Hello everyone,

This morning I attended the Board of Curators meeting at which the campus capital plan including the expansion of the library depository (UMLD1) was presented.  Chancellor Cartwright talked about each item for our campus, called the deans with projects pending to microphone for questions (me included), and  all five proposed projects went through pending final financial approval at the spring (Feb. or March) Curators’ meeting.  I’ll talk more about this at next week’s Staff Advisory Group.  So expanding the depository, since we are not asking for state funds, is very close to certain now.  That’s the great news.

The good news, as you have heard before, is that the libraries have been able to make some salary adjustments as of Nov. 1.  All those receiving raises as well as their supervisors were notified this week.  There were only a few, based on excellence, market, and equity, and I’m really sorry we could not do more.  Next year we will try again for more raises for more people.  Thank you all for your hard work and patience as we try to address raising salaries overall within the limitations imposed on us by decreasing state funding, system budget cuts, and strict campus guidelines.  The budget outlook for next fiscal year is still very uncertain.

In other news, the campus Environmental Health and Safety office has issued some recommendations to us, including the restriction of access to the Ellis loading dock area to those who work there.  We want to keep everyone safe and avoid injuries.  This means when we change the door controls, which will happen by Nov. 18, that staff who use the loading dock door to enter Ellis Library will no longer be able to do so, unless they have a valid business reason, as determined by LMT.  It means a little more walking for some of you, and we’re sorry about that, and the short notice, but we can’t go against the recommendations without making ourselves liable, and the University Risk Management folks take a very dim view of that. We just have to comply.  If there is a disability access issue, talk to Sheryl, but the west doors are the official ADA-compliant entrance.  Kathy Peters will notify you if you will continue to have loading dock access, and will give access as needed.

Congratulations to the winners of the MULSA Halloween costume contest. (Laura Buck, the TARDIS from Dr. Who, looked amazing.)  And of course Thursday, the 16^th, is the Thanksgiving Lunch, we many of us really look forward to! See you there, and at the Staff Advisory Group meeting, I hope.

Thanks,
Ann

Hello everyone,

Today I received notice that the library depository addition is going to be on the Board of Curators’ agenda next week.  It’s exciting news, and I know you all join me in hoping for the best. Now the challenge is waiting for the approval.

Other than that, all the day-to-day news about the new security lights and cameras, the door project progressing, etc., pales in comparison.  In more good news, the signage throughout the building should be completed during Thanksgiving week.  Plans continue for using student fee money for new furniture for 114, which should happen in the spring.

Bad news for us was that our Provost, Garnett Stokes, is leaving to become president of the University of New Mexico on March 1, 2018.  She has been a good friend to the Libraries, and while I am happy to see her skills and value recognized, we will really miss her support.

Don’t forget that Chancellor Alex Cartwright will be visiting Ellis on this coming Monday, Nov. 6.  All are invited to meet and mingle with him in 114A at the end of his tour about three.  We will send a reminder out.  I have lots of info prepared for him, and we will give him as full a tour as time allows.

I keep spending lots of time on development work, with Matt’s wonderful help, and looking for ways to both grow and protect our library budget.  We have some good prospects, and I know that keeping up our efforts will pay off in time.

Thanks as always for all your hard work, and special thanks to all who helped with the Homecoming Open House in Ellis.  We had a good turnout despite all the construction.

Ann