Together with 10 other Stellenbosch University (SU) support staff and Lidia du Plessis of the SU International Office, I set off for one week on a journey to Lund in Sweden, via Copenhagen in Denmark. We were hosted by Lund University (LU) International Office. The first day was spent being introduced to LU and taking a walk through the historical town. The two International Offices had organised a job shadowing programme for each of the support staff.
I was hosted by the Lund University School of Economics and Management Library (LUSEM). The librarians at LUSEM are preparing to move their library to a new facility and are in the process of weeding their print journals. Instantly I found similarities in what we at USBL (Stellenbosch University Bellville Park Campus Library) went through in preparing for our renovations. There were further similarities regarding many aspects of my work as a faculty librarian as well as in what the SU Library and Information Service is working towards in terms of postgraduate research support, open access and research data management. Central to LU’s success in driving open access and research data management is that LU Library forms part of a network (internally, faculty-wide and nationally) that actively works towards achieving its shared goals. The network combines resources and shares knowledge to find solutions.
I enjoyed getting to know and travelling with my colleagues from the SU main campus. We used the daylight hours to wander around Copenhagen and Lund. At night the temperature dropped as low as 5°C and we spent our evenings around the table sharing experiences. One of the experiences shared was how unsafe it felt walking on the pavement. Speeding cyclists and pedestrians share the pavement. I had an issue with going through doors in Sweden. I was never sure if the doors would open automatically or if I should push or pull. And keeping excited South Africans quiet on their first train ride in a dedicated quiet area was a challenge.
Some interesting facts:
| Lund University | Stellenbosch University |
| Established in 1666 | Established 1918 |
| 2nd Oldest university in Sweden | 2nd Oldest university in South Africa |
| Independent government university | Independent government university |
| 7 600 employees of which 1 000 support staff | 3 454 employees of which 2 363 support staff |
| 8 faculties | 10 faculties |
| 26 libraries | 6 libraries |
| 40 000 students | 31 765 students |
| 87 000 population of Lund | 176 523 population of Stellenbosch |
| LU School of Economics and Management has 6 departments | Stellenbosch University Business School has 3 departments |
| Research areas: innovation & entrepreneurship | USB Research areas: leadership, equality, futures and business in society |
Thank you to Ms Ellen Tise and Ms Henriëtte Swart of the SU Library and Information Service for nominating me to participate in this Staff Development Programme. I enjoyed the international exposure and came back with renewed energy and insight to make the most of my role in the Library.
Thank you to the SU International Office for this opportunity to visit Denmark and Sweden. Thank you to Lidia du Plessis from the SU International Office and Par Svenson of the LU International Office for organising our stay and job shadowing programme. Thank you to LUSEM Library for organising the job shadowing programme and sharing your expertise. Thank you to the SU support staff for the camaraderie during our travels. It was a joy travelling with you!
Judy Williams
Photographs: Judy Williams