Academic Joint Service Definition – Academic Partnerships and The University of Plymouth Library and Digital Support – Last updated November 2017

Academic Partnerships (AP) within The University of Plymouth houses some 13,000+ students studying Higher Education regionally, nationally and internationally. This service definition acknowledges a wide range of Higher Education qualifications including all level 4,5,6,7 undergraduate Foundation Degrees, HNC’s HND’s, Cert HE, Dip HE, Degree Apprenticeships, BA (Hons), BSc (Hons) and postgraduate where validated by the University.

Our overall vision is to support the creation, development and sustainability of high quality partnerships with organisations that serve to advance the reputation of The University of Plymouth and deliver of academic excellence (Academic Partnerships Strategy 2013). AP is committed to being an enterprising multi skilled and integrated team delivering the University strategy for the development, management and quality oversight of regional, national and international academic partnerships and supporting Faculties and Schools to deliver that strategy.

This aim of this Service Definition is to identify and map responsibilities between AP, its partner institutions and the Library Service within The University of Plymouth main campus. AP acts as the convenor between the central University and the partner institution. This service definition outlines key activities and responsibilities mapped against the current movement. It is expected that additional factors or changes may arise so do contact AP () in the first instance who will signpost your enquiry.

Activities, facilities and services to be provided to students by Academic Partnerships (AP), UOP Library (LIB) or Partner Institutions (PI)

Activity / Responsibility of
1.  Provide access to a learning resources centre (LRC) in their home institution with appropriate services and resources to support HE level work. / PI
2.  UOP-registered students, where the institution is based in the UK are entitled to use the University Library but this is supplementary to local provision. UOP registered students studying with overseas partners will be entitled to access to resources, but dependant on licensing restrictions, again supplementary to local provision (see Non UK agreement). / LIB
3.  Partner staff (UK and International) – access to be confirmed on an institutional agreement basis / LIB/AP
4.  Collections to include:
a.  Up to date and relevant books and journals (in print and/or e-format) with a computer based catalogue, to support the range of courses being undertaken.
b.  Breadth and depth of resources to support the scholarly activity of academic staff as well as students.
c.  Not simply comprise texts on reading lists.
d.  Multiple copies of key texts should be provided if they are required by large classes, and copies provided in alternative formats if required by disabled students.
e.  Partners delivering programmes at Level 6 or above will be expected to offer interlibrary loan/ document delivery services that supplement their local resources. / PI
5.  Professional Leadership
a.  Input to the running of the LRC by a professional librarian (with a degree or post-graduate qualification in librarianship) to ensure quality and development of services to appropriate professional standards.
b.  Ensure effective liaison with academic staff on resource requirements (e.g. reading lists) and effective support for learners.
c.  Development and implementation of a LRC Action Plan, reflecting feedback from NSS and continuous service improvement.
d.  Monitoring and development of services, reporting of required statistics to UOP Library for SCONUL return. / PI
6.  Learning environment
a.  Access to the web College / Instiution portal, and relevant e-learning materials and e-resources (e-journals etc.)
b.  Provision of appropriate independent quiet, equipped and group study areas, with opening hours to support the learning and assessment needs of the students, i.e. at least extended office hours. / PI
7.  Student skills
a.  Provide an effective induction to the learning resources service.
b.  Training for students in the effective use of information.
c.  Establishment of appropriate feedback loops between the students and the staff servicing the courses, and the library providers. / PI
8.  Liaison
a.  Involve UOP library in planned developments of changes in respect of partnerships.
b.  UOP Library to keep AP and PI informed of changes to services.
c.  Nominated Information Specialist to liaise with PI library staff. PI to keep Information Specialist informed of HE Librarian contact.
d.  UOP Lib to provide opportunities for staff development and collaboration through the annual Exchange of Experience day and the Annual Seminar. We expect every PI to release LR staff to attend both events. This will predominantly be for UK including Highlands partners due to locality yet all online resources will be shared with our international partners as appropriate (for more information see our Non UK agreement).
e.  Provide an induction for new members of Library staff
f.  Provide support to address issues concerning the quality of provision (e.g. poor NSS scores) and feed into LRC action plan. / AP
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PI
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9.  Library to Library Services
a.  Partnership loans .
b.  Provide Information, advice & guidance from an Information Specialist (to an identified library contact in the partner organisation), including advice on stock requirements, reading lists, information literacy, referencing protocols etc.
c.  Access to support materials and online teaching resources
d.  Proactively engage with Partner Institution students with regards to their progression to The University of Plymouth (from LD SLA) / LIB

AP will have strategic oversight for developments and change management and takes responsibility for communications and dissemination to partners.

Julie Swain – QA Co-ordinator Academic Partnerships – ge 1