Wendy Pradt Lougee, University Librarian and McKnight Presidential Professor at the University of Minnesota, began a one-year term as president of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) on Oct. 11, during the ARL Membership Meeting in Washington, D.C.

The University of Minnesota Libraries system encompasses 14 libraries on the Twin Cities campus, historically rich collections, and nationally recognized model programs in technology development, information literacy, and new models for scholarly communication.

Lougee succeeds Winston Tabb, Sheridan Dean of University Libraries and Museums, Johns Hopkins University. Tabb continues to serve as a member of both the ARL Board of Directors and the ARL Executive Committee as Past President.

Also on Oct. 11, the ARL membership ratified the Board's election of Carol Pitts Diedrichs, Director of University Libraries, Ohio State University, as ARL Vice President/President-Elect.

Three new Board members were elected by the membership to serve three-year terms: Larry Alford, Chief Librarian, University of Toronto; Thomas Hickerson, Vice Provost and University Librarian, University of Calgary; and Olivia M. A. Madison, Professor and Dean of the Library, Iowa State University. And one new Board member was elected to serve a two-year term: Connie Vinita Dowell, Dean of Libraries, Vanderbilt University.

Continuing elected members of the Board are: Deborah A. Carver, Philip H. Knight Dean of Libraries, University of Oregon; Ernie Ingles, Vice-Provost, University of Alberta; Anne R. Kenney, Carl A. Kroch University Librarian, Cornell University; Judith C. Russell, Dean of University Libraries, University of Florida; and Jay Schafer, Director of Libraries, University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Also serving on the Board in ex officio capacities are: Carton Rogers, Vice Provost and Director of Libraries, University of Pennsylvania; James F. Williams II, Dean of Libraries University of Colorado Boulder; and Charles B. Lowry, Executive Director, ARL.

The Board is the governing body of the Association and represents the interests of ARL member libraries in directing the business of the Association, including establishing operating policies, budgets, and fiscal control; modifying the ARL mission and objectives; and representing ARL to the community.

• More about Lougee


• View a photo roster of the ARL Board of Directors

Posted by Mark Engebretson at 1:34 PM | Permalink

The new Natural Resources Library, which opened in June, celebrated Oct. 10 with a grand opening event. The new librarysaves $130,000 annually in operating costs through consolidating collections in the former Forestry and Entomology, Fisheries, and Wildlife libraries.

The project also responded to changes in how scholars use library resources by tapping digital technologies to enhance the on-site collection and through the popular Get It delivery system. The Natural Resources Library, located in Hodson Hall on the St. Paul campus, also better supports interdisciplinary efforts and meets the demand for more study space on campus through the re-use of the former Forestry Library.

New library a hit with students

"It fits in well with my program," said Gretchen Wilbrandt, a Ph.D. student in the entomology program. "It has all of the necessary resources, as well as inter-library loan to get everything I need."

"The staff are really helpful," said Hannah Specht, a graduate student in the fisheries, wildlife, and conservation biology program. Specht said she often checks out master's and Ph.D. theses related to her area of study. "I'm in this library a few times a week. I really enjoy having big windows to work next to."

Budget cuts and changes in library use prompted consolidation

Philip Herold, the research and learning director for agricultural, biological, and environmental sciences at the University of Minnesota, said that the new library represents a consolidation of the Forestry Library and the Entomology, Fisheries, and Wildlife Library.

"One of the main drivers was budgetary," Herold said. "We looked at different areas where we could make reductions. [And] the nature of the use of the library was changing over time. Fewer people were coming in to use the collections. And many of the collections were being made available electronically."

The new Natural Resources Library houses high-use materials from the Forestry and Entomology, Fisheries, and Wildlife collections. Low-use print materials (many of which are available electronically) were transferred to the Magrath Library or other Libraries' facilities. Students and faculty will continue to have access to the same breadth and depth of content as before, either by visiting Magrath Library or using the Get It delivery service.

Herold said that he believes the new library is generating increased use.

"I guess the general word on the street is that it's a nice place to come and to work and to study."

More about the Natural Resources Library

About Operational Excellence
Colleges, departments, and units around the University are working to reduce costs while enhancing services as part of the U's commitment to Operational Excellence.

Learn more and contribute your ideas at Excellence.umn.edu

Posted by Mark Engebretson at 8:36 AM | Permalink

Founded in 1851, the University of Minnesota was forced to close a few years later, hit hard by the financial panic of 1857 and saddled with debt after constructing its first building.

It reopened in 1867, after passage of the Land Grant Agricultural College Act, which was signed into law by President Lincoln in 1862.

That bit of history and much more related to the University's role as a land grant institution were discussed Oct. 5 by University archivists Erik Moore and Erin George at "First Fridays." The monthly event, held at Elmer L. Andersen Library, highlights exhibits and special collections at the University of Minnesota Libraries.

The topic that Moore and George discussed is also part of a current exhibit, "For the Common Good," which is on display at the Andersen Library's Atrium Gallery through Nov. 30.

Also called the Morrill Act, the Land Grant legislation set aside public lands, the sale of which were used to fund public colleges to "promote the liberal and practical education of the industrial classes."

The bill provided much needed financial support for the University of Minnesota, then a fledgling and struggling institution.

The exhibit runs through Nov. 30. For more information, contact the University of Minnesota Archives at 612-624-0562.

Posted by Mark Engebretson at 4:25 PM | Permalink