team, Collection Strategies.
- Anne Anderton – Special Collections.
- TBC – Talent Development
Read the Staff Learning and Development Group Purpose and Terms of Reference.