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Dean’s Note: Investments in Strategic Priorities
When rare opportunities for additional funding present themselves, it’s important to be ready with project ideas that are shovel ready. Such an opportunity presented itself this fall and UC Libraries rose to the challenge. The university is transitioning to a new budget model, which necessitated a spend down of under spent funds, largely the result of hiring delays. To take advantage of this opportunity, UC Libraries faculty and staff were invited to submit funding proposals for projects that aligned with our Strategic Directions: Enrich Our Collections, Expand Our Impact, Strengthen Our Organization and Support Our Students. Approximately 20 proposals were received which addressed facilities, staffing, collections and technology. Our leadership…
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Chemistry-Biology Library: On the Move
By Ted Baldwin The upcoming razing of the University of Cincinnati’s iconic Crosley Tower necessitates a move of the current Chemistry-Biology Library space and services. The “Chem-Bio” Library, as it is affectionately called, resides in the connector building that spans Crosley Tower and Rieveschl Hall. Since this connector is also slated for demolition, the Libraries have been very busy preparing for the big move of this specialized and cherished library. During summer semester 2025, the Chem-Bio Library will move operations, services, collections and reserves to Braunstein Hall. These will become part of the consolidated Science Library that opens in fall semester. The Science Library, a refreshed space with new carpeting, lighting, furniture and more…
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Re-introducing The Preservation Lab
Formed in 2012, the Preservation Lab is a book and paper conservation lab that began as a collaboration between the University of Cincinnati and the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library to provide preservation services to the two partner institutions. Beginning in 2025, the Preservation Lab expanded its mission to provide expertise and services to the larger cultural heritage community, moving to a regional lab model. Under this new model, the Preservation Lab is now entirely managed, staffed and equipped by the University of Cincinnati. “The Preservation Lab is a point of pride for UC Libraries,” said Liz Kiscaden, dean and university librarian. “We are fortunate to have a lab of…
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Dean’s Note: Announcing the University of Cincinnati Libraries Strategic Plan, 2024-2027
Shortly upon my arrival at the University of Cincinnati Libraries, we began a participatory and data-informed process to draft a Strategic Plan. Through town halls, retreats, info sessions, surveys, discussions and debate we examined what is going well in the Libraries along with what opportunities exist for improvement and growth. This spring we embarked on an exercise to begin to determine and articulate our Values. We asked ourselves what are our organization’s core beliefs that will motivate our work and guide our efforts. How we work together will guarantee success of the plan. In developing our plan, we also concentrated on our role within the university and greater community. The…
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Charting a path forward: Our Strategic Directions
With the launch of the University of Cincinnati Libraries Strategic Plan, 2024-2027, we are increasing our impact by focusing on four strategic directions: Enrich Our Collections, Expand Our Impact, Strengthen Our Organization and Support Our Students. Enrich Our Collections Enrich and curate library collections that enable intellectual endeavors and inspire new discoveries. Expand Our Impact Expand our impact as a trusted academic and research partner through promotion, engagement and collaboration. Strengthen Our Organization Strengthen an inclusive library enterprise through an investment in our people, practices and spaces by creating a shared purpose with active participation and accountability. Support Our Students Support academic readiness, create access and foster success and belonging…
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Welcoming new leaders to UC Libraries
An investment in our people is key to achieving the goals set forth in the Strategic Plan. Along with advancing current library employees, another key element of this goal is hiring people who will bring new skills and expertise to our organization. This fall we welcomed aboard an associate dean of collections and an association dean of operations and user services. These two individuals will collaborate with the dean, librarians and staff to identify UC Libraries’ needs, establish priorities and develop goals, objectives, actions and measures of success. Jéanne Brooks joined University of Cincinnati Libraries on September 30, 2024, as the new associate dean for operations and user services. In this…
