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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