Hello everyone,
This morning I have lots of changes to announce. Just as our weather is changing from summer to fall finally, we are having to do some organizational changes– re-assignment of responsibility– as a result of Mike Holland’s retirement. Mike’s last day is Nov. 23, the day before Thanksgiving. Starting that day, Special Collections and Rare Books will report to Jeannette Pierce, as will Digital Services. Archives will report directly to me, and Anselm Huelsbergen will be the acting University Archivist and supervisor of Archives. To make responsibilities more equitable across the Library Management Team (LMT) members, most of the specialized libraries (Geology, Engineering, Journalism, along with Vet Med) will report to Deb Ward. Judy Maseles will also report to Deb for Judy’s web role. The Missourian will continue to report to Dorothy Carner, and Math will continue to report to Engineering. Org charts with the new structure will go out soon and updated online after the Thanksgiving break.
These changes will probably be in effect for nine months or so as we hope to search for a new position to replace Mike soon. LMT continues to discuss the best library structure for the future, as libraries everywhere continue to change, and we at MU face budget challenges that are expected to continue for at least a few more years. Filling crucial positions and maintaining funding for them must be a priority. Note that we will soon be advertising for a Technical Services Librarian, to address crucial vacancies in ACTS. ( Also, for everyone, I have no news about the future of my interim role or any title change for the head of libraries but am hopeful those issues will be addressed next semester if not before.)
Another change, that will be invisible to most of you, is that the MERLIN libraries are going to be a standalone cluster of MOBIUS, just as St. Louis U and Washington U. in St. Louis have been. This has been under discussion for a long time. The new structure of that will start July 1, 2017. I’ll give more details on that as they occur. Corrie Hutchinson and Ernest Shaw are on the task force working on transition.
Improved communication inside the libraries and a higher profile for the libraries on campus continue to be my highest priorities. We must have no communication silos within the libraries; reporting relationships should never impede communication. Rather, we all have to communicate freely with people for work questions and ideas, being careful to include all those involved. Sometime mistakes occur in communications, and we cannot take them personally. (Many of you have heard one of my favorite sayings, “Never mistake for malevolence that which can be attributed to incompetence.” In our environment, I’d add “overwork” as we all as have too much to do at times.) Team work and open communication are essential. All are encouraged to come to meetings of our new staff council group and ask questions if you have them. Lots of conversations are ongoing about space and renovations, and I’ll share news as I have it.
As ever,
Ann