CANTERBURY WINS NAG AWARD

This year’s National Acquisitions Group (NAG) Award for Excellence has been won by Canterbury Christ Church University Library.  BDS sponsors the award.

The NAG Executive Committee judged the award, recognising the outstanding work of Canterbury Christ Church University Library’s Resources and Digital Discovery Team. They noted that the team have transformed library acquisitions, discovery, and reading list services.

“Through the successful implementation of a new ERM system and a fully embedded Reading List platform, the team has delivered significant improvements in efficiency, financial oversight, and students’ access to learning resources,” commented the Committee.

They continued, “Through this work the Canterbury Christ Church University team have consistently exceeded expectations by not only embracing change but actively leading it. They have taken ownership of complex service redesigns, championed new technologies, and worked collaboratively to ensure that every improvement genuinely enhances the experience of students, academics, and colleagues.”

Colin Barnes, Head of Library Operations and Collections at Canterbury Christ Church University received the trophy from BDS Director of Library Sales, Sarah Armitage, at the recent NAG Seminar and Forum held in Nottingham.

Promoting Excellence

“BDS believes in promoting excellence across our industry, so it with great pleasure that we congratulate Canterbury Christ Church upon winning this prestigious NAG Award,” says Lesley Whyte, Managing Director, BDS. “Excellence and innovation are key to the provision of services to library users across the country, just as they are key to everything we do at BDS.”

BDS also sponsored drinks at the end of the first day of the NAG Seminar and Forum before which Sarah Armitage gave a short and light-hearted presentation, “Some Things You Might Not Know About BDS.”

Professionalism and Resilience

The Seminar and Forum ran across two days – a one-day event for public libraries and across two days for academic librarians.

“I am absolutely thrilled that the Library Services team at Canterbury Christ Church University has received this year’s NAG Award for Excellence,” said Theresa Thurston, University Librarian. “This award reflects the team’s hard work to deliver significant, lasting improvements during a period of major institutional change.

“The team has improved the student experience while increasing efficiency across services. I am immensely proud of the team’s professionalism, resilience, and ambition, and delighted to see their work recognised at a national level.”

“NAG would like to express its appreciation of BDS’s support to make our Award for Excellence more than a trophy,” says Jennie Hillyard, NAG Development Manager. “The cash prize, increased through the BDS sponsorship, is a lovely thing to be able to offer!”

The winner received a cash prize of £500, a bamboo trophy and free place for a representative of the winning institution at the NAG Seminar and Forum.

Find out more about the NAG Award for Excellence at: NAG Award for Excellence – National Acquisitions Group