Hello everyone,
Some of you know that several LMT members and I had our annual budget meeting with the Provost this past Monday. No surprises; we knew we had to take a 5% cut to our total budget, and that is what we showed in the spreadsheets we presented to the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Finance. We included all the cuts we’ve discussed before, to library hours and to our collections budget.
Most of you know that MERLIN has been looking at its relationship with MOBIUS for the last five years or so. In this time of extreme budget scrutiny, the MERLIN directors have decided to seek a more affordable way to participate in MOBIUS, perhaps through a direct contract with Innovative. We remain committed to state-wide borrowing and are working with the MOBIUS Board to find a solution that brings Merlin system cost closer to the market rate for our ILS services. More information should be available in a few months.
Today in a few minutes I will attend the Mizzou Remembers event to honor the memory of students who died this year. Special thanks to Sean Witzman, Corrie Hutchinson and Cindy Cotner for helping to provide books in memory of the deceased.
Tonight is the annual Library Society dinner at which we honor donors to the libraries. Thanks to all of you who help with that, too.
Ann