ANNOUNCEMENTS: Updated Event Planning Resources and Call for Spring Semester Events

Sara Berthier, Events Administrator Associate

Following up on our Event Planning Open Listening Sessions in November, we have updated some of our event planning resources. In planning for your Spring semester events, please check out the updated University Library Events webpage where you will find:

• A step by step Event Planning Checklist with the official process.
• An Event Planning Flowchart that will help you verify if your event needs to be communicated to us through the Event Planning Form.
  • Upon submission of the form, you will receive a copy of the results from Webtools. If you need to edit your form after submitting, you can do so by modifying your submission. The Events team is automatically notified of any edits you make.

We have taken into account the feedback from both Open Listening Sessions and the results from the September Pulse Survey. Our next steps will be to improve and streamline the events form, provide clear guidelines on sponsorships, provide employees with a better internal interface to view planned Library events and creating an online platform for event items that can be loaned (tablecloths, banners, etc.).

If you have further questions, please reach out to events@library.illinois.edu.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Illinois Open Publishing Network: New Titles

IOPN is excited to announce the publication of The Design of the Built Environment: The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Campus and Its Context by School of Architecture professor Kevin J. Hinders. Hinders, an architect, educator, and urban designer produces a work that both explains and demonstrates key architectural principles through experiential learning. This open educational resource (OER) explores the architectural, cultural, and historical development of the Urbana campus and its surroundings. Published under the Windsor & Downs imprint, this textbook was partially funded by the University Library and the Office of the Provost’s 2025 Faculty OER Incentive Program. Accessibility improvements for this publication were supported by The Robert and Kay Merrick Family Endowment Fund. (Read more about this title on the IOPN news blog.)

The following IOPN supported journals have also published new issues recently:

• SourceLab
• ВИВЛIОθИКА / Vivliofika 

Stay tuned for other publications coming soon! 

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FACILITIES NEWS: Library Building Project – 2/1/2026

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 over 25% completed. As of January 15^th, the following work was in progress: Existing sloping stone sills at courtyard (removed for cleaning and new flashing installation) are being reinstalled; Mockup of acoustic ceiling panel installed in waffle ceiling (upper level) for review; Ductwork installation along south side of upper level has started (ductwork sitting on floor, ready for installation); Additional ductwork scattered around upper level, ready for installation; Priming/painting waffle slab near east side of upper level; CMU wall installation underway in upper level below east pavilion; and waterproofing work continues at north side of plaza. Flashing installed on perimeter walls and some raised square benched.

Due to current weather conditions, most work moved inside. Over the next three weeks, we should see the following on the exterior (weather permitting): elevator shaft forming and pouring; forming and pouring roof curbs on pavilions, hot fluid applied waterproofing, flashing/reinstalling limestone. On the interior, the lower level should see framing and wall installation while the upper level should see electrical, plumbing, and mechanical rough-in; painting of the waffle ceiling, installation of decking and structural steel, and framing. Below is an assortment of photos taken by JP Gugoen on January 14, 2026.

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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:

• Dulcie Vermillion
• Skye Arseneau
• Kestrel Ikar

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

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Recognizing Excellence

• Sotomayor Publishes New Book About Family and Power in Early Spanish Puerto Rico

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: Meeting Minutes (SAT, CDC, CAPT)

Please see the following URLs for the most recent meeting minutes of these groups:

• Senior Administration Team (SAT): library.illinois.edu/committees/committees/senior-administration-team
• Collection Development Committee (CDC): library.illinois.edu/staff/committee/collection-development-committee/
• Content Access Policy & Technology (CAPT) (including workgroup reports): 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: Grants

Kim Johnson, Associate Director of Fiscal Operations

Please visit our webpage: Grant Development and Submission Procedures located on the Library Business Office page. The direct link is: wordpress.library.illinois.edu/staff/bhrsc-business-services/grant-development-and-submission-procedures

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HR NEWS: Filled Positions

• Rachel Scott – Head – Acquisitions & Cataloging Services Librarian – ACS – Started Jan 12, 2026
• Eva Gellman – UX and Content Specialist – Main Library Admin – Starting February 2, 2026

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HR NEWS: Departures

• Lucy Moynihan – LOA – FUNK Aces – Retiring, last day February 28, 2026

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HR NEWS: Civil Service Vacancies

• Library Specialist for Monographic & Media Acquisitions – Acquisitions & Cataloging Services – Pending Offer

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HR NEWS:  Academic Professional and Faculty Open Postings

• Bioengineering Librarian – Grainger Library – Pending Reference Checks
• Visiting Open Educational Resources Librarian – SCP – Interviewing Soon
• Humanities Librarian (African American Studies and English Literature) – HPNL – Pending Phone Screens
• Visiting Music & Performing Arts Special Collections Librarian – MPAL – Pending Phone Screens

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HR NEWS: In Memoriam

• Jane Williams

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Staff Events Calendar

To see the most up-to-date staff events calendar, please visit libcal.library.illinois.edu/calendar/staff.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: The Lifecycle of Writing Subjects : On Generative AI and the Future of Writing

February 4 at 4:00–5:30 p.m.
Registration

In this lecture, Goodlad introduces generative AI and the rise of chatbots in light of their concentrated political economy, long history of anthropomorphized machine “intelligence,” and ongoing impact on the future of writing and human poiesis. Ideal for interdisciplinary audiences and open-ended conversation, Goodlad’s approach is both technically specific and legible. She concludes with a case for the widespread dissemination of critical AI literacies and the need to put “humanities in the loop.”

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Library Friends Webinar – Visual Storytelling and the Archives: Translating Scientific Research for Public Audiences

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

Join us for our first Library Friends Webinar of the year where we learn how advanced typography students in the Graphic Design program found unexpected inspiration during a visit to the University Archives. Students examined how scientific records are documented, preserved, and communicated over time. Tasked with translating complex research for public audiences — and drawing from archival materials, such as letters from alumnus John C. Houbolt who served as Chief Aeronautical Scientist at NASA — the visit shaped how students transformed dense, abstract information into engaging typographic systems, visual explanations, and narrative-driven design artifacts. The visit also underscored the interdisciplinary value of archives and how their materiality — along with the information archives contain — can illuminate the development and exchange of scientific knowledge.

This presentation will share examples of student work and walk through how the projects took shape, highlighting how archival collections support research-driven design, interdisciplinary collaboration, and data storytelling. Attendees will see how archival resources, when brought into the design studio, can help students humanize complex ideas and communicate research beyond academic boundaries.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Player Piano Demonstration

February 13 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, which is located on the second floor of the library. MPAL is located in the Music Building (1114 W Nevada St., Urbana). See our website for accessibility information and how to get to MPAL.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: LCP Forum

February 17 at 1:00–3:00 p.m.

The Library Committee of Academic and Civil Service Professionals is pleased to announce that it will be holding its annual LCP Forum on February 17 from 1-3pm. This will be a hybrid event. Please watch out for another email in the coming weeks with registration information, including information for snacks for remote attendees.

Dean Claire Stewart will be joining us for a portion of the program. There will be a question session with Dean Stewart after her talk, but if you have any questions in advance that you would like to submit, please email an LCP member or submit your question via our contact form: surveys.illinois.edu/sec/1087207313. The form can also be found on the LCP webpage.

The forum will feature a lightning talk panel on AP/CSP projects, research, and work. If you would like to give a 5-minute talk on a project, research, or work that you or your unit have been doing, please email me. Talks can be presented in-person or online. There are limited slots, and we will need your PowerPoint slides in advance of the meeting.

Please contact Cara Bertram with any questions.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Purchasing App Training

February 17 at 2:00–3:00 p.m.
Registration

The Business Office is offering Purchasing App training online and in the Main Library, Room 314.  The February training will take place online. We’ll walk through the process together, provide links to resources, and answer your questions.

Registration is required. Additional dates:

• Thursday, March 19 at 2:00–3:00 p.m. in the Main Library, Room 314

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Creating Focus – Professional Development Series

February 18 at 10:00–11:30 a.m.
Registration

We will explore recent research findings by Dr. Gloria Mark 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: Coffee for 5 with Claire

February 25 at 9:00–10:00 a.m.
Registration

Let’s have a chat! This monthly gathering is designed for casual, small-group conversations. These will be held virtual on Zoom. Calendar invitation will follow.

Next date: Wednesday, March 25 at 4:00–5:00 p.m.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Outreach and Engagement Retreat

February 26 at 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Registration

The Outreach and Engagement Committee invites you to connect with your colleagues across the library to learn more about their current & future projects, outreach strategies, and how you could collaborate together! The first hours will be lighting talks to showcase the outreach and engagement work being done across the library & community, and then a informal reception with light refreshments.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: The Evolution of the Greek Book: From Byzantine Manuscripts to Renaissance Incunabula

February 26 at 3:00–5:00 p.m.
More information

Dr. Elias Petrou will explore the evolution and transmission of the Greek book from East to West, beginning with an overview of the Byzantine educational system, the preservation and transmission of classical Greek knowledge through manuscripts, and how this inherited book culture was transformed through the new technology of print. 

This talk is free and open to all audiences. Refreshments will be served.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING: Film Screening & Discussion: The Edge of Each Other’s Battles

February 26 at 6:00–8:00 p.m.
Registration

Join us for a film screening of The Edge of Each Other’s Battles (2002), a 59-minute documentary honoring Audre Lorde, followed by a facilitated discussion. Food and drink will be provided. Register to help us plan! go.library.illinois.edu/Lorde. This event is part of the BNAACC and Chill Film Series. Discover more events: bnaacc.illinois.edu/events/black-history-month. Learn more about Black History Month events and exhibits at the University Library! go.library.illinois.edu/BHM

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