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.

Kara Whatley, our new vice provost for Libraries and university librarian, will begin at MU on September 16.

Please congratulate Kimberly Evans on her new role as Head of Ellis Circulation/Reserve. She started Monday, July 8th.

MU is pleased to announce the hire of Piper Brown-Kingsley as the Information and Data Services Librarian at the Health Sciences Library starting June 3. Piper is a May 2024 graduate of the University of Wisconsin Library School. In addition, she’s been working as a Remote Data Curation Intern at the National Network Data Archive (NaNDA) at the University of Michigan. We’re so excited to have her join the Information Services Team at the Health Sciences Library. She will be work remotely full-time until the Health Sciences Library reopens.

Thanks to everyone who participated in the interviews and provided feedback on the candidates.

Diane Johnson, on behalf of the search committee:
Rebecca Graves
Caryn Scoville
Taira Meadowcroft
Terri Hall
Rae Thudium

The following librarians have received promotions:

Seth Huber, Promotion to Librarian III
Taira Meadowcroft, Promotion to Librarian III
Rae Thudium, Promotion to Librarian II