The UConn Library System

This week the Provost met with the One UConn Library Task Force to discuss the report we submitted before the holiday break. The Provost agreed with the group that restructuring the University Library will lead to an enhanced, consistent user experience through formal, deeper collaboration. As a result, the Provost has formally approved the formation of The UConn Library System. There are many details to work out and I will keep you posted on changes as we move forward.

Budget Updates

On Tuesday we submitted the documentation required for our upcoming budget hearing with the Provost and CFO, scheduled for January 28th. This hearing is our opportunity to discuss the current fiscal health of the Library and the plans we have moving forward to address the 3% reduction next fiscal year. Thank you to Holly and the Financial Services Unit for all their help with pulling together the documentation that will enable us to tell our fiscal story.

I have also been invited by the University Senate Budget Committee to present at their February meeting. This committee reviews the allocations made by the University and may recommend Senate opinion on financial implications of those allocations.  I will once again take this opportunity to continue to raise awareness on the impact the budget reductions have had on our services and collections.

Finally, we have been given the go ahead to present a proposal for a modest library student fee to the Provost. We are hopeful that we can work out a sensible fee structure that we all agree on. If we clear this next hurdle, we hope to have the adoption of the fee on the agenda for the February Board of Trustees meeting.

Campus Wide Copyright & Fair Use Committee

I am pleased that the campus wide Copyright & Fair Use Committee will have its first meeting next week. The group’s draft charge is to provide a forum to identify and discuss copyright issues, and in some cases, to recommend policies and procedures for consideration by the University. Members of the group include the Office of General Counsel, eCampus, the Vice President for Research and members of the faculty.

Hats off to 2016 Party

I wanted to thank everyone who came out to help us celebrate the start of 2016. I enjoyed it very much and have gotten similar feedback from both current and former staff. I felt a positive vibe and hope to keep that momentum going in what will no doubt be a busy year. Of particular interest was the ‘One Word’ activity that produced some wonderful words to consider for 2016. Some of my favorites include possibility, kindness, progress, listen, respect and breathe. Thanks to all of you who wore your best hats to the party and congratulations to Patty Guardiani and Chris McNevins for winning the popular vote. For great photos of the event, check out our staff news blog (a reminder that your username and password are those you use to get into your computer.) And a special thank you to Dave Avery and Tony Molloy who spent the better part of the day working on the logistics – from moving tables and carrying food back and forth from the kitchen in Archives and Special Collections.

Winter Mashup & New Years Celebration – Save the Dates!
Please hold December 15^th from 10-11:30am for my Winter Mashup. We will wrap up 2015 with a look at the challenges we faced and celebrate the accomplishments of the year. And this year in lieu of a holiday party when everyone is so busy, I will be hosting a New Year’s Celebration on Thursday, January 14^th. I could use some party planners to help, so if you are interested, please let Jean know.

Also, as you know the University has a Winter Holiday Celebration which is Friday, December 4th. The Babbidge Builders will once again be representing the Libraries in the Gingerbread House Decorating Competition so I encourage you all to join in the festivities and cheer on your colleagues.

Book Fair/Huck Scarry Visit Wrap Up

The week of November 9th we had two great programs, starting with a week long visit by Huck Scarry, Richard Scarry’s son. Huck has been drawing the Busytown characters made famous by his father since he was a young boy and now works at continuing the tradition. He spent four of those days working with the students in Professor Alison Paul’s illustration classes. He also engaged the public through a lecture on his fathers work, spoke to over 400 students at Coventry Grammar School, and met fans both young and old as he signed books for hours at the CT Children’s Book Fair. In between all of that he had the opportunity to meet with some of our donors, other children’s authors and illustrators and attend a performance at the Jorgensen. It was truly a lovely week and he was very pleased with the visit. In speaking with him on Saturday evening, he said he was energized by the visit and overwhelmed with the welcome he received at all of the many activities. We look forward to working with him in the future regarding more collection materials for the Northeast Children’s Literature Collection and perhaps seeing him again when he returns to the states.

The visit by Huck Scarry was in part coordinated on behalf of the CT Children’s Book Fair. Celebrating its 24th year, we were joined by over 20 talented authors and illustrators over the course of the weekend. Veterans such as Wendell Minor and young authors such as Steven Savage had a wonderful time and had the opportunity to meet their fans. There were several staff that helped to make this happen and I would like to thank them – Jean Nelson who co-chaired the Book Fair committee and organized the weekend with Suzy Staubach, Kristin Eshelman who not only filled in at the last minute to help coordinate volunteers, but also represented the library and the Northeast Children’s Literature Collection with great respect and knowledge of how this program is a stewardship opportunity for the archives, and the many folks who Jean tells me helped with the details that may seem small, but were and important part of the weekend – David Avery, Kathleen and Brian for helping with moving furniture, Holly for volunteering at the Fair, and Kristen Jones for bringing her family out to dress up as costume characters on Sunday. Thanks to all for your help.

Happy Thanksgiving
There will be no VPC Open Forum this week due to the holiday. I hope that you will enjoy the short holiday break with family, friends and colleagues.