June Library Office Notes

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

FACILITIES

HR NEWS

EVENTS AND TRAINING


ANNOUNCEMENTS: University Librarian Note
Check back next month for a new Note from Dean Wilkin.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Library Building Project Update – 6/1/2022
Tom Teper, Associate University Librarian for Collections and Technical Services | Project Manager, Library Building Project

Project Meetings for May 2022

During the month of May, representatives from the University Library, University Administration, and Facilities and Services met with members of our Architecture/Engineering (A/E) Team on May 11th to discuss variances. Additionally, members of the Library Administration met with individuals from Facilities and Services, and Capital Programs to discuss requirements associated with bidding for shelving in the building.

Project-Related Meetings Scheduled for June and July 2022 (as of 5/31/2022)

The following meetings include both scheduled project meetings (with project designation of U20118) as well as additional meetings that involve select representatives of the A/E, F&S, and University Library.

  • June 9, 2022: Design Development Submittal.
  • July 7: Undergraduate Library Redevelopment Design Review Day 1
  • July 8: Undergraduate Library Redevelopment Design Review Day 2

Other Activities

Personnel within the Library continue to meet on a bi-weekly basis to touch base on progress, and members of the Library’s Administration continue meeting with Capital Programs project team on a weekly basis to check on progress associated with this project.

Efforts to barcode and improve inventory management continued over the last month. The RBML recently announced that they were 75% of the way through both their book and manuscript collections. The Special Collections Division is continuing work related to their opening exhibit.

Proposed Project Schedule

The kick-off meeting included a review of the proposed project schedule from the point that “conceptualization” began on July 21, 2021 through what is called “substantial completion” of construction work. Those dates in the future become increasingly speculative. At present, the schedule is as follows:

  • Conceptualization
    • 07/21/2021 work session
    • 08/12/2021 submission date
    • 08/26/2021 est. Concept review meeting
  • Schematic Design
    • 11/09/2021 submission date
    • 11/23/2021 est. SD review meeting
  • Design Development
    • 01/22/2022 submission date
    • 02/04/2022 est. DD review meeting-BOT Preparation
  • Construction Documents 50%
    • 03/31/2022 submission date
    • 4/14/2022 est. 50% CD review meeting
  • Construction Documents 95%
    • 07/04/2022 submission date
    • 07/18/ 2022 est. 95% CD review meeting
    • 08/18/2022 100% CD completion
  • Bidding/Award
    • 08/18/2022 Advertise for Bids
    • 08/25/2022 Pre-bid /Pre-pricing meeting
    • 09/30/2022 Bid Opening – To be confirmed
    • 01/04/2023 Notice Proceed
  • Board of Trustees approval (required on if individual contract is over $2,500,000.)
  • Construction – Start/End *
    • 01/05/2023 – 05/29/2024

Communications

The Library’s Friendscript is scheduled to mail to library supporters on June 1, 2022.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Residence Hall Libraries’ Summer Reading Challenge
Laura Poulosky, Residence Hall Librarian

U of I students, staff, and faculty are invited to visit Ikenberry Library to pick up a Summer Reading Challenge card.

Complete three challenges to receive a treat and to be entered in a raffle for a surprise incentive!

Starting June 6th, Ikenberry Library is open M-F Noon to 4 pm for the summer.
ISR Library is closed for the summer.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Wellness Committee Reminder
Sara Holder, Head, Teaching, Learning, and Academic Support

Among the variety of LibGuides, there are two that contain resources for mental and physical health in our community and online: Wellness and Personal Wellbeing and Local Health and Wellness Resources.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: IOPN Publications
Dan Tracy, Head, Scholarly Communication and Publishing

The Illinois Open Publishing Network (IOPN), based in Scholarly Communication and Publishing, is pleased to announce two new publications. Drug Use and Misuse: A Community Health Perspective is published as part of the OPN Textbooks series under the Windsor & Downs Press imprint. It is published in coordination with the College of Applied Health Sciences, and is the textbook for an undergraduate survey course at Illinois. Et Al.: New Voices in Arts Management, appearing under the Publishing Without Walls imprint, is an edited collections of multimodal essays that provide models for justice-centered arts management praxis.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Continued Growth in the Illinois Digital Heritage Hub
Megan Pearson, Visiting Metadata Services Specialist for the Illinois Digital Heritage Hub

The Illinois Digital Heritage Hub (IDHH) saw further growth this year as it surpassed half a million total items! As a statewide initiative bringing together unique digital assets about Illinois or created by Illinoisans, the IDHH hosts 510,614 digital resources from 150 cultural heritage institutions in Illinois as of May 2022, which include photographs, manuscripts, books, audio recordings, and videos.

On the IDHH home site, users can explore the collections with keyword searches or browse by categories such as topics, notable Illinoisans, format, and Partner Institutions. On our blog Illinois Highlights, we promote new collections, highlight older ones, and feature topics with materials relevant to Illinois and national history. On our Digital Exhibits site, we curate digital exhibits to highlight and contextualize the unique collections in the IDHH and provide insight into topics relevant to Illinois and national history; recent exhibit topics include The World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893 and Chicago Mayor Harold Washington. Ongoing projects include developing primary source sets from the items available through the IDHH.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Task Force Meeting Minutes
Minutes from past DEIA Task Force meetings are online on the Task Force web page.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Collection Development Committee Notes
The most recent meetings minutes of the CDC are posted at:
https://www.library.illinois.edu/staff/committee/collection-development-committee/
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Content Access Policy & Technology Meeting Minutes
The meeting minutes of CAPT (including workgroup reports) are posted at:
https://www.library.illinois.edu/staff/committee/content-access-policy-technology-capt/
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Recognizing Excellence
Please share your award, recognition, or grant! To initiate a request for publicity, employees (or their supervisors) should submit this Awards/Recognitions/Grants Publicity Request Form.
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FACILITIES: Facilities Update
Tim Newman, Assistant Dean of Library for Facilities

With the end of the Spring Semester, “construction season” is upon us and the Library will be no different. As UGL has now closed, Library Facilities is working feverishly to ensure all services are relocated and spaces open for Fall 2022. To keep everyone informed on space status, I’ve created a schedule that will continue to be updated. Additionally, a week before your unit is scheduled to move or have changes made, I will contact you to let you know what will be occurring and when. Please see the UGL Move Schedule, note the items in green are indicating complete and items in yellow are in-progress and/or forecasted.

Lastly, the project information document has been updated and will continue to be updated with progress going forward. As a reminder, if you are in need of any space renovations, maintenance, or services, please submit a ticket through Team Dynamix. This will help keep all projects straight as we work through the summer and into next fall.

For a complete list of projects in planning and construction, please see https://wordpress.library.illinois.edu/staff/facilities/.
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HR NEWS: Filled Positions

  • Jacob Culbertson – Facility Operations Coordinator – Facilities – 5/2/2022
  • Tiffany Brenneman – Library Specialist – Communications Library – 5/16/2022
  • Stuart Turner – Coordinator, Grainger Engineering IDEA Laboratory (ITTA) – Grainger Engineering Library Information Center – 5/23/2022
  • Neil Feuerhelm – SR Audio, Video, and Emerging Technology Specialist (ITTA) – Library IT – 5/29/2022

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HR NEWS: Departures

  • Mitchell Loyd – Grainger Engineering Library Information Center – resigning 6/1/2022

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HR NEWS: Vacancies

  • Multi-level Application Integration Developer – Library IT – reference checks
  • Accountant II – Business and Human Resources Service Center – closed May 13
  • Library Specialist – Funk ACES (nights) – posting soon
  • Library Specialist – Teaching, Learning, and Academic Support (evenings) – posting soon

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HR NEWS: Searches in Progress

  • Assistant/Associate Director of Advancement Position, AP – Library Advancement – Javonda Pelman, Chair

Live on the job board with a closing date of May 20, 2022.

  • International Library Initiatives Specialist – Mortenson Center for International Library Programs, AP – Will Schlaack, Chair

Live on the job board with a closing date of June 17, 2022.

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HR NEWS: In Memoriam 

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Staff Events Calendar
To see the most up-to-date staff events calendar, please visit https://uiuc.libcal.com/calendar/staff.
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Library Council Proposal Feedback Sessions
June 8, 16, 29

Please save the date and register for one of three open feedback sessions this summer regarding a forthcoming Library Council proposal from the Library Council Implementation Team. The proposal will be distributed via LibNews the week of June 6th but we realize that some of you need plenty of advance warning so you can make arrangements with your supervisors.

These sessions will be open to all library employees to ask questions and provide feedback on the proposal so that the final product which will be subject to an advisory vote is as inclusive as possible. There will be other opportunities to provide feedback (the June 22nd Library Hangout, the June 29th Faculty meeting, and via your Division Coordinators) but these open sessions are particularly important for focused conversation across classifications. The dates/times are registration links are as follows:

  • Wednesday, June 8th at 6:00pm
  • Thursday, June 16th at 3:00pm
  • Wednesday, June 29th at 10:00am

Zoom information was shared via LibNews email from Mara Thacker on April 14.

If none of the proposed time/dates work for you or you don’t have a suitable space to participate in an online meeting, please don’t hesitate to send feedback via email (mthacker@illinois.edu or jdlasko@illinois.edu) or let us know if there is another manner in which you’d like to provide feedback.
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: The Power of Presentation: Enhancing Slides for Engagement
June 21 at 2 PM

Throughout your life you will, almost certainly, give presentations. We’ve all sat through presentations that were boring, confusing, and drab. How do you communicate your message most succinctly? What visuals will captivate and inform your audience the best? Is it only about your slide design or are there other techniques that leave a lasting impression? In this session, Jamie Nelson will distill the magic that just might take your next presentation from bland to grand.
Register for this event.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Hangout
June 22 at 9am

Please see the email (with a Zoom link) from Lucretia Williams via LIB-NEWS. Complete and submit the Library Hangout Suggestion and Volunteer Form if you have a topic to share.
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If you would like to submit content for the July issue of Library Office Notes, please submit it to Heather Murphy or Tom Teper by June 24, 2022.

May Library Office Notes

Posted on by


ANNOUNCEMENTS

HR NEWS

EVENTS AND TRAINING


ANNOUNCEMENTS: University Librarian Note
I am writing to update the Library on a number of administrative changes. Prior to the appointment of a new dean, I must carefully balance decisions that support organizational effectiveness with decisions that retain the flexibility my successor will need. In general, the act of balancing these two priorities will postpone permanent or long-term commitments (again, out of deference to the next dean) while making shorter commitments to ensure we continue to function well. Read more…
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Library Building Project Update – 5/1/2022
Tom Teper, Associate Dean for Collections and Technical Services

This update marks four years since the first Library Building Project Update was posted on May 1, 2018.

Project Meetings for April 2022

During the month of April, representatives from the University Library, University Administration, and Facilities and Services met with members of our Architecture/Engineering (A/E) Team on April 6th and 28th. These meetings included:  reviews of progress on Wiss, Jenney, Elsesnor’s (WJE) evaluative work associated with drainage and water penetration in the building, a meeting in order to discuss and evaluate variances to the campus building standards, and a discussion of campus communications standards related to building projects.

Project-Related Meetings Scheduled for May 2022 (as of 4/28/2022)

The following meetings include both scheduled project meetings (with project designation of U20118) as well as additional meetings that involve select representatives of the A/E, F&S, and University Library.

  • At present, there are no meetings scheduled for May 2022.

Other Activities

As noted, the University Library, F&S, and other campus partners have been working with (WJE) on the site analysis. The preliminary draft report was submitted to F&S on April 22, 2022. We will share more details about the findings in the coming weeks, but preliminary reports indicate that there are few concerns identified. Indeed, the water protection systems and “design of the below-grade waterproofing system at the base and walls was advanced for this period of design. It consists of two general strategies for managing water:”. More information about WJE’s work is located here: https://www.library.illinois.edu/specialcollectionsbuilding/news/.

Personnel within the Library held preliminary discussions centered on pursuing a grant opportunity that would off-set some project costs. Further information will be forthcoming if this develops. The anticipated submission date is in early Fall 2022.

Efforts to barcode and improve inventory management continued over the last month. The Special Collections Division is continuing work related to their opening exhibit.

Proposed Project Schedule

The kick-off meeting included a review of the proposed project schedule from the point that “conceptualization” began on July 21, 2021 through what is called “substantial completion” of construction work. Those dates in the future become increasingly speculative. At present, the schedule is as follows:

a. Conceptualization

  • 07/21/2021 work session
  • 08/12/2021 submission date
  • 08/26/2021 est. Concept review meeting

b. Schematic Design

  • 11/09/2021 submission date
  • 11/23/2021 est. SD review meeting

 c. Design Development

  • 01/22/2022 submission date
  • 02/04/2022 est. DD review meeting-BOT Preparation

 d. Construction Documents 50%

  • 03/31/2022 submission date
  • 4/14/2022 est. 50% CD review meeting

 e. Construction Documents 95%

  • 07/04/2022 submission date
  • 07/18/ 2022 est. 95% CD review meeting
  • 08/18/2022 100% CD completion

f. Bidding/Award

  • 08/18/2022 Advertise for Bids
  • 08/25/2022 Pre-bid /Pre-pricing meeting
  • 09/30/2022 Bid Opening – To be confirmed
  • 01/04/2023 Notice Proceed

g. Board of Trustees approval (required on if individual contract is over $2,500,000.)

 h. Construction – Start/End *

  • 01/05/2023 – 05/29/2024 

Communications

The Senate Committee on the Library and the University Library co-hosted another open town hall-style discussion on April 28th, 2022. Tom Teper provided an update on the building project’s status. David Ward and Sara Holder presented on efforts associated with integrating services from the Undergraduate Library into other units throughout the library. Over 160 individuals registered for the townhall; approximately sixty individuals attended. There is also a reddit Ask Me Anything (AMA) scheduled for May 2 from 1-3pm in this sub: https://www.reddit.com/user/UIllinoisLibrary/comments/uewx2m/the_university_library_will_host_an_ama_on_may/.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: AP Promotion Program Coming Soon!
The 4th year of the Library’s Academic Professional (AP) Promotion Program will launch this month, with the call for AP self-nominations planned for May 16, 2022. APs are strongly encouraged to discuss their interest in promotion with their supervisors.  A letter of support from one’s supervisor is not required but helps strengthen the case for promotion. More information about the program is available on the AP Promotion Process Page. In addition, virtual office hours will be held on the following dates for APs and supervisors to answer questions about the program, eligibility, and developing statements and letters:

  • Tue, May 24, 11AM-12PM
  • Mon, June 6, 2PM-3PM
  • Wed, June 22, 2PM-3PM

Reminders about these office hours will be announced on LibNews with Zoom links as we get closer to the dates.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: 9th Annual Image of Research – UR Edition Competition
Congratulations to this year’s award winners:

  • 1st place ($300): Mit Kotak, “3D Visualization of Binary Black Hole Merger”
  • 2nd place ($200): Jaylon Muchison, “Too Cool to Cry”
  • Honorable mentions ($50 each): Bhavya Pardasani, “Evolution of a Milky Way-like Galaxy and its Satellite Galaxies” and Neha Arun, “Pink, Green, and the Cure to HIV”

The winners were chosen by an interdisciplinary panel who judged entries on 1) connection between image, text and research, 2) originality, and 3) visual impact.

Many congratulations to Mit, Jaylon, Bhavya, and Neha!

You can view all of this year’s submissions online and all of the submissions will be on display Thursday, 4/28 at the Undergraduate Research Symposium in the Illini Union Ballroom from 9am-4:30pm. We hope you will stop by to see all of the submissions and to celebrate the amazing undergraduate research that is happening by our undergraduates at Illinois.

Also, entries will be on display on the digital signage in the Main and Undergraduate Libraries and our primary social media accounts – so be on the lookout! [Library Instagram: imageofresearch_ugr and the Office of Undergraduate Research Instagram: ugresearch_ui.] Second, all images will be archived in the institutional repository, IDEALS. You can view all of the past winners: https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/handle/2142/49052

With many thanks to this year’s judges: Sanga Sung, Janis Shearer, Eric Kurt, Merinda Hensley, and Natasha Mamaril (Program Director, Illinois Scholars Undergraduate Research (ISUR) Program, The Grainger College of Engineering). The Image of Research at Illinois was inspired by the Image of Research competition at the University of Illinois at Chicago. The 2022 competitions are supported by a gift to the Scholarly Commons from Mrs. Mardell J. O’Brien.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Did You Know? A Monthly Factoid from Library Assessment
The University Library couldn’t serve the campus and the diverse user population without our graduate student assistants and graduate hourly employees. Many of them are graduating in May, including the Library Assessment Graduate Assistant Lindsay Taylor who is the creator of many of the “Do you know?” Library Assessment Factoids during the past two years. As a farewell, we invited Lindsay to create a factoid of her choice. Happy Graduation Lindsay!

As the last factoid before graduating and ending my time as the Library Assessment GA, I created a circle packing visualization of my work over the past two years from my work log. It can be difficult to describe what one does, but this graph shows my experience of library assessment in overlapping rings of the tools, data, and projects where I spent the most time. My supervisor Jen-chien Yu told me when I applied to be the Library Assessment GA that loving spreadsheets is key to enjoying this role and that’s true: I spent almost 200 hours in Excel alone! My favorite part of this assistantship was creating factoids – like this one! Factoids usually start in Excel, sometimes moving over to Tableau for ideas. I analyze and graph the data we have collected to find the underlying story. That story becomes the core of the factoid. Then comes the fun part of adding colors, shapes, and more! Though I’ve always been a creative person, making these factoids has been a rewarding challenge for me to work with a variety of data (qualitative and quantitative), to pull a clear message from the data, and to communicate visually.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Task Force Meeting Minutes
Minutes from past DEIA Task Force meetings are online on the Task Force web page.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Collection Development Committee Notes
The most recent meetings minutes of the CDC are posted at:
https://www.library.illinois.edu/staff/committee/collection-development-committee/
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Content Access Policy & Technology Meeting Minutes
The meeting minutes of CAPT (including workgroup reports) are posted at:
https://www.library.illinois.edu/staff/committee/content-access-policy-technology-capt/
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Recognizing Excellence

Please share your award, recognition, or grant! To initiate a request for publicity, employees (or their supervisors) should submit this Awards/Recognitions/Grants Publicity Request Form.
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HR NEWS: Filled Positions

  • Alex McHattie – Library Specialist – Music and Performing Arts Library – 5/16/2022
  • Chad Lewis – Grants and Contracts Coordinator – Business and Human Resources Service Center – 5/16/2022

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HR NEWS: Departures

  • Elonda Towns – Acquisitions & Cataloging Services – retiring 5/31/2022

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HR NEWS: Vacancies

  • SR Audio, Video, and Emerging Technology Specialist (ITTA) – Library IT – final interviews
  • Facility Operations Coordinator – Facilities – final interviews
  • Coordinator, Grainger Engineering IDEA Laboratory (ITTA) – Grainger Engineering Library Information Center – final interviews
  • Multi-level Application Integration Developer – Library IT – interviews in progress
  • Library Specialist – Communications Library – interviews in progress
  • Accountant II – BHRSC – posting soon

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HR NEWS: Searches in Progress

  • Visiting Archives and Literary Manuscript Specialist – Rarebook & Manuscript Library, AP – Caroline Szylowicz, Chair
    Kick-off held January 27, 2022. Live on the job board with a closing date of May 1, 2022.
  • Visiting Residency Librarian (Three positions), FAC – Carissa Phillips, Chair
    Kick-off held March 23, 2022. Live on the job board with a closing date of May 13, 2022.
  • Assistant/Associate Director of Advancement Position, AP – Javonda Pelman, Chair
    Kick-off held March 28, 2022. Live on the job board with a closing date of May 20, 2022.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Staff Events Calendar
To see the most up-to-date staff events calendar, please visit https://uiuc.libcal.com/calendar/staff.
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Engineering Change in Libraries: A Pathway for Meaningful Action
The aim of Engineering Change in Libraries is to understand the Other and mobilize our libraries to provide more effective and equitable services and programs to underserved communities. Inspired by Dr. Agnes Kaposi, a catalyst for change and 31st Annual Mortenson Distinguished Lecture, Engineering Change is organized into two components: (1) the lecture (setting the context) and (2) a two-session workshop for library staff and stakeholders to engineer change in libraries in a process of understanding the Other and planning globally to create change locally.

THE LECTURE

An engineer of change, Dr. Agnes Kaposi (Engineer, Educator, Holocaust survivor, Author of “Yellow Star-Red Star”, recipient of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire), and 31st Annual Mortenson Distinguished Lecturer), brings nearly a century of perspective as she tells her life story and the role of information as a source of power/control resulting in otherness, exclusion, propaganda, dislocation, as well as transformation in engineering change. A conversation, moderated by Dr. Valerie J. Matsumoto (George and Sakaye Aratani Endowed Chair on the Japanese American Incarceration, Redress, and Community, UCLA), connects Dr. Kaposi’s experiences with those of other marginalized and dislocated groups worldwide, such as Japanese Americans, to identify similarities and differences across time and locations, in order to understand the Other and rethink some of the most pressing issues that libraries face in promoting equitable communities in our information-intensive and networked society. The 31st Annual Mortenson Distinguished Lecture took place on November 8, 2021. Watch recording at https://mediaspace.illinois.edu/media/t/1_ms3b4hao.

THE WORKSHOP

Engineer change in libraries in an international workshop to learn and plan globally to create change locally. Library staff and stakeholders are invited to attend a two-session workshop to understand the Other by learning from each other’s experiences and challenges, connect as a community of practice, engineer meaningful action, and implement the solution while supporting each other in their journeys to engineer real change in their libraries and communities.

Each interactive workshop, a pathway/process to engineer change in libraries, focuses on a specific area of action. It is presented in two 1.5-hour sessions, with the second session occurring two months following the first one, and virtual open consultation hours midway. The first session begins with a speaker introducing the topic; followed by group discussion of local experiences, brainstorming, and prioritizing an issue to be addressed; then collectively, participants develop an action plan that they will apply at their library. During a two-month period participants implement their action plan locally and have an opportunity to ask questions and obtain input midway through the process. After two months, the participants reconvene in the second session as a community of practice to reflect and improve on their action plan, as needed.

To understand the need to engineer change from one story of the Other/persecuted, participants are encouraged to listen to the recording of the Lecture.

WHO should attend?

  • Library personnel, particularly those with responsibilities for public libraries, community libraries, school or academic libraries
  • Educators, researchers and students in university departments of librarianship and cognate disciplines
  • Library trustees, friends and volunteers
  • Government officials, policy makers, and others responsible for libraries
  • Library stakeholders

HOW LONG are the workshops?

  • 1.5 hours per virtual workshop session
  • Each workshop is made up of 2 sessions, two months apart, with optional virtual open consultation midway

WHEN are the workshops, and WHAT is the focus of action?

  • Inaugural Workshop on Dislocation
    Feb 15, 8:00-9:30 am CT session 1
    March 15, 8:00-9:30 am CT open consultation
    April 19, 8:00-9:30 am CT session 2
    FREE registration <click here> for Inaugural Workshop on Dislocation.
  • Workshop on Propaganda
    March 1, 4:00-5:30 pm CT session 1
    April 5, 4:00-5:30 pm CT open consultation
    May 3, 4:00-5:30 pm CT session 2
    FREE registration <click here> for Workshop on Propaganda.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Incomprehension Workshop with Ann Morgan
May 3 at 10 AM

Register for FREE at: https://go.illinois.edu/MC-event-regn

Event Description:
An interactive online session exploring how embracing not knowing and focusing on the things we don’t understand in a text can enrich and broaden our relationship with reading, culture and ourselves. It draws on an approach to reading developed during Ann Morgan’s 2012 quest to read a book from every country (https://ayearofreadingtheworld.com/).

Biography: Ann Morgan is an author and editor based in Folkestone, UK. In 2012, she set herself the challenge of reading a book from every country in a year, recording her quest on the blog ayearofreadingtheworld.com. The project caught the imagination of readers around the globe, many of whom continue to correspond with her about books. In addition to widespread international media coverage, the quest led to a TED talk with more than 1.8 million views and the non-fiction book Reading the World. Nearly ten years after her original quest, Ann continues to blog, write and speak about international literature, as well as building a career as a novelist. Her debut novel, Beside Myself, has been translated into eight languages and optioned for TV. Her next novel, Crossing Over, was published as an Audible Exclusive in 2019. She is Literary Explorer in Residence of the Cheltenham Literature Festival for 2022 and 2023.

Ann Morgan was the 26th Annual Mortenson Distinguished Lecturer (2016), UK-based author, TED speaker, Royal Literary Fund fellow and editor.

For more information, please visit:
-Author’s Website: https://annmorgan.me/
-Author’s Blog inspired by her year-long journey through a book from every country in the world: https://ayearofreadingtheworld.com/
-Featured TED Speaker (September 2015) ‘My year reading a book from every country in the world’: https://www.ted.com/talks/ann_morgan_my_year_reading_a_book_from_every_country_in_the_world
(Transcript also available online)

Event posted online at: https://www.library.illinois.edu/mortenson/other-events/
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Hangout
May 24 at 9am

Please see the email (with a Zoom link) from Lucretia Williams via LIB-NEWS. Complete and submit the Library Hangout Suggestion and Volunteer Form if you have a topic to share.
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If you would like to submit content for the June issue of Library Office Notes, please submit it to Heather Murphy or Tom Teper by May 20, 2022.

April Library Office Notes

Posted on by


ANNOUNCEMENTS

HR NEWS

EVENTS AND TRAINING


ANNOUNCEMENTS: University Librarian Note
I was pleased to receive the recommendations from the Inclusion in Governance Task Force, and pleased that LCP, LSSC, and EC have embraced the recommendations, including a process for shaping a new governance mechanism. As you’ll see here, I am enthusiastic about this new direction for our library. Read more…
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Library Building Project Update – 4/1/2022
Tom Teper, Associate Dean for Collections and Technical Services

Project Meetings for March 2022

During the month of March, representatives from the University Library, University Administration, and Facilities and Services met with members of our Architecture/Engineering (A/E) Team on March 2nd, 7th, and 31st. These meetings included:  reviews of progress on the design development; meetings to discuss directions on interior design, security needs, division of responsibilities (e.g., which entities are responsible for maintenance costs for various things within the building), and construction management.

Project-Related Meetings Scheduled for April 2022 (as of 3/31/2022)

The following meetings include both scheduled project meetings (with project designation of U20118) as well as additional meetings that involve select representatives of the A/E, F&S, and University Library.

  • 4/6/2022 – U20118 UGL Redevelopment – WJE/Ratio Meeting

Other Activities

As noted, the University Library, F&S, and other campus partners have been working with Wiss, Jenney, Elsesnor (WJE) on the site analysis. We anticipate receiving their preliminary report in early April and sharing the outcomes more broadly in the coming weeks. More information about WJE’s work is located here: https://www.library.illinois.edu/specialcollectionsbuilding/news/.

Personnel within the Library held some preliminary discussions centered on pursuing a grant opportunity that would off-set some project costs. Further information will be forthcoming if this develops. The anticipated submission date is in early Fall 2022.

Efforts to barcode and improve inventory management continued over the last month. The Special Collections Division is continuing work related to their opening exhibit.

Proposed Project Schedule

The kick-off meeting included a review of the proposed project schedule from the point that “conceptualization” began on July 21, 2021 through what is called “substantial completion” of construction work. Those dates in the future become increasingly speculative. At present, the schedule is as follows:

  • Conceptualization
    07/21/2021 work session
    08/12/2021 submission date
    08/26/2021 est. Concept review meeting
  • Schematic Design
    11/09/2021 submission date
    11/23/2021 est. SD review meeting
  • Design Development
    01/22/2022 submission date
    02/04/2022 est. DD review meeting-BOT Preparation
  • Construction Documents 50%
    03/31/2022 submission date
    4/14/2022 est. 50% CD review meeting
  • Construction Documents 95%
    07/04/2022 submission date
    07/18/ 2022 est. 95% CD review meeting
    08/18/2022 100% CD completion
  • Bidding/Award
    08/18/2022 Advertise for Bids
    08/25/2022 Pre-bid /Pre-pricing meeting
    09/30/2022 Bid Opening – To be confirmed
    01/04/2023 Notice Proceed
  • Board of Trustees approval (required on if individual contract is over $2,500,000.)
  • Construction –Start/End *
    01/05/2023 – 05/29/2024

Communications

The Senate Committee on the Library and the University Library will co-host another open town hall-style discussion on April 27th, 2022. Tom Teper will provide an update on the building project’s current status. David Ward and Sara Holder will present on efforts associated with integrating services from the Undergraduate Library into other units throughout the library.

As announced earlier this week, the project video produced by the Advancement and Communications was posted on the Campaign to Transform the University Library website and here: https://go.library.illinois.edu/NextPageVideo.
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Image of Research Competition

Image of Research is an annual multidisciplinary competition celebrating the diversity and breadth of graduate student research at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. It is organized by the Scholarly Commons and the Graduate College. The 2022 competition is supported by a gift to the Scholarly Commons from Mrs. Mardell J. O’Brien.  Thirty semifinalists were chosen by an interdisciplinary panel who judged entries on 1) connection between image, text and research, 2) originality, and 3) visual impact.

You can see this year’s semifinalists at the online exhibition now, and in person in Room 220 (Scholarly Commons) in the Main Library.  Please vote for your favorites by April 12 to determine the People’s Choice winner.  On Wednesday, April 13, we will announce awards for First Prize ($500), Second Prize ($300), Third Prize ($200), Honorable Mention ($100), and the People’s Choice Award ($100).
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: “Campaign to Transform the University Library: the Next Page of the Campus Story” Video
The Office of Advancement invites you to view its new video:
https://go.library.illinois.edu/NextPageVideo

This video has been added to the Campaign to Transform the University Library website and will be shared out widely in the coming weeks (including the Library’s social media channels).

A big thank you to everyone involved in making this video possible, including all of the actors and essential behind-the-scenes contributors.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Annual Library Walking Challenge Starts April 4
Do you need an excuse to get moving after a long winter and pandemic? Are you eager for a little friendly competition?

The Library Wellness Committee is pleased to bring you the 2022 Library Walking Challenge!

Starting Monday, April 4th through Sunday, May 1st you can participate in the Annual Library Walking Challenge!

The Library will once again be working together to walk to different places.  This year we will be walking four national scenic trails.  Participants, who have turned in their weekly steps on time for all four weeks, will receive a fabulous prize.

Rules and Procedures:

  1. Register as an individual or select a team of members from the Library. Students that work in your unit are welcome to join. Think of a team name and decide on a Team Captain.  The Captain or the individual will E-MAIL Walk@Library.illinois.edu the team name and the names of all team members by 5pm on April 4th.  If you would like to be assigned a team please note that on your registration.
  2. Wear a tracker every day from April 4th to May 1st, and record your steps on your calendar, through online tools, or calculate your steps using an app for your phone. Here are some walking route planner and app examples.
  3. On Monday morning each week, enter your steps in the online form that will be emailed to you.  Please try to stay with these deadlines so that we can send out results in a timely manner.
  4. Once we receive all of the numbers for the week, we will send out a list of all of the individual and team averages and total steps.  Try to increase your average each week!

If you have a tracking device such as a Fitbit or an app on your phone please use that to track your steps. If you do not have a activity tracker, the Library (courtesy of John Wilkin) will provide participants with a pedometer but supplies are limited.   Participants, who have registered for the walking challenge and need a pedometer should email Walk@library.illinois.edu beginning, Monday, March 28.

AT THE END…

For Teams and Individuals:

At the end of the four weeks, we’ll calculate the total average steps of each team over the course of the 4 weeks. Certificates will be awarded to the top team.  Top individuals not on a winning team will also receive a certificate. Teams and individuals who did not place in the top will be reviewed for the highest change in steps over the 4 weeks. The team and individual that improve the most will also receive certificates.  The team and the individual with the highest average, of course, will have bragging rights for the next year!

Everyone who turns in their steps on time for all four weeks will be eligible for a prize (courtesy of Dean Wilkin) if we meet our Library goal of walking the distance of all four trails.  We will have a time set aside in May to hand out our prize.  If we all start walking we can meet our challenge!

If you have any questions or concerns, please E-MAIL Walk@library.illinois.edu or contact a committee member.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Did You Know? A Monthly Factoid from Library Assessment
As a follow-up from our Return of the WiFi factoid of November 2021, Wi-Fi usage is on the rise from where it was in Spring 2021. Usage statistics like Wi-Fi tend to be lower in spring semesters than fall semesters generally. However, even though there were less Wi-Fi sessions this past Spring, more time in total was spent on the Wi-Fi, transferring more bytes than in Fall semester! All data represents use during Sweeps Weeks (as opposed to the whole semester).

Image and text created by Lindsay Taylor (Library Assessment Graduate Assistant). The data analysis and visualization of Wi-Fi usage would not be possible without assistance provided by Library IT and Chuck Hayes and Uros Marjanovic at Technology Services.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Task Force Meeting Minutes
Minutes from past DEIA Task Force meetings are online on the Task Force web page.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Collection Development Committee Notes
The most recent meetings minutes of the CDC are posted at:
https://www.library.illinois.edu/staff/committee/collection-development-committee/
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Content Access Policy & Technology Meeting Minutes
The meeting minutes of CAPT (including workgroup reports) are posted at:
https://www.library.illinois.edu/staff/committee/content-access-policy-technology-capt/
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Recognizing Excellence

Please share your award, recognition, or grant! To initiate a request for publicity, employees (or their supervisors) should submit this Awards/Recognitions/Grants Publicity Request Form.
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HR NEWS: Filled Positions

  • Andrew Hunt – Library IT Specialist – Library IT – 3/28/2022

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HR NEWS: Departures

  • Hannah Brauer – Library Advancement – 2/27/2022
  • Wendy Mintz – Library Administration – 3/11/2022
  • Spencer Keralis – Scholarly Communication & Publishing – 3/15/2022
  • Karen Hogenboom – Scholarly Commons – 3/31/2022
  • Diane Griswell – Communications Library – 4/8/2022
  • Elonda Towns – Acquisitions & Cataloging Services – 5/31/2022

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HR NEWS: Vacancies

  • Library Specialist – Music and Performing Arts Library – Interviews concluded 3/30/2022
  • SR Audio, Video, and Emerging Technology Specialist (ITTA) – Library IT – Interviewing soon
  • Facility Operations Coordinator – Facilities – Interviewing soon
  • Grants & Contracts Coordinator – BHRSC – Interviewing soon
  • Multi-level Application Integration Developer – Library IT – Email screenings
  • Coordinator, Grainger Engineering IDEA Laboratory (ITTA) – Grainger Engineering Library Information Center – Email screenings
  • Accountant II – BHRSC – Posting soon

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HR NEWS: Searches in Progress

  • Classics Librarian – Literature and Languages Library, FAC – Marek Sroka, Chair
    Kick-off held October 5, 2021. EC approved JD. Job live on the job board. Job closed January 3, 2022. Phone screenings scheduled for Feb 10, Feb 14, and Feb 15. Final interviews are scheduled for March 30, April 5, 6, 7, and 19.
  • Head, Grainger Engineering Librarian – Grainger Engineering Library Information Center, FAC – Chris Wiley, Chair
    Kick-off held November 15, 2021. EC approved PD. Job live on the job board with an extended closing date of February 17, 2022. Phone screenings March 22, 23, and 30.
  • Visiting Archives and Literary Manuscript Specialist – Rarebook & Manuscript Library, AP – Caroline Szylowicz, Chair
    Kick-off held January 27, 2022. Awaiting EC approved PD. PD with IHR for approval.
  • Program Director – Mortenson Center for International Library Programs, AP
    Kick-off held February 22, 2022 Awaiting EC approved PD. PD with IHR for approval.
  • Assistant/Associate Director of Advancement – Library Advancement, AP
    Kick-off schedule for March 28, 2022.
  • Visiting Residency Librarian (Three positions), FAC – Carissa Phillips, Chair
    Kick-off scheduled for March 23, 2022

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HR NEWS: In Memoriam 

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Staff Events Calendar
To see the most up-to-date staff events calendar, please visit https://uiuc.libcal.com/calendar/staff.
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Hub Training
Link for all sessions: https://illinois.zoom.us/j/84378677162?pwd=ZlM0anY4ZUI4STdBZ1J4K1hxdlI3dz09

Please contact Sara Holder at sholder@illinois.edu if you have any questions.

  • Government Information in Reference
    March 29 at 2 PM and April 1 at 3 PM

Description: The federal, state, local, and international government entities produce a massive amount of information on a wide range of subjects that can be used for research in various academic disciplines as well as non-academic activities. This workshop will give an overview of major government resources particularly needed for library reference work and introduce best strategies for navigating them.
Learning outcomes: Participants will understand which online and print government resources are available and how they can be used to address library reference questions.
Who should attend: New session – strongly encouraged for everyone
Instructor(s): Sanga Sung

  • Versions of the Version of Record: Preprint Servers, Author Manuscripts, and More!
    April 12 at 2 PM and April 15 at 3 PM

Description: Increasingly, almost every journal article that is published (Version of Record) has another version — or multiple — that is freely available. Preprint servers, institutional repositories, ResearchGate, unpaywall, etc. are all important resources for helping users find copies that serve temporarily or completely instead of the publisher version when the library is not a subscriber.
Learning outcomes: Participants will be able to… describe the different journal article versions and their relationships to the version of record; develop a search strategy to locate alternatives to the version or record; articulate the benefits and caveats of using alternative versions.
Who should attend: New session – strongly encouraged for everyone
Instructor(s): Lisa Janicke Hinchliffe

  • Names and dates and places—oh my!: helping patrons with genealogical research questions
    April 19 at 2 PM and April 22 at 3 PM

Description: This session will provide an introduction to public-facing genealogical research resources, including Heritage Quest Online and HPNL’s Genealogy Resources LibGuide, as well as internal staff resources, such as the Reflib How-to entry in the Main/UGL Reference Hub wiki. It would also equip staff with some straightforward steps to help demystify and respond to family history related questions.
Learning outcomes: Participants will be able to: 1. Analyze genealogy related reference questions, as a first step in searching for appropriate resources to consult or refer to. 2. Locate resource(s) in the Library, and/or outside of Library, that may be helpful when responding to genealogical research requests.
Who should attend: New session – strongly encouraged for everyone
Instructor(s): Wendy Gregory
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Engineering Change in Libraries: A Pathway for Meaningful Action
The aim of Engineering Change in Libraries is to understand the Other and mobilize our libraries to provide more effective and equitable services and programs to underserved communities. Inspired by Dr. Agnes Kaposi, a catalyst for change and 31st Annual Mortenson Distinguished Lecture, Engineering Change is organized into two components: (1) the lecture (setting the context) and (2) a two-session workshop for library staff and stakeholders to engineer change in libraries in a process of understanding the Other and planning globally to create change locally.

THE LECTURE

An engineer of change, Dr. Agnes Kaposi (Engineer, Educator, Holocaust survivor, Author of “Yellow Star-Red Star”, recipient of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire), and 31st Annual Mortenson Distinguished Lecturer), brings nearly a century of perspective as she tells her life story and the role of information as a source of power/control resulting in otherness, exclusion, propaganda, dislocation, as well as transformation in engineering change. A conversation, moderated by Dr. Valerie J. Matsumoto (George and Sakaye Aratani Endowed Chair on the Japanese American Incarceration, Redress, and Community, UCLA), connects Dr. Kaposi’s experiences with those of other marginalized and dislocated groups worldwide, such as Japanese Americans, to identify similarities and differences across time and locations, in order to understand the Other and rethink some of the most pressing issues that libraries face in promoting equitable communities in our information-intensive and networked society. The 31st Annual Mortenson Distinguished Lecture took place on November 8, 2021. Watch recording at https://mediaspace.illinois.edu/media/t/1_ms3b4hao.

THE WORKSHOP

Engineer change in libraries in an international workshop to learn and plan globally to create change locally. Library staff and stakeholders are invited to attend a two-session workshop to understand the Other by learning from each other’s experiences and challenges, connect as a community of practice, engineer meaningful action, and implement the solution while supporting each other in their journeys to engineer real change in their libraries and communities.

Each interactive workshop, a pathway/process to engineer change in libraries, focuses on a specific area of action. It is presented in two 1.5-hour sessions, with the second session occurring two months following the first one, and virtual open consultation hours midway. The first session begins with a speaker introducing the topic; followed by group discussion of local experiences, brainstorming, and prioritizing an issue to be addressed; then collectively, participants develop an action plan that they will apply at their library. During a two-month period participants implement their action plan locally and have an opportunity to ask questions and obtain input midway through the process. After two months, the participants reconvene in the second session as a community of practice to reflect and improve on their action plan, as needed.

To understand the need to engineer change from one story of the Other/persecuted, participants are encouraged to listen to the recording of the Lecture.

WHO should attend?

  • Library personnel, particularly those with responsibilities for public libraries, community libraries, school or academic libraries
  • Educators, researchers and students in university departments of librarianship and cognate disciplines
  • Library trustees, friends and volunteers
  • Government officials, policy makers, and others responsible for libraries
  • Library stakeholders

HOW LONG are the workshops?

  • 1.5 hours per virtual workshop session
  • Each workshop is made up of 2 sessions, two months apart, with optional virtual open consultation midway

WHEN are the workshops, and WHAT is the focus of action?

  • Inaugural Workshop on Dislocation
    Feb 15, 8:00-9:30 am CT session 1
    March 15, 8:00-9:30 am CT open consultation
    April 19, 8:00-9:30 am CT session 2
    FREE registration <click here> for Inaugural Workshop on Dislocation.
  • Workshop on Propaganda
    March 1, 4:00-5:30 pm CT session 1
    April 5, 4:00-5:30 pm CT open consultation
    May 3, 4:00-5:30 pm CT session 2
    FREE registration <click here> for Workshop on Propaganda.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Accessibility & Teaching Workshop
April 4 at 10AM

Come learn about incorporating accessibility best practices into your instruction! This session will provide both an overview of accessibility best practices and practical ways to approach accessibility in different teaching contexts. Attendees will leave with an understanding of the basics of accessibility and their importance in instruction from JJ Pionke and ways to incorporate accessibility best practices for both in-person and online instruction from Evie Cordell and Alex Deeke. Everyone interested in instruction and accessibility is welcome to this session, including GAs!

If you have any questions about the workshop, please email Evie Cordell or Alex Deeke.

Recommended reading and Zoom information was shared via LibNews email from Alexander Deeke on March 7.
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: CARLI Professional Development Alliance Events

  • The Evolving Library School Curriculum
    April 5 at 1 PM
    In the last few years, library schools have reevaluated their offerings to ensure that a graduate level education aligns with the skills needed for the field. It requires striking a balance between the theories that underpin our profession and what it all looks like in practice. These changes may involve opening up more choices, allowing students to pick specialized tracks. In some cases, it may involve getting rid of some required courses altogether. Panelists from four library schools across the country will share what they have done to adapt their curriculum and what it means for the future of the profession.
    Please register for this event.
  • Learnabout: Google Forms
    April 11 at 4 PM
    Need to create a survey? Registration form? Attendance? Want to create a feedback form? Google forms is an easy-to-use and versatile tool for creating web forms. This webinar will give the basics and some of the more useful features of this tool.
    Register for this event.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: AI Infodemic Reading Group
This semester, we will explore the evolving relationship between library work and technology in a broader culture of surveillance. Participants will engage with ongoing debates from across the field of librarianship on patron privacy, library analytics, and professional legitimization in the face of pressure to collect increasingly more data on library use and users.

Location for all meetings: Main Library 428

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Funk ACES Library Panel Presentation – Food Insecurity
April 13 at 3 PM

We are pleased to announce that Funk ACES Library will host our fourth Solving the World’s Challenges panel on Wednesday, April 13th.

Solving the World’s Challenges: Food Insecurity

Three experts from across campus (Caitlin Kownacki, Illinois Extension; Esther Ngumbi, Entomology and African American Studies; Merin Oleschuk, Human Development & Family Studies) will each discuss their work related to food insecurity and respond to questions from attendees. Their work includes development of the Find Food IL community food map, research on how social inequalities shape the food labor and consumption of vulnerable individuals and families, and efforts to address food insecurity on university campuses and internationally. Dr. Roberta Johnson Killeen, First Lady at the University of Illinois, will serve as guest moderator.

This panel presentation will be an opportunity for people to come together with the Funk ACES Library to learn about and discuss food insecurity initiatives and research lead by members of our campus community.

Panelists

  • Caitlin Kownacki, Extension Specialist of Evaluation, Illinois Extension
  • Esther Ngumbi, Assistant Professor, Entomology and African American Studies
  • Merin Oleschuk, Assistant Professor, Human Development & Family Studies

Guest Moderator

  • Roberta Johnson Killeen, First Lady, University of Illinois

This virtual event is free and open to the public. Live-transcription will be available and the event will be recorded.

For more details, visit our Solving the World’s Challenges Panel Presentation Exhibit or learn about our past panel events.

Register here for the event: https://tinyurl.com/2p97bkbx
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Hangout
April 26 at 11AM

Please see the email (with a Zoom link) from Lucretia Williams via LIB-NEWS. Complete and submit the Library Hangout Suggestion and Volunteer Form if you have a topic to share.
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If you would like to submit content for the May issue of Library Office Notes, please submit it to Heather Murphy or Tom Teper by April 22, 2022.

March Library Office Notes

Posted on by


ANNOUNCEMENTS

HR NEWS

EVENTS AND TRAINING


ANNOUNCEMENTS: University Librarian Note
Check back next month for a new Note from Dean Wilkin.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Library Building Project Update – 3/1/2022
Tom Teper, Associate Dean for Collections and Technical Services

Project Meetings for February 2022

During the month of February, representatives from the University Library, University Administration, and Facilities and Services met with members of our Architecture/Engineering (A/E) Team on February 3rd, 9th, 10th, 16th, 23rd, and 28th. These meetings included:  reviews of progress on the design development; meetings to discuss information technology needs in the facility; discussions of the curtain wall replacement; specifications and needs for the work Wiss, Jenney, Elsesnor (WJE) is conducting to examine the building for moisture risk; and to participate in the opening of RFP responses for the Construction Manager proposals.

Project-Related Meetings Scheduled for March 2022 (as of 2/28/2022)

The following meetings include both scheduled project meetings (with project designation of U20118) as well as additional meetings that involve select representatives of the A/E, F&S, and University Library.

  • 3/2/2022 – U20118 UGL Building Project – Design Meeting
  • 3/2/2022 – U20118 UGL Redevelopment – Security Meeting
  • 3/4/2022 – U20118 UGL Site Design Discussion
  • 3/25/2022 – UGL Redevelopment Design Development: Scope Clarification Discussion

Other Activities

As noted, the University Library, F&S, and other campus partners have been working with WJE to kick off their work on the site analysis. More information about WJE’s starting is located here: https://www.library.illinois.edu/specialcollectionsbuilding/news/.

Efforts to barcode and improve inventory management continued over the last month. The Division is continuing work related to their opening exhibit.

Proposed Project Schedule

The kick-off meeting included a review of the proposed project schedule from the point that “conceptualization” began on July 21, 2021 through what is called “substantial completion” of construction work. Those dates in the future become increasingly speculative. At present, the schedule is as follows:

a. Conceptualization

  • 07/21/2021 work session
  • 08/12/2021 submission date
  • 08/26/2021 est. Concept review meeting

b. Schematic Design

  • 11/09/2021 submission date
  • 11/23/2021 est. SD review meeting

c. Design Development

  • 01/22/2022 submission date
  • 02/04/2022 est. DD review meeting-BOT Preparation

d. Construction Documents 50%

  • 03/31/2022 submission date
  • 4/14/2022 est. 50% CD review meeting

e. Construction Documents 95%

  • 07/04/2022 submission date
  • 07/18/ 2022 est. 95% CD review meeting
  • 08/18/2022 100% CD completion

f. Bidding/Award

  • 08/18/2022 Advertise for Bids
  • 08/25/2022 Pre-bid /Pre-pricing meeting
  • 09/30/2022 Bid Opening – To be confirmed
  • 01/04/2023 Notice Proceed

g. Board of Trustees approval (required on if individual contract is over $2,500,000.)

h. Construction – Start/End *

  • 01/05/2023 – 05/29/2024

Communications

On February 24, 2022, Tom Teper presented to the Champaign-Urbana Sunrise Rotary Club at their invitation in order to discuss the building project’s current status.

As noted earlier, efforts as underway to develop a video associated with the project.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: OTM Patent Data Integrated into Illinois Experts
A recent collaboration between the Library’s Scholarly Communication and Publishing unit and the University’s Office of Technology Management (OTM) has resulted in the integration of OTM’s patent data into Illinois Experts. Over 1,200 citations for patents issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office to the University and its researchers are now available on the Experts portal and have been linked to both individual researcher and departmental profiles. Dating back to 1968, these citations represent several decades of University research and innovation that have produced beneficial societal and economic impact.

Illinois Experts is a research information management service that supports a variety of campus use cases—including facilitating discovery of campus research and scholarship via a public portal and suppling automatically updated publication data to faculty profiles across multiple campus websites. Researchers may export patent citations from their own Experts profile to the ORCID registry. Patent data from OTM will be routinely updated in Experts on a semiannual basis.

Questions about Illinois Experts may be directed to experts-help@illinois.edu.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Drop-in Consultation Services
Stop by the Scholarly Commons in Main Library Room 220 to consult with experts on a range of tools and topics, including geospatial data, copyright, media creation, and data collection, management, and analysis. Drop-ins are offered each week, Monday – Friday. No appointment needed. Full schedule below.

  • Mondays—Research Data Services (11 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
  • Tuesdays—Geographic Information Systems (11 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
  • Wednesdays—Copyright (11 a.m. – noon)
  • Thursdays—Qualitative Data Analysis (1 p.m.-3 p.m.)
  • Fridays—Media and Design (10 a.m. – noon)

Can’t make drop-in hours? No worries. Email us at sc@library.illinois.edu to set up an appointment with our team.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Did You Know? A Monthly Factoid from Library Assessment

March is Women’s History Month and we thought we would use this to highlight the role of women at the University Library. Did you know that as of 2021, 65% of the library staff (including Academic Professional, Civil Service, and Faculty) is comprised of those who identify as women. Across campus that number is only 47% which is around the same number as students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate education.

A note regarding data timelines: UIUC statistics are an average of the past ten years (starting with academic year 2012-2013), while national data was collected from The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). National enrollment and post-secondary employment statistics are from the most recent data tables from academic year 2019-2020.

Bonus Historical Factoid: Katherine Lucinda Sharpe was Director of the Library from 1897-1907. Read more about her and the first “Lady Librarians” here.

Image created by Lindsay Taylor (Library Assessment Graduate Assistant). Text written by Belinda Bolivar (Library Assessment Specialist) and Lindsay Taylor.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Task Force Meeting Minutes
Minutes from past DEIA Task Force meetings are online on the Task Force web page.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Collection Development Committee Notes
The most recent meetings minutes of the CDC are posted at:
https://www.library.illinois.edu/staff/committee/collection-development-committee/
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Content Access Policy & Technology Meeting Minutes
The meeting minutes of CAPT (including workgroup reports) are posted at:
https://www.library.illinois.edu/staff/committee/content-access-policy-technology-capt/
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Recognizing Excellence

Please share your award, recognition, or grant! To initiate a request for publicity, employees (or their supervisors) should submit this Awards/Recognitions/Grants Publicity Request Form.
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HR NEWS: Filled Positions

  • Stephanie Luke – Metadata Librarian – Acquisitions and Cataloging – 3/16/2022

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HR NEWS: Vacancies

  • Library Specialist – Music and Performing Arts Library – closed 2/16/2022
  • SR Audio, Video, and Emerging Technology Specialist – Library IT – closes 3/3/2022
  • IT Specialist – Library IT – posting soon
  • Multi-level Application Integration Developer (ITTA) – Library IT – posting soon
  • Coordinator, Grainger IDEA Lab – posting soon

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HR NEWS: Searches Completed 

  • Metadata Librarian – Acquisitions and Cataloging, FAC – Dan Tracy, Chair

Kick-off scheduled for June 22, 2021. EC approved JD. Job live on the job board. Closing date August 20, 2021. Phone screenings held Sept 7, Sept 8, Sept 9, and Sept 14. Virtual interviews scheduled for Oct 13, Oct 15, Oct 19 and Oct 20. Offer extended. Stephanie Luke start date will be March 16, 2022.

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HR NEWS: Searches in Progress

  • Classics Librarian – Literature and Languages Library, FAC – Marek Sroka, Chair

Kick-off held October 5, 2021. EC approved JD. Job live on the job board. Job closed January 3, 2022. Phone screenings scheduled for Feb 10, Feb 14, and Feb 15.

  • Head, Grainger Engineering Librarian – Grainger Engineering Library Information Center, FAC – Chris Wiley, Chair

Kick-off held November 15, 2021. EC approved PD. Job live on the job board with an extended closing date of February 17, 2022.

  • Visiting Assistant or Associate Archives and Literary Manuscript Specialist – Rarebook & Manuscript Library, FAC – Caroline Szylowicz, Chair

Kick-off scheduled for January 27, 2022. 

  • Program Director – Mortenson Center for International Library Programs, AP

Kick-off scheduled for February 22, 2022

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HR NEWS: In Memoriam 

  • Mavis E. (Bly) Bargon

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Staff Events Calendar
To see the most up-to-date staff events calendar, please visit https://uiuc.libcal.com/calendar/staff.
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Starkiller to Skywalker: How Star Wars Evolved from Script to Screen

Ben Ostermeier, GA in RBML and Scholarly Commons, just released a new digital exhibition he has curated:
https://exhibits.library.illinois.edu/s/rbml/page/star-wars
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Engineering Change in Libraries: A Pathway for Meaningful Action
The aim of Engineering Change in Libraries is to understand the Other and mobilize our libraries to provide more effective and equitable services and programs to underserved communities. Inspired by Dr. Agnes Kaposi, a catalyst for change and 31st Annual Mortenson Distinguished Lecture, Engineering Change is organized into two components: (1) the lecture (setting the context) and (2) a two-session workshop for library staff and stakeholders to engineer change in libraries in a process of understanding the Other and planning globally to create change locally.

THE LECTURE

An engineer of change, Dr. Agnes Kaposi (Engineer, Educator, Holocaust survivor, Author of “Yellow Star-Red Star”, recipient of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire), and 31st Annual Mortenson Distinguished Lecturer), brings nearly a century of perspective as she tells her life story and the role of information as a source of power/control resulting in otherness, exclusion, propaganda, dislocation, as well as transformation in engineering change. A conversation, moderated by Dr. Valerie J. Matsumoto (George and Sakaye Aratani Endowed Chair on the Japanese American Incarceration, Redress, and Community, UCLA), connects Dr. Kaposi’s experiences with those of other marginalized and dislocated groups worldwide, such as Japanese Americans, to identify similarities and differences across time and locations, in order to understand the Other and rethink some of the most pressing issues that libraries face in promoting equitable communities in our information-intensive and networked society. The 31st Annual Mortenson Distinguished Lecture took place on November 8, 2021. Watch recording at https://mediaspace.illinois.edu/media/t/1_ms3b4hao.

THE WORKSHOP

Engineer change in libraries in an international workshop to learn and plan globally to create change locally. Library staff and stakeholders are invited to attend a two-session workshop to understand the Other by learning from each other’s experiences and challenges, connect as a community of practice, engineer meaningful action, and implement the solution while supporting each other in their journeys to engineer real change in their libraries and communities.

Each interactive workshop, a pathway/process to engineer change in libraries, focuses on a specific area of action. It is presented in two 1.5-hour sessions, with the second session occurring two months following the first one, and virtual open consultation hours midway. The first session begins with a speaker introducing the topic; followed by group discussion of local experiences, brainstorming, and prioritizing an issue to be addressed; then collectively, participants develop an action plan that they will apply at their library. During a two-month period participants implement their action plan locally and have an opportunity to ask questions and obtain input midway through the process. After two months, the participants reconvene in the second session as a community of practice to reflect and improve on their action plan, as needed.

To understand the need to engineer change from one story of the Other/persecuted, participants are encouraged to listen to the recording of the Lecture.

WHO should attend?

  • Library personnel, particularly those with responsibilities for public libraries, community libraries, school or academic libraries
  • Educators, researchers and students in university departments of librarianship and cognate disciplines
  • Library trustees, friends and volunteers
  • Government officials, policy makers, and others responsible for libraries
  • Library stakeholders

HOW LONG are the workshops?

  • 1.5 hours per virtual workshop session
  • Each workshop is made up of 2 sessions, two months apart, with optional virtual open consultation midway

WHEN are the workshops, and WHAT is the focus of action?

  • Inaugural Workshop on Dislocation
    Feb 15, 8:00-9:30 am CT session 1
    March 15, 8:00-9:30 am CT open consultation
    April 19, 8:00-9:30 am CT session 2
    FREE registration <click here> for Inaugural Workshop on Dislocation.
  • Workshop on Propaganda
    March 1, 4:00-5:30 pm CT session 1
    April 5, 4:00-5:30 pm CT open consultation
    May 3, 4:00-5:30 pm CT session 2
    FREE registration <click here> for Workshop on Propaganda.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: CARLI Professional Development Alliance Events

  • Intellectual Freedom and Social Justice: Core Values of Librarianship
    March 1 at 10 AM
    Throughout my work, I argue that intellectual freedom leads to social justice. A quick review of the 2020 American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom’s (2020) Most Challenged Books list demonstrates that the majority of the books on the list are focused on diverse topics including race and gender expression. Without support for intellectual freedom, the voices of people who are marginalized would not be heard. However, the discourse continues to focus on how support for intellectual freedom leads to the proliferation of hate speech and other harmful expression and is against the core value of social justice/social responsibility. I believe this is because the field of library and information science has not sufficiently integrated Kimberle Crenshaw’s (1989) concept of intersectionality into our core philosophical foundations. Crenshaw’s theory of intersectionality argues that individual progress and development, social space, and group identity are all equally important for human flourishing.
    Register for this event.
  • Open Pedagogy Series Workshop 1: Introducing Open Pedagogy: From Open Resources to Equitable, Student-Centered Practices
    March 8 at 2 PM
    In this workshop Will Cross will introduce open pedagogy, an access-oriented commitment to learner driven education. Just as open educational resources (OER) can remove financial barriers for students, open pedagogy empowers faculty and students to build courses that reflect and connect out to the world in which they live. This workshop will introduce the core values of open pedagogy and walk you through successful models for putting open pedagogy into practice. You will leave with a deeper foundation in open pedagogy and be prepared to join us in our follow-up workshop on implementing open pedagogy.
    Register for Workshop 1
  • Sustaining the Infrastructure of OER Across Universities
    March 10 at 2 PM
    OER adoption requires more than the work of librarians. Collaboration is essential to have a long-term impact as well as weather the storms of turnover, a global pandemic, and piecemeal funding. Panelists will share practical advice on how to identify stakeholders, prioritize student success, and get buy-in from university administration. They will also cover the work of a task force in the UNC System that involves librarians, instructional designers, and university admin to streamline access to open educational resources.
    Register for this event.
  • Open Pedagogy Series Workshop 2: Implementing Open Pedagogy: Outreach and Advocacy for Developing Faculty Partnerships
    March 15 at 2 PM
    In this workshop we will explore strategies for making open pedagogy work at your institution. Building on the Introducing Open Pedagogy workshop, we will explore strategies for developing a team to support open pedagogy and develop a tailored action plan for connecting with faculty instructors. Because this session is focused on outreach and team building, attendees are encouraged to invite colleagues from across campus including instructional designers, learning technology experts and, of course, faculty instructors. You and your team will leave ready to implement open pedagogy strategies at your institution.
    Register for Workshop
  • Learnabout: Chrome Extensions
    March 21 at 4 PM
    Google Chrome web browser can be a valuable tool, especially if you take advantage of extensions. Confused? View this webinar to learn more about Chrome Extensions, how to use them, some of the most productive, and more!
    Register for this event.
  • Timely Talks with Library Leaders II
    March 22 at 1 PM
    This ASERL Series will give registrants an opportunity to find out what different library leaders are thinking, planning and strategizing as we navigate through the pandemic. Registrants will also have an opportunity to ask direct questions to the library leaders during the Q&A period.

A few topics that will be addressing on the panel:

Budgets — How are they advocating for additional money and resources in the middle of a pandemic?
Employee Retention/Morale — Do they have a plan to combat the Great Resignation/low morale and attracting new talent?
DEI/EDI – How do you maintain a commitment to EDI/DEI in today’s political climate?
Stakeholders – What strategies do you use to exceed stakeholder expectations while being empathetic to work life balance?
Connection/Communication – How do you maintain connected to your staff in a Zoom/webinar work environment?
Register for this event.

  • Navigating Difficult Conversations About Race: Awkward Dinners
    March 24 at 1 PM
    Awkward Dinners are intended to gather small groups of diners in public or private spaces for facilitated discussions on race. In contrast with our award-winning Unity360 Community Race Dialogues, where we can have from 30 to 70 participants, Awkward Dinners provide a more intimate setting in which to express feelings and be heard, and the chance to learn how to disrupt racism in our daily lives.  The “awkward” part comes when participants step outside of their comfort zones to share and learn from diverse perspectives on race.https://southfloridapoc.org/programs/#Dinners 

Join us for this interactive webinar where Roni and Ithan will share their success stories and how you can modify these strategies for your organization.  The session will include instructions on how to design, facilitate and evaluate these programs and how to keep the conversations going after the event ends.
Register for this event. 

  • CARLI OER Office Hour: Faculty & Student OER Collaborations
    March 29 at 1 PM
    The CARLI OER Committee invites CARLI members to an informal discussion on Faculty/Student OER Collaborations. Those working on local OER and affordable programs are encouraged to attend and share their thoughts and experiences, and learn from their CARLI colleagues.
    Register for this event.
  • CARLI OER Faculty Workshop: Supporting Academic Success: Open Educational Resources and Affordable Course Materials
    March 30 at 11 AM
    The CARLI OER Committee invites institutions to share with their teaching faculty this opportunity to attend a workshop to learn about open educational resources including open textbooks. The workshop will identify the problem are we trying to solve, explain open educational resources including open textbooks and affordable course materials, and provide options for what can we do. After attending, CARLI-member teaching faculty will be invited to write a short review of an open textbook in the Open Textbook Library.
    Register for this event.
  • The Evolving Library School Curriculum
    April 5 at 1 PM
    In the last few years, library schools have reevaluated their offerings to ensure that a graduate level education aligns with the skills needed for the field. It requires striking a balance between the theories that underpin our profession and what it all looks like in practice. These changes may involve opening up more choices, allowing students to pick specialized tracks. In some cases, it may involve getting rid of some required courses altogether. Panelists from four library schools across the country will share what they have done to adapt their curriculum and what it means for the future of the profession.
    Please register for this event.
  • Learnabout: Google Forms
    April 11 at 4 PM
    Need to create a survey? Registration form? Attendance? Want to create a feedback form? Google forms is an easy-to-use and versatile tool for creating web forms. This webinar will give the basics and some of the more useful features of this tool.
    Register for this event.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Hub Training
Link for all sessions:
https://illinois.zoom.us/j/84378677162?pwd=ZlM0anY4ZUI4STdBZ1J4K1hxdlI3dz09

Please contact Sara Holder at sholder@illinois.edu if you have any questions.

  • Finding Statistics
    March 8 at 2 PM and March 11 at 3 PM
    Description: This session will cover the statistical reference interview as well as major sources for statistics, including the US Census.
    Learning outcomes: Participants will: 1. Learn to think systematically about the statistical reference interview and finding statistics in order to provide robust answers to statistical questions from users. 2. Understand Census surveys and geography in order to obtain desired content and geographic scope of data.
    Who should attend: New session – strongly encouraged for everyone
    Instructor(s): Karen Hogenboom & Sanga Sung
  • PSED – More than an acronym!
    March 22 at 2 PM and March 25 at 3 PM
    Description: This session will highlight the types of questions and subject areas that PSED specialists are trained to help with. We will discuss how best to identify queries that need that subject specialist to find, go over sample questions referring to our unique collections, and explore the different terminologies you might hear that will help you know when to refer those STEM questions.
    Learning outcomes: Participants will learn how to identify STEM questions quickly based on common vocabulary and terminology used in STEM fields, which resources are covered by PSED, which subject specialists to refer for specific STEM queries, and what specialized services the PSED provides for patrons.
    Who should attend: New session – strongly encouraged for everyone
    Instructor(s): Alex Cabada & Megan Johnson
  • Government Information in Reference
    March 29 at 2 PM and April 1 at 3 PM
    Description: The federal, state, local, and international government entities produce a massive amount of information on a wide range of subjects that can be used for research in various academic disciplines as well as non-academic activities. This workshop will give an overview of major government resources particularly needed for library reference work and introduce best strategies for navigating them.
    Learning outcomes: Participants will understand which online and print government resources are available and how they can be used to address library reference questions.
    Who should attend: New session – strongly encouraged for everyone
    Instructor(s): Sanga Sung
  • Versions of the Version of Record: Preprint Servers, Author Manuscripts, and More!April 12 at 2 PM and April 15 at 3 PM
    Description: Increasingly, almost every journal article that is published (Version of Record) has another version — or multiple — that is freely available. Preprint servers, institutional repositories, ResearchGate, unpaywall, etc. are all important resources for helping users find copies that serve temporarily or completely instead of the publisher version when the library is not a subscriber.
    Learning outcomes: Participants will be able to… describe the different journal article versions and their relationships to the version of record; develop a search strategy to locate alternatives to the version or record; articulate the benefits and caveats of using alternative versions.
    Who should attend: New session – strongly encouraged for everyone
    Instructor(s): Lisa Janicke Hinchliffe
  • Names and dates and places—oh my!: helping patrons with genealogical research questions
    April 19 at 2 PM and April 22 at 3 PM
    Description: This session will provide an introduction to public-facing genealogical research resources, including Heritage Quest Online and HPNL’s Genealogy Resources LibGuide, as well as internal staff resources, such as the Reflib How-to entry in the Main/UGL Reference Hub wiki. It would also equip staff with some straightforward steps to help demystify and respond to family history related questions.
    Learning outcomes: Participants will be able to: 1. Analyze genealogy related reference questions, as a first step in searching for appropriate resources to consult or refer to. 2. Locate resource(s) in the Library, and/or outside of Library, that may be helpful when responding to genealogical research requests.
    Who should attend: New session – strongly encouraged for everyone
    Instructor(s): Wendy Gregory

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Jai Chakrabarti Speaks: A Play for the End of the World
March 3 at 4PM

Please mark your calendars and join the International and Area Studies Library (with the support of a long list of co-sponsors) for a hybrid event featuring award winning author Jai Chakrabarti who will be speaking on his novel A Play for the End of the World.

People wishing to attend in person may come to the Asian American Cultural Center and enjoy free refreshments. Those who would like to attend virtually can register at: https://go.illinois.edu/PlayForTheEnd

We have a copy of the book in the library if you’d like to read the book in advance but that is not necessary to enjoy the event!
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Savvy Researcher Series – Basics of Congressional Information
March 9 at 2PM

The United States Congress produces various sources of information that can be valuable when researching a particular issue or policy or when looking in to members or procedures of the Congress or other organizations and institutions. In this workshop, we will go over the basics of the legislative process, the major publications including Congressional hearings, the Congressional Record, Serial Set, etc..

Zoom Registration
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Library Blood Drive
March 10 at 11:30AM

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Hangout
March 23 at 9AM

Please see the email (with a Zoom link) from Lucretia Williams via LIB-NEWS. Complete and submit the Library Hangout Suggestion and Volunteer Form if you have a topic to share.
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: AP and CSP Forum
March 29 at 10AM – 12PM

Academic Professionals and Civil Service Professionals are invited to a forum hosted by the LCP (Library Committee of Academic and Civil Service Professionals).
APs and CSPs: Watch for an email with the agenda and Zoom link!
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: LibGuide Training Sessions
March 30 at 12PM and March 31 at 2PM

The Office of Information Literacy will be offering two LibGuides training sessions in late March for those new to LibGuides, or those who would like to refresh their skills. Both sessions contain the same content, and will be taught by Anri Brod, the Information Literacy Graduate Hourly.

Zoom information sent via LibNews on February 8 from Anri Brod.
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If you would like to submit content for the April issue of Library Office Notes, please submit it to Heather Murphy or Tom Teper by March 18, 2022.

February Library Office Notes

Posted on by


ANNOUNCEMENTS

HR NEWS

EVENTS AND TRAINING


ANNOUNCEMENTS: University Librarian Note
I think you all know that I don’t do much of that “well, at Michigan, they do X or Y,” so please take this observation in that vein. Michigan limits its deans to two five-year terms. No exceptions. Why? Well, it’s not explained anywhere, but, for me, it’s all about the necessity of change. Change is good. Organizations need changes in leadership to continue to thrive and respond to evolving challenges. Read more…
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Library Building Project Update – 2/1/2022
Tom Teper, Associate Dean for Collections and Technical Services

Project Meetings for January 2022

During the month of January, representatives from the University Library, University Administration, and Facilities and Services met with members of our Architecture/Engineering (A/E) Team on January 5th, 6th, 7th, 11th, 14th, 19th, 21st, 24th, 25th, 26th, and 28th. These meetings included multiple reviews of progress on the design development, meetings to review life safety concerns, the energy modeling for the building’s HVAC systems, preliminary reviews of campus standards for finishes, a meeting to review forthcoming discussions with the State Historic Preservation Officer, discussions related to campus policies related to information sharing, tours of collections storage in the Spurlock Museum, additional discussions on storage needs and backlogs in the three units, the first meeting of the Art & Architecture Meeting, a discussion about the forthcoming project manager design review, and three full-day sets of meetings to drill down on furniture and finishes within many of the developing spaces.

In addition to that, members of the A/E team made presentations to the University’s Board of Trustees on January 20th and the Board’s Audit, Budget, Finance, and Facilities Committee on January 19th. With approval secured from the BOT during the January 20th meeting, the project is greenlighted to continue work.

Project-Related Meetings Scheduled for from February 2022 (as of 1/31/2021)

The following meetings include both scheduled project meetings (with project designation of U20118) as well as additional meetings that involve select representatives of the A/E, F&S, and University Library.

  • 2/16/2022 – U20118 UGL UGL Redevelopment Design Development Meeting #4

Other Activities

Efforts to barcode and improve inventory management continued over the last month. The Division is already beginning preliminary work related to their opening exhibit.

Proposed Project Schedule

The kick-off meeting included a review of the proposed project schedule from the point that “conceptualization” began on July 21, 2021 through what is called “substantial completion” of construction work. Those dates in the future become increasingly speculative. At present, the schedule is as follows:

  • Conceptualization
    • 07/21/2021 work session
    • 08/12/2021 submission date
    • 08/26/2021 est. Concept review meeting
  • Schematic Design
    • 11/09/2021 submission date
    • 11/23/2021 est. SD review meeting
  • Design Development
    • 01/22/2022 submission date
    • 02/04/2022 est. DD review meeting-BOT Preparation
  • Construction Documents 50%
    • 03/31/2022 submission date
    • 4/14/2022 est. 50% CD review meeting
  •  Construction Documents 95%
    • 07/04/2022 submission date
    • 07/18/ 2022 est. 95% CD review meeting
    • 08/18/2022 100% CD completion
  • Bidding/Award
    • 08/18/2022 Advertise for Bids
    • 08/25/2022 Pre-bid /Pre-pricing meeting
    • 09/30/2022 Bid Opening – To be confirmed
    • 01/04/2023 Notice Proceed
  • Board of Trustees approval (required on if individual contract is over $2,500,000.)
  •  Construction – Start/End * 01/05/2023 – 05/29/2024

Communications

Elements from last month’s LON were incorporated as news items in the new project website at: https://www.library.illinois.edu/specialcollectionsbuilding.

Advancement’s last issue of the Friendscript carried a piece on the project’s progress.

On January 21, 2022, members of the project team were interviewed by WCIA.

As noted earlier, efforts as underway to develop a video associated with the project, and we anticipate the potential addition of new imagery to the website in the coming weeks.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Support and Representation for Library Employees Affected by PER
Illinois HR’s “Professional Employment Redesign” process began in October 2018.  Through this process, Illinois HR has undertaken a review of Academic Professional (AP) positions across all campuses.  This has affected the University Library through the reclassification to Civil Service Professional of some AP positions during the ongoing campus review as well as AP vacancies being approved for posting. Reclassification may also result from AP promotions, as revised position descriptions are reviewed. This process has been a concern for Library APs since it began. In 2021, the Library Committee of Academic Professionals (L-CAP) submitted comprehensive recommendations for support and representation for Library employees in reclassified positions. The recommendations are based on the principle that reclassification does not alter the nature of the work expected of the employee or the support needed for their success in performing that work for the Library. The support provided by the Library and our campus are important in recruitment, retention, and performance of Library APs, and extending that support to those in reclassified positions is in the best interest of the employees and the University Library. The L-CAP recommendations are in two sections, those completely under the Library’s control, and those that are dependent on Campus-level action. The University Library is moving forward with implementing those recommendations within its control, including:

  • Expanding the constituency and charge of L-CAP to include representation of employees in positions reclassified from AP to Civil Service Professional (CSP)
  • Extending the same investigation time policy and travel/training funds APs now enjoy, as well as RPC funding eligibility, to employees in positions reclassified from AP to Civil Service Professional
  • Equivalent Library Committee eligibility for APs and those in positions reclassified from AP to Civil Service Professional
  • Ensuring necessary building access and IT equipment is available to employees in positions reclassified from AP to Civil Service Professional

Though the Library is implementing the recommendations within its control, campus-level action on issues such as campus-level representation are pending. Luckily, the Library currently has two representatives on the Council of Academic Professionals, so we have some input. We encourage APs and CSPs to reach out to L-CAP with concerns. Library HR is also happy to answer questions. There will be a brief presentation/discussion on this at the February 22 Library Wide Hangout.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Downs Intellectual Freedom Award
The School of Information Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign seeks nominations for the 2021 Robert B. Downs Intellectual Freedom Award. The deadline for nominations is March 15, 2022. The award is co-sponsored by SAGE Publishing.

More information can be found here: Nominations invited for annual Downs Intellectual Freedom Award
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Revised OEC Grant Proposal Requirements
The Outreach and Engagement Committee (OEC) has revised its grant proposal requirements to make everything simpler and hopefully less time-consuming. We accept proposals on a rolling basis, with funding up to $500 per person/year.

Information about the grant is on the OEC committee page, along with the proposal form and evaluation rubric.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Did You Know? A Monthly Factoid from Library Assessment

In celebration of Black History Month, we collected data about DEIA activities in each unit from the Unit Annual Reports (https://www.library.illinois.edu/staff/administration/services/annualreports/). The data collected from the reports are by no means a conclusive list of all the DEIA-focused activities going on in the library. However, the unit annual reports provided a snapshot of each unit’s efforts over the years. We counted any project or goal mentioned in each report that aimed to increase diversity, equity, inclusion, or accessibility in the library’s spaces, collections, programming, online content, or endeavors. Each contribution to DEIA counted as one activity. Examples of DEIA activities include unit staff attending pronoun training, collecting newspapers of marginalized communities, creating an anti-racist plan, collaborating with the culture houses on campus, creating accessible spaces, and more!

In five years, the number of DEIA activities in the annual reports have nearly doubled throughout the library. There are many ways each unit works towards this goal in their respective areas and the initiatives have been grouped very generally in this Marimekko chart. In FY2021, the top categories are: supporting diverse collections (30% of FY2021 initiatives), followed by creating inclusive spaces or content (24%).
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Task Force Meeting Minutes
Minutes from past DEIA Task Force meetings are online on the Task Force web page.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Collection Development Committee Notes
The most recent meetings minutes of the CDC are posted at:
https://www.library.illinois.edu/staff/committee/collection-development-committee/
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Content Access Policy & Technology Meeting Minutes
The meeting minutes of CAPT (including workgroup reports) are posted at:
https://www.library.illinois.edu/staff/committee/content-access-policy-technology-capt/
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Recognizing Excellence
Please share your award, recognition, or grant! To initiate a request for publicity, employees (or their supervisors) should submit this Awards/Recognitions/Grants Publicity Request Form.
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HR NEWS: Filled Positions

  • Evan Barber – Library IT Specialist – Library IT – 2/7/2022
  • Stephanie Luke – Metadata Librarian – Acquisitions and Cataloging – 3/16/2022

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HR NEWS: Vacancies

  • SR Audio, Video, and Emerging Tech Specialist – Library IT – closes 2/7/2022
  • Accountant II – BHRSC – posting soon
  • Application Integration Developer/Sr Application Integration Developer – Library IT – posting soon
  • Facilities Operations Coord – Library Facilities – posting soon
  • Assistant Distribution Services Supervisor – Library Facilities – posting soon

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HR NEWS: Searches Completed 

  • Metadata Librarian – Acquisitions and Cataloging, FAC – Dan Tracy, Chair

Kick-off scheduled for June 22, 2021. EC approved JD. Job live on the job board. Closing date August 20, 2021. Phone screenings held Sept 7, Sept 8, Sept 9, and Sept 14. Virtual interviews scheduled for Oct 13, Oct 15, Oct 19 and Oct 20. Offer extended. Stephanie Luke start date will be March 16, 2022.
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HR NEWS: Searches in Progress

  • Classics Librarian – Literature and Languages Library, FAC – Marek Sroka, Chair

Kick-off held October 5, 2021. EC approved JD. Job live on the job board. Job closed January 3, 2022.

  • Head, Grainger Engineering Librarian – Grainger Engineering Library Information Center, FAC – Chris Wiley, Chair

Kick-off held November 15, 2021. EC approved PD. Job live on the job board with a closing date of Jan 28, 2022.

  • Visiting Assistant or Associate Archives and Literary Manuscript Specialist – Rare Book & Manuscript Library, FAC – Caroline Szylowicz, Chair

Kick-off scheduled for January 27, 2022.
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HR NEWS: In Memoriam 

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Staff Events Calendar
To see the most up-to-date staff events calendar, please visit https://uiuc.libcal.com/calendar/staff.
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: The Imperfect Saxophone: Not Just a Clown’s Instrument
Onsite Exhibit through December 9, 2022 at the Sousa Archives and Center for American Music
Online Exhibit: theimperfectsax.web.illinois.edu/

The Sousa Archives’ online version of its new exhibit, “The Imperfect Saxophone: Not Just a Clown’s Instrument,” is now available for viewing. Like our onsite exhibition, this online show examines America’s complex relationship with the saxophone between 1900 and 1930, a period known as the “saxophone craze.” Prior to earning its place as a serious instrument among jazz and orchestral musicians, the saxophone was treated as a clown’s horn, a novelty act performed by various saxophone ensembles and virtuoso performers. Later, Walt Disney’s Silly Symphonies: Music Land (1935); Lucille Ball’s episode The Saxophone (1952); the Muppets’ introduction of Zoot the saxophonist (1975); and the Simpsons’ episode, Lisa’s Saxophone (1997), continue to reflect America’s conflicted appreciation of Adolphe Sax’s most recognized instrument.

The Sousa Archives’ new exhibit highlights the saxophone’s evolving legacy and the early musicians who made it a truly unique instrument. Special thanks go to Nolan Vallier for his collaborative research on the exhibition and Maia Perez for her technical work on the virtual exhibit. To see and hear historical saxophones in action, please visit either our online or onsite shows.
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Library Blood Drive
February 3 at 11:30AM

All donors will receive a voucher for a St. Patrick’s Day themed t-shirt or a $5 gift card!

See below for details on our upcoming blood drive, and please consider scheduling an appointment. To see the time slots available for appointments, just click on the blood drive name, below.

University of Illinois Library
Thursday, 02/03/2022 (11:30 am – 02:00 pm)
1408 W Gregory, Urbana, IL 61801
Undergraduate Library Circle Drive – Bloodmobile

Our blood drive will provide a critical resource that helps save lives at hospitals in our community and across our region.

*Don’t forget to bring a picture ID, wear a mask, drink lots of extra water and eat a meal prior to donating.*

Thank you for your support, and I hope to see you at the blood drive!
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Energy Never Dies: Afro-Optimism & Creativity In Chicago
February 16 at 7PM

Register for this online event at http://go.library.illinois.edu/Febevent.
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: American Bandmasters Association’s Little Light During the Great Depression
February 17 at 12PM

Archivist for Music and Fine Arts and Sousa Archives Director Scott Schwartz will talk briefly about the work of the Center for American Music and its upcoming exhibit, American Bandmasters Association’s Little Light During the Great Depression.

These presentations are part of a virtual series hosted by the Friends of the Library and initiated by the Library Board of Advocates to share the wonders of the University Library at Illinois.

For more information and to register:
https://calendars.illinois.edu/detail/5771/33426946
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Hangout
February 22 at 9AM

Please see the email (with a Zoom link) from Lucretia Williams via LIB-NEWS. Complete and submit the Library Hangout Suggestion and Volunteer Form if you have a topic to share.
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Fair Use Gameshow
February 22 at 6PM

Are you interested in fair use, but not interested in long lectures on the topic? Would you like to test your fair use knowledge and have some fun? If the answer to either or both of these questions is yes, then join us as we play the Fair Use Gameshow! Your host, Sara Benson, the Copyright Librarian at the University of Illinois will ask fun, challenging fair use questions to the audience and our panel of esteemed copyright experts will chime in with their opinions. Join the fun as the panel including Melissa Ocepek, Assistant Professor at the iSchool, Pia Hunter, Access Librarian and Online Learning Consultant at the University of Illinois College of Law, and Barbara Kaplan, Faculty Outreach Librarian at the University of Illinois College of Law discuss the many nuances of fair use.

To register for this event please visit the CARLI Event Calendar.
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If you would like to submit content for the March issue of Library Office Notes, please submit it to Heather Murphy or Tom Teper by February 18, 2022.

January Library Office Notes

Posted on by


ANNOUNCEMENTS

HR NEWS

EVENTS AND TRAINING


ANNOUNCEMENTS: University Librarian Note
Check back next month for a new Note from Dean Wilkin.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Schematic Design Final Submittal Narrative
Tom Teper, Associate Dean for Collections and Technical Services

In December, the University received RATIO and Shepley Bulfinch’s final submittal of the schematic design for the Undergraduate Library’s Redevelopment. Heather posted an update to the project site that includes both exterior renderings and a link to the final project narrative. This narrative document will guide further development through the project’s next phases, Design Development and the preparation of Construction Documents.

If you are interested in viewing the news item, the images, or the narrative itself, please check out the site here:
https://www.library.illinois.edu/specialcollectionsbuilding/news/
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: 2022 Hangouts
Hangouts have been scheduled for 2022. Lucretia Williams has sent out Outlook calendar invites via LIB-NEWS. While we’ve attempted to keep these all on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 10am, please note there are some exceptions.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Residence Hall Libraries’ Winter BINGO

Now through Feb. 28th–Pick up a BINGO card from Ikenberry or Illinois Street Residence Hall Library, complete 5 tiles in a row, and return your completed card for a treat.

Plus, you’ll be entered in a raffle to pick out an Advanced Reader’s Copy of a book from our stash!
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Did You Know? A Monthly Factoid from Library Assessment

Do you know that the Library is the second-largest U.S. public academic library among Association of Research Libraries (ARL) in collection size?

Thanks to Acquisitions and Cataloging Services, Map Library, Esra Coskun, and Michael Norman for providing the statistics in this factoid. Image created by Library Assessment Graduate Assistant Lindsay Taylor.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Task Force Meeting Minutes
Minutes from past DEIA Task Force meetings are online on the Task Force web page.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Collection Development Committee Notes
The most recent meetings minutes of the CDC are posted at:
https://www.library.illinois.edu/staff/committee/collection-development-committee/
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Content Access Policy & Technology Meeting Minutes
The meeting minutes of CAPT (including workgroup reports) are posted at:
https://www.library.illinois.edu/staff/committee/content-access-policy-technology-capt/
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Recognizing Excellence
Please share your award, recognition, or grant! To initiate a request for publicity, employees (or their supervisors) should submit this Awards/Recognitions/Grants Publicity Request Form.
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HR NEWS: Filled Positions

  • Stephanie Luke – Metadata Librarian – Acquisitions and Cataloging, FAC – 3/16/2022

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HR NEWS: Searches Completed 

  • Metadata Librarian – Acquisitions and Cataloging, FAC – Dan Tracy, Chair

Kick-off scheduled for June 22, 2021. EC approved JD. Job live on the job board. Closing date August 20, 2021. Phone screenings held Sept 7, Sept 8, Sept 9, and Sept 14. Virtual interviews scheduled for Oct 13, Oct 15, Oct 19 and Oct 20. Offer extended. Stephanie Luke start date will be March 16, 2022.

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HR NEWS: Searches in Progress

  • Classics Librarian – Literature and Languages Library, FAC – Marek Sroka, Chair

Kick-off held October 5, 2021. EC approved JD. Job live on the job board. Closing date January 3, 2022.

  • Head, Grainger Engineering Librarian – Grainger Engineering Library Information Center, FAC – Chris Wiley, Chair

Kick-off held November 15, 2021. EC approved JD. Job live on the job board. Closing date January 28, 2022.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Staff Events Calendar
To see the most up-to-date staff events calendar, please visit https://uiuc.libcal.com/calendar/staff.
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: CARLI-Sponsored Professional Development Alliance (PDA) Events
January 11 to February 22

To register for these events please visit the CARLI Event Calendar.

  • Using Your Data to Make Decisions (Collaborative Literacy Learning Series)
    January 11 at 9:30 AMLibraries have access to a considerable amount of data: from statistics about library use (circulation, program attendance, website, and online resources use), to data about their communities. The hardest part is often determining what data are needed to answer operational questions or how to turn those data into evidence-based decisions.

Participants will leave this session with an understanding of how to create better visualizations for decision-making, and how to ask the questions to collect actionable data through community and staff surveys.

  • Data Literacy in the Library (Collaborative Literacy Learning Series)
    January 11 at 12:30 PM

This 90-minute workshop will explore teaching the skill of data literacy in the library, and include practical programming ideas that can be adapted for a range of spaces and audiences. At the end of this session, attendees will be able to communicate data literacy principles and implement data literacy activities in their space.

  • Crafting Your Story with Data Visualizations
    January 13 at 1 PM

What story are you telling with your data? What story do you want to tell with your data? This webinar on chart design for storytelling with data will introduce core design elements based on accepted best practices grounded in current visualization research. Webinar presenters will model strategies for designing and redesigning visualizations that tell stories, including chart selection, intentional use of color, and strategic use of text.

  • Tools You Can Use – Tools for Teaching Digital Literacy and Increasing Staff Confidence
    January 18 at 1:30 PM

Public libraries have long been leaders in bringing people into the digital world – providing programs and services that help patrons get jobs, gain knowledge, increase productivity, and engage with others online. Leveraging and strengthening existing library and community resources can help reduce staff burden and increase the library’s impact on digital literacy. Attendees will learn the importance of and best practices for digital literacy, as well as useful digital literacy tools and resources for library staff to employ when working with patrons and technologies.

  • The Before and After: Returning to Work with COVID Restrictions Still in Place
    January 19 at 2 PM

While it was challenging to work from home for 18 months, many feel returning to work with COVID restrictions still in place to be even more difficult. In this session, Joan Schuitema will explore some of the reasons for this such as continued isolation, the loss of workplace traditions and rituals, and grief associated with the loss of colleagues, friends, and family members. We will also try to identify ways to address these issues so as to improve our workplace experience.

  • Libraries Within the Ecosystem of Digital Equity: A Panel on Practical Advice and the Bigger Picture
    January 20 at 1 PM

Digital equity is not a new concept. Library workers have been tasked with addressing this issue since the dawn of personal computers, decades ago. However, the pandemic has thrown obstacles in the end game of making sure our communities are digitally equitable. A recent influx of funding from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 is also now on the table. Panelists will share how working towards digital inclusion requires a strong ecosystem of collaboration, how libraries fit within this ecosystem, and practical guidance on what the future holds for digital equity initiatives.

  • If You Have Emotions and You Know it Shout Hooray: Presenting Social Emotional Learning in Storytime
    January 25 at 12 PM

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) has always been an important part of education and human development. With the ongoing pandemic and shocking headlines, now, more than ever, we are prompted to help caregivers and young children learn how to express and understand their emotions. With the overwhelming amount of books in this genre, this webinar will help us choose books that involve SEL learning and also use (just about) any books, music and other storytime material to decipher feelings.

  • Working with Fire Professionals
    January 25 at 2 PM

Chief John High, Sr., from the Illinois Fire Service Institute, will look at identifying fire hazards, how to prevent them, and how the fire department will respond to the call. Learn how everyday items can help start a fire and how fast a fire can develop. Firefighters face a variety of hazards as they battle a burning building besides the heat and smoke. There are collapses of ceilings and walls, holes burned through the floors and live electrical and gas lines. When a fire occurs, the results are often devastating.

  • Creating Self-Led Foundational Literacy Kits for Child Care Centers
    January 27 at 1 PM

Learn the basic steps and components to create early literacy kits for childcare centers in your area. With many outreach services put on hold, these boxes are an accessible tool for childcare providers to use in their centers. This session will walk participants through revamping existing outreach materials, or creating a new partnership initiative. You’ll leave this webinar with examples, ideas, and an excitement to get started on your library’s own Literacy Kits!

  • Fair Use Gameshow
    February 22 at 6 PM

Are you interested in fair use, but not interested in long lectures on the topic? Would you like to test your fair use knowledge and have some fun? If the answer to either or both of these questions is yes, then join us as we play the Fair Use Gameshow! Your host, Sara Benson, the Copyright Librarian at the University of Illinois will ask fun, challenging fair use questions to the audience and our panel of esteemed copyright experts will chime in with their opinions. Join the fun as the panel including Melissa Ocepek, Assistant Professor at the iSchool, Pia Hunter, Access Librarian and Online Learning Consultant at the University of Illinois College of Law, and Barbara Kaplan, Faculty Outreach Librarian at the University of Illinois College of Law discuss the many nuances of fair use.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Library Annual Recognition Event
January 12 at 8:30 AM

Libraries will remain closed while this virtual event is happening. The event will have an optional virtual coffee in small groups beginning at 8:30AM until the event formally starts at 9:00AM.  Our guest speaker will be LaTonya Wilkins, author and leadership, executive, and team coach. Following LaTonya’s talk, there will be a recognition of service years, new employees, and presentation of the Library Outstanding Academic Professional, Civil Service, and Public Engagement awards.  We encourage everyone to attend. Those who do not wish to attend should work with their unit head to request vacation time or make arrangements with their unit head to work for the unit that morning.

Please mark your calendars now and plan to attend this event! We are looking forward to celebrating with everyone!

Zoom information: https://uiuc.libcal.com/event/8613380
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Aspen Magazine: Art in a Box
January 20, noon

Art and Architecture Librarian Emilee Mathews will go behind the scenes to delve into the magazine’s formation and context, and will show the Ricker Library of Architecture and Art’s recently donated copy to feature highlights from the magazine’s short but spectacular run. Register here.
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: In Search of Lost Time: The study of Earth history and chronology from the 18th to the 21st century
January 24 – July 22

The Rare Book & Manuscript Library, in collaboration with the Geology Department, presents In Search of Lost Time: The study of Earth history and chronology from the 18th to the 21st century, on view from January 24-July 22, 2022. The related concepts of time, chronology, and history form the lens through which Earth scientists view, understand, and interpret a dynamic planet. This exhibit will explore how the chronology of the Earth was established, with a focus on six themes that gradually led to the consensus view that the Earth is roughly 4.55 billion years of age. Please join us in the RBML for the exhibit’s opening reception from 3-5pm on Monday, January 24!
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Hangout
January 26 at 10AM

Please see the email (with a Zoom link) from Lucretia Williams via LIB-NEWS. Complete and submit the Library Hangout Suggestion and Volunteer Form if you have a topic to share.
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If you would like to submit content for the February issue of Library Office Notes, please submit it to Heather Murphy or Tom Teper by January 21, 2022.

December Library Office Notes

Posted on by


ANNOUNCEMENTS

HR NEWS

EVENTS AND TRAINING


ANNOUNCEMENTS: University Librarian Note
We’ve reached another important milestone in our progress on the first phase of the building project: on November 29, 2021, we submitted a proposal to consider the building project on the January 20, 2022 Board of Trustees agenda. A number of key elements have come together to make this possible. As many of you know, we have a preliminary schematic design, which has made possible a firmer estimate of costs, and we have the necessary funding commitments to be able to proceed. More on that in just a moment. Read more…
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Library Building Project Update – 12/1/2021
Tom Teper, Associate Dean for Collections and Technical Services

Project Meetings for November 2021

Representatives from the University Library, University Administration, and Facilities and Services met with members of our Architecture/Engineering (A/E) Team on November 1st, 3rd, 10th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 24th, 2021. These meetings included tours of collections storage in the Spurlock Museum, reviewed schematic design submissions, inspected roofing systems in the building, discussed AV and security proposals; prepared for discussions with the Chancellor’s Design Advisory Committee; provided additional scope clarification as the A/E finalized their draft proposal, and reviewed both the draft submittal and project cost estimates.

Members of the A/E team completed a presentation for the Chancellor’s Design Advisory Committee on 11/4/2021. Following that meeting, members of the A/E team and CDAC members conducted an extended design charette on 11/10/2021 to realize a final intended for the exterior architectural changes in the facility.

On November 30th, the A/E team completed a presentation to President Killeen, marking the final milestone before the upcoming January 20th Board of Trustees meeting.

Project-Related Meetings Scheduled for from November 2021 – February 2022 (as of 12/1/2021)

The following meetings include both scheduled project meetings (with project designation of U20118) as well as additional meetings that involve select representatives of the A/E, F&S, and University Library.

  • 12/1/2021 – U20118 UGL Redevelopment Plan Meeting
  • 12/15/2021 – U20118 UGL Redevelopment Plan Meeting
  • 1/5/2022 – U20118 UGL UGL Redevelopment Plan Meeting
  • 1/12/2022 – U20118 UGL UGL Redevelopment Plan Meeting
  • 1/19/2022 – U20118 UGL UGL Redevelopment Plan Meeting
  • 1/20/2022 – Board of Trustees Meeting
  • 1/26/2022 – U20118 UGL UGL Redevelopment Plan Meeting
  • 2/2/2022 – U20118 UGL UGL Redevelopment Plan Meeting
  • 2/7/2022 – U20118 UGL UGL Redevelopment Plan Meeting

Other Activities

The A/E’s team met with individuals from the Library on November 3, 2021 to review the schematic design submittal. This discussion focused on the comments generated from the mid-October submittal.

Efforts to barcode and improve inventory management continued over the last month. The Division is already beginning preliminary work related to their opening exhibit.
Members of the Library’s Administrative team refined a script for a fund-raising video and began filming in select locations during November.

Proposed Project Schedule

The kick-off meeting included a review of the proposed project schedule from the point that “conceptualization” began on July 21, 2021 through what is called “substantial completion” of construction work. Those dates in the future become increasingly speculative. At present, the schedule is as follows:

  • Conceptualization
    07/21/2021 work session
    08/12/2021 submission date
    08/26/2021 est. Concept review meeting
  • Schematic Design
    11/09/2021 submission date
    11/23/2021 est. SD review meeting
  • Design Development
    01/22/2022 submission date
    02/04/2022 est. DD review meeting-BOT Preparation
  • Construction Documents 50%
    03/31/2022 submission date
    4/14/2022 est. 50% CD review meeting
  • Construction Documents 95%
    07/04/2022 submission date
    07/18/ 2022 est. 95% CD review meeting
    08/18/2022 100% CD completion
  • Bidding/Award
    08/18/2022 Advertise for Bids
    08/25/2022 Pre-bid /Pre-pricing meeting
    09/30/2022 Bid Opening – To be confirmed
    01/04/2023 Notice Proceed
  • Board of Trustees approval (required on if individual contract is over $2,500,000.)
  • Construction – Start/End *
    01/05/2023 – 05/29/2024

Communications

Elements from last month’s LON were incorporated as news items in the new project website at: https://www.library.illinois.edu/specialcollectionsbuilding.

Based off communications with Heather Murphy and Kathryn Risor-Heise, we anticipate additional items on the project appearing on both the fall and winter issues of the Friendscript.

As noted earlier, efforts as underway to develop a video associated with the project, and we anticipate the potential addition of new imagery to the website in the coming weeks.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Save the Date for the Virtual Annual Recognition Event
The annual Library Recognition Event will be held virtually Wednesday, January 12, 2022, from 8:30 to 10:30AM.

Libraries will remain closed while this virtual event is happening. The event will have an optional virtual coffee in small groups beginning at 8:30AM until the event formally starts at 9:00AM.  Our guest speaker will be LaTonya Wilkins, author and leadership, executive, and team coach. Following LaTonya’s talk, there will be a recognition of service years, new employees, and presentation of the Library Outstanding Academic Professional, Civil Service, and Public Engagement awards.  We encourage everyone to attend. Those who do not wish to attend should work with their unit head to request vacation time or make arrangements with their unit head to work for the unit that morning.

Please mark your calendars now and plan to attend this event! Keep an eye out for a registration form coming soon, which will have snack options.

We are looking forward to celebrating with everyone!
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Did You Know? A Monthly Factoid from Library Assessment

Three word clouds with positive, neutral, and negative words for "library"

During November 2021, Library Assessment sent out the fourth Library Service Satisfaction Survey. The survey started in October/November 2020 and was sent again in March 2021. Each survey is similarly formatted and aims to assess students’ needs and attitudes towards library services. You can view factoids about the data collected in earlier surveys:

  • November 2020: The Most Used Library Services in October 2020
  • February 2021: Fall Semester 2020 Respondent Course Modality & Library Use, plus Survey Comments
  • May 2021: Spring 2021 Library Service Satisfaction Survey Fast Facts

The November 2021 Library Service Satisfaction Survey received 177 responses. One new question in this iteration asked “In one word, describe how you feel about the library.” The responses to that question are represented in this factoid. The size of the word represents its frequency as an answer. 74% of one-word responses were positive (by our classification), 19% neutral, and 7% negative. The one-word response gauges the temperature of user perception. Another new question to this survey was “What would you like to see at the Library?” Over 70 responses to that question will lead to more detailed, granular suggestions that will be passed on to several library project teams so they can make decisions with user feedback in mind.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Task Force Meeting Minutes
Minutes from past DEIA Task Force meetings are online on the Task Force web page.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Collection Development Committee Notes
The most recent meetings minutes of the CDC are posted at:
https://www.library.illinois.edu/staff/committee/collection-development-committee/
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Content Access Policy & Technology Meeting Minutes
The meeting minutes of CAPT (including workgroup reports) are posted at:
https://www.library.illinois.edu/staff/committee/content-access-policy-technology-capt/
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Recognizing Excellence

Please share your award, recognition, or grant! To initiate a request for publicity, employees (or their supervisors) should submit this Awards/Recognitions/Grants Publicity Request Form.
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HR NEWS: Filled Positions

  • Olga Makarova – Visiting Research Specialist, Slavic Reference Service – International and Area Studies Library, AP – 11/16/2021
  • Nacera Bouchama – Library Specialist with Arabic and W. European Language Specialty – Acquisitions and Cataloging Services – 12/13/2021

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HR NEWS: Searches Completed 

  • Visiting Research Specialist, Slavic Reference Service – International and Area Studies Library, AP – Kit Condill, Chair – Grant Funded

Kick-off held August 9, 2021. EC approved JD. Submitted JD to IHR for approval 8/25/21. Job live on the job board. Closed September 15, 2021. Phone screenings held September 24, 2021. Virtual interviews held Oct 14 and Oct 18. Awaiting search committee recommendation for hire. Offer extended. Olga Makarova started November 16, 2021.

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HR NEWS: Searches in Progress

  • Metadata Librarian – Acquisitions and Cataloging, FAC – Dan Tracy, Chair

Kick-off scheduled for June 22, 2021. EC approved JD. Job live on the job board. Closing date August 20, 2021. Phone screenings held Sept 7, Sept 8, Sept 9, and Sept 14. Virtual interviews scheduled for Oct 13, Oct 15, Oct 19 and Oct 20. Awaiting search committee recommendation for hire. Offer pending.

  • Classics Librarian – Literature and Languages Library, FAC – Marek Sroka, Chair

Kick-off held October 5, 2021. Awaiting EC approved PD.

  • Head, Grainger Engineering Librarian – Grainger Engineering Library Information Center, FAC – Chris Wiley, Chair

Kick-off held November 15, 2021. Awaiting EC approved PD.

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HR NEWS: In Memorium 

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Staff Events Calendar
To see the most up-to-date staff events calendar, please visit https://uiuc.libcal.com/calendar/staff.
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Meet the National Library: National Library of Poland
December 3 at 9 AM

The Slavic Reference Service welcomes you to the next iteration of our Meet the National Library series. We will be featuring the National Library of Poland. We will be joined by the Deputy Director of the National Library of Poland as well as representatives from the National Reading Development Programme, Bibliographic Institute, and Digital Collections Department. They will talk about the National Library, its services, databases, and a mass digitization project Patrimonium. Please register in advance here.
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: NISO DEIA Workshop 3: Metadata and Indigenous Knowledge
December 6 at 8:30 AM and 7 PM

This two-hour long virtual event is the third in a series of three, and will focus on metadata to support indigienous knowledge and non-traditional ouputs. Moderated by NISO DEIA Committee members Camille Callison (University of the Fraser Valley and a member of the Tsesk’iya clan of the Tāłtān First Nation) and Cindy Hohl (The Kansas City Public Library and a member of the Santee Sioux Nation of Santee, Nebraska), it will be held twice (9.30-11.30am ET and 8.00-10.00pm ET) to accommodate all time zones. A combination webinar/workshop, the agenda includes:

  • Welcome and objectives for the workshop
  • Keynote (TBA)
  • Discussion/Q&A
  • Small group moderated discussions
  • Report back by moderators/discussion
  • Wrap up and next steps

Registration for 8:30 AM: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/niso-deia-workshop-3-metadata-indigenous-knowledge-930am-1130am-et-tickets-169644014815

Registration for 7 PM: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/niso-deia-workshop-3-metadata-indigenous-knowledge-8pm-10pm-et-tickets-169644303679
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Hub Training
Tuesday, Dec. 7 from 2-3 PM and Friday, Dec. 10 from 3-4 PM

Working with International Students

Zoom information for the sessions: https://wiki.illinois.edu/wiki/pages/viewpage.action?spaceKey=libemployees&title=Hub+Training+Schedule

Please contact Sara Holder at sholder@illinois.edu if you have any questions.
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: NISO Webinar – Cost Effective Product and Project Management
December 8 at 10 AM

In a time of economic recovery, there is no bottomless well of resources. Managers must look closely at the budgetary requirements for delivering cost-effective projects and products. What is the best way to build your case as it goes before the decision-makers? If you’re working under the pressures of agile development, how can you plan for changes and budget appropriately? How can product and project managers get the resources they need when every expenditure is under scrutiny? How can you prepare for the unexpected? This roundtable discussion will feature experienced product and project managers, sharing the useful tips and practices they’ve learned during their own careers.

Please email training@library.illinois.edu for login credentials or recordings.
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Hangout
December 8 at 10AM

Mark your calendars and watch for an email (with a Zoom link) from Lucretia Williams via LIB-NEWS. We’re still looking for someone who would be willing to host a Zoom social hour after the Hangout concludes. Please complete the Library Hangout Suggestion and Volunteer Form if you’re interested.
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Build-a-Book Workshop with Preservation Services and the Residence Hall Libraries

Thursday, December 9, 4-5:30 pm

Location: Student Dining and Residential Programs Building Room 2003

Create a blank book as a unique holiday gift for a family member, a friend, or yourself!
Instruction and materials will be provided by Preservation Services. Snacks will be provided by the Residence Hall Libraries.
All U of I folks are welcome to join!
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: NISO Webinar – Team Building
December 15 at 10 AM

Building successful, collaborative teams requires more than just picking people with a specific set of skills. Managers must also balance the need to support their team’s motivation and enthusiasm with planning requirements and time constraints.  What are best practices for team communications? How can you ensure collective, as well as individual, accountability? What are the best ways of handling those “awkward” conversations that inevitably arise? When do you negotiate with your team and when are you justified in making demands of them? This roundtable discussion will bring together a group of experienced managers from across the information community to share the lessons they’ve learned, as well as their secrets for success.

Please email training@library.illinois.edu for login credentials or recordings.
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If you would like to submit content for the January issue of Library Office Notes, please submit it to Heather Murphy or Tom Teper by December 17, 2021.

November Library Office Notes

Posted on by


ANNOUNCEMENTS

HR NEWS

EVENTS AND TRAINING


ANNOUNCEMENTS: University Librarian Note
I’d like to take this opportunity to elaborate on staffing plans and the Main/Undergraduate Library Integration Project.

The services that we provide to undergraduates are, and will continue to be, an important part of the Library’s offerings. I am excited about the sorts of connections the move of UGL services into Main and other libraries will foster. We’re all part of a larger whole and we’ll work together to ensure all students feel welcome and comfortable in all of our campus libraries, especially when the UGL closes next summer.

As services transition out of the Undergraduate Library, all of the librarians and staff in the UGL will be moving into the same or related roles in other libraries. There is a place for everyone. Particularly for those who have been concerned about the future of our staff in the UGL, I hope this provides a greater sense of certainty. Read more…
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Library Building Project Update – 11/1/2021
Tom Teper, Associate Dean for Collections and Technical Services

Project Meetings for October 2021

Representatives from the University Library, University Administration, and Facilities and Services met with members of our Architecture/Engineering (A/E) Team on October 5th, 6th, 12th, and 20th, 2021. These meetings evaluated elevators within the current Undergraduate Library and Tunnel; helped to verify collection size for RBML; reviewed initial AV and security proposals; prepared for further presentations to the campus’ Architectural Review Committee; discussed the proposed Recording Studio; and provided additional scope clarification as the A/E finalized their draft proposal.

Members of the A/E team also completed a presentation for the campus’ Architectural Review Committee on 10/19/2021.

In addition to the meetings involving members of the A/E team, Library personnel met to tour instructional spaces in the Siebel Center for Design, discussed the next project phase, and made presentations about the project’s status to the Library’s Board of Advocates, the Special Collections Division, and the Library at-large. Library personnel also met with our F&S project manager to discuss the status of the A/E’s draft document.

Project-Related Meetings Scheduled for from November 2021 – February 2022 (as of 10/29/2021)

The following meetings include both scheduled project meetings (with project designation of U20118) as well as additional meetings that involve select representatives of the A/E, F&S, and University Library.

  • 11/3/2021 – U20118 – UGL Redevelopment – Design and Estimate Review
  • 11/4/2021 – Chancellor’s Design Advisory Committee (CDAC)
  • 11/10/2021 – U20118 – UGL Redevelopment Plan Meeting
  • 11/17/2021 – U20118 – UGL Redevelopment Plan Meeting
  • 11/18/2021 – U20118 UGL Redevelopment – Security Meeting
  • 11/18/2021 – SCL/University Library Town Hall
  • 11/–/2021 – Chancellor’s Review Committee – date TBD
  • 11/24/2021 – UGL Redevelopment Plan Meeting
  • 11/30/2021 – President’s Review Committee
  • 12/1/2021 – U20118 UGL Redevelopment Plan Meeting
  • 12/8/2021 – UGL Redevelopment Plan Meeting
  • 12/15/2021 – U20118 UGL Redevelopment Plan Meeting
  • 1/5/2022 – UGL Redevelopment Plan Meeting
  • 1/12/2022 – UGL Redevelopment Plan Meeting
  • 1/19/2022 – UGL Redevelopment Plan Meeting
  • 1/26/2022 – UGL Redevelopment Plan Meeting
  • 2/2/2022 – UGL Redevelopment Plan Meeting
  • 2/7/2022 – UGL Redevelopment Plan Meeting

Other Activities

The A/E submitted a draft of their schematic design in mid-October. With two weeks to review the documents and submit comments, members of the Library’s project team and F&S went to work. In the end, compiled comments were submitted back to the A/E on 10/28/2021 for discussion at the forthcoming 11/3/2021 meeting.

In addition to this work, the leadership within the Special Collections IHLC, University Archives, and RBML worked with personnel in their units to identify those who will help with Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment (FFE) in the project’s next stages.

Efforts to barcode and improve inventory management continued over the last month. The Division is already beginning preliminary work related to their opening exhibit.

Members of the Library’s Administrative team worked to develop a script for a fund-raising video that will be developed in the coming months.

Proposed Project Schedule

The kick-off meeting included a review of the proposed project schedule from the point that “conceptualization” began on July 21, 2021 through what is called “substantial completion” of construction work. Those dates in the future become increasingly speculative. At present, the schedule is as follows:

  • Conceptualization
    07/21/2021 work session
    08/12/2021 submission date
    08/26/2021 est. Concept review meeting
  • Schematic Design
    11/09/2021 submission date
    11/23/2021 est. SD review meeting
  • Design Development
    01/22/2022 submission date
    02/04/2022 est. DD review meeting-BOT Preparation
  • Construction Documents 50%
    03/31/2022 submission date
    4/14/2022 est. 50% CD review meeting
  • Construction Documents 95%
    07/04/2022 submission date
    07/18/ 2022 est. 95% CD review meeting
    08/18/2022 100% CD completion
  • Bidding/Award
    08/18/2022 Advertise for Bids
    08/25/2022 Pre-bid /Pre-pricing meeting
    09/30/2022 Bid Opening – To be confirmed
    01/04/2023 Notice Proceed
  • Board of Trustees approval (required on if individual contract is over $2,500,000.)
  • Construction – Start/End *
    01/05/2023 – 05/29/2024

Communications

Elements from last month’s LON were incorporated as news items in the new project website at: https://www.library.illinois.edu/specialcollectionsbuilding.

Based off communications with Heather Murphy and Kathryn Risor-Heise, we anticipate additional items on the project appearing on both the fall and winter issues of the Friendscript.

As noted earlier, efforts as underway to develop a video associated with the project, and we anticipate the potential addition of new imagery to the website in the coming weeks.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Grainger Engineering Library Information Center Announces Launch of STEM Entrepreneurship Services with National Entrepreneurship Month
The Grainger Engineering Library Information Center (GELIC) is launching STEM Entrepreneurship services in conjunction with National Entrepreneurship Month for November. Last month, Grainger Engineering Library announced that Business Information Services (BIS) will be operating out of GELIC, leading to transformation and the formation of STEM Entrepreneurship services. Associate Professor Becky Smith joined GELIC in a new role as STEM Entrepreneurship & Business Librarian.

The Grainger Engineering Library Innovation, Discovery, Design, and Data (IDEA) Lab is coordinating events for its new “Dolphin Tank Days” during the week of November 15th to 19th. Dolphin Tanks are cooperative events where groups can showcase and demo their products and services that help serve the public good as well as entrepreneurial ventures. Come, learn, and experience innovation at Illinois. The IDEA Lab is located in the lower level west of the Grainger Engineering Library. Events planned thus far are as follows:

  • November 16th: IDEA Lab Open House, from 5:30pm to 7pm.
    The IDEA Lab will be showcasing its array of technology-rich spaces and innovation support services, including: The new Immersive Learning Lab, equipped with 10 new Alienware gaming and Virtual Reality (VR) ready workstations and VR headsets. This space is set up for gaming, experiencing VR, and immersive teaching and learning. Visualization Theater, an 8’x14’ 8K display wall comprised of 16 46” monitor combined into one large-format true 8K resolution. The Visualization Theater is powered by a high-end Windows 10 workstation with NVIDIA Quadro 6000 video card. This space is set up for presentations, collaborations, and teaching.3D Printing Studio equipped with 7 state-of-the-art 3D Printers. This space is set up to meet the rapid prototyping needs of faculty, students, and staff through senior design and capstone courses, student startups, and other entrepreneurial ventures.
  • November 17th: Health Innovation Day, from 11am to 2pm.
    Come join our speakers and view demonstrations of the innovations at Illinois that help solve society’s greatest health challenges. Participants include the Carle Illinois College of Medicine, past winners of the Health Make-a-Thon, and the Health Care Engineering Systems Center.
  • November 18th: Venture Capital, Private Equity, and Market Research, from 11am to 3pm.
    Venture Capital, Private Equity, and market research database publishers will present virtually over Zoom or Teams and broadcast from the Visualization Room for the best viewing. There will be the usual option to view remotely from home or office. CB Insights, Preqin, PrivCo, Mintel, IDTechEx are among the publishers who will be talking about their products and some trends related to entrepreneurship.

Questions? Contact Alex (Elisandro) Cabada, cabada@illinois.edu, or Becky Smith, becky@illinois.edu.

Look for further announcements on LibNews!
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Task Force Updates
There were two meetings of the Task Force in October (the 7th and the 20th); some items on the agendas included:

  • October 7: Reorganization of teams and next steps, review of the Communications Team’s Communications Process document, final discussion about the Assessment Team’s Year One Base Survey Report
  • October 20: Review of Consultancy Support Team’s report, discussion abut Assessment Team’s focus group questions, review of the Communications Team’s Communications Process document

The next meeting is scheduled for November 4.

Minutes from past DEIA Task Force meetings are online on the Task Force web page.

The Task Force invites Library colleagues to its office hours. Please keep on the lookout for an email via LIB-NEWS from Co-chair Joe Lenkart with the Zoom link for the next set of office hours.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Did You Know? A Monthly Factoid from Library Assessment

“A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away….”

The pre-pandemic life could seem like a long time ago when there were no social distancing and indoor restrictions. The Wi-Fi usage at the Library was down significantly during the 2020-2021 academic year because of limited capacity at library buildings and spaces. However, Wi-Fi usage is back on the rise this fall. During the Sweeps Week (October 11-17), 93,635 Wi-Fi sessions (when a user’s device such as a computer or a cell phone connects to the Wi-Fi network) were initiated in ACES (Funk) Library, Grainger Engineering Library Information Center, Main Library and Undergraduate Library.  Averagely, a Wi-Fi session lasts 1 hour and 13 minutes – and altogether 114,968 hours and 49 minutes (more than 13 years) were spent on the Wi-Fi between October 11-17. In that one week, enough data came over the Wi-Fi to stream 49 years of music! (Music streaming years were calculated at a normal quality — or as Spotify puts it: 96kbits/sec).
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Collection Development Committee Notes
The most recent meetings minutes of the CDC are posted at:
https://www.library.illinois.edu/staff/committee/collection-development-committee/
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Content Access Policy & Technology Meeting Minutes
The meeting minutes of CAPT (including workgroup reports) are posted at:
https://www.library.illinois.edu/staff/committee/content-access-policy-technology-capt/
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Recognizing Excellence

Please share your award, recognition, or grant! To initiate a request for publicity, employees (or their supervisors) should submit this Awards/Recognitions/Grants Publicity Request Form.
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HR NEWS: Filled Positions

  • Sandi Caldrone – Research Data Librarian – Research Data Service – 10/16/2021
  • Evelyn Cordell – Dual Career E-Learning Librarian – Research Information Services – 10/16/2021
  • Kimberly Johnson – Associate Director for Fiscal Operations – Business & Human Resources Service Center – 10/18/2021

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HR NEWS: Departures 

  • Alicia Taylor – Monographic and Media Cataloging Coordinator – Acquisitions & Cataloging Services – 10/5/2021
  • Rob Wallace – IT Technical Associate – Grainger Engineering Library – 11/22/2021

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HR NEWS: Vacancies

  • IT Specialist – Library IT – Closed 09/28/2021
  • Library Specialist with language specialty (Arabic & Western European) – Acquisitions & Cataloging Services – will be posted soon
  • Library Specialist (E-Resources) – Acquisitions & Cataloging Services – will be posted soon

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HR NEWS: Searches Completed 

  • Research Data Librarian – Research Data Service, FAC – Carissa Phillips, Chair

Kick-off meeting held February 16, 2021. Live on the job board. Closed April 9, 2021. Phone screenings scheduled April 21, April 22, April 26, April 27 and April 29. Virtual interviews held May 17, May 18, May 27 and June 1. Offer extended. Sandi Caldrone start date will be October 16, 2021.

  • Dual Career-E-Learning Librarian – Research Information Services, FAC – David Ward, Chair

Kick-off meeting held May 24, 2021. Virtual interview held June 4, 2021. Offer Extended. Evelyn Cordell start date will be October 16, 2021.

  • Associate Director for Fiscal Operations – Business & Human Resources Service Center, AP – Skye Arseneau, Chair

Kick-off meeting held June 7, 2021. EC approved JD. Awaiting IHR approval. IHR approved JD 6/29/2021. Job live on job board. Closed July 16, 2021. Five candidates selected, but one withdrew. Phone screenings scheduled for Aug 16, Aug 17 and Aug 18.  Virtual interviews held August 30, September 1, and September 2. Offer extended. Kimberly Johnson start date will be October 18, 2021.

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HR NEWS: Searches in Progress

  • Metadata Librarian – Acquisitions and Cataloging, FAC – Dan Tracy, Chair

Kick-off scheduled for June 22, 2021. EC approved JD. Job live on the job board. Closing date August 20, 2021. Phone screenings held Sept 7, Sept 8, Sept 9, and Sept 14. Virtual interviews scheduled for Oct 13, Oct 15, Oct 19 and Oct 20. 

  • Visiting Research Specialist, Slavic Reference Service (grant funded) – International and Area Studies Library, AP – Kit Condill, Chair

Kick-off scheduled for August 9, 2021. EC approved JD. Submitted JD to IHR for approval 8/25/21. Job live on the job board. Closing September 15, 2021. Phone screenings held September 24, 2021. Virtual interviews scheduled for Oct 14 and Oct 18.

  • Classics Librarian – Literature and Languages Library, FAC – Marek Sroka, Chair

Kick-off held October 5, 2021. Awaiting EC approved JD.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Staff Events Calendar
To see the most up-to-date staff events calendar, please visit https://uiuc.libcal.com/calendar/staff.
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Hub Training
Tuesday, Nov. 2 from 2-3 PM and Friday, Nov. 5 from 3-4 PM
Chat Transcript Review

Tuesday, Nov. 16 from 2-3 PM and Friday, Nov. 19 from 3-4 PM
Working with Users with Disabilities

Tuesday, Dec. 7 from 2-3 PM and Friday, Dec. 10 from 3-4 PM
Working with International Students

Zoom information for the sessions: https://wiki.illinois.edu/wiki/pages/viewpage.actionspaceKey=libemployees&title=Hub+Training+Schedule 

Please contact Sara Holder at sholder@illinois.edu if you have any questions
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Player Piano Virtual Demonstration
November 5 at 12 PM

Location: Online (Zoom)
Contact: Music & Performing Arts Library (mpal@library.illinois.edu)
Description: Join the Music & Performing Arts Library for a virtual lunch hour demonstration featuring the Library’s Steinway Duo-Art reproducing piano and collection of piano rolls. See the piano in action and learn more about the instrument and roll collection. The demonstration will last approximately 30 minutes and there will be additional time for questions.

Register here: https://go.library.illinois.edu/pianoregistration
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: NISO Webinar – Working with Semantics: Technology and Tools
November 10 at 10 AM

Today’s sophisticated information resources are engineered in ways that emphasize relationships between related but disparate data elements. This webinar will focus on the emerging techniques and technologies that support these functionalities. A roundtable of information professionals and developers will discuss the theory and practice of building smart systems in service to the information and research communities.

Please email training@library.illinois.edu for login credentials or recordings.
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: NISO DEIA Workshop 2: Metadata and Accessibility
November 15 at 8:30 AM and 7 PM

This two-hour-long virtual event is the second in a series of three, and will focus on metadata to support accessibility. Moderated by NISO DEIA Committee members Michael Johnson (Benetech) and Gabi Rundle (Emerald Publishing), it will be held twice (9.30-11.30am ET and 8.00-10.00pm ET) to accommodate all time zones. A combination webinar/workshop, the agenda includes:

• Welcome and objectives for the workshop
• Keynote – George Kerscher, DAISY Consortium
• Discussion/Q&A
• Small group moderated discussions
• Report back by moderators/discussion
• Wrap up and next steps

Registration for 8:30 AM: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/niso-deia-workshop-2-metadata-and-accessibility-930am-1130am-et-tickets-169628472327

Registration for 7 PM: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/niso-deia-workshop-2-metadata-and-accessibility-8pm-10pm-et-tickets-169641300697
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: “Dolphin Tank Days” Events
November 16-18

See Grainger Engineering Library Information Center Announces Launch of STEM Entrepreneurship Services with National Entrepreneurship Month above for more information.
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Illinois GIS Day
November 17

Please join us on Wednesday, November 17th for Illinois GIS Day 2021, the annual showcase of geographic information science (GIS) and geospatial data science applications. Faculty, students, and industry leaders will share how they use GIS data and methods to tackle a wide array of social, environmental, and economic challenges.

Please stay tuned for further event details including the agenda, keynote speaker announcement, and career panel participants. Visit GISDay.illinois.edu to learn more and contact geography@illinois.edu with questions or sponsorship inquiries.
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: OEC Skill Up Session: Making your Outreach Accessible
November 18, 2 PM, via Zoom
Presenter: JJ Pionke

In this session, we’ll talk about best practices for outreach and marketing as it relates to accessibility. We’ll also talk a bit about presentation best practices. There will be a minimalist PowerPoint presentation with plenty of time for Q&A so bring your questions!

Zoom link forthcoming on LibNews.
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Archives and Special Collections Building and Undergraduate Library Services Town Hall
November 18 at 3 PM

The Senate Committee on the Library and the University Library will host a campus-wide Town Hall on Nov 18 from 3-4:30pm via Zoom. Representatives from the Library will provide background and logistics for the project and speak on Undergraduate Library services. The architecture/engineering teams will give a project presentation. There is also an opportunity for Q and A.

Register at:
https://go.library.illinois.edu/Nov18
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If you would like to submit content for the December issue of Library Office Notes, please submit it to Heather Murphy or Tom Teper by November 19, 2021.

October Library Office Notes

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

HR NEWS

EVENTS AND TRAINING


ANNOUNCEMENTS: University Librarian Note
Check back next month for a new Note from Dean Wilkin.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Library Building Project Update – 10/1/2021
Tom Teper, Associate Dean for Collections and Technical Services

Project Meetings for September 2021

Representatives from the University Library, University Administration, and Facilities and Services met with members of our Architecture/Engineering (A/E) Team for meeting on September 1st, 15th, 22nd, 23rd, 27th, 29th, and 30th, 2021. These meetings reviewed planning option revisions and shelving layouts; narrowed down the anticipated floor plans; discussed Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) Issues; reviewed the preliminary findings for the building’s LEED status (presently on the way to Silver); discussed options for elevators in the facility; held further discussions on mechanical controls and plumbing; reviewed the seating, interior concept, and shelving; and concluded the month with two meetings to further discuss RBML Collections and Code Compliance.

Members of the A/E team also completed a presentation for the Chancellor’s Design Advisory Committee (CDAC) in which the group received valuable feedback on the potential loading dock addition.

In addition to the meetings involving members of the A/E team, Library personnel met to discuss further refinements for the Exhibit Preparation, Conservation, and Digitization spaces; Toured Recording Studies in Gies College of Business; conducted a walk-through of the Undergraduate Library with the campus’ new code compliance officer; met with Library IT representative to verify some spaces associated with IT data needs in the building; discussed some Advancement-related issues; and held multiple meetings to re-verify staff numbers and space needs.

Project-Related Meetings Scheduled for from October – December 2021 (as of 9/27/2021)

The following meetings include both scheduled project meetings (with project designation of U20118) as well as additional meetings that involve select representatives of the A/E, F&S, and University Library.

  • 10/–/2021 – U20118 UGL AV IT initial meeting – date TBD
  • 10/6/2021 – U20118: UGL Redevelopment – ARC Discussion, 3D Images
  • 10/19/2021 – Tour Siebel Center for Design Classrooms
  • 10/19/2021 – Architectural Review Committee
  • 10/20/2021 – U20118 UGL Redevelopment – Scope Clarifications
  • 11/3/2021 – U20118 – UGL Redevelopment – Estimate Review
  • 11/4/2021 – Chancellor’s Design Advisory Committee (CDAC)
  • 11/17/2021 – U20118 – UGL Redevelopment Plan Meeting
  • 11/–/2021 – Chancellor’s Review Committee – date TBD
  • 11/30/2021 – President’s Review Committee
  • 12/1/2021 – U20118 UGL Redevelopment Plan Meeting
  • 12/15/2021 – U20118 UGL Redevelopment Plan Meeting

Other Activities

While these meeting occurred, members of the Special Collection Division spent a considerable amount of time reverifying collections and personnel data, reassessing potential assigned spaces within the building, and reviewing notes from the A/E following meetings.

Efforts to barcode and improve inventory management continued over the last month. The Division is already beginning preliminary work related to their opening exhibit.

Members of the Library’s Administrative team worked to develop a script for a fund-raising video that will be developed in the coming months.

Proposed Project Schedule

The kick-off meeting included a review of the proposed project schedule from the point that “conceptualization” began on July 21, 2021 through what is called “substantial completion” of construction work. Those dates in the future become increasingly speculative. At present, the schedule is as follows:

  • Conceptualization
    07/21/2021 work session
    08/12/2021 submission date
    08/26/2021 est. Concept review meeting
  • Schematic Design
    11/09/2021 submission date
    11/23/2021 est. SD review meeting
  • Design Development
    01/22/2022 submission date
    02/04/2022 est. DD review meeting-BOT Preparation
  • Construction Documents 50%
    03/31/2022 submission date
    4/14/2022 est. 50% CD review meeting
  • Construction Documents 95%
    07/04/2022 submission date
    07/18/ 2022 est. 95% CD review meeting
    08/18/2022 100% CD completion
  • Bidding/Award
    08/18/2022 Advertise for Bids
    08/25/2022 Pre-bid /Pre-pricing meeting
    09/30/2022 Bid Opening – To be confirmed
    01/04/2023 Notice Proceed
  • Board of Trustees approval (required on if individual contract is over $2,500,000.)
  • Construction – Start/End *
    01/05/2023 – 05/29/2024

Communications

Elements from last month’s LON were incorporated as news items in the new project website at: https://www.library.illinois.edu/specialcollectionsbuilding.

Based off communications with Heather Murphy and Kathryn Risor-Heise, we anticipate additional items on the project appearing on both the fall and winter issues of the Friendscript.

As noted earlier, efforts as underway to develop a video associated with the project, and we anticipate the potential addition of new imagery to the website in the coming weeks.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: GA Exhibit Contest
The Library Exhibitions Committee is sponsoring a contest open to all graduate students who work in any of the university libraries. The contest opens October 1, 2021; proposals are due December 6 by 5:00 p.m. The winner will be notified by December 13, 2021. To enter the contest, please submit a proposal for an exhibit that promotes a library resource or highlights a special subject or collection within the library. One winner will be selected by the Exhibitions Committee to build and display an exhibit in the Marshall Gallery* of the main library in April 2022. The winner will receive a prize of $200 and will have an allowance of $100 for printing costs. The student is expected to follow preservation concepts. For a complete list of contest regulations, visit https://www.library.illinois.edu/staff/committee/exhibitions-committee/. 
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: OEC Outreach and Engagement Grant
Outreach and Engagement Committee

If you have any questions, please contact us at OEC@library.illinois.edu or reach out to any of our committee members. We look forward to your applications!
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Task Force Updates
There was one meeting of the Task Force in the past month (September 8) where the Year One DEIA Base Survey report was discussed in depth. In addition, in place of an all-members Task Force meeting on September 22, individual teams were asked to meet to discuss their work thus far, follow-up tasks, next steps, and anticipated resources. The next meeting is scheduled for October 7.

The new DEIA Vision Statement and definitions were added to the Library’s website at https://www.library.illinois.edu/geninfo/deia/.

Minutes from all past DEIA Task Force meetings are now online on the Task Force web page.

The next Office Hours will be offered today from 11-12. Please refer to an email with the Zoom link from Co-chair Joe Lenkart via LIB-NEWS. The Task Force would love to hear from colleagues in the Library!
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Did You Know? A Monthly Factoid from Library Assessment

In September 2020, Library Assessment created a “first day” factoid to show user engagement with the Library while operating with a hybrid service model. Revisiting those “first day” statistics continues to show new engagements when the fall 2021 semester started. As expected, 2020 saw a significant increase in the use of online services and electronic resources (EZ Proxy, LibGuides, and LibChat). However, use of those services hasn’t dropped to 2019 numbers even though in-person library services are more accessible.

A note about the data: these metrics and data collection methods have also undergone changes within the past three years, leading to new data points and also estimation of some historical ones. The 2019 LibGuides visits are based off monthly counts divided by the number of days that received visits. The method of measuring engagements to the library’s websites has moved from Google Analytics Universal to Google Analytics 4.

Shout out to John Laskowski for providing website usage stats on demand!
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Collection Development Committee Notes
The most recent meetings minutes of the CDC are posted at:
https://www.library.illinois.edu/staff/committee/collection-development-committee/
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Content Access Policy & Technology Meeting Minutes
The meeting minutes of CAPT (including workgroup reports) are posted at:
https://www.library.illinois.edu/staff/committee/content-access-policy-technology-capt/
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Recognizing Excellence
Please share your award, recognition, or grant! To initiate a request for publicity, employees (or their supervisors) should submit this Awards/Recognitions/Grants Publicity Request Form.
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HR NEWS: Filled Positions

  • Sandi Caldrone – Research Data Librarian – Research Data Service – 10/16/2021
  • Evelyn Cordell – Dual Career E-Learning Librarian – Research Information Services – 10/16/2021

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HR NEWS: Departures 

  • Adam Doskey – Assistant Professor – RBML – 8/15/2021
  • Anabella Irvine – Visiting Research Specialist – IAS – 9/15/2021
  • Jason Strutz – Manager of IT Infrastructure Management and Support – Library IT – 9/15/2021
  • Lesli Lundquist – Facility Operations Coordinator – Facilities – 9/17/2021
  • Wendy Balthazor – Grants and Contracts Coordinator – BHRSC – 9/19/2021
  • Susan Edwards – Associate Director of Fiscal Operations – BHRSC – 9/30/2021

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HR NEWS: Vacancies

  • IT Specialist – Library IT – Closes 09/28/2021
  • Library Specialist with language specialty (Arabic & Western European) – Acquisitions & Cataloging Services – will be posted soon

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HR NEWS: Searches Completed 

  • Research Data Librarian – Research Data Service, FAC – Carissa Phillips, Chair

Kick-off meeting held February 16, 2021. Live on the job board. Closed April 9, 2021. Phone screenings scheduled April 21, April 22, April 26, April 27 and April 29. Virtual interviews held May 17, May 18, May 27 and June 1. Sandi Caldrone start date will be October 16, 2021.

  • Dual Career-E-Learning Librarian – Research Information Services, FAC – David Ward, Chair

Kick-off meeting held May 24, 2021. Virtual interview held June 4, 2021. Offer Extended. Evelyn Cordell start date will be October 16, 2021.

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HR NEWS: In Searches in Progress or Pre-announcement

  • Associate Director for Fiscal Operations – Business & Human Resources Service Center, AP – Skye Arseneau, Chair

Kick-off meeting held June 7, 2021. EC approved JD. Awaiting IHR approval. IHR approved JD 6/29/2021. Job live on job board. Closed July 16, 2021. Five candidates selected, but one withdrew. Phone screenings scheduled for Aug 16, Aug 17 and Aug 18.  Virtual interviews held August 30, September 1, and September 2. Offer Pending

  • Metadata Librarian– Acquisitions and Cataloging, FAC – Dan Tracy, Chair

Kick-off scheduled for June 22, 2021. EC approved JD. Job live on the job board. Closing date August 20, 2021. Phone screenings held Sept 7, Sept 8, Sept 9, and Sept 14.

  • Visiting Research Specialist, Slavic Reference Service (grant funded) – International and Area Studies Library, AP – Kit Condill, Chair

Kick-off scheduled for August 9, 2021. EC approved JD. Submitted JD to IHR for approval 8/25/21. Job live on the job board. Closing September 15, 2021.

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HR NEWS: In Memorium

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Hub Training

Friday, Oct. 1 from 3-4 PM
E-resources Access & Troubleshooting

Tuesday, Oct. 12 from 2-3 PM and Friday, Oct. 15 from 3-4 PM
ILL / DocExpress & Policies on Access to Physical Collections

Tuesday, Oct. 26 from 2-3 PM and Friday, Oct. 29 from 3-4 PM
Reference in Special Collections

Tuesday, Nov. 2 from 2-3 PM and Friday, Nov. 5 from 3-4 PM
Chat Transcript Review

Tuesday, Nov. 16 from 2-3 PM and Friday, Nov. 19 from 3-4 PM
Working with Users with Disabilities

Tuesday, Dec. 7 from 2-3 PM and Friday, Dec. 10 from 3-4 PM
Working with International Students

Zoom information for the sessions:
https://wiki.illinois.edu/wiki/pages/viewpage.action?spaceKey=libemployees&title=Hub+Training+Schedule

Please contact Sara Holder at sholder@illinois.edu if you have any questions.
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: NISO DEIA Workshop 1: Metadata and DEIA
October 4 at 8:30 AM and at 7 PM

This two-hour long virtual event is the first in a series of three, each focused on a different aspect of metadata to support diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, starting with this general overview of the topic. It will be held twice (9.30-11.30am ET and 8.00-10.00pm ET) to accommodate all time zones. Moderated by NISO DEIA Committee Co-Chairs Karim Boughida (University of Rhode Island Libraries) and Maria Stanton (Atla), the agenda for this combination webinar/workshop includes:

  • Welcome and objectives for the workshop
  • Keynote (speaker to be announced shortly)
  • Discussion/Q&A
  • Small group moderated discussions
  • Report back by moderators/discussion
  • Wrap up and next steps

More information will be available in the coming weeks — please sign up now to receive joining instructions a few days before each workshop.

Registration for 8:30 AM:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/niso-deia-workshop-1-metadata-and-deia-930am-1130am-edt-tickets-169536806151

Registration for 7 PM:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/niso-deia-workshop-1-metadata-and-deia-8pm-10pm-edt-tickets-169628111247
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: The Application of 3D Printing Services in the Academic Library – Parts 1 and 2
These are CARLI-sponsored Professional Development Alliance (PDA) events.

Driven to democratize access to emerging technologies and the knowledge it affords, the Academic Library is well positioned to provide access to 3D Printing services to support the design learning pedagogy in higher education. Rapid prototyping technologies allow you to design, 3D print, and test your designs in real time. In this 2-part series, you will learn about 3D Printing and develop an understanding for how the technologies can be implemented in the Academic Library.

Part 1 – October 6 at 2:00 p.m. CST: Learn about the hardware and software that drives 3D Printing, see a live demo, and learn about what technologies are currently available.

Part 2 – October 20 at 2:00 p.m. CST: Learn about the role of 3D Printing in the Academic Library, see examples from across the nation, and learn tips for how to implement your own 3D Printing service.

Elisandro Cabada is an Assistant Professor and the Medical and Bioengineering Librarian at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he provides emerging technology services to support higher education. His research interests include studying the barriers to access, pedagogical affordances, and application of emerging and immersive technologies in research and instruction. Elisandro is a recipient of the 2021 Best Emerging Technology Award, awarded by the ALA RUSA Emerging Technologies Section.

To register visit the CARLI Event Calendar.

Recordings of past CARLI-sponsored PDA events are available where permitted by the presenter.
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: NISO Webinar – Workflows Across Systems: Innovation
October 13 at 10 AM

Building interoperability into our systems requires partnering and collaboration — working together across stakeholder groups to develop useful approaches. What are the best ways to innovate? Are there better ways of exchanging data and information? What’s required to build those?  How can partners work together to engineer systems that operate with integrity and protect data privacy? How can we avoid duplication of efforts across a community as broad as ours? This webinar will look at the possibilities for innovations in interoperability between both internal and externally-facing information systems, identifying both the challenges and also the opportunities for creative solutions and new priorities.

Please email training@library.illinois.edu for login credentials or recordings.
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: LibGuides Training
October 13 at 11 AM and October 14 at noon

The Office of Information Literacy will be offering two LibGuides training sessions in October for those new to LibGuides, or those who would like to refresh their skills. Both sessions contain the same content, and will be taught by Anri Brod, the Information Literacy Graduate Hourly.

These sessions will be held over Zoom; you do not need to register in advance. If you have any questions, please email infolit@library.illinois.edu

Zoom information sent via LibNews email from Brod Anri on September 14.
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: 2nd Annual Baltic Sea Region Forum
October 21 at 9 AM

The Baltic Sea Region is home to nine countries that represent numerous cultures and societies. Through interdisciplinary scholarly discussions, the Slavic Reference Service seeks to highlight original research and facilitate thematic discussions on the countries of this world region. The forum theme for 2021 is Societies in Transition. Some of the focus areas to be addressed in this forum include:

  • Gender
  • COVID-19 Global Pandemic
  • Climate Change
  • Regional Security
  • Mass Media and Communication
  • The Belarusian crisis

We welcome scholars from around the world to participate in this event. Please register using this link https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/1866924. If you are interested in presenting your research on this region, please indicate your interest on this form and upload a 250-350 word abstract when prompted. Submission deadline is October 13.
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Library Hangout
October 27 at 10AM

Mark your calendars and watch for an email (with a Zoom link) from Lucretia Williams via LIB-NEWS.
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If you would like to submit content for the November issue of Library Office Notes, please submit it to Heather Murphy or Tom Teper by October 15, 2021.

September Library Office Notes

Posted on by


ANNOUNCEMENTS

IT NEWS

FACILITIES NEWS

HR NEWS

EVENTS AND TRAINING


ANNOUNCEMENTS: University Librarian Note
A little over a week of the fall semester is now behind us. I’m grateful for campus efforts to ensure safety, starting with developing COVID-19 testing last year and right on through providing safe environments in classrooms and on campus with vaccine and mask requirements. I have to say, it’s been wonderful having people back in the Library. Thanks to all of my colleagues (that includes you!) for doing what they can to ensure effective teaching, study, and research. Read more…
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Library Building Project Update
Tom Teper, Associate Dean for Collections and Technical Services

Project Meetings for July and August 2021

As reported in last month’s update, representatives from the University Library, University Administration, and Facilities and Services met with members of our Architecture/Engineering (A/E) Team for meeting on July 20th-21st, July 28th, and August 4th. These meetings reviewed the vision and program, provided an opportunity to validate – or confirm – projected spaces, and by August 4th, verify the program (e.g., make sure that both parties are on the same page) and get a sign-off from UIUC on Gross Square Feet (GSF) and Assignable Square Feet (ASF) as well as shelving quantities.

At an August 18th meeting, the A/E presented options related to the addition of a loading dock to the east side of the renovated facility as well as accessible ramping on the building’s western side. The existing ramps are not ADA-compliant. The new ramping would seek to make a generally accessible entrance to the building. Multiple options for a potential loading dock addition were discussed at the meeting. As these plans would change the exterior appearance, project team members followed this meeting with a late-August meeting with the campus’ Architectural Review Committee and are scheduled to meet with the Chancellor’s Design Advisory Committee in early September.

Lastly, a meeting was held on August 26th in which members of the project team, F&S, and the A/E discussed various items related to building code as they intersect with this project. The attendees dedicated significant time to discuss plans related to fire detection and suppression and building occupancy. Additionally, the project team touched on issues related to bathrooms in the renovated facility.

Project-Related Meetings Scheduled for September 2021 (as of 8/27/2021)

The following meetings include both scheduled project meetings (with project designation of U20118) as well as additional meetings scheduled that involve select representatives of the A/E, F&S, and University Library.

  • 9/1/2021 – U20118: Undergraduate Library Redevelopment: Planning Options and Shelving Layout
  • 9/2/2021 – Chancellor’s Design Advisory Committee
  • 9/15/2021 – U20118: Undergraduate Library Redevelopment: Plan Selection, Coordination (MEP Systems, Envelop Consultant)
  • 9/22/2011 – Schematic Design LEED Team Meeting
  • 9/29/2021 – U20118: Undergraduate Library Redevelopment: Seating, Interior Concept, Shelving Equipment

Other Activities

While these meetings occurred, members of the Special Collection Division spent a considerable amount of time double-checking previous work they completed to assess the size of their respective collections. Additionally, a team within the division began preparing documentation related to the types of equipment that they believe will be needed in various locations throughout the renovated building. This includes recording and presentation equipment, the technology they believe will be needed for instructional and exhibit purposes, and other miscellaneous equipment. We anticipate that their work will be refined and incorporated more fully into the planning as the project moves forward.

Efforts to barcode and improve inventory management continued over the last month, and the Division is already beginning preliminary work related to their opening exhibit.

Proposed Project Schedule

The kick-off meeting included a review of the proposed project schedule from the point that “conceptualization” began on July 21, 2021, through what is called “substantial completion” of construction work. Those dates in the future become increasingly speculative. At present, the schedule is as follows:

  • Conceptualization
    07/21/2021 work session
    08/12/2021 submission date
    08/26/2021 est. Concept review meeting 
  • Schematic Design
    11/09/2021 submission date
    11/23/2021 est. SD review meeting 
  • Design Development
    01/22/2022 submission date
    02/04/2022 est. DD review meeting-BOT Preparation 
  • Construction Documents 50%
    03/31/2022 submission date
    4/14/2022 est. 50% CD review meeting 
  • Construction Documents 95%
    07/04/2022 submission date
    07/18/ 2022 est. 95% CD review meeting
    08/18/2022 100% CD completion 
  • Bidding/Award
    08/18/2022 Advertise for Bids
    08/25/2022 Pre-bid /Pre-pricing meeting
    09/30/2022 Bid Opening – To be confirmed
    01/04/2023 Notice Proceed
  • Board of Trustees approval (required on if the individual contract is over $2,500,000.) 
  • Construction – Start/End*
    01/05/2023 – 05/29/2024

Communications

Elements from last month’s LON were incorporated as news items in the new project website at: https://www.library.illinois.edu/specialcollectionsbuilding

Based on communications with Heather Murphy and Kathryn Risor-Heise, we anticipate additional items on the project appearing on both the fall and winter issues of the Friendscript.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: A Reminder about Business Services Operations
Susan Breakenridge, Assistant Dean – Business and Human Resources

A reminder about Business Services Operations – As we start the new fiscal and academic year off, please try to submit your purchase requests and travel request as early as possible to allow our staff time to process the paperwork so purchases don’t become urgent.  The unit is down a position with Donna Hoffman’s recent retirement so we ask for your patience as we manage through the changes.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: OEC Outreach and Engagement Grant
Through the Library’s Outreach and Engagement funding opportunity, the Library embodies the University’s land grant values and strengthens its commitment to Strategic Direction No. 3: Societal and global impact. Proposals will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and provide funding for up to $500 per event, up to a maximum of $500 per person per fiscal year to be used for outreach and engagement activities. Matching funds from the applicant’s unit or other sources are strongly encouraged. The Outreach and Engagement Committee (OEC) will review proposals based on the OEC Grant Funding Rubric until all allocated funds have been awarded and advance recommendations to the University Librarian. All faculty, APs, and civil service staff are eligible to apply.

Purpose of OEC Funding

  1. To allow for more outreach and engagement activities per year, and to provide for the possibility of larger or more costly events.
  2. To foster the development of collaborative, change-oriented projects that advance community research, learning experiences, and societal well-being.
  3. To advance the Library as a place of convergence and inclusivity for programs that illuminate and address real world

Application Information

If you have any questions, please contact us at OEC@library.illinois.edu or reach out to any of our committee members. There are office hours on September 15 (see below). We look forward to your applications!
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Alma Squad Report

Alma Staff Training Page

We want to remind all about the Alma Staff Training page at https://www.library.illinois.edu/staff/alma/.

At the revamped site, there are lots of introductory videos and documentation available about working in Alma and the Primo Catalog. We have links out to Ex Libris produced training information, numerous CARLI created aids, and locally recorded Zoom sessions on basic searching and navigation in Alma, Fulfillment activity, Cataloging and Maintenance of titles/records, working in the Primo Catalog. Recently, we have collected all the Alma Tips from this summer into a new section with links to information about QR Codes, working with Host Bibliographic Records in both systems, and Advanced Searching in Alma. There is also a Contact Us section when one has questions or feedback about the Alma or Primo systems.

AlmaStats – Help running analytics in Alma/Primo

We wanted to remind everyone that we have a group ready to help with questions or running analytics work in Alma/Primo. We can help with setting up analytics widgets, running and exporting advanced queries in Alma into spreadsheets of data elements, utilizing Alma or Primo Analytics to run reports for bibliographic data or library activity (loans, requests, historical events, etc.), and pulling in data from external sources to do analysis work of library collections.

There is a library email address to help answer questions about analytics. We will help run any reports to get the data and information you need. This group of Analytics experts includes Michael Norman, BA Howe, Jen Yu, Esra Coskun, Megean Osuchowski, and Janelle Sander, and one of us will guide one through the best way to produce a report or analysis of the dataset you need.

If you have any questions about doing analytics work in Alma/Primo, please contact the Alma Stats group at: almastats@illinois.edu

Information Session on Searching and Navigating in Alma/Primo

See below for an Information Session on September 13.

A previously recorded information session on Searching and Navigating in Alma/Primo is available at this link: https:/uofi.box.com/s/ij0fsmgcictdqijrdhncbiw9blp6gw5l
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Task Force Updates
There was one meeting of the Task Force in the past month (August 5). The next meeting is scheduled for September 8; the Year One DEIA Base Survey report will be discussed.

Co-chair and member Jessica Ballard has stepped down from the Task Force; naming a new co-chair is underway. For a list of current members, please visit the Task Force web page at https://www.library.illinois.edu/staff/committee/diversity-equity-inclusion-and-accessibility-deia-task-force/.

Minutes from all past DEIA Task Force meetings are now online on the Task Force web page.

The next Office Hours will be offered on September 3 from 11-12. Please look for an email with the Zoom link from Co-chair Joe Lenkart via LIB-NEWS. The Task Force would love to hear from colleagues in the Library!
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Did You Know? A Monthly Factoid from Library Assessment

Since September 2019, the Library has been using Splunk (a large-scale data analysis tool) to process EZproxy logs in order to record the aggregate use of electronic resources by off-campus users. As we approach September 2021, a few trends can be seen in the data over the past two academic years. Off-campus resource use tends to peak in the middle of the Fall and Spring Semesters, especially for undergraduate and graduate students. Staff and faculty also see a higher rate of off-campus resource usage during this time, but generally remain static users throughout the year. Off-campus resource use has generally remained higher after March 2020, when alternative online course delivery started due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Immediately after alternative delivery started, April 2020 saw a peak for undergraduate and staff users. Graduate students and faculty exceeded their April 2020 use in March 2021

Notes: In January and November 2020 there were some issues with Shibboleth that affected data accuracy in Splunk. As a result, the numbers of faculty and staff users during those two months were estimated (shown in dotted lines).

Interested in more EZproxy off-campus library resource use data? Check out these previous factoids:

  • February 2020: Percentage of Students Using Off-Campus Resources by College in Fall 2019
  • March 2020: Percentage of Student Off-Campus Use by College in Fall 2019
  • April 2020: Daily EZproxy Transactions from January 2020 to March 2020
  • June 2020: Comparing Percentages of Student Off-Campus Resource Use in Fall 2019 and Spring 2020

Data visualization and text created by Library Assessment Graduate Assistant Lindsay Taylor.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Collection Development Committee Notes
The most recent meetings minutes of the CDC are posted at:
https://www.library.illinois.edu/staff/committee/collection-development-committee/
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Content Access Policy & Technology Meeting Minutes
The meeting minutes of CAPT (including workgroup reports) are posted at:
https://www.library.illinois.edu/staff/committee/content-access-policy-technology-capt/
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Recognizing Excellence

Please share your award, recognition, or grant! To initiate a request for publicity, employees (or their supervisors) should submit this Awards/Recognitions/Grants Publicity Request Form.
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IT NEWS: Library IT Help Desk Services
Library IT Help Desk will continue offering all services via ticket, phone (217-244-4688), or email (help@library.illinois.edu).  Walk-up service will continue to be suspended until further notice, however, face-to-face appointments will be made as needed. Our service hours are 8:30 am – 5 pm Monday through Friday. Please contact us if you need IT assistance.

Reminders: 
Please update and maintain hours of service for Unit Libraries as they now appear on the Library homepage under the Libraries and Hours tab again. If you need assistance, please contact the Library IT Help Desk.

On a related note, units may want to update their Google Business profile so that it has up-to-date information as well.  If you need assistance with accessing the unit Google Business account, please contact the Library IT Help Desk.
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IT NEWS: Assistance with Uploading COVID Vaccination Record Card
If you have received your COVID-19 vaccine, but haven’t yet uploaded your COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card to McKinley Health Center for inclusion in the Safer Illinois app, the Library IT Help Desk can assist Library faculty and staff with the technical process of uploading it. Instructions are available here. If you need additional assistance, please contact the Library IT Help Desk.
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FACILITIES NEWS: Facilities Updates
Welcome back to campus!! As a new semester has started, the Facilities Team wanted to remind everyone of a few general procedures and policies:

  • For any facility-related request(s) such as furniture needs, key request, event setup, general maintenance, and remodel, or when not sure, please submit a ticket request. This way all of Facilities can track the request and ensure that we are providing the best customer service for you. Our ticketing system has changed to Team Dynamix. These links will help with varied ticket submissions:
  • For shipping/delivery, please bring any shipments to Shipping/Receiving the day prior.  We make daily deliveries starting at 8:00 am, as well as, multiple deliveries throughout the day.  We try to accommodate rush orders but request at least a day’s notice.  Additionally, for any packages being shipped FedEx or UPS, please have them by noon at the shipping/receiving desk at the Main Library.  Lastly, ensure that you please provide as much detail regarding the order as possible (vendor, quantity, price, etc.).

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HR NEWS: Filled Positions

  • J.P. Goguen – Unit Spaces and Technology Support Specialist – UGL – 8/23/2021
  • Siobhan McKissic – Visiting Design and Materials Research Librarian – Ricker Library – 9/1/2021
  • Yungjin Shin – Visiting Project Conservator – Preservation Services – 9/1/2021
  • Sandi Caldrone – Research Data Librarian – Research Data Service – 10/16/2021
  • Evelyn Cordell – Dual Career E-Learning Librarian – Research Information Services – 10/16/2021

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HR NEWS: Departures 

  • Russell Clark – Library Specialist – Grainger – 8/2/2021
  • Erika Johnsrud – Library Specialist – ACS – 8/12/2021

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HR NEWS: Searches Completed 

  • Visiting Design and Materials Research Librarian – Ricker Library, FAC – Kirstin
    Dougan Johnson, Chair

Kick-off meeting scheduled for April 14, 2020. Vacancy Suspended until further notice.
Kick-off meeting held Nov 2, 2020. Awaiting for EC to approve JD. EC approved JD.
Live on the job board. Search closed Jan 29, 2021. Phone screenings were held on Feb 22, 23, and 24. Virtual interviews were held on March 29, April 2, April 5, and April 9. Offer extended. Siobhan McKissic’s start date will be September 1, 2021.

  • Visiting Project Conservator – Preservation Services, AP – Tom Teper, Chair

Kick-off meeting held Nov 5, 2020. JD approved by EC. Live on the job board. Search
closed Jan 22, 2021. Virtual interview held March 23, 2021. Offer Extended. Yungjin
Shin’s start date will be September 1, 2021.

  • Research Data Librarian – Research Data Service, FAC – Carissa Phillips, Chair

Kick-off meeting held February 16, 2021. Live on the job board. Closed April 9, 2021.
Phone screenings were scheduled on April 21, April 22, April 26, April 27, and April 29. Virtual interviews were held on May 17, May 18, May 27, and June 1. Sandi Caldrone’s start date will be October 16, 2021. All documents are with BOT for the next approval meeting in September.

  • Dual Career-E-Learning Librarian – Research Information Services, FAC – David Ward, Chair

Kick-off meeting held May 24, 2021. Virtual interview held June 4, 2021. Offer
Extended. Evelyn Cordell’s start date will be October 16, 2021. All documents are with
BOT for the next approval meeting in September.
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HR NEWS: Searches in Progress or Pre-announcement

  • Associate Director for Fiscal Operations – Business &amp; Human Resources Service Center, AP – Skye Arseneau, Chair

Kick-off meeting held June 7, 2021. EC approved JD. Awaiting IHR approval. IHR
approved JD 6/29/2021. Job live on job board. Closed July 16, 2021. Five candidates were selected, but one withdrew. Phone screenings were scheduled for Aug 16, Aug 17, and Aug 18.

  • Metadata Librarian– Acquisitions and Cataloging, FAC – Dan Tracy, Chair

The kick-off was scheduled for June 22, 2021. EC approved JD. Job live on the job board. Closing date August 20, 2021.

  • Visiting Research Specialist, Slavic Reference Service (grant-funded) – International and Area Studies Library, AP – Kit Condill, Chair

The kick-off was scheduled for August 9, 2021. Awaiting EC approved JD.

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HR NEWS: Searches Approved but on Hold

  • ACS Cataloging Coordinator – Acquisitions and Cataloging Services, AP – Mara
    Thacker, Chair

Kick-off meeting scheduled for May 13, 2020. EC approved position. IHR approved JD Oct 7, 2020. Live on job board. Closed Nov 6, 2020. Phone screenings were held on Jan 4, Jan 5, Jan 6, and Jan 7, 2021. Virtual interviews were held on Feb 17, 23, and 26. CLOSED WITHOUT HIRE.
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Staff Events Calendar
To see the most up-to-date staff events calendar, please visit https://uiuc.libcal.com/calendar/staff.
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: NISO Webinar – Data: Creation, Stewardship, Use
September 8 at 10 AM

Now, more than ever, the information community is thinking about data and how best to
support its creation, stewardship, and use Whether we are talking about content as data, research data, or data pertaining to online use and behaviors, we continue to amass ever-more data with no plan for storing it, no good way to parse it, and nothing but a vague hope of “automating” the hard work of cleaning it up, which only creates problems down the road. This webinar will assess the data needs of researchers and the response from the information community, from a variety of perspectives.

Please email training@library.illinois.edu for login credentials or recordings.
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: September SoTL Discussion
September 9 at 3 PM

Continuation of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning series. Zoom information will be shared via LibNews closer to the event date.
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Information Session on Searching and Navigating in Alma/Primo
September 13 at 1 PM

On September 13, 2021, we will have a new introductory session on searching and navigating in Alma/Primo. There will be a recording of these sessions posted to the Alma Staff Training page.

Topic: Introductory session on Searching and Navigating in Alma/Primo
September 13, 2021 @ 1-2 pm Zoom Session

Join Zoom Meeting
https://illinois.zoom.us/j/87966775277?pwd=TEJWampadzRLcW1qUDJ5S2xVVGRuUT09 
Meeting ID: 879 6677 5277
Password: 709925
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Women in Science Lecture Series: Dr. Margarita Terán-Garcia
September 14, 12 – 1pm

Join us for the University of Illinois Archives’ monthly Women in Science Lecture. Dr. Terán, Assistant Professor of Nutritional Sciences, will share her research on obesity including genetic and environmental influences on obesity and diseases related to obesity. Please visit https://distributedmuseum.illinois.edu/about/women-in-science-lecture-series/ for more information and the registration link.
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Fall OEC Grant Office Hours
September 15, 2pm

The Outreach and Engagement Committee is offering Office Hours to answer questions about the Outreach and Engagement Grant. Please lookout for an email from OEC Chair Shelby Strommer with the Zoom link.
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Library Hangout
September 22, 10am

Mark your calendars and watch for an email (with a Zoom link) from Lucretia Williams via LIB-NEWS.
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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Mariselle Melendez: Reading Colonial Latin America through Primary Sources in the Rare Book & Manuscript Library
September 29, 3pm

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If you would like to submit content for the October issue of Library Office Notes, please submit it to Heather Murphy or Tom Teper by September 17, 2021.