Otago Polytechnic deputy chief executive Robin Day said that the name change of the
Robertson Library (formerly the Bill Robertson Library) last year has made some of the staff at the institution unhappy.
The University of Otago, who own the library, made the decision to change the name. However, some Polytech staff feel they should have been consulted about the change, as the library was originally half-owned by the Polytech and was named after the former head of the Polytech’s School of Engineering.
The University spent $10 million upgrading and expanding the library last year, and in the process decided to drop “Bill” from the title.
According to the Otago Daily Times, University Vice-Chancellor Sir Prof David Skegg telephoned Polytech chief executive Phil Ker to ask for his views on the change. Ker told the ODT that the change “did not seem to feature as something which would trigger spending time and energy on”, although he now admits he “may have misread the sentiments of staff”.
Polytech council chairwoman Kathy Grant believes that the Polytech - now only a user of the library rather than part owner - should not protest the University’s decision.
The Polytechnic swapped its share in the library for a University contribution to its Manaaki student centre in Harbour Terrace some years ago.
Polytech Library re-billed as plain Robertson. People shitty about that, and also at terrible pun in this title.
