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.
Human Resources
Anderson to Serve as Interim Head of Vet Med Library
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.
In the News: Congratulations Seth Huber and Taira Meadowcroft
“2023-24 faculty promotions and tenure”
Show Me Mizzou, October 11, 2024
Congratulations to Rae Thudium!
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
Welcome to Kara Whatley
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
Welcome to Emilee Flores
Welcome to Emilee Flores. Emilee moved to Missouri from Louisiana, where she previously worked in the circulation and ILL units for several years in Sims Library at Southeastern Louisiana University. She hopes to eventually enroll in the School of Information Science and Learning Technology here at Mizzou.
Welcome to Jade Lemmon
Jade Lemmon has joined the University Libraries’ advancement team as Coordinator of Donor Engagement, beginning her duties December 8. Jade was born and raised in Rock Port, Missouri, and is a graduate of Northwest Missouri State University. Following graduation in 2019 she moved to Charlotte, North Carolina to begin her career in marketing. She’s excited to return to Missouri and put her talents to work at Mizzou. Jade enjoys traveling with friends and family and relaxing with her six-year-old cat, Dorothea. Welcome to Mizzou, Jade!
Travel, Training and Time Off Requests
See the new Travel, Training and Time Off requests information under Travel Forms on our website: https://libraryguides.missouri.edu/staff/forms
Please email completed request forms to muellislibraryrec2@missouri.edu
Michaelle Dorsey Appointed Special Collections Librarian
We are excited to announce that Michaelle Dorsey, a senior library specialist in collection services, will be appointed as the new Special Collections librarian, focusing on preservation. Her new position will be effective September 1, 2021.
Over her years at Mizzou, Michaelle Dorsey has acquired the required education and skills for this position. In addition, she has demonstrated a rare devotion to her craft. During the aftermath of the Ellis Library fire in 2011, Michaelle stepped up to the challenge of providing leadership for the recovery effort. She received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in 2017. She has acquired additional training in book preservation techniques in addition to her master’s in library and information science from MU that makes her uniquely qualified for this position. She also received her bachelor of arts in English from Truman State University.
In addition, she can provide a strong voice for advice regarding the materials that would be best digitized, thus providing additional guidance to the Digital Services department. To quote the findings of the MU Librarians and Archivists Council Promotions Committee, “Michaelle has a wealth of experience directly tied to this new position. In fact, she has served as the head of the preservation unit for 18 years and has over 20 years of experience in the field. She has capably served on many library and university committees, and she continues to gain new knowledge through her book conservation training with James Downey.”
Thanks to Dr. Nobel Cunningham and Caroline McBride French, whose bequest gifts provided the MU Libraries with the funds for this position.
Please join the Libraries in congratulating Michaelle Dorsey on her new position and wishing her success in her new endeavors.
Employment Opportunity
University Libraries is seeking a part-time Library Information Specialist: E-Learning and Web. Apply online at https://hrs.missouri.edu/find-a-job/staff with Job ID 36174.