The Way Forward: Smart, Savvy, Sustainable

Report on the Joint Conference and Meeting of Business Librarians 2016
The Way Forward: Smart, Savvy, Sustainable

From 16th to 19th May 2016, 83 delegates from 22 countries attended the Joint Conference and Meeting (JCM) representing the Academic Business Library Directors (ABLD), European Business Schools Librarians’ Group (EBSLG) and the Asia Pacific Business School Librarians’ Group (APBSL) held at the Li Ka Shing Library, Singapore Management University. The conference theme was “The Way Forward: Smart, Savvy, Sustainable.”

The planning committee comprised: Mr. Rajen Munoo, Singapore Management University [Chair], Mr. Akbar Hakim, Nanyang Technological University, Dr. Gina de Alwis, Singapore Institute of Management, Ms. Jiaxin Low, Singapore Management University, Ms. Tan Lay Tin, National University of Singapore, Ms. Yuhanis Yusoff, INSEAD, Tanoto Library (Asia Campus), Mr. Bob Hebert, Wake Forest University [ABLD Rep], Mr. Sean Forbes, University of Toronto [ABLD Rep], Mr. John Foley, Melbourne Business School [APBSLG Rep], Ms. Mary Betts-Gray, Cranfield University [EBSLG Rep], and Mr. Thorsten Meyer, ZBW – Leibniz-Information Centre for Economics [EBSLG Rep].

Pre-conference activities included a tour of the National Library in Victoria Street where delegates had a guided of the “From the Stacks” exhibition, which showcased rare materials from the collection and also served as a mini-introduction to Singapore’s history. Delegates and invited guests were then treated to a welcome cocktail reception hosted at INSEAD, Asia Campus. The gamelan music performance and delicious South-east Asian cuisine over a cacophony of networking conversations set the scene for the next few days.

Photo: Corey Seeman Photo: INSEAD

A sitar performance by SMU Professor of Economics, Shurojit Chatterji settled delegates before the conference opening keynote address by SMU President, Professor Arnoud De Meyer. Prof De Meyer urged delegates to rethink universities and their own roles, citing the 5 principles upon which universities have been founded, and how these principles have become obsolete in the 21st century. Delegates reflected and shared their thoughts with Prof De Meyer about their role in shaping this.

The panel discussion “Thinking about work: what keeps you awake at night” was led by Gulcin Cribb, University Librarian, SMU Libraries and Bob Hebert, Chris Flegg and Chris Moselen, each representing the different groups. Audience members were engaged and, despite the heavy topic, were encouraged by the positivity brought out during the discussion. As Bob put it, “Nothing keeps me awake at night. I sleep very well.” – Shouldn’t we be all doing that!

Over the three days of the conference, speakers presented on a variety of current and relevant topics, including text-mining and data, stakeholder engagement, learning programmes and space transformation. The presentations can be found here. Some of the topics and issues presented were familiar to the audience of business librarians but it was worthwhile to learn how institutions adopted different approaches and sometimes creative solutions depending on their unique circumstances. Also present at the event were 18 sponsors without whose generosity, the conference would not have been possible. Both delegates and local librarians had opportunities to interact with the respective representatives who shared product updates and answered questions. The first day ended with tapas and a flamenco dance performance.

 

With the group photo effortlessly captured for the second morning of the conference, delegates had a choice of attending two different workshops on negotiation and mindfulness. While SMU Professor Michael Benoliel had his participants negotiating with each other to get a feel of the back-and-forth the process and shared his expertise on effective negotiation skills – something of great importance for librarians; the other workshop’s participants put their newly-acquired mindfulness techniques to practice in their skit performances. The library-related skits had audiences in stitches which was cathartic and reminded participants to view matters in perspective.

In the afternoon, delegates embarked on a visit arranged by Nanyang Technological University Library and toured the new Hive and Library Outpost, learning about the considerations and technology involved in the design and construction of the Hive. The book-borrowing machine for Course Reserves located outside the Library Outpost intrigued delegates.

Photo: Corey Seeman

The second day was capped off with an Indian-themed dinner at the famous Raffles Hotel. After a talk on the history of the Raffles Hotel by its animated resident historian and a demonstration of the Singapore Sling cocktail (with a much-appreciated sample), delegates and guests headed for dinner in the Ballroom. Indian dance performances during dinner were enjoyed and much photographed by the audience, who were captivated by the graceful steps, music and colourful costumes. At the end of dinner, delegates also had the chance to learn some simple dance steps from instructors and had fun dancing the rest of the night away. Adventurous delegates and those sleepless in Singapore headed for a 24-hour shopping experience and some showed off their vocal prowess during late night karaoke – spontaneous and off-the-beaten-track activities.

With everyone accounted for, the last morning began with a presentation by Ms. Havovi Joshi from SMU’s Case Writing Initiative, where SMU’s business cases were introduced and the presenter shared how they collaborated with faculty and the library to write timely and relevant Asian cases. Delegates then attended their regional groups’ business meetings and discussed their respective agendas. The story behind the morning infusions and concoctions of perk-me-ups generously sponsored by SMU GROW was shared by Ms. Bernadette Toh over salads and burgers for lunch and reminded delegates about their respective ways forward – homeward bound!

A leisurely afternoon walk indulged the delegates in an experiential learning experience where they explored SMU Labs and SMU GROW’s urban gardening plots, aligning with the theme of “The Way Forward: Smart, Savvy, Sustainable”  - a befitting way to conclude the conference and reflect on the way forward!

 

Remembering JCM 2016:  

Social Media

Jiaxin on Storify: Pre-conference / Day 1 / Day 2 / Day 2.5

Phanh Oudomlith on Storify: JCM16

Tweets with conference hashtag: #jcm16

SMU Libraries Facebook: Event page

Photo Galleries

Corey Seeman: https://www.flickr.com/photos/cseeman/albums/72157668492618285

Bob Hebert: http://www.bobhebertphoto.com/ABLD-Meetings/Joint-Meeting-Singapore-2016/

INSEAD Reception: https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B3VWLiaKCS1SWDVrUXVwQ3ZrNnM&usp=sharing

Raffles Dinner: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/0pry54fgfpth8j3/AACrS84WYEBvC-rwNpd3pSk1a?dl=0

 

Written by: Ms. Low Jiaxin, Research Librarian, Finance and JCM Planning Committee Member, SMU Libraries.

Inputs by: Rajen Munoo, Head Learning Services & Research Librarian, Chair, JCM 2016 and Redzuan bin Abdullah, Librarian, SMU Libraries.