Our sleepy summer break is over, and the libraries are humming with activity. I know I speak for the staff when I say it’s wonderful to see students and faculty in our libraries once again.
Close to 1,400 of you are exploring our spaces for the first time. However, most of you are picking up where you left off and reclaiming your favorite tables and nooks. Whatever you’re doing, wherever you are, we’re here, and ready to help!
We are continuing to make sure you always have a place that offers you the technology, interaction, quiet, and comfort you need to be ever better. There are no better examples of this effort than the Gleason Library refresh project and the development of Studio X.
Gleason, which offers students a place to collaborate, study, and relax 24 hours a day, is currently in the planning stage of its refresh. We are also still working on plans for Studio X, our much-anticipated extended reality space in Carlson Library. Work will begin on these projects in May of 2020, and will be ready for use in the following fall.
Another on-going initiative has us helping those of you doing research to get registered for an Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID) to protect your scholarly identities. If you didn’t see it, I co-authored a letter on this with Provost and Senior Vice President for Research Rob Clark and Vice Provost of Global Engagement, Jane Gatewood.
I also want to highlight that not long after the spring semester ended, we announced our acquisition of the Honorable Louise Slaughter’s Congressional Papers. We’re thrilled and privileged to be the stewards of this collection.
Lastly, I would be remiss not to mention the excitement and optimism we all feel about the arrival of President Sarah Mangelsdorf. In this sense, it’s a new beginning for all of us.
Welcome and welcome back.
Mary Ann Mavrinac
Vice Provost and Andrew H. and Janet Dayton Neilly Dean
University of Rochester Libraries
