VPC Open Forum

The agenda for the next Open Forum on March 30 is here.

Master Plan Moving Ahead!

All of the work we have done to prepare for the Master Plan is about to pay off! The first piece of funding for the Plan has been earmarked for spending now. One million in capital improvements money has been allocated by the Provost to be used to purchase new compact shelving for Level A, some new furniture for our patrons, improvements to the Fairfield entrance and some staff moves. These funds are in addition to those coming from other sources to move the Humanities Institute and other partner spaces. This aggressive plan will begin immediately as we have until the end of the fiscal year to spend the funds. We are working on the accelerated time plan between now and the end of summer, as well as a proposed three year plan. This will all be reviewed at Wednesday’s Open Forum.

UConn Health Library Open Meeting

I have made a commitment to visiting the UConn Health Library once a month to have a series of open meetings and to meet with staff and others in that community that work closely with the Library. Last week Jill Livingston joined me to give a review of the re-envisioning of the library liaison program. The staff were very engaged, and shared interesting information and perspectives. In addition, Janice and I met with the Deans of Medicine and Dentistry to discuss budgeting, staffing and the fiscal situation in general. I am looking forward to continuing to learn and share ideas.

Happy Spring

The start of Spring also signals the coming end of the semester and a busy time for students and staff. There are RAA’s Annual Reviews, programs, and an increase in usage by our patrons. This week marks the start of our MakerSpace with the opening of the 3D printing services. Please stretch your legs and take a little walk from your office across the plaza (in both directions) to check out the wonderful exhibits on display. The Archives is hosting two exhibits –Seeing Comes Before Words: Artists’ Use of the Male Nude, inspired by the collection of Roger Crossgrove, and Woman a Machine: Gender, Automation, and Created Beings featuring a variety of materials sourced from Archives. Here in Babbidge we have three exhibits in place – on the Plaza is Cuban Bricolage, an exhibit from our collection of artists’ books from the fine press publishing house Ediciones Vigía in Cuba and in the galleries you’ll find mythical storytelling with Astromythos: The Mythical World of Jon Sideriadis and some CT union history in Our Community at Winchester: An Elm City Story in the Stevens Gallery.

And thank you to our essential services crew, who thankfully were not called into action too much this Winter, but did ensure that Homer Babbidge was open and available when the University was closed. This past Monday that staff included Dave, Brian, Barbara and Cait, one of our iDesk students. Hopefully this is the last time this season they will be called to service!!