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A Note from the Dean: Celebrating Special Collections
In this edition of Source we highlight some of the University of Cincinnati Libraries’ newest endeavors in digital collections. From the latest version of the university’s digital repository, Scholar@UC, to a new archive space for special collections, to our recent membership in the large-scale collaborative repository HathiTrust, UC Libraries has made great strides in increasing our digital footprint and exploring new ways to enhance our user’s scholarship and the ways they can access and utilize our collections. As the materials in our collections become more accessible online, our rare and special collections become even more valuable to the identities of our libraries and the university. Each of UC Libraries’ 10…
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A Note from the Dean: Adapting Libraries for the Future
How do we transform the Libraries’ traditional role from one of a service organization to that of a true partner in the academic pursuits of the university? Traditionally, libraries have been seen primarily as service units. Librarians and staff purchased and disseminated materials and assisted users with reference and other questions concerning the library. While this service role is important, in order for us to remain relevant – to not just survive, but to thrive – libraries need to move beyond that traditional service model into something that is more collaborative and integrated into the academic mission of the university. For academic libraries, this means transforming ourselves from information…
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Interviewing Dean Wang and Liz Scarpelli about the University of Cincinnati Press
Last month, the University of Cincinnati Press celebrated its first anniversary. We caught up with Dean and University Librarian Xuemao Wang and Press Director Liz Scarpelli to discuss the state of the Press and its progress so far. What is your vision for the University of Cincinnati Press? Xuemao: When talking about my vision for the Press, I like to start with an opportunity that surfaced about two years ago. It began with a conversation between me, a former board of trustee member and former UC President Santa Ono about how the University of Cincinnati, an R1 Research University, did not have a strong arm for the dissemination and creation…
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A Note from the Dean: Core Beliefs
Libraries play an important role in academia. At UC Libraries, it is articulated in our mission “to empower discovery, stimulate learning and inspire the creation of knowledge by connecting students, faculty, researchers and scholars to dynamic data, information and resources.” That verb-laden statement describes the Libraries as a place of action. More than a set of buildings and locations, more than our collections, or a bank of computers, or a neutral place to study, the library is an active, responsive environment meant to empower, stimulate and inspire all of our users. We believe libraries should be places for inquiry, deeper thought and the open exploration of ideas. UC Libraries offers…
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A Note from the Dean: Creating a Culture of Transformational Change
Previously in Source, I discussed the importance of building strategic staffing capacity in order to create new positions and opportunities within UC Libraries both to meet the organization’s growing needs and to attract new talent. While finding new talent is important to the success of UC Libraries and the implementation of our Strategic Plan, developing and retaining the talent we already have is equally important. One of the main objectives of the Strategic Plan’s People pillar is to “cultivate and empower a well-trained and technologically savvy workforce that embraces a culture of continuous learning, creative thinking and the pursuance of excellence.” The concept of embracing a new culture is one…
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A Note from the Dean: Master Planning for the Future of Library Spaces
Transformation is a common theme at UC Libraries. It is a cornerstone in our vision: to become the globally engaged, intellectual commons of the university. The most visible transformations can be found in the libraries’ multiple campus locations, in the physical space they offer to the students, faculty, scholars and researchers they serve. Over the past three years, we have completed space projects in every library on campus, relocating portions of our collection, refreshing or adding new furniture to increase seating, installing new service desks, creating modern active learning classrooms and, occasionally, building a new Starbucks location. The decisions we make about library space are not made lightly. They require…
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A Note from the Dean: Reappointment as Dean and University Librarian
Editor’s Note: We were extremely pleased this summer when the University of Cincinnati Board of Trustees approved the reappointment of Dean Xuemao Wang for a term of five years effective July 1, 2017. Every five years, per board rule, university deans participate in a decanal review. This is a thorough procedure that evaluates their leadership as perceived by their fellow deans, UC leadership, and their respective college’s faculty and staff. In enthusiastically recommending Dean Wang’s reappointment, the librarian and staff review committees recognized his outstanding leadership, advocacy, and vision for UC Libraries to become the globally engaged, intellectual commons of the university—positioning ourselves as the hub of collaboration, digital innovation,…
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A Note from the Dean: IFLA Comes to Cincinnati
This August, the International Federation of Libraries (IFLA) will host their yearly conference in Columbus, Ohio. Last fall, I posted about my experience at the IFLA conference in South Africa. While at the time I knew that UC would be involved in some of the conference events this summer, I am excited to tell you now in more detail what is coming and what role UC Libraries and I will play in welcoming these international visitors. The first of two IFLA related events will take place at the Walter C. Langsam Library when we host the Knowledge Management (KM) section of IFLA for their pre-IFLA satellite conference on August 12.…
