On August 16, 2018 David Lam Library and the Cannacord Learning Commons hosted its first ever UBC Sauder “tea in the garden” event. The event was a celebration of our library’s community garden on the third floor patio. We were pleased with the high turnout and our colleagues’ enthusiasm for the garden. Guests were treated to hot bevarages (including peppermint tea from mint grown in our garden) as well as some snacks. In addition to offering some pamphlets about the library and gardening, we also asked our attendees to provide us with some business book suggestions for the David Lam Library.
In 2016, the David Lam Library and Canaccord Learning Commons received Healthy Initiatives funding to fund a community garden on the unused third floor patio of the library. This initiative has achieved a variety of positives for our workplace.
- The logistics of partnering with UBC Sauder and the Library to get permission for the project fostered the development of project management skills;
- Establishing and sustaining the garden has been an ongoing source of team building amongst the staff and librarians.
- Ongoing work in the garden also provides lived experience of core Library Aspirational Values in the workplace, including opportunities to develop trust, communication, and to demonstrate growth and appreciation.
- The garden also contributes to workplace wellness by lowering stress, encouraging healthy eating, and offering opportunities for exercise.
- This initiative also aligns with Principle 3, a Collaborative and Respectful Environment, of UBC Sauder’s Strategic Plan.
In August 2017, we invited UBC Library staff and librarians to visit the garden and learn more about the initiative. In September 2017, we opened up the patio space for patron use.
This summer, we wanted to encourage UBC Sauder faculty and staff to make use of the space and learn more about the impact of this initiative on our workplace. Although we have promoted the patio and garden to UBC Sauder faculty and staff through digital signage, as well as word of mouth, we felt that a more structured event inviting them to visit the garden would have more impact in welcoming them to the space.