Welcome to 2021, which has already seen the beginning of COVID-19 vaccinations and the start to a brighter, healthier, and safer future! Godspeed as we move into the new year.
Through 2020, the River Campus Libraries devoted most of its energy to meeting the University community’s needs—virtual and physical—during the pandemic, including the provision of cultural and intellectual events.
Looking ahead to 2021, we will hold onto the blessings and learnings that arose from the pandemic while we focus, increasingly, on realizing our goals. This year will mark the completion of our three-year strategic plan, which resulted in our libraries making great strides. We’ve broadened diverse representation in our collections through acquisitions, made the University’s scholarship more sustainable, contributed to increasing the impact of the University’s scholarship, engaged with the broader community through projects such as the impending Memorial Art Gallery exhibition that will showcase our phenomenal collection of AIDS posters, fostered a culture of change-making, innovation, problem-solving and entrepreneurship, and we continued to reach our goals and realize our vision.
Two of our aspirations will be achieved this summer: the Gleason Library Refresh Project and construction of Studio X on the lower floor of the Carlson Science and Engineering Library. The Gleason Library Refresh Project will accentuate the space’s essence, which is a collaborative, safe and secure, 24-hour study space. This project will refresh Gleason, putting it in better alignment with current needs, including hybrid learning. Plus, it will give our students something to look forward to in the fall, after having studied for more than a year under pandemic conditions.
Studio X will also open in the fall, providing students, staff, and faculty with an on-ramp to explore, experience, and experiment with immersive technologies, such as augmented and virtual reality. If you can’t wait until the fall, you can get a sense of what the space will be like with our Studio X fly-through video. I am sure you will agree, this will be a transformative space for our students, staff, and faculty.
I also encourage you to join us for two Neilly Author Series lectures. The first will be with former University Board Chair Ed Hajim ʼ58, who will, no doubt, provide an electrifying talk on his book, On the Road Less Traveled: An Unlikely Journey from the Orphanage to the Boardroom on March 11. The second lecture features Catherine D’Ignazio and Lauren F. Klein, who will talk about their work, Data Feminism on April 22.
There is so much to look forward to in 2021! As that light at the end of the tunnel becomes brighter and brighter, please continue to be safe. And we will continue to do our best to inspire, enable, and empower through our services and resources. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with thoughts, concerns, or ideas.
Mary Ann Mavrinac
Vice Provost and Andrew H. and Janet Dayton Neilly Dean
University of Rochester Libraries
