ANNOUNCEMENTS: Library Building Project Update – 11/1/2025

Tom Teper, Associate Dean and Associate University Librarian for Collections and Technical Services

General Update

Construction continues apace, with our most recent site observation from the architect estimating that the project is over 21% completed. As of Oct. 30^th, the following work was in progress: continued development of upper concrete walls at loading dock, plaster removal on lower level and preparation of walls for crystalline waterproofing, installation of walls for first vault on the lower level, continued excavation of the elevator shaft, installation of metal stud framing on the upper level, and CMU infills on the upper level and west walls.

Mechanical demolition is largely complete, exterior waterproofing installation nearing complete on west and north walls and north half of east walls, some excavation complete on south wall and south portion of east wall, corner concrete stairs (SW and NW) have been removed, concrete stem wall around courtyard are complete with installation of the air barrier underway, concrete wall extensions installed at areaways largely complete, application of crystalline waterproofing on upper level complete.

Below is an assortment of photos taken by JP Gugoen on October 22, 2025.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Cheers for Peers

Library Human Resources is happy to announce this month’s Cheers for Peers submissions. The following Library employees have been cheered by their peers:

• Kristen Blankenship
• Quinita Balderson
• Kestrel Ikar
• Brian Lindstrand
• Maddy Hardy
• JP Goguen
• Cristina Kuhn
• Kristen Zidon

To view the detailed Cheers for Peers submissions please view the Growing People blog.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Events Working Group Listening Sessions

Heather Murphy, Chief Communications Officer

Back on July 31, we shared a new process for sharing and submitting Library events in an email titled “FY26 Annual Overview: Event Planning for Library Units & Divisions.”

Since that message went out, we’ve heard some great questions and thoughtful feedback. We want to make sure the process feels clear and workable for everyone—and we know it’ll take a little time (and some trial and error) to get there. This is very much a work in progress, and your input will help shape how it continues to evolve. Sara Berthier and I, on behalf of the Events Working Group, thank you for your patience as we sort through the details together.

Want to learn more or share your thoughts? Join us for one of two open listening sessions next week:

• Teams session: Thursday, November 6, at 3 p.m. (see email from 10/31 for details)
• In-person session: Friday, November 7, at 11 a.m. in 428 Main Library

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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 the Recognizing Excellence Submission Form.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Senior Administrative Team Meeting Minutes

The most recent meeting minutes of the Senior Administration Team are posted at:
library.illinois.edu/committees/committees/senior-administration-team

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Collection Development Committee Notes

The most recent meeting minutes of the CDC are posted at:
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:
library.illinois.edu/staff/committee/content-access-policy-technology-capt/

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FACILITIES NEWS: Facilities Update

Tim Newman, Assistant Dean of Libraries for Facilities

For a complete list of projects in planning and construction, please visit wordpress.library.illinois.edu/staff/facilities.

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BUSINESS NEWS: Why do I need to have a detailed Business Purpose for my reimbursement?

Kim Johnson, Associate Director of Fiscal Operations

Reason for Business Purpose

All expense reports in Emburse Enterprises require a concise but detailed business purpose. A business purpose is defined as one that supports or advances the university’s goals, objectives, and mission and adequately describes the expense as necessary, reasonable, and appropriate for the university. 

Can an external audience who knows nothing about you, your department, or the trip understand why the expense was warranted? Units must ensure that expense reports and supporting documentation include complete and transparent information that can be understood by both internal and external reviewers (managers, auditors, IRS, FOIA, etc.). 

In accordance with IRS rules on Accountable Plans, expenses incurred by system employees must serve a business purpose. This means all expenses must provide a benefit to the institution, not a personal benefit to the employee. 

The University of Illinois System’s financial transaction documentation must consistently meet and comply with legal, governmental, and auditing requirements. Providing thorough, complete transaction justifications and supporting documentation protects and benefits the system in the following ways:

• Minimizes the risk of penalties and fines due to unsubstantiated business expenses.
• Ensures compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Establishes adequate and consistent documentation standards for all financial transactions.
• Provides an independent and efficient source for obtaining transactional information.
• Complies with tax regulations that specify requirements for nontaxable reimbursements under an accountable plan versus reimbursements taxable to employees. 
• Minimizes reputational risks and adverse public perception.

A detailed, relevant business purpose will help reimbursements be processed more efficiently, with less chance of the expense report being rejected. 

Elements of an Appropriate Business Purpose

When requesting a payment, reimbursement, or justifying an expense, the business purpose should clearly describe the reason for the expenditure. Providing the 5 “W’s” (Who, What, Where, When, and Why) in the business purpose field will comprise an appropriate response for each expense line in Emburse Enterprises. 

As described in the table below, much of the information needed for each expense is covered by the information entered on the report header and/or individual expense lines.

Constructing a Business Purpose

1. Describe the purpose of the expense.
2. State the facts by using action verbs that describe the activity.
3. Clearly state how the expense benefits the university.
4. Describe any unique or unplanned circumstances related to the expense that requires further explanation. 

Merely re-stating WHAT is being purchased, instead of describing WHY the payment is being requested and HOW it benefits the university, is inadequate.

Most transactions fall under one of five common themes:

• Presenting Knowledge
• Professional Development
• Recruitment
• Networking
• Donor Solicitation

University Payables does NOT need to see

• Repeated information that is already included in the transaction or attached supporting documentation.
• History of the university or unit
• A copy and paste narrative added to every expense report from your unit
• The description of the event provided by the event organizers

*Can I tip? Yes, any meals (business or catered) can pay up to a 20% tip. Please check receipt for any service charge or gratuity before leaving a tip.

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HR NEWS: Filled Positions

• Falkor Conroy – Senior Audio, Video, and Emerging Technology Specialist – Library IT – Started October 13
• Claire Hutchinson – Library Specialist – Communications Library – Starting November 3
• Laura Poulosky – Senior Library Specialist – IAS & HPNL – Starting December 1

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HR NEWS: Civil Service Vacancies

• UX and Content Specialist – Main Library Admin – Closed October 24
• Library Specialist for Monographic & Media Acquisitions – Acquisitions & Cataloging Services – Closes November 7

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HR NEWS: Academic Professional and Faculty Open Postings

• Head – Acquisitions & Cataloging Services Librarian – Acquisitions and Cataloging Services – Pending BOT Approval
• Bioengineering Librarian – Grainger Library – Closes October 31
• Visiting Music & Performing Arts Special Collections Librarian – MPAL – Posting Soon
• Humanities Librarian (African American Studies and English Literature) – HPNL – Posting Soon

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: CARLI: Education Justice Project’s Reentry Guides

Monday, November 3 at 1:00–2:00 p.m.
More information

The Reentry Resource Program at the Education Justice Project (EJP) publishes practical guides for people returning home from prison and for those being deported from the US. These roughly 200-page guides, published in English and Spanish, offer empowering information and resources for individuals going through often-traumatic transitions. Lee Ragsdale will discuss the resources, how to access them, anticipated updates, and more. In addition, Lee will talk about EJP’s Reentry Guide Project through which the organization provides a year of technical and financial assistance to organizations to create their own reentry guides.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Hub Trainings

Chat Transcript Review | November 3 at 2:00–3:00 p.m. | Funk ACES Library 509
Chat Transcript Review | November 7 at 3:00–4:00 p.m. | Online
Reference in Special Collections | November 10 at 2:00–3:00 p.m. | Main Library 106
Reference in Special Collections | November 14 at 3:00–4:00 p.m. | Online

For all 1st year GAs & anyone who hasn’t attended these training before or who wants a refresher (Civil Service non-exempt staff should get permission from their supervisor before planning to attend)

Contact the Reference Management Team (rmt@library.illinois.edu) if you have any questions.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: PTAC Dossier Deep Dive Session: Librarianship Statement

November 4 at 10:00–11:00 a.m.
More information

Open to anyone at any stage of the promotion and tenure process as well as unit heads, mentors, etc. Additional members of PTAC will be on sight to answer questions. Ample time will be given for group discussion and questions. Feel free to attend any or all of the sessions and bring your dossiers.

Facilitators: Ellen Swain and Lisa Romero

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: CARLI: Everyday Superheroes: Collaboration, Support, and Purpose in Small to Mid-Size Libraries

November 4 at 2:00–3:00 p.m.
More information

This session will share strategies for building meaningful partnerships with faculty, student-services offices, and administrators to break barriers and strengthen campus connections. Participants will also explore practical approaches to managing burnout and compassion fatigue, practicing self-advocacy, and sustaining a clear sense of purpose in their work.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: CARLI: Collaborating with Stakeholders to Support Underserved Communities with Reparative Collections

November 5 at 10:00–11:00 a.m.
More information

Anne Marie Hamilton-Brehm, Dr. Pamela Smoot, and Juniper Oxford at Southern Illinois University Carbondale discuss how opportunities to develop reparative archival collections emerged and have been pursued in collaboration with underserved Black and LGBTQ+ communities in the southern Illinois region. The panel reflects on expected and unexpected benefits and challenges of coordinating initiatives and building collections with internal and external partners and stakeholders and offers thoughts on best practices based on their experiences.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Gold, Garnets, Silks, and Furs: The Spread of Fashions Among the Elites of Eurasia

November 5 at 12:00–1:00 p.m.
More information

The Costumes & Customs Lecture Series, sponsored by the Office of Arts Integration and organized in collaboration with the University Library, the Department of Theatre, the Department of Classics, the Spurlock Museum, and the Krannert Art Museum, explores the history and cultural significance of clothing across time and place. Organized by Elias Petrou (University Library) and Olga Maslova (Department of Theatre), the series will feature four distinguished speakers: Dr. Bernice Jones – Minoan Era (Wednesday, September 17, 5:00 p.m. CT), Dr. Ulla Mannering – Viking Age (Thursday, October 23, 5:00 p.m. CT), Dr. Susan Whitfield – Middle Ages (Wednesday, November 5, 5:00 p.m. CT), and Dr. Jenny Tiramani – Elizabethan Era (Friday, December 5, 12:00 p.m. CT). All lectures will be held via Zoom and are free and open to the public: https://go.library.illinois.edu/costumes

Susan Whitfield is a scholar, traveler and writer of the Silk Roads. Currently Professor of Silk Road Studies at the Sainsbury Institute of the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures (SISJAC) at the University of East Anglia, where she is leading the Nara to Norwich Project. She previously worked at the British Library curating manuscripts and other artifacts from central Asia and directing the International Dunhuang Project. 

Her many books and articles include The Silk Road: Silk, Slaves and Stupas and an essay on Silk Road dress for the Cambridge Global History of Fashion.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: CARLI: AI and Alt Text for Archival Image Collections

November 6 at 12:00–1:00 p.m.
More information

This presentation will discuss ways in which a closed ChatGPT model can be used to generate alt text in archival image collections, using a human-in-the-loop approach. Theresa Berger will highlight both strengths and weaknesses of the tool, as well as suggestions for overall workflows, showing ways in which AI can be used to shift (not replace) resources in an effort to better serve our users, stakeholders, and our communities.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: CARLI: Motherhood in Academic Libraries: Sharing Lived Experiences from our Feminized Profession

November 6 at 12:00–1:00 p.m.
More information

Join us for an interactive, audience-driven webinar where we will share the experiences of academic librarian-mothers. Discussion may include logistical challenges of parental leave, tenure, scholarly productivity, and other caregiving challenges. Participants will share stories, build solidarity, and connect, with opportunities for individual reflection, group discussion, and anonymous sharing.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: CARLI: More Than a To-Do List: Reimagining and Restructuring Graduate Student Labor in Digital Projects

November 6 at 2:00–3:00 p.m.
More information

This presentation reimagines the role of graduate student labor in complex, library-wide digital scholarship projects by defining a new model of librarian/graduate student partnership. Through work on a community oral history project, presenters offer structures, workflows, and values that lead to successful digital collections and meaningful work for graduate student employees.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: CARLI: Developing an A.I. Chatbot for the Library: The Rebecca Crown Library Experience

November 11 at 1:00–2:00 p.m.
More information

In this webinar, Zach Claybaugh walks through the process of developing an AI chatbot as a tool for library patrons. Zach discusses the origin of the project, cross-departmental collaboration, student involvement, and AI anxiety. By the end of the presentation, participants will have an understanding of some of the challenges of developing an AI chatbot, as well as ways to address concerns of library personnel and students.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: PTAC Dossier Deep Dive Session: Dossier Formatting

November 12 at 2:00–3:00 p.m.
More information

Open to anyone at any stage of the promotion and tenure process as well as unit heads, mentors, etc. Additional members of PTAC will be on sight to answer questions. Ample time will be given for group discussion and questions. Feel free to attend any or all of the sessions and bring your dossiers.

Facilitators: Amy Fry and Chris Prom

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: The Wake of HMS Challenger: How a Legendary Victorian Voyage Tells the Story of Our Oceans’ Decline

November 12 at 3:00–5:00 p.m.
More information

The RBML is thrilled to host Gillen D’Arcy Wood, who will speak about his new book, The Wake of HMS Challenger: How a Legendary Victorian Voyage Tells the Story of Our Oceans’ Decline. Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing. This event is free and open to the public, and refreshments will be served.

In December 1872, HMS Challenger embarked on the first round-the-world oceanographic expedition. Its goal: to shine a light for the first time on the mysteries of the deep sea. For the next four years, Challenger’s naturalists explored the oceans, encountering never-before-seen marvels of marine life. The expedition’s achievements are the stuff of legend. It identified major ocean currents and defining features of the seafloor, including the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and Mariana Trench. It measured worldwide sea temperatures and chemistry, creating baseline data for all ocean research since. And, most spectacularly of all, it collected nearly five thousand sea creatures and plants new to science.

The Challenger’s scientists had no way of knowing that the incredible undersea aquarium they were documenting was on the verge of catastrophic change. Off Portugal, they encountered a brilliant starfish now threatened with extinction by microplastics; in St. Thomas, teeming coral habitats that today have been decimated by ocean warming; and at remote Ascension Island, the breeding grounds of the now-endangered green turtle. Lyrical and elegiac, The Wake of HMS Challenger offers a stunning before-and-after picture of our global oceans and is an urgent call to preserve what remains of the diverse life and wild beauty of our planet’s final frontier.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Library Friends Webinar – Enduring Narratives: Writers and Preservationists in Collaboration

November 13 at 12:00–1:00 p.m.
More information

A Special Presentation by Josh Harris, Kim Schmidt, and Abigail Bobrow. This session highlights how collaboration between writers, archivists, and preservationists strengthens storytelling and institutional memory.

Josh Harris is head of Media Preservation. Kim Schmidt is the storytelling director in the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement. Abigail Bobrow is the associate director of storytelling in the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Women in Science Lecture: Vivian Cheng

November 13 at 12:00–1:00 p.m.
More information

School of Integrative Biology graduate student Vivian Cheng will discuss her research using genetics, ancient DNA, and historical archives to understand the effects of climate change and colonialism on narwhals.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: CARLI: Leading Librarians: Fostering Growth and Development

November 13 at 12:00–1:00 p.m.
More information

Excelling as a librarian manager requires you to develop your skills as supervisors, mentors, and coaches. Join us to explore innovative approaches to assessing librarian strengths and identifying areas for growth to better support their development.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: CARLI: Librarianship at a Crossroads: Using AI as a Catalyst for Cross-Campus Collaboration

November 13 at 12:00–1:00 p.m.
More information

This session will introduce the fundamentals of AI and share strategies for using it as an entry point for new collaborations with instructors and departments across campus. Atticus Garrison will show how AI became an entry point for new collaborations with instructors and departments across campus.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: CARLI: Popping Up All Over: An Interdisciplinary Library Outreach Strategy for Unexpected Spaces

November 13 at 2:00–3:00 p.m.
More information

This webinar explores strategies for staging pop-up libraries aligned with the themes of local events. Participants will engage in collaborative knowledge building around leveraging this flexible outreach tactic to fit their own capacity and collection parameters.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Player Piano Demonstration

November 14 at 4:00–5:00 p.m.
More information

Enjoy a free concert featuring the Music & Performing Arts Library’s Steinway Duo-Art Reproducing Piano! See the piano in action and learn more about the instrument and roll collection. This is an informal event and all are welcome!

This event will take place in the Music & Performing Arts Library’s player piano room, located on the second floor of the Music Building (1114 W Nevada St., Urbana). See our website for accessibility information and directions.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Finding the Female Voice in the Ancient World

November 17 at 6:00–8:00 p.m.
More information

In this talk, award-winning classicist and Times bestselling author Dr. Emily Hauser explores methods to uncover the women of the ancient world. Copies of Hauser’s books will be available for purchase and signing. This event is free and open to the public.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: CARLI: Enchanting Escapes: Romantasy Readers’ Advisory for Libraries

November 18 at 1:00–2:15 p.m.
More information

Step into the magical world of Romantasy in this webinar designed for library staff. Explore the recent surge in popularity of this subgenre and discover strategies for recommending titles that blend romance and fantasy.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Purchasing App Training

November 18 at 2:00–3:00 p.m.

The Business Office is offering Purchasing App training to walk through the purchasing and reimbursement process, provide resource links, and answer questions.

Please RSVP to Melanie Kuehn and include any specific issues you would like covered.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: CARLI: AI and Research Tools – Using REACT Framework to Evaluate AI Features in Library Databases

November 20 at 12:00–1:00 p.m.
More information

Artificial intelligence features are increasingly appearing in library databases—sometimes as opt-in options, sometimes by default. This session introduces the REACT Framework and invites discussion on evaluating AI features in library databases.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: University Librarian Note

Check back next month for a note from Dean of Libraries and University Librarian Claire Stewart.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Library Building Project Update – 10/1/2025

Tom Teper, Associate Dean and Associate University Librarian for Collections and Technical Services

Construction continues apace, with our most recent site observation from the architect estimating that the project is 18% completed. As of Sept. 25^th, the following work is in progress: installation of formwork for upper concrete walls at loading dock, installation of concrete stem walls around courtyard, plaster removal on upper level and preparation of walls for crystalling waterproofing, and plumbing installation in upper restrooms.

Overall, Mechanical demolition is complete in lower-level mechanical rooms, concrete walls have been poured up to grade level at loading dock addition with formwork continuing for wall extension, exterior waterproofing installation nearing complete on west and north walls and north half of east walls, some excavation complete on south wall and south portion of east wall, corner concrete stairs (SW and NW) have been removed, concrete stem wall around courtyard approx. 75% complete, reinforcing (dowels) installed along south edge, most top track installed on upper level (large area), concrete wall extensions installed at SW areaway, and CMU installation.

In the next several weeks, most exterior waterproofing will be complete, knee wall extensions and curbs will be largely complete, elevator excavation will be done, upper-level plaster removal, upper-level internal waterproofing, and bathroom rough-in will be complete. By mid-October, upper-level walls will start being installed, mechanical layout, and electrical rough-in will be underway along with lower-level plaster removal and plaza-level limestone re-installation.

Below are an assortment of photos taken by JP Goguen on Sept. 26, 2025.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Cheers for Peers

Library Human Resources is happy to announce this month’s Cheers for Peers submissions. The following Library employees have been cheered by their peers:

• Sarah Williams
• Sarah Wallenfelsz
• Kristen Blankenship
• Angela Watters
• JP Goguen

To view the detailed Cheers for Peers submissions please view the Growing People blog.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Library Digital Exhibits Training

Mary Ton, Digital Humanities Librarian

Scholarly Communication and Publishing is updating our training process for Library Digital Exhibit. The workflow is designed to provide better support for new Omeka S authors and to ensure that all new library digital exhibits meet Title II accessibility criteria.

• To begin the training process, please contact Scholarly Communication and Publishing (scpub@library.illinois.edu). Include the email addresses and preferred names of the person who needs onboarding. For students, please indicate who is their supervisor. 
• SCP will add new authors to a Canvas site with video tutorials on how to add items, metadata, and prose and to a sandbox environment where authors can build a test site.
• Once the training has been completed, SCP will review the test site to make sure that it meets minimum accessibility requirements. Supervisors are also encouraged to review test sites for any unit-specific features like resource templates and metadata conventions.
• SCP will then add new authors to the unit’s production site.

We’re looking forward to seeing new exhibits featuring our collections!

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Recognizing Excellence

• Clara M. Chu Recognized as Notable Member of the ALA International Relations Round Table
• Two University Library Faculty Members Receive Tenure
• Spring 2025 Library Instructors Ranked as Excellent

Please share your award, recognition, or grant! To initiate a request for publicity, employees (or their supervisors) should submit the Recognizing Excellence Submission Form.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Senior Administrative Team Meeting Minutes

The most recent meeting minutes of the Senior Administration Team are posted at:
library.illinois.edu/committees/committees/senior-administration-team

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Collection Development Committee Notes

The most recent meeting minutes of the CDC are posted at:
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:
library.illinois.edu/staff/committee/content-access-policy-technology-capt/

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FACILITIES NEWS: Facilities Update

Tim Newman, Assistant Dean of Libraries for Facilities

For a complete list of projects in planning and construction, please visit wordpress.library.illinois.edu/staff/facilities.

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BUSINESS NEWS: International Travel

Kim Johnson, Associate Director of Fiscal Operations

Anyone traveling internationally MUST enroll in the University International (Health) Insurance Coverage for each trip that is taken for official University business. The insurance premiums are covered by the University and there are no copays or deductibles. If any out of pocket expenses occur, you will be able to be reimbursed upon your return to campus.

Before requesting a meeting with the Business Office to arrange payment for international travel, the employee must first enroll in international travel insurance and provide proof of enrollment to the travel arranger during the travel arranging meeting. Payables now requires that this proof of insurance be uploaded when submitting travel charges through Emburse Enterprises.

Reimbursements for travel expenses will NOT be paid if the traveler did not sign up for the insurance coverage.

To enroll in the required insurance coverage, please go to safetyabroad.illinois.edu. (Note: enrollees will use the “Study Abroad” software)

We have a posted a link on the Business Office webpage (library.illinois.edu/staff/bhrsc-business-services/) for International (Health) Insurance Coverage.

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BUSINESS NEWS: Professional Development Requests

Please allow up to 3 business days to receive a fund verification for Professional Development funds. When the approval is sent, the requestor will be assigned a travel arranger. Please request a meeting with the assigned travel arranger via Outlook Calendar.

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HR NEWS: Civil Service Vacancies

• Senior Audio, Video, and Emerging Technology Specialist – Library IT – Pending Offer
• Senior Library Specialist – IAS & HPNL – Interviewing
• Library Specialist – Communications Library– Pending Reference Checks

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HR NEWS:  Academic Professional and Faculty Open Postings

• Head – Acquisitions & Cataloging Services Librarian – Acquisitions and Cataloging Services – Pending Offer

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Staff Events Calendar

To see the most up-to-date staff events calendar, please visit uiuc.libcal.com/calendar/staff.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: CARLI: Critical Data Storytelling for Libraries

October 1 at 1:00–2:00 p.m.
Registration

How can your library use data stories not just to survive, but to thrive? In this interactive session, Dr. Kate McDowell introduces key ideas from her forthcoming book Critical Data Storytelling for Libraries (ALA Editions, 2025), designed to help all library workers—whether data experts or story experts—craft ethical, evidence-based narratives for advocacy and impact. Participants will learn how to:

• Increase the resilience of libraries through mindful approaches to conflict 
• Reach diverse audiences with stories that inform persuasively
• Leverage classic and emerging narrative structures for true stories that connect emotionally

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: CU Folk & Roots @ MPAL: Eddie Barbash with KASA & Friends

October 2 at 5:00–6:30 p.m.
More information

Join us for an evening of music and insight in collaboration with the CU Folk & Roots Festival! Experience a captivating performance by Eddie Barbash + KASA & Friends, browse a curated display of folk and roots materials from the Music & Performing Arts Library’s collections, and enjoy light refreshments. 

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Small Press Fest!

The Small Press Fest! celebrates small press publications and DIY artists in Champaign-Urbana and nearby areas. It offers a welcoming space for authors and creators to share their work and expertise, while inspiring others to embrace their creativity.

• Oct 5: Zine show and swap at the Literary
• Oct 9: Keynote by Eric Von Haynes, president of the Chicago Printmakers Guild and owner of Flatlands Press
• Oct 10: Workshop led by Eric for students, staff, faculty, and community
• Oct 11: Vendor expo with over 70 vendors
• Through Oct 11: Exhibit at the Art Coop gallery in Lincoln Square Mall. Featured in the exhibit at zines from Uni High and the Library’s social justice zine collection.

Full event details are available on our website.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: PTAC Dossier Deep Dive Session: Research Statement

October 6 at 2:00–3:00 p.m.
Registration

Open to anyone at any stage of the promotion and tenure process as well as unit heads, mentors, etc. Additional members of PTAC will be on site to answer questions. Ample time will be given for group discussion and questions. Feel free to attend any or all of the sessions and bring your dossiers.
Facilitators: Kirstin Johnson and Dan Tracy

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: EVENTS AND TRAINING: Ultimate Archives Trivia

October 8 at 12:00–1:00 p.m.
Registration

• Round 1: Multiple choice
• Round 2: Q & A
• Round 3: Name that image

Prizes for 1st and 2nd place of each round.
Individuals or teams of up to 4 people are invited!
Registration required for each attendee.
Light snacks provided.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: CARLI: Information for All: Fostering Belonging Through Access to Educational Materials

October 8 at 1:00–2:00 p.m.
Registration

While library workers strive to increase patron belonging and student success through their efforts to create access to affordable educational resources, students responding to the Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois’ Illinois Course Materials Survey: Student Perspective (2023) shared that they continue to struggle to afford their course materials. Libraries are responding to this need through collection development efforts for physical and electronic resources, including ebooks, databases, and course material reserves. Libraries also endeavor to serve their patrons’ needs by leading efforts to create and use open educational resources, as well as making these affordable options easily visible to their patrons.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Player Piano Demonstration

October 10 at 4:00–5:00 p.m.
More information

Enjoy a free concert featuring the Music & Performing Arts Library’s Steinway Duo-Art Reproducing Piano! See the piano in action and learn more about the instrument and roll collection. This is an informal event and all are welcome!

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Preparing to Give Feedback – Professional Development Series

October 14 at 1:30–3:00 p.m.
Registration

Do you struggle with how to approach a feedback conversation? Do you find yourself having the same conversation over and over? In this session, we will use Crucial Conversations to discuss how to decide on what conversation to have and what your goals are for that discussion.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: PTAC Dossier Deep Dive Session: Service Statement

October 16 at 3:00–4:00 p.m.
Registration

Open to anyone at any stage of the promotion and tenure process as well as unit heads, mentors, etc. Additional members of PTAC will be on sight to answer questions. Ample time will be given for group discussion and questions. Feel free to attend any or all of the sessions and bring your dossiers.

Facilitators: MJ Han

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Hub Training: Recording, Analyzing, and Visualizing Data in LibInsight

October 20 at 2:00–3:00 p.m. – In Person
October 24 at 3:00–4:00 p.m. – Online
Instructors: Jen Yu and Belinda Bolivar

For all 1st year GAs & anyone who hasn’t attended this training before or who wants a refresher (Civil Service non-exempt staff should get permission from their supervisor before planning to attend)

• To enroll in the Canvas course associated with Hub Training, use this link: canvas.illinois.edu/enroll/YYL6RR
• Registration is not required.
• Contact the Reference Management Team (rmt@library.illinois.edu) if you have any questions.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Hub Training: E-resources Access & Troubleshooting

October 27 at 2:00–3:00 p.m. – In Person
October 31 at 3:00–4:00 p.m. – Online
Instructor: Amy Fry

For all 1st year GAs & anyone who hasn’t attended this training before or who wants a refresher (Civil Service non-exempt staff should get permission from their supervisor before planning to attend)

• To enroll in the Canvas course associated with Hub Training, use this link: canvas.illinois.edu/enroll/YYL6RR
• Registration is not required.
• Contact the Reference Management Team (rmt@library.illinois.edu) if you have any questions.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: CARLI: BLC Digital Lending Summit

October 29 at 9:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Registration

Join us for the upcoming Digital Lending Summit, hosted at Boston College on Wednesday, October 29, 2025. This Summit will provide a forum to discuss future directions and strategies to expand digital lending practices in libraries. We invite you to join us for an exciting day to learn about the landscape of digital lending practices in libraries, collaborate across organizational silos, and chart the foundations of a broader community of practice to bring actionable and aspirational change to the digital lending ecosystem. Registration is free and open to all library workers. Space for in-person attendance is limited, so we encourage you to register early and secure travel arrangements soon. On-site registration includes parking and meals during the event. A remote viewing option will be available to those unable to attend in person.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Giving Feedback – Professional Development Series

October 29 at 1:30–3:00 p.m.
Registration

We will explore key lessons and practices from Douglas Stone & Sheila Heen (authors of Thanks for the Feedback) on how to effectively give feedback—fostering stronger relationships, trust, and collaboration.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: University Librarian Note

Check back next month for a note from Dean of Libraries and University Librarian Claire Stewart.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Library Building Project Update – 9/1/25

Tom Teper, Associate Dean and Associate University Librarian for Collections and Technical Services

General Update

Construction continues apace, with our most recent site observation from the architect estimating that the project is 16% completed. As of August 29^th, the following work is in progress: elevator excavation and external waterproofing, finishing demo of west pavilion and removal of waterproofing on plaza, courtyard limestone cleaning, and finishing mechanical and other demolition. The coming weeks will see the beginning of framing out of floors on the upper level, continuation of waterproofing and site work, and finishing the excavation necessary for the elevator.

Recently, the News-Gazette provided an update to their readers: news-gazette.com/news/former-undergrad-library-gets-facelift-accessibility-updates-in-transformation-to-archive-building/article_5cd14ff8-94ca-4210-83b5-6dce4aab3114.html.

Below are an assortment of photos from the exterior work currently underway.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Accessing Text and Data Mining Collections

Mary Ton, Digital Humanities Librarian

The Library offers text mining access to historic newspapers, primary sources, and purchased data, including Early English Books Online and African American Newspapers. Previously, these collections were available for text and data mining purposes via physical hard drives through the Scholarly Commons. Now, they’re available on Box by request via this brief form: go.illinois.edu/tdmrequest

This represents the culmination of a multi-year, multi-unit effort to migrate our collections from physical hard drives to cloud storage. I’m especially grateful to Tracy Popp (who heroically rescued data from failing drives) and Stu Turner (who graciously provided space and equipment for the migration), as well as the many graduate students who’ve supported this project over the years (Ryan Yoakum, Cadence Cordell, Adam Beaty, and Luisa Matzner). Thank you so much to all those in Library IT, Preservation, ACS, Oak Street, Library Admin, TLAS, Scholarly Communication and Publishing, Media Commons, and Grainger who contributed!

For a summary of our text mining collections, please see the “Finding Text Data” LibGuide: guides.library.illinois.edu/textdata

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Cheers for Peers

Library Human Resources is happy to announce this month’s Cheers for Peers submissions. The following Library employees have been cheered by their peers:

• Melanie Kuehn
• Sammi Merritt
• Christina Bonse
• Tracy Popp
• Quinita Balderson
• Tim Hayden
• Lee Whitacre
• Nacera Bouchama
• Naza Agassi
• Mirella Bajric
• Leon Ramirez
• Anthony Stewart
• Steve Bermingham
• Jake Culbertson
• Paul Foster
• Xavier Sanchez
• Tim Newman
• Emily Benton

To view the detailed Cheers for Peers submissions please view the Growing People blog.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Recognizing Excellence

• Lynne M. Thomas Receives 2025 Hugo Award

Please share your award, recognition, or grant! To initiate a request for publicity, employees (or their supervisors) should submit the Recognizing Excellence Submission Form.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Senior Administrative Team Meeting Minutes

The most recent meeting minutes of the Senior Administration Team are posted at:
library.illinois.edu/committees/committees/senior-administration-team

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Collection Development Committee Notes

The most recent meeting minutes of the CDC are posted at:
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:
library.illinois.edu/staff/committee/content-access-policy-technology-capt/

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FACILITIES NEWS: Facilities Update

Tim Newman, Assistant Dean of Libraries for Facilities

For a complete list of projects in planning and construction, please visit wordpress.library.illinois.edu/staff/facilities.

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BUSINESS NEWS: Membership Dues

Kim Johnson, Associate Director of Fiscal Operations

To request payment or reimbursement of membership dues:

• Complete the Professional Development Funding and Travel Form
• Once the form is submitted, the form will be automatically emailed to the Business Office via email (BHRSC@library.illinois.edu)
• The Business Office will review the form and if funding is approved, the requester will receive an approval email with directions and then they can either:
  • Enter the request into the Purchasing and Reimbursement App with the following wording in the “Comments/Special Instructions” in the Delivery Section; “Requesting Business Office to pay.”
  • OR: Employee pays and seeks reimbursement.
• If seeking reimbursement, please submit a request in the Purchasing and Reimbursement App.
• In the approval email from the Business Office, a C-FOP will be provided for the funding source and the instructions will be attached to the email. (Please see the Reimbursements policy for further directions)
• Requests are typically processed within 3 business days of us receiving the approval from the Purchasing App
• Per University policy, all employee reimbursements will be processed through Chrome River. Please assist the Business Office staff and reply promptly to any correspondence regarding Chrome River access.
• Requests for reimbursement over 60 days old are taxable per IRS tax rules
• Reimbursements could take up to 4 to 6 weeks from the time it’s submitted, due to Payables workload
• Returned expense reports will be made the priority to complete

Located: library.illinois.edu/staff/bhrsc-business-services/membership-dues/

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HR NEWS: Departures

• Pamela Ward – Library Specialist – Funk ACES Library – Retiring, last day September 30, 2025
• Siobhan McKissic – Visiting Faculty – Ricker – Visiting appointment ended September 15, 2025

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HR NEWS: Civil Service Vacancies

• Senior Audio, Video, and Emerging Technology Specialist – Library IT – Interviewing Soon
• Senior Library Specialist – IAS & HPNL – Interviewing Soon
• Library Specialist – Communications Library– Interviewing Soon

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HR NEWS:  Academic Professional and Faculty Open Postings

• Head – Acquisitions & Cataloging Services Librarian – Acquisitions and Cataloging Services – Pending Offer

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Staff Events Calendar

To see the most up-to-date staff events calendar, please visit uiuc.libcal.com/calendar/staff.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Library AI Literacy Planning Summit

September 3 at 9:00–11:30 a.m. | Registration
September 4 at 9:00–11:30 a.m. | Registration

The event is an opportunity to contribute towards planning efforts connected to the Library’s role supporting campus teaching & learning.  Goals for the session include identifying AI Literacy needs connected to the Library’s role in research support, and identifying a list of priorities for developing workshops and teaching support.

There will be two identical sessions, each approximately two-and-a-half hours long.  The sessions will begin with an overview of AI Literacy based on current professional models, followed by structured brainstorming sessions to identify AI Literacy critical concepts and needs.  We want to hear from broad and diverse voices and perspectives at the event.  The discussion consider user and librarian perspectives, and examine diverse aspects of AI including technical, ethical, and practical literacy components.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: 35th Annual Mortenson Center Distinguished Lecture

September 4 at 3:30–5:00 p.m.
More information

Amanda Rubin, documentary filmmaker and journalist, has brought The Third Reich of Dreams, a long-overlooked classic back to print in a newly-translated English edition (Princeton Press, 2025). Her Mortenson Distinguished Lecture will share Beradt’s incredible untold story and legacy of courage as a woman, journalist, and refugee. The lecture will focus on the power of the irrepressible imagination and the potent symbolism of books, writing and archiving as “witnesses to history”. 

View information about additional events September 2-4: library.illinois.edu/mortenson/lectures/

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Exhibit opening for “Sweetbitter: The Literary Legacies and Afterlives of Sappho”

September 19 at 3:00–5:00 p.m.
More information

Please join us for the opening reception of RBML’s fall exhibit, Sweetbitter: The Literary Legacies and Afterlives of Sappho.

The ancient poet Sappho coined “sweetbitter” in one of her most evocative verses, still striking us to the heart nearly three millennia later. But who was Sappho? As with so many ancient figures, she is more legend than person today, her story told and retold even as her poetry continues to enchant and move us. Our opening reception celebration will take us back to an old form of a symposium, a party with spoken words and dance, featuring a special performance by contemporary dancer and choreographer Jessica Van de Koot.

This event is free and open to the public, and refreshments will be served.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: University Librarian Note

Check back next month for a note from Dean of Libraries and University Librarian Claire Stewart.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Library Building Project Update – 8/1/25

Tom Teper, Associate Dean and Associate University Librarian for Collections and Technical Services

Construction continues apace, with our most recent site observation from the architect estimating that the project is 11% completed. As of July 31^st, the following work is in progress: elevator excavation and external waterproofing, finishing demo of west pavilion and waterproofing on plaza, beginning to salvage courtyard limestone, continuing mechanical and other demolition, concrete cutting for freight elevator, and removal of demolished materials. Below are an assortment of photos from the exterior work currently underway.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Cheers for Peers

Library Human Resources is happy to announce this month’s Cheers for Peers submissions. The following Library employees have been cheered by their peers:

• Adrienne Esserine
• Anthony Stewart
• Emma Kassem
• Tierra Brown
• Alfredo Guadarrama
• Carter Ingold
• Kent Markley
• Kennadie Mitchell
• Arthur Hall
• Megean Osuchowski

To view the detailed Cheers for Peers submissions please view the Growing People blog.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Recognizing Excellence

• Mary Schlembach Invited to Royal Society of London Conference
• Spring 2025 Presentations by Library Faculty and Academic Professionals
• Spring 2025 Publications by Library Faculty and Academic Professionals
• New series: Spring 2025 Professional Service by Library Faculty and Academic Professionals

Beginning in Spring 2025, there will be a new series alongside our triannual recognition of Presentations and Publications by Library Faculty and Academic Professionals, recognizing Professional Service.

If you would like to add your professional service to the Spring 2025 post, please use the newly revised Recognizing Excellence Submission form. Please only submit professional services that commenced during the post’s time period (January–May 2025).

If you receive an award, recognition, or grant, please complete and submit the Recognizing Excellence Submission form to be included in the Recognizing Excellence blog. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the communications team! communications@library.illinois.edu

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Senior Administrative Team Meeting Minutes

Moving forward, the meeting minutes of the Senior Administration Team will be posted at: library.illinois.edu/committees/committees/senior-administration-team

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Collection Development Committee Notes

The most recent meeting minutes of the CDC are posted at:
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:
library.illinois.edu/staff/committee/content-access-policy-technology-capt/

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FACILITIES NEWS: Facilities Update

Tim Newman, Assistant Dean of Libraries for Facilities

For a complete list of projects in planning and construction, please visit wordpress.library.illinois.edu/staff/facilities.

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BUSINESS NEWS: International Travel

Kim Johnson, Associate Director of Fiscal Operations

Before requesting a meeting with the Business Office to arrange payment for international travel, the employee must first enroll in international travel insurance and provide proof of enrollment to the travel arranger during the travel arranging meeting. Payables now requires that this proof of insurance be uploaded when submitting travel charges through Emburse Enterprises.

Reimbursements for travel expenses will NOT be paid if the traveler did not sign up for the University provided insurance coverage.

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BUSINESS NEWS: Travel Grants

Kim Johnson, Associate Director of Fiscal Operations

The Business Office receives notification for Scholar’s Travel Funds, however, other grants or travel funds, we are not notified. If you have received

• International Conference Travel Grant: international.illinois.edu/awards-funding/conference-travel.html
• Staff Professional Development Fund: humanresources.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SPDF-Application-Criteria-for-SY-24-25.pdf
• Future World Changers Matching Grant: provost.illinois.edu/faculty-affairs/seminars-workshops/fwca/

Any documentation that say to have the unit’s Business Office contact the granting unit for funds transfer, we will need to have the original email to request funding.

FAQs:

• When am I going to get reimbursed?
  • University Payables process expense reports for the whole system, meaning Chicago, Springfield, Champaign and all the extension offices. It could take from 2 to 5 weeks to receive your reimbursement.
• I’m going to an conference/research trip, can I go before and/or stay longer for vacation?
  • Yes.  comparable itinerary is required. The Business Office will not pay for travel and /or hotels, the employee must seek reimbursement and will only be reimbursed for the time that is deemed University travel time. (library.illinois.edu/staff/bhrsc-business-services/booking-travel-in-a-nutshell/)
• I’m going on a day trip, can I get per diem?
  • No, per diem is not allowed for a day trip. (library.illinois.edu/staff/bhrsc-business-services/per-diem/)
• How do I request carpool vehicles?
  • Please complete Carpool Request Form
• Do I have to enroll in University travel insurance for international travel.
  • Yes. Payables will not let us arrange travel without the insurance and will refuse to reimburse travels if they do not have the University provided insurance coverage.

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BUSINESS NEWS: Grants

Kim Johnson, Associate Director of Fiscal Operations

The Library Business Office requires that all complete proposal is provided to the Grants and Contracts Coordinator seven (7) business days in advance of the sponsor’s deadline in order to meet the SPA deadline requirements.

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BUSINESS NEWS: Updates – Effective July 1, 2025

Kim Johnson, Associate Director of Fiscal Operations

Indirect Cost Rate:

• Our federally negotiated F&A rate is currently under renegotiation and expected to take effect July 1, 2025. If a provisional rate is issued before then, we will apply the lesser of the current or provisional rate until the final rate is confirmed.

Tuition Remission rate for Other Sponsored Activity (OSA) will be 62%

• For projects classified as Other Sponsored Activity (OSA) that include tuition remission:
  • a 62% tuition remission rate will be applied in accordance with new institutional policy
  • Implementation: new OSA awards will assess a 62% tuition remission rate
  • Existing awards with a 64% tuition remission rate will stay at 64% for the life of the project
• FY26 Tuition Remission Rates
  • Instruction: 64%
  • Organized Research: 64%
  • Other Sponsored Activities: 62%
• The threshold for sub-award indirect cost exclusion increases to $50,000
  • Applies only to new sub-awards on or after 7/1/25
• Institutional Equipment Threshold Remains at $5,000
  • Despite the federal revision, our institution will continue to apply a $5,000 equipment threshold for all proposals—federal, state, or otherwise. This aligns with the State of Illinois definition of equipment and ensures consistency particularly when funding sources are blended.

*These updates affect how the Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC) base is calculated for indirect costs.

What You Should Do

• If your proposal has a budget start date on or after July 1, 2025:
  • Use the revised budget template with a $5,000 equipment threshold and a $50,000 subaward threshold for indirect cost base calculations.
  • SPA Budget Templates: sponsoredprograms.illinois.edu/research-topics/proposal-budgeting
• For supplements, the rates and thresholds will remain the same for the entire period of performance
• For continuations, use the current F&A rate and if extending the period of performance for OSA awards, update the tuition remission rate to 62%
  • SPA will setup a separate CFOP under the existing grant code to track continuation funding subject to the new 62% tuition remission rate
• For existing awards, the thresholds and tuition remission rate remain the same for the life of the project.

Recently Updated FAQ’s

F&A rates were updated in the following FAQ’s associated with the CAM RP-03 Charging of Facilities and Administrative Costs to Sponsored Projects:

• What is the appropriate F&A rate for State of Illinois GOMB agencies?
  • The off-campus rate was changed from 10% MTDC to 15% MTDC
• What is the appropriate F&A rate for use on non-profit organizations?
  • The rate was changed from 10% TDC to 15% TDC
• What rate should I use for a subrecipient who does not have a negotiated F&A rate?
  • The rate was changed from 10% MTDC to 15% MTDC

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HR NEWS: Departures

• Xiaoping Qi – Senior Library Specialist – ACS – Retired, last day June 30, 2025

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HR NEWS: Civil Service Vacancies

• Senior Audio, Video, and Emerging Technology Specialist – Library IT – Interviewing Soon

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HR NEWS:  Academic Professional and Faculty Open Postings

• Head – Acquisitions & Cataloging Services Librarian – Acquisitions and Cataloging Services – Pending Offer

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Staff Events Calendar

To see the most up-to-date staff events calendar, please visit uiuc.libcal.com/calendar/staff.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Fall 2025 Library-wide Graduate Assistant Orientation

Monday, August 18

• GA Training: Welcome & Working in the Library
  • 9:15–10:45 a.m., Main Library 66, Main Library
• GA Training: Emergency Procedures
  • 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m., Main Library 66, Main Library
• GA Training: Group Lunch and 2nd Year GA Panel
  • 12:00–1:30 p.m., Main Library 220, Main Library
• GA Training: Fire Extinguisher Training & Practice
  • 1:45–2:45 p.m., Main Library 66, Main Library
• GA Training: Main Library Building Tour
  • 2:45–3:30 p.m., Main Library, First Floor Information Desk, Main Library
• GA Training: Main Stacks Tour
  • 2:45–3:30 p.m., Main Library, 2nd Floor Stacks Circulation Desk, Main Library
• GA Training: Main Library Building Tour
  • 3:30–4:15 p.m., Main Library, First Floor Information Desk, Main Library
• GA Training: Main Stacks Tour
  • 3:30–4:15 p.m., Main Library, 2nd Floor Stacks Circulation Desk, Main Library
• GEO Presentation for New Graduate Assistants
  • 4:15–5:15 p.m., Main Library 66, Main Library

Tuesday, August 19

• GA Training: Introduction to Library Web Strategy and Development
  • 9:00–9:45 a.m., Grainger Commons, Rooms 233/235, Engineering
• GA Training: Introduction to Catalog Tools
  • 10:00–11:15 a.m., Grainger Commons, Rooms 233/235, Engineering
• GA Training: Tour of Grainger Library
  • 11:15 a.m.–12:00 p.m., Grainger Commons, Rooms 233/235, Engineering
• GA Training: Alma Fulfillment
  • 1:00–2:15 p.m., Grainger Commons, Rooms 233/235, Engineering
• GA Training: Alma Cataloging
  • 2:30–3:30 p.m., Grainger Commons, Rooms 233/235, Engineering
• GA Training: Alma Acquisitions
  • 3:30–4:30 p.m., Grainger Commons, Rooms 233/235, Engineering

Wednesday, August 20

• GA Training: Introduction to Library Database Searching
  • 9:15–10:45 a.m., Funk ACES Library 509, ACES
• GA Training: Tour of Funk ACES Library
  • 11:00–11:45 a.m., Funk ACES Library 509, ACES
• GA Training: Reference Interview and Instruction in Reference
  • 12:45–2:30 p.m., Funk ACES Library 509, ACES
• GA Training: Chat Reference and Referrals + Overview of LibInsight
  • 2:45–4:30 p.m., Funk ACES Library 509, ACES

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: 35th Annual Mortenson Center Distinguished Lecture

September 4 at 3:30–5:00 p.m.
Registration

Amanda Rubin, documentary filmmaker and journalist, has brought The Third Reich of Dreams, a long-overlooked classic back to print in a newly-translated English edition (Princeton Press, 2025). Her Mortenson Distinguished Lecture will share Beradt’s incredible untold story and legacy of courage as a woman, journalist, and refugee. The lecture will focus on the power of the irrepressible imagination and the potent symbolism of books, writing and archiving as “witnesses to history”. 

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: University Librarian Note

This week for the first time since I started at Illinois (two years ago!) I was able to attend the Mortenson Center Associates showcase and graduation ceremony – what a fantastic cohort of Associates and a chance to learn from them about all they’ve experienced this past month, and how it will influence the opportunities and challenges they are confronting.  It was also an opportunity to see and appreciate how many of you have contributed to the Associates program, either by being a library buddy or a session leader or in some other way.  I want to recognize that effort, with a particular shout-out to Clara, Peggy and Emily for their painstaking planning, intensive and immersive work, and incredible good work on this program. Read more…

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Library Building Project Update – 7/1/25

Tom Teper, Associate Dean and Associate University Librarian for Collections and Technical Services

Construction continues apace, with our most recent site observation from the architect estimating that the project is 9% completed. As of June 26^th, the architect noted that since last week, the following work is in progress: CMU walls were removed from the east pavilion side walls, the overhang on the east pavilion has been almost completely removed, the plaza paver removal is underway, miscellaneous interior demolition is ongoing, and the installation of shoring for excavation of the elevator shaft and loading dock is scheduled to be completed this week. 

Below are an assortment of photos from the exterior work currently underway.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Cheers for Peers

Library Human Resources is happy to announce this month’s Cheers for Peers submissions. The following Library employees have been cheered by their peers:

• Angela Watters
• Grace Flavin
• Cait Coker
• Tony Hynes
• Caroline Szylowicz
• Molly Banwart
• JP Goguen
• Emma Wise
• Carrie Lingscheit
• Dana Miller
• Elizabeth McNutt
• Lynne M. Thomas
• Chloe Ottenhoff
• Ana Rodriguez
• Quinn Ferris
• Geoff Ross
• Jake Culbertson
• Steve Bermingham
• Paul Foster
• Xavier Sanchez

To view the detailed Cheers for Peers submissions please view the Growing People blog.

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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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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Senior Administrative Team Meeting Minutes

Please see the meeting minutes as follows:

• June 12
• May 28

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Collection Development Committee Notes

The most recent meeting 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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FACILITIES NEWS: Facilities Update

Tim Newman, Assistant Dean of Libraries for Facilities

For a complete list of projects in planning and construction, please visit wordpress.library.illinois.edu/staff/facilities.

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BUSINESS NEWS: International Travel Update

Kim Johnson, Associate Director of Fiscal Operations

Before requesting a meeting with the Business Office to arrange payment for international travel, the employee must first enroll in international travel insurance and provide proof of enrollment to the travel arranger during the travel arranging meeting. Payables now requires that this proof of insurance be uploaded when submitting travel charges through Emburse Enterprises.

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BUSINESS NEWS: Reimbursement Update

Kim Johnson, Associate Director of Fiscal Operations

University Payables is a system wide office that reviews expense reports for all three campus, as well as the system and extension offices. All travel and other reimbursement expense reports for travel or purchases made prior to July 1, 2025, regardless of funding source, must be departmentally approved in Emburse Enterprise in order to post in FY25. This will help give University Payables adequate time to review and post these. (Travel to ALA would be considered purchases made prior to July 1, 2025).

Any travel and other reimbursement expense reports made after July 1, 2025 will not be submitted until July 14, 2025.

Please Help the Business Office in keeping track of your funding.

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BUSINESS NEWS: Event Funding

Kim Johnson, Associate Director of Fiscal Operations

The University has rules between how to transfer funds from different types of funds. When a Library faculty or staff member receives funds to support an event from another unit, it could be from a different fund type than how we are supporting the event. (An example, the Library is supporting a Workshop with gift funds, however two other units are wanting to use State/ICR funding.)

We are well versed in how to transfer and expend funds from different funding sources. In order to help you navigate the different funding terrain, please include us in budget discussions. We can provide you with the best way to keep track of all your expenses for the event and help with getting unit support.

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HR NEWS: Filled Positions

• Nina Dokeva – Library Specialist – Slavic Cataloging – Acquisitions and Cataloging Services – Starting July 14, 2025
• Erin Simon – Applied Health Sciences Librarian – SSHEL – Starting July 21, 2025

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HR NEWS: Departures

• David Lottes – Senior Library Specialist – ACS – Retiring, last day July 31, 2025

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HR NEWS:  Academic Professional and Faculty Open Postings

• Head – Acquisitions & Cataloging Services Librarian – Acquisitions and Cataloging Services – Finalizing Search

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Staff Events Calendar

To see the most up-to-date staff events calendar, please visit uiuc.libcal.com/calendar/staff.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: CARLI: From Analog to Digital: The Journey of Digitization

July 2 at 1:00–2:00 p.m.
Registration

This presentation explores the transformative journey from physical to digital formats, using the George A. Smathers Libraries at the University of Florida as a case study. We will walk through the step-by-step digitization process, from selection and preparation to capture, metadata creation, and long-term digital access. Attendees will gain insight into the key tools and technologies that power modern digitization workflows. The session will also highlight critical questions institutions should ask before launching a digitization project—such as identifying priorities, planning for scalability, and ensuring accessibility. Whether you’re just beginning or refining your digitization strategy, this session offers practical guidance rooted in real-world experience.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Library WordPress Accessibility Cohort Training

Although it can seem daunting, ensuring web-based content is compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) is a matter of systematically addressing different elements of a website. In this one-hour training we will go through those elements: color, headings, images, links, multimedia content, and other miscellaneous tips.

Please note the training agenda for each of these sessions is the same but is being offered five times to facilitate potential attendees’ availability.

• July 7 at 2:00–3:00 p.m.
• July 8 at 2:00–3:00 p.m. (online)
• July 9 at 2:00–3:00 p.m.
• July 10 at 2:00–3:00 p.m.
• July 11 at 2:00–3:00 p.m.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Library CPR/AED Training

The Library is holding CPR/AED Training classes on Wednesday, July 9th, for any employee (faculty, staff, and GA) who is interested in becoming certified. The training will be 2 hours and consist of AED/CPR training, Narcan training, and the use of bleed kits. Class size is limited to 16 per class and will be held at the Main Library in Room 220.

Please contact Christina Bonse at bonse2@illinois.edu for registration.

• July 9 at 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
• July 9 at 1:00–3:00 p.m.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: CARLI: Digitization at the National Archives

July 9 at 1:00–2:00 p.m.
Registration

Denise Henderson [Director of Digitization for Research Services at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)] will discuss the history of NARA’s digitization program, including the design and creation of a state-of-the-art Digitization Center at the agency’s College Park facility. She will also highlight some of the major digitization projects that NARA has undertaken to make more records available online and available to everyone. Hosted by FLVC.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Coffee for 5 with Claire

July 15 at 9:00–10:00 a.m.
Registration

Let’s have coffee! this monthly gathering is designed for casual, small-group conversations. These will be virtual on Teams, and we hope you can join us there.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Receiving Feedback – Professional Development Series

July 15 at 10:00–11:30 a.m.
Registration

We will explore key lessons and practices from Douglas Stone & Sheila Heen (authors of Thanks for the Feedback) on how to effectively receive feedback, which can ultimately lead to stronger relationships, trust, and collaboration.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: CARLI: Digitization Projects Showcase

The CARLI Preservation Committee is delighted to showcase digitization projects at Illinois libraries as part of the Summer Digitization Webinar Series in partnership with the Florida Virtual Campus.

July 16 at 1:00–2:00 p.m.
Registration

• Project 1: “Using Multispectral Imaging to Augment Digitized West African Manuscripts” presented by Stephanie Gowler, Northwestern University Libraries

July 23 at 1:00–2:00 p.m.
Registration

• Project 2: “Collaborative Preservation at the Crossroads of Science and History: Digitizing the Barnard Atlas” presented by Christina Miranda, University of Chicago Library.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: CARLI: Cultural Competence in Leadership

July 22 at 12:00–1:00 p.m.
Registration

Understanding and implementing cultural competence is an important leadership quality. This webinar will explore the meaning and history of cultural competence and how leaders can implement this skillset into their management, supervisory and leadership toolkit. This is the 3rd webinar in a 3 part series

Join Dr. Suzanne Morrison-Williams, EdD, MPA, BSc as she discusses:

1. Defining cultural competence
2. Explain the importance of cultural competence in organizations
3. Define how cultural competence is used and displayed in leadership
4. Explain how to develop cultural competence as part of leadership strategies
5. Examine how to create and develop internal strategies to increase leadership skill and potential in teams.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: CARLI: Summer Book Bash: Dazzling Debuts with J.B. Hwang, Lucas Schaefer, & Penny Zang

July 24 at 2:00–3:00 p.m.
Registration

Join J.B. Hwang, Lucas Schaefer, and Penny Zang as they share their enthusiasm for libraries and chat about their debut novels during this webinar hosted by LibraryLinkNJ. All attendees will be eligible for a chance to win book-related prizes from our sponsors.

• J.B. Hwang received her MFA in Fiction from the University of Florida, and her short fiction and translation can be found in The Temz Review, The Denver Quarterly, Oxford Magazine, and december magazine. She lived in San Francisco for eight years and worked as a mail carrier during the pandemic. She currently lives in Philadelphia.
• Lucas Schaefer’s debut novel, The Slip, will be published in June 2025 from Simon & Schuster. His work has appeared in One Story, The Baffler, Slate and other publications. He lives with his family in Austin, Texas.
• Penny Zang’s debut novel, Doll Parts, is forthcoming from Sourcebooks in August 2025. She is from Maryland and graduated with an MFA in Fiction from West Virginia University. Her work has appeared in the Potomac Review, Louisville Review, and South 85, among others. She lives in South Carolina, where she teaches English.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Creating Focus – Professional Development Series

July 30 at 10:00–11:30 a.m.
Registration

We will explore recent research findings by Dr. Gloria Span about how an increasingly virtual world can affect attention span, as well as tools and techniques for restoring balance and helping us focus and manage our time better.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: CARLI: Summer Book Bash: Book Buzz with Chronicle, Levine Querido & W.W. Norton

July 31 at 1:00–2:00 p.m.
Registration

Chronicle, Levine Querido & W. W. Norton, publishers of award-winning fiction and nonfiction, share their noteworthy books for Summer and Fall 2025 during this webinar hosted by LibraryLinkNJ. All attendees will be eligible for a chance to win book-related prizes from our sponsors.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: University Librarian Note

Check back next month for a note from Dean of Libraries and University Librarian Claire Stewart.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Library Building Project Update – 6/1/25

Tom Teper, Associate Dean and Associate University Librarian for Collections and Technical Services

As you may have noticed, construction has begun! Following approval earlier this spring, the university issued a Notice to Proceed on April 4, 2025, and Williams Brothers Construction began mobilizing to start work on the Archives and Special Collections Building. Initial work for mobilization included site preparation, identification of stockpile sites, and shutting down services (power, water, etc.) that still served the building. Simultaneously, the contractor began the work of finishing the demolition. As the project manager said this morning, “If it’s in the building, we are demo-ing it.” That includes spaces on the outside as well. The old concrete ramps, planters, and stairs are in the process or have been removed. In the next three weeks, visual changes will include continued demolition of the plaza brick and limestone, removal of area well brick, and eventual removal and storage of limestone around the courtyard in preparation for cleaning and reinstallation. Interior demolition will continue, and in early June, we should see the installation of shoring in preparation to excavate for the eventual installation of the elevator shaft and loading dock on the building’s eastern side. Look for continued updates of this nature along with some photos in later monthly updates.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Racial Equity Institute Phase I

Victor Jones Jr., Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA)

We encourage current Library faculty and staff to sign up to attend the Phase 1 training from the Racial Equity Institute that the University Library is hosting on June 10–11. The training will be held virtually both days (9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.) with breaks and lunch embedded. 

For the past three years, the Big Ten Academic Alliance DEI Peer Group has been sponsoring Phase I trainings from the Racial Equity Institute (REI) for our members.  However, due to limitations of opportunities, we wanted to host our own in order increase our body of knowledge as a library as we move forward and continue to promote inclusion and belonging as an organization.  Here’s a link to their website for some background information.

REI’s two-day Phase 1 training is designed to develop the capacity of participants to better understand racism in its institutional and structural forms. Moving away from a focus on personal bigotry and bias, this workshop presents a historical, cultural, and structural analysis of racism. Topics covered include our fish/lake/groundwater analysis of structural racism; understanding and controlling implicit bias; race, poverty, and place; markedness theory; institutional power arrangements and power brokers; importance of definitions of race and racism; history and legacy of race in American economic and policy development; racial identity and its interaction with institutional culture. With shared language and a clearer understanding of how institutions and systems are producing unjust and inequitable outcomes, participants should leave the training better equipped to begin to work for change.  

Engaging in DEIA work is essential to the strong and just future we all strive for together, and participating will help us build a strong foundation of shared understanding, vocabulary and focus on which to build. Please sign up using this link.

Finally, if you have already attended but would like to attend again, you are very much encouraged to do that. Scroll down on the spreadsheet to the ALUM section and add your name.

Let Victor know if you have any questions! 

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: IOPN – New Title

Angela Waters, Digital Publishing Specialist

In May, the Illinois Open Publishing Network (IOPN) published Decoding Cultural Literacy: Rhetorically Analyzing Everyday Media for Professional Writers by Kandice Fowlkes. Using a wide variety of media forms, including hip hop lyrics, tweets, film, and books, this handbook helps writers learn what cultural literacy is, how to critically analyze media, and then create writing which appeals to one’s own authorial credibility. The title is part of the Mellon-funded AFRO PWW 2 grant, which is in collaboration with the department of African American Studies. (Read more about this title on the IOPN blog.)

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Cheers for Peers

Library Human Resources is happy to announce this month’s Cheers for Peers submissions. The following Library employees have been cheered by their peers:

• Kirsten Feist
• JP Goguen
• Hannah Williams
• Stefanie Postula
• Julie Bumpus
• Janelle Sander

To view the detailed Cheers for Peers submissions please view the Growing People blog.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Recognizing Excellence

• Mary Ton Receives 2025 Library Journal “Movers & Shakers” Educator Award
• Lisa Janicke Hinchliffe Named Co-chair of United2Act Against Paper Mills
• University Library Faculty and Staff Elected to Leadership Positions at the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions
• Alex Deeke and María Emerson Awarded 2025 Instructional Innovation Mini Grants
• Jennifer Hain Teper Receives Campus Excellence in Faculty Mentoring Award
• Nancy O’Brien Receives College of Education 2025 VIP Award
• Jessica Ballard-Lawrence Appointed to Serve on State Historic Preservation Board

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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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Collection Development Committee Notes

The most recent meeting 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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FACILITIES NEWS: Facilities Update

Tim Newman, Assistant Dean of Libraries for Facilities

For a complete list of projects in planning and construction, please visit wordpress.library.illinois.edu/staff/facilities.

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BUSINESS NEWS: Tips for Requesting Reimbursements in June

Kim Johnson, Associate Director of Fiscal Operations

June is a very busy month for the Business Office. We ask that if you are returning from travel before the end of June, please submit your reimbursement request into the Purchasing and Reimbursement App by the next business day so that we can be entered and approved in Chrome River prior to the July 3rd deadline issued by University Payables. Expense reports approved by the Business Office after July 3rd will delay reimbursement payment.

Before you leave, please make sure you have access to Chrome River and that the delegates have been updated to the current Business Office staff (Add Chrome River Delegates)

• If you don’t have access to Chrome River, please complete and sign the Information Security Compliance Form.
• Send your UIN to Kimberly Johnson (kkjohns1@illinois.edu) to get you added to Chrome River

Upon your return, gather all receipts and approvals to be entered into the Purchasing and Reimbursement App within 1 business day of returning. The instructions are provided both here (Reimbursements) and on the Business Office website. To avoid delays in processing, upload all necessary documentations such as:

• All receipts that you are seeking reimbursement for i.e. airfare, hotel, Uber/Lyft/Taxi
• Bank statements if you don’t have a receipt
• Comparable airfare if you stayed longer for personal travel or if you drove instead of flew
• Per Diem Request Form (no meal receipts will be accepted)
• Business Meal receipt, who attended, affiliation to the University and the purpose of the Business meeting
• Professional Development approval emails

When the expense report is ready to be approved by the requester in Chrome River, a Business Office employee will send an email on how to approve your expense report.

• Expense reports not approved by July 3rd, will delay your reimbursement.

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BUSINESS NEWS: Purchasing App Training

Our next Purchasing App Training is on Tuesday, June 10 at 10:30⁠–11:30 a.m. (online). Please register here.

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BUSINESS NEWS: Grants: Effective July 1, 2025

Indirect Cost Rate:

• Our federally negotiated F&A rate is currently under renegotiation and expected to take effect July 1, 2025. If a provisional rate is issued before then, we will apply the lesser of the current or provisional rate until the final rate is confirmed.

Tuition Remission rate for Other Sponsored Activity (OSA) will be 62%

• For projects classified as Other Sponsored Activity (OSA) that include tuition remission:
  • a 62% tuition remission rate will be applied in accordance with new institutional policy
  • Implementation: new OSA awards will assess a 62% tuition remission rate
  • Existing awards with a 64% tuition remission rate will stay at 64% for the life of the project
• FY26 Tuition Remission Rates
  • Instruction: 64%
  • Organized Research: 64%
  • Other Sponsored Activities: 62%
• The threshold for sub-award indirect cost exclusion increases to $50,000
  • Applies only to new sub-awards on or after 7/1/25
• Institutional Equipment Threshold Remains at $5,000
  • Despite the federal revision, our institution will continue to apply a $5,000 equipment threshold for all proposals—federal, state, or otherwise. This aligns with the State of Illinois definition of equipment and ensures consistency particularly when funding sources are blended.

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HR NEWS: Filled Positions

• Julian Carrero – Library Specialist – Latin American and Western European Ordering/Cataloging with Language Specialty – Acquisitions and Cataloging Services – Starting June 9, 2025
• Erin Simon – Applied Health Sciences Librarian – SSHEL – Starting July 21, 2025

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HR NEWS: Departures

• Lesley Dzik – Library Specialist – Grainger – Retiring, last day May 31, 2025
• Laura Eichelberger – Accounting Officer – Business and Human Resources Service Center – Resignation, last day June 20, 2025
• David Lottes – Senior Library Specialist – ACS – Retiring, last day July 31, 2025

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HR NEWS: Civil Service Vacancies

• Library Specialist – Slavic Cataloging – Acquisitions and Cataloging Services – Decision Soon
• Library Specialist – Monographic & Media Acquisitions – Acquisitions and Cataloging Services – Interviewing Soon

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HR NEWS:  Academic Professional and Faculty Open Postings

• Head – Acquisitions & Cataloging Services Librarian – ACS – Finalizing Search

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Staff Events Calendar

To see the most up-to-date staff events calendar, please visit uiuc.libcal.com/calendar/staff.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Employee Performance Evaluation Training Sessions

Library HR and ODT will be offering training sessions on the new performance evaluation form with updated criteria and ratings that will be used starting in 2025-2026 evaluation year. This training is intended for all Library Academic Professionals and Civil Service EMPLOYEES. It will provide an overview of the new performance evaluation form with updated criteria and ratings that will be used starting in 2025-2026 evaluation year. Attendance is strongly recommended to learn about these changes and their impact to you as the employee.  A total of 6 training sessions are offered for employees (4 in-person, 2 virtual). All sessions cover the same material so you only need to attend one session.  Please arrange your work schedule and responsibilities with your supervisor so you can attend a session. For any questions, please contact susanb3@illinois.edu

• Tuesday, June 3, 10:00–⁠11:00 a.m. in 428 Main (Register here)
• Wednesday, June 4, 11:00 a.m.–⁠12:00 p.m. Virtual (Register here – Zoom link provided in registration)
• Thursday, June 5, 4:00–⁠5:00 p.m. Virtual (Register here – Zoom link provided in registration)

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Supervisor Performance Evaluation Training Sessions

Library HR and ODT will be offering training sessions on the new performance evaluation form with updated criteria and ratings that will be used starting in 2025-2026 evaluation year. This training is intended for Library SUPERVISORS of Academic Professionals and Civil Service employees. It will provide an overview of the new performance evaluation form with updated criteria and ratings that will be used starting in 2025-2026 evaluation year. Attendance is strongly recommended to learn about these changes and their impact to you as the supervisor. A total of 5 training sessions are offered for supervisors (3 in-person, 2 virtual). All sessions cover the same material so you only need to attend one session. (Note: If you are an AP or CS employee, you are also welcome to attend an employee session as well, but it’s very important to attend one of these sessions specifically for supervisors). For any questions, please contact susanb3@illinois.edu

• Tuesday, June 3, 11:00 a.m.–⁠12:00 p.m. in 428 Main (Register here)
• Wednesday, June 4, 1:00⁠–2:00 p.m. Virtual (Register here – Zoom link provided in registration)
• Thursday, June 5, 10:00⁠–11:00 a.m. Virtual (Register here – Zoom link provided in registration)

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Let Claire buy you a beverage

Tuesday, June 3, 2025 at 9:00⁠–10:00 a.m.
Registration

Let’s have coffee! These coffees are designed to help me get to know Library faculty, professional and Civil Service staff better. These are approved events; Civil Service non-exempt staff should get permission from their supervisor before signing up.

Let Claire buy you a beverage (1:1) You pick, I buy! This one-on-one meeting will let us venture out together for get-to-know-you conversation. You pick the location and the beverage, Claire picks up the tab. We can leave campus, go for a walk-and-talk, hole up in your favorite campus café nook, connect over smoothies, or whatever you decide.  If your plans change, you can cancel or reschedule any time before the event.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: CARLI: Leadership Series, Part 2: Developing Leadership Skillsets

Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at 12:00⁠–1:00 p.m.
More information

Leadership skills can be learned. The purpose of this webinar is to highlight leadership traits and use scenarios to allow participants to see how various leadership skills can be learned and implemented over time. Join Dr. Suzanne Morrison-Williams, EdD, MPA, BSc as she discusses:

1. Exploring the different the types of leadership and leadership models
2. Developing individual Leadership traits for success
3. Avoiding Toxic Leadership Traits
4. Understanding the role of neutrality in Leadership
5. Exploring various Leadership development tools and resources

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: CARLI: NISO Webinar: AI & the Research Cycle (Phase II: Data Collection & Analysis)

Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at 10:00⁠–11:00 a.m.
Registration

Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming every stage of the research cycle, from discovery to dissemination. This series will explore the evolving role of AI in shaping research workflows, addressing both the opportunities and challenges it presents.

Join experts across various fields as they delve into how AI is enhancing research processes, improving efficiency, and raising new questions about ethics, transparency, and the future of knowledge creation. Join us as we build on our AI & the Research Cycle series with Phase II.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: CARLI: Integrating AI into Digital Collections: Strategy and Practice at Yale Library

Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at 1:00⁠–2:00 p.m.
Registration

Mike Appleby, Director of Software Engineering, and Jonathan Manton, Director of Digital Special Collections and Access at Yale Library, will explore the thoughtful integration of artificial intelligence into Yale Library’s digital collections ecosystem.

• Mike will introduce a prototype application, Digital Collections AI, which leverages large language models (LLMs) to analyze OCR-transcribed texts from Yale’s digitized collections. This tool can rapidly summarize content, extract entities such as people, places, and subjects, and even perform stylistic analyses, thereby enhancing researchers’ ability to explore and interpret vast amounts of digitized material.
• Jonathan will provide strategic context, outlining how this tool aligns with Yale Library’s broader goals for responsible innovation and sustainable stewardship of the library’s digital collections. Together, they will reflect on the opportunities and challenges of embedding AI in cultural heritage workflows, offering insights for institutions navigating similar paths.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: University Librarian Note

I wish you a happy and productive May. This has been a difficult year for us all, with much uncertainty thanks to changes at the federal level. Thank you for continuing to push me for good information and for taking such good care of each other. I appreciate the stories and the concerns you have shared with me directly and hope our informal check-ins and more formal conversations in various settings are helping as much as anything can right now. Read more…

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Media Requests

Heather Murphy, Chief Communications Officer

If you are contacted by a journalist or student reporter, please let me know. In addition, you may find this “General Interview Notes and Reminders” document helpful: https://stratcom.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Media-Briefing-General-Interview-Notes-Reminders.docx

The campus-level Office of Strategic Communications and Marketing offers several media relations resources, including media training for faculty and interview preparation. Get in touch with me if you have an interest in either of these.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Revised Posting Policy

Mary Laskowski, Associate University Librarian for Operations and Services

The Administrative Council approved a new, revised University Library Posting Policy: https://www.library.illinois.edu/staff/policy/university-library-posting-policy/. Please take a few minutes to read the new policy, and if you have any questions, please get in touch.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Illinois Open Publishing Network: New Titles

Dan Tracy, Head of Scholarly Communication and Publishing

The Illinois Open Publishing Network (IOPN) has published two new titles in April, one of which is part of the Mellon-funded AFRO PWW 2 grant in collaboration with the Department of African-American Studies. The second is a collaboration with our colleagues in the International and Area Studies Library. The titles and press releases can be found below.

1. Peripheral Narratives and Knowledge Production in Soviet and Contemporary Central Asia, 1917–Present, edited by Eva Rogaar, Joe Lenkart, and Katherine Ashcraft (Read more about this title on the IOPN blog.)
2. The Motherhood Aesthetic in Contemporary Black American Plays by La Tanya L. Reese Rogers and Tanya E. Walker (Read more about this title on the IOPN blog.)

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Cheers for Peers

Library Human Resources is happy to announce this month’s Cheers for Peers submissions. The following Library employees have been cheered by their peers:

• Amy Dannowitz
• Damian Behymer
• JP Goguen
• Kristen Zidon
• Lincoln Machula
• Rhonda Jurinak
• Stuart Albert

To view the detailed Cheers for Peers submissions please view the Growing People blog.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Recognizing Excellence

• Lynne M. Thomas Finalist for 2025 Hugo Awards
• Stephanie M. Luke selected to 2025 Archives Leadership Institute at the University of Virginia
• Fall 2024 Library Instructors Ranked as Excellent
• Murphy Receives Chancellor’s Staff Excellence Award

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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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Senior Administrative Team Meeting Minutes

There are no new meeting minutes to share.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Collection Development Committee Notes

The most recent meeting 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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FACILITIES NEWS: Facilities Update

Tim Newman, Assistant Dean of Libraries for Facilities

For a complete list of projects in planning and construction, please visit wordpress.library.illinois.edu/staff/facilities.

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BUSINESS NEWS: Professional Development Funds

Kim Johnson, Associate Director of Fiscal Operations

The last date that the Business Office will make travel arrangements is June 13, 2025. Please make sure you have your Professional Development form submitted, approved and a travel arrangement meeting scheduled before June 13.

To request use of Professional Development fund, please submit a Professional Development Funding and Travel Form.

Please note that the Business Office only approves the funding source and amount of the funds, we are not approving the actual travel and time away from the office. Travel should be approved by your supervisor prior to submitting the Professional Development Funding and Travel Form.

Borrowing from future funds is not allowed. The new allotment for FY26 Professional Development funds starts July 1, 2025.

Learn more about Professional Development Funds.

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BUSINESS NEWS: Real ID

Kim Johnson, Associate Director of Fiscal Operations

On May 7, 2025, U.S. travelers must be REAL ID compliant to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities.  Please review the information provided by the State of Illinois and share it with those in your unit who engage in university business travel and those who process travel reimbursements. 

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BUSINESS NEWS: Grants

Kim Johnson, Associate Director of Fiscal Operations

Due to changes at SPA, the Library Business Office requires that all complete proposal is provided to the Grants and Contracts Coordinator seven (7) business days in advance of the sponsor’s deadline in order to meet the new deadline requirements.

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BUSINESS NEWS: Electronic Travel Authorization for UK Travel

Kim Johnson, Associate Director of Fiscal Operations

Starting January 8, 2025, U.S. citizens traveling to the United Kingdom for short visits, tourism, or business, including those just passing through UK airports, will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) if they do not have a UK visa or legal residency in the UK or the Republic of Ireland. This requirement applies to all parts of the UK, including Northern Ireland. The ETA is similar to the U.S. ESTA system and acts as a pre-clearance for travel. This change is part of the UK’s move towards a digital border system.

An Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA):

• May take up to three working days to process.
• Costs £10 ($12.75).
• Is required for travelers of all ages.
• Is valid for two years or the remaining period of validity on a passport,   whichever is shorter; and
• Does not require travel details.

One does not need an ETA if they already have a visa, an exempt vignette, or have a British or Irish passport.  Other nationalities that ordinarily require a visa to visit the UK will continue to do so and should not obtain an ETA.

For more information – and to apply for an ETA – go to https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta.

Assistance:
State Department – Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444

More information: https://uk.usembassy.gov/worldwide-travel-alert-new-entry-requirements-for-us-citizens-traveling-or-transiting-through-united-kingdom-airports-effective-january-8-2025/

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HR NEWS: Filled Positions

• Nick Day – Senior Audio, Video, and Emerging Technology Specialist – Library IT – Started April 7, 2025
• Mackenzie Williams – Senior Library Specialist – Complex Ordering and Management – Acquisitions and Cataloging Services – Starting April 28, 2025
• Nolan Vallier – Clinical Assistant Prof – Sousa Archives and Center for American Music – Starting May 19, 2025
• Julian Carrero – Library Specialist – Latin American and Western European Ordering/Cataloging with Language Specialty – Acquisitions and Cataloging Services – Starting June 9, 2025

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HR NEWS: Departures

• Lisa Renee Kemplin – Library Operations Associate – IAS Library – Retiring, last day April 30, 2025
• Rachel Miller -Haughton – Visiting Faculty – Preservation Services – Resignation, last day May 2, 2025
• Laura Eichelberger – Accounting Officer – Business and Human Resources Service Center – Resignation, last day June 20, 2025
• David Lottes – Senior Library Specialist – ACS – Retiring, last day July 31, 2025

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HR NEWS: Civil Service Vacancies

• Library Specialist – Slavic Cataloging – Acquisitions and Cataloging Services – Interviewing

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HR NEWS:  Academic Professional and Faculty Open Postings

• Medical & Biomedicine Librarian – Grainger Engineering Library – Closed without hire
• Applied Health Sciences Librarian – SSHEL – Pending Board of Trustee Approval
• Head – Acquisitions & Cataloging Services Librarian – ACS – Interviewing

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HR NEWS: In Memoriam

• Bill Mischo

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Staff Events Calendar

To see the most up-to-date staff events calendar, please visit uiuc.libcal.com/calendar/staff.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: AI Competencies for Library Workers

May 2 at 1:00–2:30 p.m.
Registration

At the start of his term in June 2024, ACRL President Leo Lo established a task force to develop comprehensive AI competencies for library workers, aligning with the evolving needs of academic libraries. In this session, Dr. Lo and the co-chairs of the task force— Keven Jeffery and Jason Coleman—will present the most recent draft of the competencies, describe the processes used to create them, and discuss how they can be applied by library administrators, educators, faculty, and staff to help us and our patrons adapt to new ways of creating, consuming, analyzing, and describing information.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: May 2025 Hub Trainings

The Reference Management Team will be holding Spring 2025 Hub Trainings. The May sessions are listed below as well as in the Staff Calendar and on the welcome page for the Canvas course (see below).

We will once again be having one in-person session and one held via Zoom for each topic, with sessions taking place on Mondays from 2-3 p.m. and Fridays from 3-4 p.m. The same content is presented in both sessions so you can attend either the Monday or the Friday session. Registration is not required (Civil Service non-exempt staff should get permission from their supervisor before planning to attend).

If you have questions, you may contact the Reference Management Team (rmt@library.illinois.edu).

To enroll in the Canvas course associated with Hub Training, use this link: https://canvas.illinois.edu/enroll/YYL6RR. The course includes materials and recordings from past Hub Training sessions and will be updated to include the Spring 2025 sessions.

• May 2 at 3 PM: Searching with The Lens: The open source answer to comprehensive scholarly searching
• May 5 at 2 PM and May 9 at 3 PM: Exploring Bloomberg Law: An Introductory Guide

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Main Library Reading Room Closed

May 5 at 12:00–7:00 p.m.
More information

The Reading Room will be closed for a private event on May 5 from noon to 7pm. Before noon the study space will be limited to the South side of the room. Normal hours resume May 6. The Main Library building will be open normal hours May 5, with all other service points accessible to patrons. Parking in Lot E3 may be limited. Library digital resources remain available and can be accessed through the Library Gateway. Please adjust your schedule.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Let’s Have Coffee!

These coffees are designed to help me get to know Library faculty, professional and Civil Service staff better. These are approved events; Civil Service non-exempt staff should get permission from their supervisor before signing up.

May 6 at 9:00–10:00 a.m.
Registration

Let Claire buy you a beverage (1:1): You pick, I buy! This one-on-one meeting will let us venture out together for get-to-know-you conversation. You pick the location and the beverage, Claire picks up the tab. We can leave campus, go for a walk-and-talk, hole up in your favorite campus café nook, connect over smoothies, or whatever you decide. If your plans change, you can cancel or reschedule any time before the event. 

May 20 at 9:00–10:00 a.m.
Registration

Let’s have coffee! Coffee for 5 with Claire (small group): This monthly gathering is designed for casual, small-group conversations. These will be virtual on Teams and we hope you can join us there.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Women in Science – May Lecture: Jennifer Hain Teper

May 6 at 12:00–1:00 p.m.
Registration

The May edition of the Women in Science Lecture Series will be given by Jennifer Hain Teper, Head of Preservation Services at the University of Illinois Library, who will discuss how she uses science in her work to conserve library collections and special collections. It will be held at 12pm CDT on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. Please note this lecture will be hybrid – you can either attend in person in the University Archives (room 146, Main Library) or via Zoom (a link will be emailed to you after registration).

Contact Bethany Anderson (bgandrsn@illinois.edu) or Kristen Allen Wilson (klallen3@illinois.edu) with any questions.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: De-Stress Fest

May 8 at 11:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.
More information

On Reading Day, take a study break to relax and refresh at the library’s end-of-semester tradition, De-Stress Fest! From animals, crafts, a film screening, music, VR, snacks, academic support, and more, there is something for everyone! Locations include: Funk Library – Grainger Engineering Library – Main Library – Music & Performing Arts Library. We hope to see you there!

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Critical Cataloging and the American Library Association Subject Analysis Committee

May 8 at 1:00–2:00 p.m.
Registration

There are many, many ways to contribute to “critical cataloging” efforts, from applying inclusive principles to daily cataloging work to participation in national and international organizations. Tina Gross will discuss some of the opportunities presented by the American Library Association Subject Analysis Committee (SAC) and its various sub-groups and activities, and reflect on her own experiences of attempting to make cataloging tools and practices more inclusive and user-focused through participation in such work. 

This event is part of the Engaging with Critical Cataloging Past and Present webinar series which introduces Library of Congress Subject Headings from the perspective of catalogers engaged in subject authority work. Learn about some of the key historical figures and projects in Minnesota radical cataloging. Hear from contemporary catalogers inspired by this radical history to continue working towards critical, equitable, and respectful cataloging standards. 

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Preservation for ‘Hidden Spaces’: Working with LGBTQ+ Elders to Acquire, Process, Digitize, and Showcase Items on Queer Nightlife

May 13 at 1:00–2:00 p.m.
Registration

Adam Beaty will detail his experiences as an MSLIS student independently leading two archival projects focused on LGBTQ materials: a digital collection named “Queer Nightlife in Champaign-Urbana, IL: 1973-2000”, and a digital exhibit named “LGBTQ Spaces in Champaign County”. He will discuss the project’s trajectory from archival research, connecting with community members, assessing materials, reformatting loaned items, writing inclusive metadata, and creating publicly accessible collections with limited resources. By discussing his experience, challenges, lessons learned, and implications for the field, Adam aims to highlight the importance of community-centered practices, ethical decision-making, and preservation strategies when working with archival materials from marginalized communities. Pat Cain, Archives Manager at the Champaign County Historical Archives, will provide insight about supporting student projects in community archives.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Building Digital Archives with Minimal Staff

May 14–15 at 1:00–4:00 p.m.
Registration

Digitization can help bring your archival materials to life by making them accessible and easy to use in a variety of projects and settings. There are many reasons to start digitizing your institution’s holdings, and likely just as many stakeholders who would like to see this work performed. If you don’t have a digitization department this work can seem daunting—even if you do have a digitization department you might have good reasons to supplement their output. This workshop will cover getting started on digitization projects in the archives when you don’t have many resources.

We will cover equipment recommendations, digitization workflows, metadata, and platforms and tools for managing, accessing, and working with digitized or born digital materials. During the workshop we will discuss advocating for resources, project planning, and documentation, along with demonstrations and time for hands-on exploration of several content management systems.

This two-day workshop will be held on May 14 and May 15, 2025 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. (CDT) on each day. All sessions will be recorded. Here are the session descriptions for May 15, 2025.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Bronze Tablet Viewing During Commencement

May 17–18 at 1:00–4:00 p.m.
More information

The Main Library first floor north-south corridor will be open from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the Saturday and Sunday of Commencement weekend for photo opportunities with the Bronze Tablets.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Library Instruction Collective Teaching Retreat

May 19–21 at 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

• May 19: Join us for a celebration of instruction over the past academic year with food and morning beverages! We’ll share teaching successes and winning approaches for library instruction lesson plan design and delivery. Next we’ll lay the groundwork for the following two days of the retreat, focusing on library instruction assessment and addressing AI in our instruction. 
• May 20: We will focus on library instruction assessment with Lisa Hinchliffe.
• May 21: We will focus on how to include AI in our library instruction–yes, you can do it!–with David Ward and Yali Feng.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Library Diversity Residency Program Showcase

May 21 at 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

Residents for 2022-2025:

• Grainger IDEA Lab Experiential Learning and Engagement Librarian: Celenia Graves
• Preservation Outreach and Engagement Librarian: Rachel Miller-Haughton

The University Library’s Residency Program is designed to expand professional pathways for early-career librarians from historically underrepresented backgrounds. This program provides residents with hands-on professional experience, mentorship, and career development opportunities in academic librarianship. As a member of the Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL) Diversity Alliance, the University Library supports its mission to promote inclusive hiring practices and professional growth in the field. More information about the ACRL Diversity Alliance can be found at www.ala.org/acrl/issues/diversityalliance.

What attendees can expect: 

• For each resident: 10 minute presentation, 5 minute Q&A
• Showcase flyers: wall space or trifolds 
• Time for attendees to examine physical portfolio pieces: Celenia’s residency poster, Rachel’s preservation workshop demos
• Light refreshments

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Reviving the Hennepin County Authority File

May 22 at 1:00–2:00 p.m.
Registration

Sanford Berman and his colleagues at Hennepin County Library (HCL) created a unique subject authority file for the HCL collection (1973 to 1999) and demonstrated that a catalog is far more than a list of holdings or a list of terms. David Lesniaski will give a short overview of the process used to recreate this catalog, but will focus on examples demonstrating the utility of a catalog that links subject headings to each other and to relevant bibliographic records in a coherent and user-friendly manner. He argues that a catalog, at its best, shows relationships between terms and leads users from what they know to an expanded conceptual map of vocabulary, concepts, and bibliographic items relevant to their inquiry. The HCL catalog and subject authority file can still serve as a model for subject authority practice today, because of the sustained intellectual effort of Sanford and his colleagues over several decades. A catalog of alternative terms that show conceptual relationships could be more useful to practicing catalogers than the plethora of vocabulary lists currently circulating.

This event is part of the Engaging with Critical Cataloging Past and Present webinar series which introduces Library of Congress Subject Headings from the perspective of catalogers engaged in subject authority work. Learn about some of the key historical figures and projects in Minnesota radical cataloging. Hear from contemporary catalogers inspired by this radical history to continue working towards critical, equitable, and respectful cataloging standards. 

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Performance Evaluation Training: Employee Sessions

This training is intended for all Library Academic Professionals and Civil Service employees. It will provide an overview of the new performance evaluation form with updated criteria and ratings that will be used starting in 2025-2026 evaluation year. Attendance is strongly recommended to learn about these changes and their impact to you as the employee.  A total of 6 training sessions are offered for employees (4 in-person, 2 virtual). All cover the same material so you only need to attend one session.  Please arrange your work schedule and responsibilities with your supervisor so you can attend a session.  For any questions, please contact susanb3@illinois.edu.

• May 27 at 1:00–2:00 p.m. – Main Library 106 [In-Person]
• May 28 at 2:00–3:00 p.m. – Main Library 106 [In-Person]
• May 29 at 3:00–4:00 p.m. – Main Library 106 [In-Person]
• June 3 at 10:00–11:00 a.m. – Main Library 428 [In-Person]
• June 4 at 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. – Virtual
• June 5 at 4:00–5:00 p.m. – Virtual

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Performance Evaluation Training: Supervisor Sessions

This training is intended for Library supervisors of Academic Professionals and Civil Service employees. It will provide an overview of the new performance evaluation form with updated criteria and ratings that will be used starting in 2025-2026 evaluation year. Attendance is strongly recommended to learn about these changes and their impact to you as the supervisor. A total of 5 training sessions are offered (3 in-person, 2 virtual). All cover the same material so you only need to attend one session. For any questions, please contact susanb3@illinois.edu.

• May 27 at 2:00–3:00 p.m. – Main Library 106 [In-Person]
• May 28 at 3:00–4:00 p.m. – Main Library 106 [In-Person]
• June 3 at 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. – Main Library 428 [In-Person]
• June 4 at 1:00–2:00 p.m. – Virtual
• June 5 at 10:00–11:00 a.m. – Virtual

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: University Librarian Note

If you, like me, are starting to feel a bit exhausted by the constant feeling of upheaval and uncertainty, you might appreciate some brevity. We have seen some hard things this past month; even though there were signs this might come, I know it was sad to see the Executive Order that called for the elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Those of us who have been around for awhile have seen things before that seem to challenge the very foundations of our profession and our belief in intellectual freedom and reader privacy. USA PATRIOT Act, anyone? Read more…

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Library Building Project Update – 4/1/25

Tom Teper, Associate Dean and Associate University Librarian for Collections and Technical Services

The University of Illinois’ Board of Trustees approved the renovation of the University Library’s Archives and Special Collections Building during their March 2025 meeting. Following that meeting, our Project Manager at F&S pulled the final pieces together once the Notice to Proceed was received to schedule a Pre-Construction Meeting for April 10, 2025. Based upon the proposed construction schedule, substantial construction completed for January 2027.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Illinois Open Publishing Network: New Titles

Daniel Tracy, Head of Scholarly Communication and Publishing

The Illinois Open Publishing Network (IOPN) has published three new titles as part of the Mellon-funded AFRO PWW 2 grant in collaboration with the Department of African-American Studies. The titles and press releases can be found below, and watch for more next month! All titles are part of the AFRO PWW series under the Publishing Without Walls imprint.

1. Beyond NOLA: Exploring Zora Neale Hurston in Bogalusa Louisiana’s Magic City by Sondra Bickham Washington (Read more about this title on the IOPN blog.)
2. Enrolling as Cherokee Freedmen: Social Networks of Rejected Applicants by Ha In Jo (Read more about this title on the IOPN blog.)
3. Shining Stars: African American Women Authors of the Civil War Era by Lavonda Kay Broadnax (Read more about this title on the IOPN blog.)

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Cheers for Peers

Library Human Resources is happy to announce this month’s Cheers for Peers submissions. The following Library employees have been cheered by their peers:

• Alex McHattie
• Alissa Marcum
• Chad Lewis
• Damian Behymer
• Elisabeth Paulus
• Geoffrey Ross
• Gregg Homerding
• Heidi Imker
• Jake MacGregor
• Janelle Sander
• John Laskowski
• Karen Huck
• Kelli Trei
• Kristen Blankenship
• Kristen Blankenship
• Kyle McCafferty
• Mary Laskowski
• Matthew Hardy
• Nancy O’Brien
• Paula Carns
• Quinita Balderson
• Sara Berthier
• Sara Holder
• Tracy Tolliver

To view the detailed Cheers for Peers submissions please view the Growing People blog.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Recognizing Excellence

• Schatz’s “The Evolution of the Net” Explores the Past and Future of Digital Infrastructure
• Fall 2024 Presentations by Library Faculty and Academic Professionals
• Fall 2024 Publications by Library Faculty and Academic Professionals

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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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Senior Administrative Team Meeting Minutes

There are no new meeting minutes to share.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Collection Development Committee Notes

The most recent meeting 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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FACILITIES NEWS: Facilities Update

Tim Newman, Assistant Dean of Libraries for Facilities

For a complete list of projects in planning and construction, please visit wordpress.library.illinois.edu/staff/facilities.

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BUSINESS NEWS: Professional development funds

Kim Johnson, Associate Director of Fiscal Operations

The last date that the Business Office will make travel arrangements is June 13, 2025. Please make sure you have your Professional Development form submitted, approved and a travel arrangement meeting scheduled before June 13.

To request use of Professional Development fund, please submit a Professional Development Funding and Travel Form.

Please note that the Business Office only approves the funding source and amount of the funds, we are not approving the actual travel and time away from the office. Travel should be approved by your supervisor prior to submitting the Professional Development Funding and Travel Form.

Borrowing from future funds is not allowed. The new allotment for FY26 Professional Development funds starts July 1, 2025.

More information: https://www.library.illinois.edu/staff/bhrsc-business-services/basic-travel-support

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BUSINESS NEWS: Update: REAL ID

On May 7, 2025, U.S. travelers must be REAL ID compliant to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities.  Please review the information provided by the State of Illinois and share it with those in your unit who engage in university business travel and those who process travel reimbursements. 

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BUSINESS NEWS: Grants

Due to changes at SPA, the Library Business Office requires that all complete proposal is provided to the Grants and Contracts Coordinator seven (7) business days in advance of the sponsor’s deadline in order to meet the new deadline requirements.

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HR NEWS: Filled Positions

• Julian Carrero – Library Specialist – Latin American and Western European Ordering/Cataloging with Language Specialty – Acquisitions and Cataloging Services – Starts 06/09/2025

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HR NEWS: Departures

• Katherine Ashcraft – Visiting Academic Professional – International and Area Studies Library – Resignation, last day was 03/14/2025
• Laura Eichelberger – Accounting Officer – Business and Human Resources Service Center – Resignation, last day will be 06/20/2025
• David Lottes – Senior Library Specialist – ACS – Retiring, last day will be 07/31/2025

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HR NEWS: Civil Service Vacancies

• Senior Audio, Video, and Emerging Technology Specialist – Library IT – Pending Offer
• Senior Library Specialist – Complex Ordering and Management – Acquisitions and Cataloging Services – Completing Reference Checks

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HR NEWS:  Academic Professional and Faculty Open Postings

• Clinical Assistant Prof – Sousa Archives and Center for American Music – Pending Offer
• Medical & Biomedicine Librarian – Grainger Engineering Library – Reference Checks/Pending Offer
• Applied Health Sciences Librarian – SSHEL – Finalizing Search
• Head – Acquisitions & Cataloging Services Librarian – ACS – Extended, Closing March 28

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HR NEWS: In Memoriam

• Tom Kilton

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Staff Events Calendar

To see the most up-to-date staff events calendar, please visit uiuc.libcal.com/calendar/staff.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Why read The Scarlet Letter today?

April 3 at 3:00–5:00 p.m.
More information

The RBML welcomes Justine Murison on Thursday, April 3, from 3-5pm in 346 Main Library to speak about her new edition of the 1850 novel. Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing. This event is free and all are welcome to attend, and refreshments will be served.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: 90 Years of Preservation at the University of Illinois

April 4 at 1:00–3:00 p.m.
More information

Preservation Services is turning 90! Come help us celebrate on April 4 from 1-3 pm in Main Library Room 106.

There will be refreshments, a short overview of the department’s history, and time to browse our exhibit, 90 Years of Preservation at Illinois. The exhibit will be in the Main Library Gallery and North South Corridor for the month of April 2025.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: April Hub Training

• Agricultural data and statistics
  • April 4 at 3:00–4:00 p.m.
• How to assess reference, consultation and other information services to individuals
  • April 7 at 2:00–3:00 p.m.
  • April 11 at 3:00–4:00 p.m.
• Using Bing (and/or Google) to Discover Hard-to-Find Citations
  • April 14 at 2:00–3:00 p.m.
  • April 18 at 3:00–4:00 p.m.
• Finding Newspapers
  • April 21 at 2:00–3:00 p.m.
  • April 25 at 3:00–4:00 p.m.
• Searching with The Lens: The open source answer to comprehensive scholarly searching
  • April 28 at 2:00–3:00 p.m.
  • May 2 at 3:00–4:00 p.m.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Play Through History: A Hands-On Board Game Adventure

April 4 at 3:00–5:00 p.m.
More information

Join the RBML on Friday, April 4, from 3-5pm for a hands-on journey through history! Play historical board games that bring the past to life as you roll the dice, make your moves, and uncover the stories behind them. Perfect for all ages, this interactive in-person event invites families, students, and community members to connect, learn, and have fun. Don’t just study history—experience it through play! This event is free and refreshments will be served.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: AI in Africa: Exploring the Aspect of Ethics and Social Justice

April 7 at 12:00–1:00 p.m.
Registration

Kutoma Wakunuma, Associate Professor, De Montfort University Interim Co-Director, Centre for Computing and Social Responsibility

Explore the intersection of AI, ethics, and social justice in Africa! This discussion explores AI’s ethical impact, addressing bias, data privacy, and the digital divide. Learn how inclusive policies and Africa-specific ethical frameworks can drive sustainable development. Discover how collaboration among governments, academia, industry, and civil society is essential to ensuring AI advances social justice and equitable growth.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: RACI Matrix for Unit Heads/Senior Admin

April 8 at 9:00–10:30 a.m.
Register by April 4

A.J. Lavendar and Jody Groff of the AITS Portfolio and Process Management Office will provide a hands-on workshop specifically geared for unit heads and senior leaders to delve into the RACI matrix, a simple but powerful tool for creating clarity around roles and responsibilities to support effective collaboration. This workshop has been customized to feature specific examples and scenarios relevant to Library unit leadership. For questions, reach out to Zoe Revell.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Library Instruction Collective Spring Event: Backward Design for One-Shot Library Instruction Session

April 8 at 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Registration

Backward Design is a recommended method for developing a course, but it can be used just as effectively to design a smaller learning experience, like a library workshop or a single library instruction session. Join the Library Instruction Collective and guest speaker Lucas Anderson from CITL to learn how to optimally design your lesson plan! Feel free to bring a lesson plan with you.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Jeopardy: Government Information Edition

April 8 at 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Registration

Relax and join the library government information team to play a fun game of Jeopardy! Test your knowledge of government structures, processes, and general information trivia at both the state and federal levels. Snacks will be provided and prizes will be awarded. Play by yourself, or with a group of friends (up to 3 people per team). There are a limited number of spots, so pre-register now to secure a spot, or come in day of!

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Snakes in the Library! Book Snakes and Other Preservation-Related Crafts for Library Outreach

April 9 at 10:00–11:00 a.m.
Registration

Hands-on craft projects can be a great way to connect with library users, spark interest in a particular collection, serve as a fun de-stressing activity during finals week, and introduce users to preservation and book arts. Join the CARLI Preservation Committee for a webinar focusing on easy outreach crafts including “snake” book weights and two simple sewn books. No preservation experience is required to host one of these activities in your library!

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: NISO – The Future of Open Access: Beyond the Nelson Memo

April 9 at 12:00–1:00 p.m.
More information

Join us for a forward-looking discussion on the evolving landscape of open access and data sharing in a post-Nelson Memo world. This session will explore community-driven initiatives and broader trends shaping the future of open access, emphasizing strategies to sustain and advance progress in the face of policy uncertainties. Engage with thought leaders and innovators as they highlight collaborative efforts and actionable solutions for fostering transparency, inclusivity, and innovation in scholarly communication.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Voices of the Catalog: A Digital and Oral History of Hennepin County Catalogers

April 10 at 1:00–2:00 p.m.
Registration

The Hennepin County Library (HCL) catalog was pioneering in its use of inclusive language and descriptions offering an alternative to the Library of Congress Authorities. From 1973 to 1999, Head Cataloger Sandy Berman and his team disseminated their cataloging work through the HCL Cataloging Bulletin (HCB). Amy Gabbert-Montag, Charlotte Kadifa, and Jaylene Telford will offer insight into their ongoing project Voices of the Catalog: A Digital and Oral History of Hennepin County Catalogers, highlighting topics such as creativity in cataloging, fostering a healthy and productive work environment, and cultivating community.

This event is part of the Engaging with Critical Cataloging Past and Present webinar series which introduces Library of Congress Subject Headings from the perspective of catalogers engaged in subject authority work. Learn about some of the key historical figures and projects in Minnesota radical cataloging. Hear from contemporary catalogers inspired by this radical history to continue working towards critical, equitable, and respectful cataloging standards.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: World Poetry Reading in Translation

April 10 at 3:30–5:00 p.m.
More information

This event celebrates world poetry in translation. If you are interested in poetry in different languages, please consider attending the event.

Poems in any language or subject are welcome, along with translation to or from English. We welcome original or published translations. If you would like to read a poem, please contact Marek Sroka or Paula Carns. Please provide the title/language of the poem of your choice (about 5 minutes per presenter).

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Admitted IlliniFest

April 12
More information

The University of Illinois Library will be welcoming visitors as part of Admitted IlliniFest on Saturday, April 12. There will be tours throughout the day and adjusted building hours.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Nature’s Palette: Foraging for Ink

April 13 at 2:00–4:00 p.m.

Join Ricker staff for a relaxing nature walk through campus foraging for ink-making materials. Bring a bag or jar to collect items. Meet at Ricker Library to pick up instructions. This event is co-sponsored by UIUC Sustainable Design. See you there!

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: AI For Post-Cesarean Care in Rwanda

April 14 at 12:00–1:00 p.m.
Registration

Prof. Bethany Hedt-Gauthier, PhD Associate Professor of Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School and of Biostatistics at Harvard Chan School.

Dr. Hedt-Gauthier will describe the use of AI to predict surgical site infections, as one component of a package to provide home-based post-cesarean care in rural Rwanda. She will discuss the results of nearly a decade of research, and the broader lessons learned about the potential and pitfalls of AI in global contexts.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Coffee for 5 with Claire

April 15 at 9:00–10:00 a.m.
Registration

Let’s have coffee! Coffee for 5 with Claire (small group). This monthly gathering is designed for casual, small-group conversations. These will be virtual on Teams and we hope you can join us there. This is an online event. Event URL will be sent via registration email.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: CARLI AI Symposium

April 15 at 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Registration

Join the CARLI Public Services Committee for an engaging AI Symposium exploring the evolving role of artificial intelligence in academic libraries. This online symposium will feature five 50-minute sessions sponsored by CARLI Committees: Commercial Products; Discovery Primo VE; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI); Instruction; and Preservation.

Sessions include:

1. Are AI detection Tools the Answer? How Librarians can Alleviate Concerns of AI Usage in the Classroom
2. AI in Action: Transforming Instruction in Academic Libraries
3. Patron Data, Privacy Concerns, & Vendor Tools in Libraries
4. Critically Evaluating AI-Powered Discovery Tools
5. The Preservation of Trustworthy Digital Records: 25 Years of InterPARES Research

Attendees are invited to join for the entire day or for specific sessions of interest.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Navigating Intellectual Property and Scholarly Communications in the Age of Generative AI

April 15 at 2:00–3:00 p.m.
Registration

Generative AI brings uncertainties and challenges in the realm of intellectual property rights and scholarly communications. Academic librarians must adapt and collaborate to navigate this evolving landscape. To address this, our library team has created a presentation to help participants understand the changing contexts.

Learning Outcomes: 

After attending our presentation, participants will be able to:

1. Define the relationship between copyright, fair use, AI training data, and AI-generated outputs.
2. Discuss U.S. and global legal landscapes related to AI and intellectual property, and find relevant sources.
3. Guide users on protecting their works, disclosing AI use, and using Creative Commons in their decisions.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Solving the World’s Challenges: Environmental Justice

April 15 at 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Registration

Three experts from across campus will each discuss their work related to environmental justice and respond to questions from attendees during the #FunkPanel2025. Their work includes research at the intersection of environmental justice and energy policy in the U.S., community-based movements and marginalized communities with specific focus on water systems in Puerto Rico, as well as public health and water quality issues facing underserved individuals in rural communities and on private wells in the U.S. This hybrid panel presentation on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 from 2:30-3:30 p.m. (Central) will be an opportunity for people to come together with the Funk ACES Library to learn about and discuss environmental justice research and initiatives led by members of our campus community.

We invite you to attend the panel in-person on the 2nd floor of the Funk ACES Library for an opportunity to talk with the panelists and other attendees during the 30-minute reception following the presentation. Also, for in-person attendees, we will have a raffle for two books related to environmental justice. We are providing a Zoom option for people to attend the panel virtually.

Panelists

• McKenzie Johnson, Assistant Professor, Natural Resources & Environmental Science
• Omar Pérez Figueroa, Assistant Professor, Urban & Regional Planning
• Steve Wilson, Groundwater Hydrologist, Illinois State Water Survey

This virtual event is free and open to the public. If you will need an accommodation to participate or would like more information, please contact jshearer-at-llinois.edu. Early requests are encouraged to allow sufficient time for meeting access needs. If attending via Zoom, 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.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Visual Poetry Collage Workshop

April 15 at 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.

April is National Poetry Month! Ricker Library is hosting a visual poetry collage and zine making workshop to celebrate the occasion. Supplies will be provided. 

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Introduction to LibGuides Training

April 16 at 2:00–3:30 p.m.
Registration

This hands-on training session is intended for anyone who has, or will have, responsibility for creating and maintaining LibGuides in their library unit, including those new to LibGuides and those looking to refresh LibGuides skills. Access to your unit’s LibApps account is required for this session, and is open to all library staff and GAs.
In this session, participants will…
• …learn what LibGuides are and best practices
• …learn how to access, create, edit, and maintain accessible unit LibGuides
• ….learn where and how to receive LibGuides help and support
Questions about this session, and other LibGuides queries, may be directed to libguides@library.illinois.edu.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Research and Language Learning Series: Macedonian

April 22 at 3:00 p.m.
More information

The Language Workshop at Indiana University, the Slavic Reference Service, American Councils, the Melikian Center at Arizona State University, and the Russian, East European, and Eurasian Center at the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign) are hosting an online discussion series – Research and Language Learning. In this iteration of the workshop, Christina Kramer (Professor, The University of Toronto) will give a presentation entitled “A Stranger in a Strange Language: Macedonian and Me.” The broader series invites established scholars to discuss the role language proficiency plays in research, with examples from their own scholarly work. We welcome language learners of all academic backgrounds to participate in these discussions.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Atrocities in the Levant through the Jesuit Archives: The Great Famine in Lebanon 1915–1918

April 23 at 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
More information

Featured Talks:

• The largest archive in the Middle East: The Jesuit Archive in Lebanon, by Dr. Christian Taoutel (Saint Joseph University of Beirut)
• The emergence and collapse of the Ottoman Empire (16–20th centuries) by Dr. Marc Abou Abdallah (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)
• The Great Famine in Lebanon as seen through the Jesuit Archives (1915–1918), by Dr. Christian Taoutel (Saint Joseph University of Beirut)

Exhibit on Jesuit Archive of WWI available to view from April 23–30 at the Main Library, 2nd and 3rd floor.

Sponsors: History Department; History, Philosophy, and Newspaper Library; Center for South Asia and Middle East Studies (CSAMES); Center for Global Studies; International and Area Studies Library-University Library

Organized by Dr. Marc Abdou Abdallah (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) with the help of Laila Hussein Moustafa and Elias Petrou

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Working Together to Improve Disability and Medical Subject Headings

April 24 at 1:00–2:00 p.m.
Registration

The library profession has undergone a sea change in controlled vocabulary in the past five years—cataloging librarians are working together to improve Library of Congress Subject Headings and rethink our approach to subject access. Join Violet Fox, the co-coordinator of the SACO Medical Funnel, to hear about what’s changed and how you can get involved in ensuring better access to library resources about disability, medicine, and health.

This event is part of the Engaging with Critical Cataloging Past and Present webinar series which introduces Library of Congress Subject Headings from the perspective of catalogers engaged in subject authority work. Learn about some of the key historical figures and projects in Minnesota radical cataloging. Hear from contemporary catalogers inspired by this radical history to continue working towards critical, equitable, and respectful cataloging standards.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: This LibGuide is on Fire: How to Assess & Review Your LibGuides

April 29 at 1:00–2:00 p.m.
Registration

This workshop session is intended for people with existing LibGuide experience and is a follow-up to the Introduction to LibGuides Training session.

During this workshop you will learn:

• The current state of LibGuides at the University Library
• How to create a review cycle
• How to implement a workflow for assessing, reviewing, and deleting LibGuides

Questions about this session, and other LibGuides queries, may be directed to: libguides@library.illinois.edu.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: University Librarian Note

Over the last few months I have been thinking a lot about the wisdom I’ve picked up to help cope with stress and uncertainty, a feeling I’m sure a lot of us are experiencing right now. While I’ve never been a ‘successories’ type of person, I have found a good amount of help and solace in a few accumulated bits. A cherished colleage from my time at Minnesota, who I knew I could always trust to be honest with me, even when (or especially when) it was pointing out that I was being kind of a jerk, shared a printout of John Perry Barlow’s ‘Principles of Adult Behavior,’ which I still have in my office and look at every day. It both tickled my Deadhead funnybone and resonated with me in a golden rule sort of way. My dad always told me to watch out for people whose motivating purpose in life seemed to be ‘hooray for me and to hell with everyone else,’ and also told me that it is the job of leaders to grow and support the new leaders that will follow them. Read more…

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Updates from Communications

Heather Murphy, Chief Communications Officer

Social Media:

• Central Library social media accounts: The Library currently has five official social media accounts: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Reddit, and Twitter/X. While the Library has an X account, we no longer actively post to this platform; we are not utilizing Bluesky at this time. In making such platform decisions, we look to the campus-level social media team and follow their lead.
• Accessibility: We have developed social media accessibility guidelines (a new resource for Library faculty and staff) and recommend you use this checklist when creating content for social media moving forward: https://www.library.illinois.edu/staff/administration/communications/social-media-accessibility-checklist/. At this time, we have not been instructed to edit past social media posts (back through June 2024) to be compliant with campus’ Digital Accessibility and Excellence Program.
• Library-related social media accounts: There are a multitude of accounts across all platforms for many of the Library’s units. We strongly recommend you revisit your unit’s social media accounts and their engagement. Consider deleting accounts that are no longer active; alternatively, we are happy to discuss ways the central Library social media accounts can help your unit promote your collections, services, and events.
• Updated social media guidelines: The Library’s general guidelines have been updated to include “Potentially Sensitive Language or Images.” Please see https://www.library.illinois.edu/staff/communications/social-media-guidelines/
• Submitting social media content requests: As a reminder, units can submit requests to post to the Library’s central accounts via the following form: https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/2049983549
• Library listserv dedicated to social media: If you manage or contribute to social media for your unit, please subscribe to receive updates and to share information: https://lists.illinois.edu./lists/subscribe/librarysocialmedia

Digital Signs in Main:

• New digital sign dimensions: Images sized to 1920 x 1080 pixels (JPGs or PNGs preferred) or PowerPoint (PPT) slides with a page layout of 13.333 x 7.5 inches (widescreen)
• Submit requests to post to the Main Library’s digital signs using this form: https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/5408945
• Digital sign PowerPoint templates: https://app.box.com/s/izq6wlss0j6j5y55oevjitmyk8roge26
• Be mindful of fonts and color contrast for easy readability and accessibility: Use fonts from the Library’s Style Guide and aim for a 4.5:1 text-to-background contrast ratio by using a contrast checking tool.
• Library’s Digital Sign Policy: https://www.library.illinois.edu/geninfo/policies/digital-signage-policy/

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: New Reflection Room in the Main Library

Tim Newman, Assistant Dean of Libraries for Facilities

A new Reflection Room is now open in Room 438 of the Main Library. This room is open to all for reflection, meditation, contemplation, or prayer during regular building hours. Features include a couch and non-locking cubbies for belongings, as well as a foot washing station. Guidelines for the Reflection Room will be posted inside the space.

There is also a Reflection Room at Grainger Engineering Library Information Center (Room 229) that patrons can be directed to.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Orange and Blue Crowdfunding Week 2025

Kathryn Heise, Assistant Dean for Advancement

It’s our first-ever Orange and Blue Week at Illinois. Explore campus crowdfunding projects that bring Illini together to make a big impact!

The Spatial Computing and Immersive Media Studio (SCIM) is hoping to add a Rokoko Smart Pro II motion capture suit to use in immersive data and media creation projects. Housed in the Grainger Engineering Library Information Center, SCIM is a partnership between the Grainger Engineering IDEA Lab and the Media Commons. The SCIM studio is designed to provide a wide array of media creation options including traditional digital video/audio capture, live streaming, green screen, photogrammetry, and motion capture. The motion capture suit would provide a much-needed service addition and allow for another layer of data and media capture for use in emerging technology research, artificial intelligence (A.I.) avatar creation, 3D animation and video game development.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: University Library Completes Phase One of Campus’ Cybersecurity Improvement Initiative

The Library is one of only two campus units that have met the targets for “completion” for the Cybersecurity Improvement Initiative so far. Their work keeps the Library’s infrastructure safe. Congrats to Library IT. A special shoutout to Damian Behymer for their contributions in helping the Library successfully complete the first phase.

Read more on the campus cybersecurity website (https://cybersecurity.illinois.edu/cybersecurity-improvement-initiative-comes-with-benefits-for-university-colleges-and-units/). The story will also be published in their monthly newsletter that goes out to the campus community.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Cheers for Peers

Library Human Resources is happy to announce this month’s Cheers for Peers submissions. The following Library employees have been cheered by their peers:

• Bing Wang
• Dirk Ton

To view the detailed Cheers for Peers submissions please view the Growing People blog.

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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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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Senior Administrative Team Meeting Minutes

There are no new meeting minutes to share.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Collection Development Committee Notes

The most recent meeting 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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FACILITIES NEWS: Facilities Update

Tim Newman, Assistant Dean of Libraries for Facilities

For a complete list of projects in planning and construction, please visit wordpress.library.illinois.edu/staff/facilities.

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BUSINESS NEWS: 2025 ALA Conference Tips and Tricks

Kim Johnson, Associate Director of Fiscal Operations

Save Money! Register by the early cutoff of March 31. Link to the rates: https://2025.alaannual.org/registration/rates-and-registration

Professional Development funding covers membership dues and direct conference expenses (travel, registration, hotel, per diem).

The ALA Conference dates, June 26-June 30, happen at the University’s fiscal year end. Per University policy the travel will be reported on and funded from the fiscal year it begins in; for the 2025 ALA Conference that will be FY25, we cannot allow usage of FY26 funds to cover the expenses for this trip.

As people will be returning from the conference at the end of the fiscal years there will be a time crunch to wrap up the expense reimbursements for it. All reimbursement requests must be submitted to the Purchasing App no later than July 3rd to be able to be processed and paid out before the final payment date of FY25.

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BUSINESS NEWS: Grant Policy

Kim Johnson, Associate Director of Fiscal Operations

Sponsored Programs Administration (SPA) will now enforce existing policy that all proposals are to be submitted to SPA four business days in advance of the sponsor’s submission deadline.

• Effective Date: March 3, 2025
• Policy: Proposals will only be submitted by the institution if the complete proposal is submitted to SPA at least four (4) business days in advance of the sponsor’s deadline.
• Exceptions: Approval of exceptions will be rare and will be the responsibility of Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation (VCRI) to make the final determination. An exception request to this policy must be reviewed, endorsed, and transmitted to the VCRI by the College Dean or Institute Director where the grant would be housed. If the PI’s home department is in a college, endorsement of the unit executive officer is expected to be included in the exception approval request.

Due to this change at SPA, the Library Business Office requires that all complete proposal is provided to the Grants and Contracts Coordinator seven (7) business days in advance of the sponsor’s deadline in order to meet the new deadline requirements.

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HR NEWS: In Memoriam

• Debora Pfeiffer – passed away 02/04/2025

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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 and Marisa Modugno by Wednesday, March 26, 2025.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: University Librarian Note

I heard someone say last week that January has been the longest year and I’m sure many of you feel the same—the last month feels like an age. So much has happened with the presidential transition and I suspect that whirlwind of change will be with us for a while. Last week the deans had a chance to get together to talk about how to work better together to share information and make decisions, and I look forward to working with all of you to talk about how to adjust our practices in the Library, so that we can connect well to the emerging conversations on campus. I know you are eager for information on a number of things impacting our lives, from immigration to research funding and beyond. Read more…

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Cheers for Peers

Library Human Resources is happy to announce this month’s Cheers for Peers submissions. The following Library employees have been cheered by their peers:

• Jenna Lee Bayler
• Kyle McCafferty
• Matthew Hardy
• Megean Osuchowski
• Rhonda Jurinak
• Sara Bertheir
• Dani Postula

To view the detailed Cheers for Peers submissions please view the Growing People blog.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Recognizing Excellence

• FY 2025 Promotions and Tenure

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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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Senior Administrative Team Meeting Minutes

There are no new meeting minutes to share.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Collection Development Committee Notes

The most recent meeting 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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FACILITIES NEWS: Facilities Update

Tim Newman, Assistant Dean of Libraries for Facilities

For a complete list of projects in planning and construction, please visit wordpress.library.illinois.edu/staff/facilities.

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BUSINESS NEWS: Preparing for Travel

Kim Johnson, Associate Director of Fiscal Operations

Review this list to help you prepare before your trip even begins. Gathering documents as you go makes the reimbursement process much easier.  (Please note: post-travel, the reimbursement process generally takes 4-5 weeks).

Documentation: All appropriate receipts and invoices should be scanned and ready to upload to the Purchasing App.

• Receipts need to show date and total paid, hotel receipts need to be itemized.
• Please name your files, e.g. Airline-CMI to Paris- $572.63, Uber-Hotel to Amtrak-$17.22.
• Chrome River accepts these file types: JPEG, PDF, PNG, OFD, and TIFF.
• It may be helpful to create a folder on your desktop to collect all relevant information and/or create a .zip file for easy uploading.

Other documentation that may be appropriate to include:

• Completed Per Diem Request Form.
• PDF of conference website showing dates & location.
• PDF proof of conference hotel from conference website.
• PDF of the Business Office travel funding approval email. 
• Flight Comparison – If you traveled earlier or stayed later than the business you were conducting, please provide a screen shot showing flight dates/prices if you had only traveled to the conference.  Note: You will be reimbursed for the lesser amount.

If requesting Mileage, include:

• Starting Location, (home address or your University Library address – whichever is closest to the destination).
• Destination, (hotel/conference/donor address).
• If you are driving instead of flying, you need to explain why and provide a flight price comparison. You will be reimbursed for the lesser amount.

Business Purpose Statement!

• Name, date and location of conference/event.
• Benefits to the University.  (See the Knowledge Base for tips).
  • Speak to how your travel furthers the University’s mission and fulfills the duties of your job. 
  • Use the information you entered in the Business Office’s Professional Development Funding and Travel Form to help you craft your statement.
  • Note: When an expense report is rejected, a large portion of the time it is because the purpose statement is not strong.

Please add the Business Office Staff as delegates for you in Chrome River. 

We ask that you submit your receipts within 5 days of travel.  Our goal is to process your request within 3 business days.  This benefits you as items submitted for reimbursement after 60 days are sometimes considered taxable.  (See the University’s policy.)

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BUSINESS NEWS: Grant Interest Notification Form

Are you thinking about applying for a grant? Please let us know by completing Grant Interest Notification Form.

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HR NEWS: Filled Positions

• Anna Schlaack – Cataloging and Metadata Librarian – Acquisitions and Cataloging Services – started 01/27/2025

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HR NEWS: Civil Service Vacancies

• Web Application Developer – Library IT – Extended offer
• Accountant I – Business and Human Resources Service Center – Will be extending offer
• Senior Audio, Video, and Emerging Technology Specialist – Library IT – Reviewing Candidates
• Library Specialist – Latin American and Western European Ordering/Cataloging with Language Specialty – Acquisitions and Cataloging Services – Interviewing
• Senior Library Specialist – Complex Ordering and Management – Acquisitions and Cataloging Services – Posting extended, closing on 01/29/2025

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HR NEWS:  Academic Professional and Faculty Open Postings

• Clinical Assistant Prof, Sousa Archives and Center for American Music – Interviewing
• Medical & Biomedicine Librarian – Grainger Engineering Library – Interviewing
• Applied Health Sciences Librarian – SSHEL – Interviewing
• Archives Program Officer (AP) – University Archives – Finalizing Search

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Staff Events Calendar

To see the most up-to-date staff events calendar, please visit uiuc.libcal.com/calendar/staff.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Collaborative Collections Lifecycle Project (CCLP) Winter 2025 Public Update Webinar

February 3 at 2:00–3:00 p.m.
Registration

Cooperative collections management is the process by which networks of institutions work collaboratively to acquire, manage, circulate, and preserve collections.The CCLP seeks to overcome serious barriers to wider implementation and develop the standards and best practices needed to support cooperative selection, acquisitions, processing, and analytics.
In this public webinar, NISO will update the community on the CCLP and the IMLS grant supporting this work. It will also provide information on the current progress of the associated Collaborative Collections Lifecycle Infrastructure Project (CCLIP) and its Working Groups.

Speakers: Todd Carpenter, Executive Director, NISO; Jill Morris, Executive Director, PALCI; Boaz Nadav-Manes, University Librarian, Lehigh University; and Tyler Rogers, Acquisitions and ERM Coordinator, San Diego State University

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Preserving Culture Heritage: Challenges and Opportunities for Heritage Protection and the Role of Technology and AI

February 4 at 12:00–1:00 p.m.
Registration

This lecture will explore the critical challenges facing cultural heritage preservation in Egypt, particularly the devastating impact of looting, damage, and the enduring legacy of colonialism. We will explore how cutting-edge technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), can revolutionize heritage protection efforts and introduce restitution and repatriation topics. The talk will also discuss decolonizing heritage, how the colonial narratives have shaped our understanding of the past, and how repatriation is not only about objects but rather about agency for producing knowledge about the past.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Interview Question Design

February 6 at 1:00–2:00 p.m.
Registration

Effective interview questions are key to making fair, informed hiring decisions. In this 1-hour webinar, you’ll learn best practices for crafting meaningful questions to help you make job-relevant hiring decisions. We’ll explore the concept of bias and its impact on the interview process before diving into actionable strategies to design questions that genuinely assess the candidates’ knowledge, skills, and abilities.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: CARLI OER Faculty Workshop: Supporting Academic Success: Open Educational Resources and Equitable Course Materials

February 7 at 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Registration

This workshop will identify: what are open educational resources (OER); benefits and motivations for using OER; how to find and evaluate OER; how to integrate OER into your class. After attending, CARLI-member teaching faculty will be invited to write a short review of an open textbook in the Open Textbook Library.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Teaching and Learning Greek: From Classical Antiquity to Modern Times

January 10 at 3:00–5:00 p.m.
More information

This event will explore the remarkable journey of the Greek language across time and space, from antiquity to the present, highlighting its enduring influence and its role in teaching and scholarship today. Distinguished speakers will discuss the language’s evolution and its presence in academic programs on our campus.

As part of the celebration, the RBML will showcase a special exhibition featuring some of its rarest materials related to Greek language and culture, spanning from the Middle Ages to the Modern Era. At the same time, the Literatures and Languages Library will present a “pop-up” display featuring recent acquisitions for the Modern Greek Collection.
A reception will follow the event.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: National Information Standards Organization (NISO) Plus Conference 2025 – Baltimore

February 10–12
More information

Organized by a committee representing libraries, publishers, vendors, and more from around the world, NISO Plus emphasizes conversation over presentation and offers opportunities throughout for participants to collaborate and explore solutions to challenges currently facing scholarly communications. Our program features amazing keynotes from ALA president Cindy Hohl and Miles Conrad awardee Timnit Gebru, sessions on hot topics like research integrity, sustainable open access models, and AI in scholarly communications, and plenty of opportunities for networking. This year we are also planning pre-conferences covering AI tools in scholarly communications, usage metrics for open access eBooks, and JATS-Con, the JATS users meeting. Standards start with conversations, so join us in person in Baltimore for this important event!

Discounted registration is available for NISO members and groups. Book your hotel room at the Marriott Waterfront by Friday, January 24 to take advantage of special conference rates!

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Behind the Bulletin: A Look at Reviewing Children’s Literature and Its Role in the Professional Field

February 11 at 10:00–11:00 a.m.
Registration

In this webinar Kate Quealy-Gainer will give an overview of what it’s like to review children’s literature for a professional journal, discussing the ins and outs of the process, from working with publishers to final edits. The presentation will also touch on what role the Bulletin believes reviews have in the field, especially in light of the current upswing in book challenges. 

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: LCP Spring Forum – Hybrid Event

February 18 at 1:00–3:00 p.m.
Registration

The Library Committee of Academic and Civil Service Professionals (LCP) is holding a Spring Forum! Come hear updates from LCP and the Council of Academic Professionals (campus level committee), in addition to what your colleagues are doing across the Library. This event will be offered in person in the Main Library in room 220, or online via Zoom.

Please register whether you’re planning to attend remotely or in person so we can plan what snacks to have available.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: AI & the Research Cycle (Phase I: Environmental Scan & Discovery)

February 19 at 10:00–11:00 a.m.
Registration is not required for NISO members. Non-NISO members, please register (includes unlimited attendees from your organization).

Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming every stage of the research cycle, from discovery to dissemination. This webinar is the first in a series exploring the evolving role of AI in shaping research workflows, addressing both the opportunities and challenges it presents. Join experts across various fields as they delve into how AI is enhancing research processes, improving efficiency, and raising new questions about ethics, transparency, and the future of knowledge creation.

Speakers: Ken Varnum, Senior Program Manager and Discovery Strategist at the University of Michigan Library, and Elisenda Aguilera-Cora, predoctoral researcher in the Department of Communication at Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: CARLI OER Faculty Workshop: Supporting Academic Success: Open Educational Resources and Equitable Course Materials

February 20 at 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Registration

In this first webinar of a two-part OER for Faculty Series, the CARLI OER Committee invites institutions to share with their teaching faculty this opportunity to attend a webinar to learn about open educational resources including open textbooks.

This workshop will identify: what are open educational resources (OER); benefits and motivations for using OER; how to find and evaluate OER; how to integrate OER into your class. After attending, CARLI-member teaching faculty will be invited to write a short review of an open textbook in the Open Textbook Library.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Library Friends Webinar: Paths of Progress: Uncovering the Champaign County African American Heritage Trail

February 20 at 12:00–1:00 p.m.
RSVP for the in-person event at the Main Library, Media Commons, by Friday, February 14 here.
This event will be accessible online via Zoom, register here.

Join us for our first hybrid webinar of the year with an engaging presentation about the Champaign County African American Heritage Trail, a community-driven initiative that celebrates the rich history and lasting contributions of African Americans in the Champaign County area. The trail’s mission is to educate residents and visitors about these often-overlooked stories, while its broader vision seeks to inspire meaningful conversations, deepen cultural understanding, and promote a more inclusive society. 

Angela Rivers and Dr. Barbara Suggs-Mason, who lead this volunteer-driven project, will join Ballard-Lawrence and share insights into their family’s deep roots in the community, the development of the trail, and the importance of making this experience accessible to all. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about the trail’s impact and how it brings local history to life.

Learn about the trail’s connection to the University Archives, where historical resources and collections have helped document and preserve the legacy of African American life at Illinois. Don’t miss this opportunity to discover how local history and archival materials intersect to tell powerful stories that shape our present and future. 

Space is limited and registration is required. A Zoom link will be provided immediately after registration.

If you will need disability-related accommodations in order to participate in any of these programs/events, please let us know. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: First Amendment Audit Training for Frontline Staff

February 25 at 1:00–2:00 p.m.
Registration

First Amendment audits of libraries are a growing trend and a very real challenge for frontline staff to handle. Chances are increasing that library staff will be faced with a First Amendment auditor’s attempt to get footage for their social media. In this webinar, learners will gain basic knowledge about First Amendment audits, what typically happens during an audit, and the key strategies for successfully navigating an audit. Video examples of audits created by Vernon Area Public Library staff will be used to highlight what (and what not) to do during an audit.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Fair Use Week Gameshow

February 25 at 12:00–1:00 p.m.
Registration

Please join the Library and the College of Law in celebrating Fair Use Week by participating in a hybrid Fair Use Gameshow. Join Professors Benson, Hunter, and Ocepek as they struggle with fun fair use scenarios. Audience participation is encouraged!

In person with first, come first served lunch. College of Law, Room A

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Exploring African Americans and Labor: A Hybrid Presentation and Workshop

February 26 at 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
This free event is open to everyone, but registration is required: register here for online participation and here for in person participation. 

Join us for a thought-provoking and enjoyable event featuring Dr. Danielle Phillips-Cunningham and Chris Wiley, where we take some time to think about the vital contributions of African Americans to labor movements and their enduring impact today. Dr. Phillips-Cunningham will present remotely to introduce her newly published book, Nannie Helen Burroughs: A Tower of Strength in the Labor World. Her work highlights Burroughs as one of the most influential labor leaders of the twentieth century, showcasing the unprecedented Black women’s labor movement born from Burroughs’s initiatives, including the National Training School for Women and Girls, domestic worker organizations, and her groundbreaking study on racial and gender disparities in labor.

11 a.m.-11:30 a.m.: Remote presentation by Dr. Danielle Phillips-Cunningham.
11:30 a.m.-12 p.m. : A hybrid workshop led by Chris Wiley, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Data Services Librarian, who will guide us through some of the insights and reflections gleaned from Dr. Phillips-Cunningham’s talk. This workshop will include in person and virtual group discussions. Depending on online attendance, chat may be utilized for participation in Chris’s session.

If you will need disability-related accommodations in order to participate in any of these programs/events, please let us know. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs.

For more Black History Month events at the University Library click here. 

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: CARLI Open Pedagogy Workshop

February 27 at 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Registration

In this first webinar of a two-part OER for Faculty Series, the CARLI OER Committee invites institutions to share with their teaching faculty this opportunity to attend a webinar to learn about open educational resources including open textbooks.

This workshop will identify: what are open educational resources (OER); benefits and motivations for using OER; how to find and evaluate OER; how to integrate OER into your class. After attending, CARLI-member teaching faculty will be invited to write a short review of an open textbook in the Open Textbook Library.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Assess and Connect Forum

February 27 at 1:30–3:00 p.m.
Registration

The Library Assessment Committee (LAC) is hosting our annual “Assess and Connect” forum on Thursday, Feb 27^th from 1:30–3:00 p.m. via Zoom. “Assess and Connect” is a library-wide forum for those who are interested in assessment in the Library. LAC invites all faculty, APs, Civil Service staff, graduate assistants and hourly employees to join us.  Please watch in the upcoming weeks for a Zoom link and registration information.

If you have any questions, you can email bolivar3@illinois.edu.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: ISO TC 349 Cultural Heritage Conservation Public Webinar

February 27 at 12:00–1:00 p.m.
Registration

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) formed TC 349 in 2024 to develop standards for terminology, technologies, and materials and equipment for the monitoring, evaluation, preservation, and restoration of cultural heritage. The committee’s work is focused specifically on the conservation of tangible objects and excludes the preservation of cinematography, photography, and content covered by the work of the ISO Technical Committee on Information and Documentation (ISO TC 46). NISO has now been appointed by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to manage the US Technical Advisory Group (TAG) to TC 349.

During this meeting, we will discuss NISO’s role in the ISO Standards development process and opportunities to participate as members of the TC 349 TAG, which will ensure that US perspectives are represented in discussions about setting world-recognized standards, from conservation terminology and basic principles to seismic protections and exhibition environments.

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