We increasingly work digitally: we communicate via Teams or chat and collaborate in shared documents. It’s efficient, but it also makes collaboration feel more distant. You know what your colleagues are working on, but less about who they are. The spontaneous chats disappear and it’s no longer a given you can put a face to a name. However, it’s precisely those informal connections that make the difference and create genuine connection. Meeting in person isn’t about nostalgia, it’s an investment in collaboration. Pintra spoke to a range of teams, from library staff and researchers to administrative teams. Everywhere, the message was the same: seeing each other pays off.
Did you know that UAntwerp has been developing its own software for institutes of higher learning, heritage institutions and museums in Belgium and abroad for more than 25 years? What started as a collaboration between five partners has grown into a unique network and a powerful set of digital solutions. For many years, these were known as Anet and Brocade. With the name change to Wander, that story is now more visible than ever. Head of service Véronique Rega explains why this change is happening and what it means.
Since the beginning of this academic year, our Library and Archives Department has had a new head of department and with it a new head librarian: Rik Van Daele. After all, his predecessor, Trudi Noordermeer, has retired. Rik has now been on the job as head of department for six months, so time for an introduction in five questions.
From a hall full of lockers, to a new space to meet up and host exhibitions. The Stadscampus library has added a cosy new area, including a coffee corner.
Did you spot it in the Meerminne yet? There, a beautiful book tower rose up to a whopping four metres high in February 2022. The story of how it came into being tells a tale of incredible teamwork across departments and faculties.
What started off as just an idea by two staff members who wanted to ‘do something coronaproof’ with their colleagues has turned into a full-fledged exhibition with no fewer than 41 works of art. You can visit The Arty Farty Library in the Stadscampus library until 15 April.
The Campus Groenenborger library is more than just a library. Of course, you will find everything you would expect at a library: books, quiet study spots, computers, places for group work, etc. But there is much more. How about 3D printing, laser cutting or vinyl cutting? All of this is possible in BibLab, a small makers’ lab.
