Ducks and crocodiles

Wow, besides learning how we can better our services to researchers as research librarians - we've also had opportunities of learning new tastes of food! Last night I ate the duck for the first time! Question is "Will I ever eat it again?"

Library Research Academy

Being new at UCT and still learning most of the things at UCT; this Academy has provided an excellent learning opportunity for me, not only in terms of offering research support, but it has made me re-look at my role as a librarian and the impact I can have to UCT's learning environment. Also I have done a lot of self re-introspection at how things are done at my library(BEL), the relationships we have students and academics; and how I can change them for the better after the 2 weeks. I hope most librarians at UCT can have a courage and enthusiam to apply to attend this Academy.

Lack/limited subject knowledge by librarians

Although my research project does not have a topic/title yet, but I know I want to explore the notion of limited or lack of subject knowledge by libraraians, especially librarians working in branch libraries. In my case, the Built Environment Library has two schools, i.e School of Architecture and Planning; and School of Construction Economics and Management. As a librarian in this branch library, you have to deal with all the diverse subjects in these schools.To be able to offer research support, one has to have a little knowledge of each subject in each school. This is a huge challenge, especially if you have no background in any of the schools.
One,of course, can never enrol for all the degrees been offered in these schools, in order to be able to know the subjects. In my research I want to find out what are the other possibilities of knowing almost all the possible important things to know about the schools and the subjects, without necessarily enroling for the degrees they offer in order to be able to offer grea and excellent research support services?