Vera Elwood will be leaving the University of Missouri Libraries on Friday, November 22nd. I cannot express the level of gratitude and appreciation I have for working with Vera for the last two and a half years while she served in the role as Head Librarian for the Journalism Library. Vera will be deeply missed as she has made such a positive impact and brought forward much needed change at the Journalism Library. She has accepted a newly created position as the Coordinator of Youth Programming for The Center Project, which is a local community organization that Vera has supported and volunteered with for the last several years. Please join me in wishing Vera all the best in her new adventure supporting our local community. I am working to develop a plan for covering the Journalism Library so more details will be announced.

-Chris Pryor

As you know, the election is next Tuesday, November 5. Early voting is already taking place. If you haven’t voted yet, here is the University’s policy regarding taking time off to vote. The policy, HR-411 Voting Leave, can be found online. Please review the policy. It details the conditions for granting time off, including the requirement that employees must contact their supervisor before election day to request to be absent from work for voting. Supervisors can specify when employees are out of the office to vote so there is coverage.

I am pleased to announce that Jara Anderson has agreed to serve as the Interim Head Librarian of the Zalk Veterinary Medical Library starting November 1st. Rae Thudium is still in her role until December 11th so Jara will have some time to onboard and familiarize herself with the role prior to Rae’s departure to the University of Pennsylvania. Jara has been serving as the Agriculture, Natural Resources & Extension Librarian since December 1, 2023 and prior to that she was the LIS Sr. at the Veterinary Medical Library. I appreciate Jara’s willingness along with Jeannette Pierce’s and Rhonda Whithaus’ partnership with me to help support the Vet Med Library during this time of transition. The Health Sciences Library Information Services team will also be helping Jara in her role as interim to alleviate some of the pressure so she can continue to make the wonderful progress she had started in her role as the Agriculture and Extension Librarian. We are working to finalize a job description in anticipation of posting the permanent position later this fall. More details are forthcoming about that. I am grateful for everyone’s support as we continue to keep the Vet Med Library moving forward.

It’s with mixed emotions that I share that Rae Thudium’s last day with the University of Missouri Libraries is Wednesday, December 11th. She has accepted the position of Head of Veterinary Libraries at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Rae will definitely be missed here at Mizzou and she has made such a positive impact during her time as Head of the Zalk Veterinary Medical Library since 2021. Please join me in wishing Rae well on her new adventure at Penn. I am working to develop a plan for covering the Vet Med Library so more details to be announced.

–Chris Pryor

Dear Colleagues,

The time has arrived! Our new Vice Provost for Libraries and University Librarian, Kara Whatley, will begin work with us this coming Monday, September 16th.

I shared in our August All Staff meeting that Kara will be meeting with direct reports when she gets to campus and is eager to connect with all our units and departments. She is looking forward to meeting everyone and getting to know people by name. Kara encourages everyone to say hello and introduce themselves when they see her.

It has been a pleasure to serve as the Interim VP for Libraires. The experience has certainly proven to me that there is always more to learn about the good work we are doing in our libraries and the processes that enable that good work to happen. Thank you to everyone for working together to keep our operations running smoothly during this transition period.

This is an exciting time for the University of Missouri Libraries. It is a time to think optimistically about how we can best serve the University of Missouri now and in the future. I look forward to continuing work with all of you in my role as Associate University Librarian for Research, Access, and Instructional Services as we enter a new era for the University of Missouri Libraries.

All the best,

Jeannette

The Engineering Library is very happy to announce that Amanda May is joining its team as Senior Library Information Specialist. Amanda leaves her current position in Access Services at Ellis Library to begin her new position on August 15. Please stop by the Engineering Library at W2001 Lafferre Hall to say hello!

Nick Raines last day with Mizzou was August 5. Nick was a valued member of the University Libraries advancement team, and we wish him well in his future endeavors.

Gary Cox, after 21 years of service to the MU Libraries and the University of Missouri, will retire from his position as Reference and Public Services Archivist in University Archives. Monday, August 12th will be Gary’s last day in the office.

“Old Missouri, fair Missouri,
Dear old varsity,
Ours are hearts that fondly love thee,
Here’s a health to thee.“

Best wishes to Jeff Drake who is retiring from the MU Libraries. His last day is today, August 2.