As part of the collaborative project 'Leading in the library’: a ‘learning lab’ for sustainable access to knowledge in developing countries'; Ian Williams (Executive Director) and Lorna Pearcey (Director of Development) from Caplor Horizons together with Kemal Shaheen, Anne Powell and Annelise Dennis (INASP) and members of the Zimbabwe University Libraries Consortium (ZULC) worked together to strengthen strategy and explore issues of critical importance. This initial visit provided an opportunity for reflection upon the current situation at ZULC and on the potential barriers and opportunities for future sustainability.
The Learning Lab is an iterative, flexible and problem solving approach. Over the course of the project the team will focus on three key elements of organisational effectiveness - Leadership, Strategy and Influencing; that have been identified by the consortia in all four countries as areas in which they require capacity building support. Below you can see our 'rich picture' illustrating the Learning Lab approach.
Phase 1 in Zimbabwe brought together 17 participants, from across ZULC's Executive Committee and various working groups (representing 11 different universities), to discuss what future success would look like for the consortium. Over the course of two full days the group took part in a variety of activities and discussions focusing on ZULC's values, capacity and structure - marrying future aspirations with realistic and achievable aims. This included refining and strengthening the ZULC strategy 2014-2018, culminating in collectively lifting the vision, mission and purpose of the consortium.
Vision: COMMITTED to a world in which KNOWLEDGE is VALUED
Mission: INNOVATE and INSPIRE so researchers contribute to sustainable development
Purpose: Enable access, sharing and use of INFORMATION with INTEGRITY
On both days 100% of participants said that the session was 'very' relevant to the consortium:
"It was excellent fun and involving and the facilitators made us feel comfortable to naturally air our views"
"I would like to thank INASP and members from Caplor Horizons. The facilitators were not just good. They did a brilliant job"
"This has been an enlightening and educative workshop"
"This workshop was fantastic, educative and inspirational [….] communication with action and games!"
On both days 100% of participants said that the session would help strengthen strategy 'a lot'
"The process of drafting the vision, mission, purpose and envisioned goals of ZULC was very enriching and it resulted in the production of a well crafted vision and mission."
"ZULC has indeed rediscovered itself through this workshop"
"The formulation of the vision, values, purpose and future in such a short time was awesome"
And on both days 100% of participants felt that the session contributed 'a lot' to personal learning and development:
"I will be a better manager following this learning exercise"
"When I go back to work I think I will be a changed person..."
"It was extremely good and most of the issues are even applicable on personal, professional and individual development"
"I am more enlightened now than I ever was. Well done Caplor Horizons and INASP. We are so grateful"