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Dean’s Note: Looking back and forward
As we enter the mid-point of summer, I find myself both looking back at the previous academic year and forward as we begin planning for fall semester and the new academic year ahead. During 2025/26 we completed a number of initiatives within our Strategic Plan, including: In the coming year, we anticipate completing some projects and initiating others. Some of those include: All these initiatives, both those completed and those underway, are in support of 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. I wish you all an enjoyable rest of summer.
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Staff News
From new hires to conference participation, publishing and committee announcements, the faculty and staff of the University of Cincinnati Libraries had a productive and fulfilling academic year. Following is a selection of the publications, presentations, awards and acknowledgements during the 2025/2026 academic year. New Hires Boards, Committees & Fellowships Nimisha Bhat, history, WGSS & anthropology librarian, was named the new Taft Research Center Counter Fellow. Brian C. Gray, associate dean of collections, was named to a multiyear role on the AAAS/Science Library Advisory Board. The multidisciplinary advisory body comprises academic and research librarians in the United States and Canada with expertise in scholarly communication, digital scholarship and library publishing. Brian C.…
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What we did over the summer…to prepare for the academic year
Vacations, beach time and cookouts – while most students were away from campus enjoying summer, we were busy working on projects to prepare library spaces, services and collections for the start of the academic year. Highlights of our work this summer: New Spaces CECH 4th floor renovation – Renovation began to the College of Education, Criminal Justice and Human Services (CECH) Library’s 4th floor reading room to support students and the academic community by creating a more dynamic, flexible and welcoming environment. Scheduled to reopen in Spring 2026, the renovated 4th floor will offer: In the meantime, the 3rd floor of the CECH Library remains open. Introducing the Science Library…
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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…
