IATUL 2024: Reflections on the Second Day

Kia Ora!

The second day of? IATUL 2024 ?continued the transformative journey that began on Day One, offering profound insights, thought-provoking sessions, and opportunities for meaningful connection.

The day began with an inspiring keynote by Professor Chellie Spiller (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa) from the University of Waikato. Drawing from the art of Polynesian navigation,?wayfinding leadership?emphasises mindfulness, adaptability, and a deep understanding of oneself, one’s team, and the environment.

My key takeaways included:

1. Seeing what is really going on: Developing awareness to interpret subtle shifts and nuances in our surroundings.
2. "We are in the waka together": Leadership is about collective growth and fostering success through shared learning.
3. Fearless commitment to a higher purpose: Leaders must step into their?Rangatira space, weaving their teams together with courage and purpose.
4. Embracing the unknown: Successful leaders are comfortable with uncertainty, tuning out distractions and staying present in the moment.

Professor Spiller left us with a resonant message: leadership is not about reacting but responding with intention and clarity, guided by the wisdom of ancestors and a commitment to transformation.

The panel discussions on leadership brought valuable perspectives on navigating change in academic libraries. Thank you, Mike Wall , for facilitating the session with Philip Kent , Sue Roberts , Jill Benn , and Caroline Williams . The panel shared what they learned from leading significant change in their respective institutions.

Key themes explored:

1. Compassion and empathy in change: Change is a continuous process, like a flowing river, and leaders must prioritise cultural rebuilding after a change.
2. The role of leaders: Leaders must balance competing demands, support their teams, prioritise the institution’s mission, and guide people through the journey.
3. Resilience and self-care: Leaders need to foster psychological safety, take intentional breaks, and seek to understand their team’s challenges.

The panel shared personal reflections, including moments of bravery, humility, and deep learning during challenging times.

The conference’s SIG sessions showcased the vibrant collaborations shaping the future of libraries. With five active groups and a sixth on the horizon, the SIGs foster innovation in areas such as:

1. Data management
2. Research metrics and impact
3. Library spaces
4. Leadership
5. Information literacy

SIGs provide a collaborative platform to address pressing challenges, share best practices, and drive impactful outcomes. I highly recommend that expert staff reach out to SIG chairs to contribute and actively shape the domains.

We were lucky to hear the panel discussion on Resilient and Transformative Leadership led by Professor Chellie Spiller , Jill Benn , Ry Moran , and Masud Khokhar .

A key takeaway from this leadership discussion was the importance of fostering?psychological safety,?bravery, and a sense of belonging. Successful leadership involves serving as an honest broker, creating circles of safety, and prioritising values such as integrity and intentionality.

The panellist reflected on what they valued in their leaders; this included:

• Empowerment and trust.
• Recognising and believing in others' potential.
• Non-visible allyship and active support.

The second day of IATUL 2024 reinforced the need for leaders to embrace uncertainty, prioritise relationships, and create environments where people feel valued and connected. The session concluded with a compelling invitation to the 45th IATUL conference, hosted by?Shanghai Jiao Tong University, promising another opportunity for global collaboration and shared learning.

As I reflect on the day's rich discussions, I am reminded of the power of courageous and intentional leadership in shaping the future of libraries and the broader academic landscape.

Ngā mihi nui.