June 20, 2008
All,
As we wrap up FY08 I am delighted and humbled to see the high level of
commitment, pride and passion for the work you do in every area of KU
Libraries. Thank you!
Together we shouldered the challenges we faced last year; now we face a
new year and we are stronger than before and richer for the experience.
Many of our vacancies have been filled (more are being filled) and we
can begin the serious work of planning for our collective future.
One of the most exciting accomplishments over the last eighteen months
is the level of high visibility KU Libraries enjoyed thanks to enhanced
and expanded library services, liaison work, outreach, communication and
public relations efforts. So, what’s next for KU Libraries? How will we
build on this momentum to make an even greater impact in the coming
years?
Thinking forward, it is my goal to embed KU Libraries into the fabric of
academia through meaningful and effective campus partnerships. Towards
that end, I have asked each Assistant Dean to engage the faculty and
staff in their respective areas about the concepts of:
a) Learning Commons (student-centric services and space to enhance
student learning) and
b) Center for Scholars (a suite of services focused on supporting
faculty and graduate research and digital scholarship. )
In addition, I have invited a consultant, Crit Stuart, Program Director
for Research, Teaching and Learning at ARL in Washington, D.C. for a
site visit to help facilitate discussions with potential campus partners
and to provide insights into managing these new roles and relationships.
We have an opportunity to re-imagine library space to enhance campus
services and to reinforce the library as the academic center of campus.
I invite you to join this dialogue. Please mark your calendars for a
special all-staff meeting on Wednesday, July 16 when Crit Stuart will
join us for a presentation on these concepts and to answer questions we
may have. (Time/location to be announced.)
Best,
lorraine j. haricombe
