Library News for the Friends of the UMass Amherst Libraries

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UMass Amherst Friends of the Library Newsletter - Spring/Summer 2016 (no. 51)
(2016-07-01) Schafer, Jay
One of my most enjoyable "duties" as Director of Libraries over the past 12 years has been to participate in our annual spring commencement ceremonies. It is always heart-warming to see the exhilaration of the students and the pride of their families as the graduates cross the stage and being a new chapter of their lives. This year, Commencement held a special meaning for me as I retire after 23 years as a professional librarian. Just as with each of those newly graduated students, I am beginning a new chapter in my life. Like them, I am excited by the opportunities ahead (traveling, spending time with family and friends, and binge watching all those television series I haven't seen because I was doing email every evening) but also wistful about leaving what has been the focus of my life for the past 12 years — working with the exceptionally talented and extremely dedicated staff at the UMass Amherst Libraries to provide the best possible library services, collections and facilities for our students, faculty and community at large. There have been the "splashy," highly visible successes like the Learning Commons, ScholarWorks, Credo, Falcon Cam, Open Education Initiative, and the Digital Media Lab with 3D Printing. Equally important have been the innovative services and workflows in Interlibrary Loan, Information Resource Management, E-Reserves, and Virtual Reference Service. But none of this could have come to fruition without those who provide the basic infrastructure of the Libraries — Library Systems, Administrative Services and Building Monitors, the Library Office, the Science & Engineering Library, the Image Collection Library, Access Services, Undergraduate Teaching & Learning Services and research and Liaison Services. Essential to supporting the UMass Amherst Libraries and funding many of these extraordinary efforts has been the Friends of the Library Board, the Libraries' UMass Rising Capital Campaign Committee, and our exceptionally talented Development and Communications Department. Under the leadership of Campaign Chair, Lorrey Bianchi '69, the Libraries have raised almost $45 million to support improved collections and facilities. As I have said before, the Libraries are blessed with a large number of donors which has allowed us to move to a level of excellence that would not be possible if we depended only on campus funding. As I retire, many congratulate me on my successes over the years. These successes are not mine. They belong to the team and the individuals with whom it has been a privilege to work over the past years. More than anything, I will miss them and you, the Friends of the Libraries. You have made me look successful and I very sincerely appreciate your efforts and support.
UMass Amherst Friends of the Library Newsletter - Spring/Summer 2015 (no. 49)
(2015-07-01) Schafer, Jay
Only time will tell if 3D printing is really the next industrial revolution; all indications are that it is indeed a transformative technology. UMass Amherst Libraries, with the support of the Friends of the Libraries, are providing our students and faculty with the opportunity to experiment and engage with this new technology through the creation of the MakerBot Innovation Center. The first such center in New England and the first located in a university library, the Innovation Center provides access to over 50 3D printers, 3D scanners, and an innovative 3D printing software platform that links the printers together, providing remote access, print queuing and mass production of 3D prints, and is designed to streamline productivity and staffing. Why the Libraries? Because UMass Amherst Libraries, through services like the Learning Commons and the Digital Media Lab, provide an environment in which students and faculty feel free to explore new forms of scholarship while being secure in the history and tradition of our print collections and digital information resources. The Libraries provide a neutral territory where all disciplines are welcomed and encouraged to explore and interact with others to create new, interdisciplinary discoveries. Without support from our Friends, the Innovation Center would not be possible. Your contributions to the Innovation Fund, the 21st Century Technology Fund, the Digital Media Lab, and our Library Facilities Fund have allowed UMass Libraries to move to a level of excellence never possible if we had to depend only on campus funding. In a similar manner, your contributions to a variety of collection and service endowments provide on-going support that builds excellence and quality at a level never before known at UMass Amherst. It’s a broad spectrum of services that the UMass Amherst Libraries staff provide—from maintaining excellent print collections to offering cutting-edge 3D printing services—because that is what today’s students and faculty desire and deserve. With your continuing support, we will be able to live up to their expectations.
UMass Amherst Friends of the Library Newsletter - Fall/Winter 2015 (no. 50)
(2015-01-01) Schafer, Jay
If you have been following the Libraries’ newsletter closely over the years, you might have noticed that the space for my message has gone from a whole page to half a page to, now, a little more than a quarter page. I can assure you it is not because I have less to say. Rather, it is because there are so many exciting “happenings” in the Libraries – from raptors to international visitors to digital media and 3D printing services to sustainability to jazz to new collections and finally to new staff and upcoming events. Why take up space with me telling you how great our staff, services, and collections are when we can show you by documenting the many activities of the past several months. I will share one (perhaps) silly but, to me, significant accomplishment. This past summer, the windows of the Du Bois Library were washed for the first time in more than 30 years. Metaphorically, this could be viewed as recognizing the significant investment the University has made in supporting the Libraries, or as symbolic of the transformation going on inside the walls of the building as we move from a print world to a digital one. To me, it symbolizes how the light of knowledge shines brighter into the building and how all of us working inside the building have a clearer view of our campus, our students, and our mission.
UMass Amherst Friends of the Library Newsletter - Fall/Winter 2014 (no. 48)
(2014-01-01) Schafer, Jay
The Libraries recently celebrated the seventh annual Open Access Week. This global event is an opportunity for the academic and research community to learn about the potential benefits of open access – the free, immediate, online access to the peer-reviewed results of scholarly research, and the right to use and re-use those results. This year Peter Suber, Director of the Harvard Office for Scholarly Communication and Faculty Fellow at the Berkman Center for Internet & Society, was the Library’s keynote speaker. Author of the book, Open Access, published by MIT Press in 2012 and now available openly online, Dr. Suber met with students, faculty and faculty governance bodies to discuss the impacts and implications of the open access policy adopted by Harvard. The high cost of commercial textbooks (both print and electronic) continues to be a major concern for both students and their parents. During Open Access Week, the Libraries announced the fifth round of grants available through the Open Education Initiative (OEI). This faculty incentive program supports faculty interested in providing their students with a less expensive yet educationally rewarding alternative to commercial textbooks. Through a total investment of $39,000 in the first three years of the initiative, 30 faculty members from eight schools/colleges have created alternatives to commercial textbooks that have resulted in an estimated savings of over $1 million for their students. The Friends of the Library are providing $10,000 to fund this cycle’s OEI grants. The Libraries also announced a new fund to support open access publication of UMass Amherst peer-reviewed scholarship. The Supporting Open Access Research (SOAR) Fund underwrites reasonable publication charges for articles published in peer-reviewed journals that are openly accessible. A pilot program will make $25,000 available to UMass Amherst authors of articles and books. Finally, the Libraries are one of only five sites in the country chosen by OpenStax College, supported by Rice University, to engage in a pilot program to showcase their open textbook materials. These are peer-reviewed texts written by professional content developers. Free online and low-cost in print, the OpenStax College books are built for today’s student budgets. The UMass Amherst Libraries have two major goals in promoting open access on campus. The first is cost containment—both for students through less expensive textbooks, and for libraries through reduced pricing for scholarly journals. The second is public access to scholarly research—encouraging faculty to publish in high-quality, peer-reviewed journals and still providing open access to their scholarship. We in the Libraries are excited by this opportunity to support open access for the good of students and the academy. Thank you for your continuing financial support, which helps underwrite these very important efforts.
UMass Amherst Friends of the Library Newsletter - Spring/Summer 2014 (no. 47)
(2014-07-01) Schafer, Jay
In this edition of the News for the Friends of the UMass Amherst Libraries, you will notice an unusually large number of new staff and staff promotions. Over the past year, the Libraries have had an accelerated rate of retirements. This is both a challenge and an opportunity for the organization. It is always challenging to lose staff that have been with us for many years. Their institutional memory and connection to the campus community is priceless and something that cannot easily be replaced. UMass Amherst Libraries and all research libraries (as I have mentioned so many times before) are undergoing a tremendous transformation as we move from a print environment to a digital one. Each staff opening is an opportunity to re-examine workflows and re-think priorities in today’s ever-changing library world. Human resources are the Libraries most valuable and expensive asset and we make every effort to be certain that each hire is strategic in moving our organization to the next level of excellence. Student workers have always been a vital part the Library workforce. We hope you enjoyed reading about Kashe Wansor, one of more than 200 students the Libraries employ each year. Former student workers are helping build our future; like Kelvin Cross, who met his wife while working in the Morrill Science Library, and Marda Buchholz who fondly remembers her years working in Goodell Library. As one of the most senior (in several meanings of the word) members of the staff, I find it energizing and revitalizing to bring so many new faces into the Libraries. It is an opportunity for us to mentor them into our culture of service-based excellence for which we are known and respected on campus and in the library world. At the same time, it is an opportunity for the organization to move forward with a broad array of new skills and new ways of thinking about libraries in the 21st century.
UMass Amherst Friends of the Library Newsletter - Fall/Winter 2013 (no. 46)
(2013-10-01) Schafer, Jay
As I promised in the Spring “News,” 2013 has been jam-packed with events and celebrations. The Sesquicentennial Celebration has been a focus both for the campus and the Libraries. Our Department of Special Collections and University Archives (SCUA) has provided historical documentation of the past 150 years, including a rich collection of photographs and memorabilia, that appears at almost every event related to the celebration. Rob Cox, Head of SCUA, and his staff are due special commendation for their extraordinary dedication in working with such a broad community of constituents to make campus history come alive. We are also celebrating the 40th anniversary of the opening of the “Library tower”—officially named the W.E.B. Du Bois Library in 1994. Most alums since 1973 have a favorite story about the library, which often include “urban myths” that continue to this day. In this issue, we have debunked some of those myths. But, more importantly, the “Tower” is symbolic of the central role the Libraries play in the daily lives of students—24/5, plus weekends. Today’s libraries are essential to the teaching and research mission of the university—especially as we move from a print environment into the digital age. A third major initiative in 2013 is the UMassRising Capital Campaign. The Libraries’ goal in the $300 million campus-wide fundraising effort is $45 million. To this point, we have achieved approximately 86% of our goal. The Libraries must raise an additional $6 million, from now through June 2016, to be successful. Every gift—from $25 to a bequest of $1 million—is important and essential. UMassRising is about more than money. Importantly, it is about taking the Libraries’ services, collections, and facilities to the next level of excellence, for the students, the faculty, and the Commonwealth. Your continued support of the UMass Amherst Libraries will help us continue the excellent work you see documented on the following pages. Our staff is encouraged and invigorated to know that their efforts are being supported and enhanced by the generous donations of each of you—our Friends. As always, thank you for your support—now, and in the future. Jay Schafer Director of Libraries
UMass Amherst Friends of the Library Newsletter - Spring/Summer 2013 (no.45)
(2013-04-01) Schafer, Jay
A Year to Remember and Celebrate 2013 is the Sesquicentennial Celebration of the founding of our land-grant institution. The Libraries take the land-grant mission very seriously as we preserve and present the history of the Commonwealth through digitization projects and as we offer access to the print collections of the Commonwealth’s largest public academic research library to all residents. 2013 is the Sesquicentennial Celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation and the 50th anniversary of the death of W.E.B. Du Bois. Du Bois, born in 1868 (only five years after the Emancipation Proclamation), died the day before Martin Luther King gave his memorable “I Have a Dream” speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the 1963 March on Washington. 2013 is the kickoff of the UMass Rising Campaign. The Libraries are counting on your support as we move toward our goal of raising $45 million by 2016. Happily, we are already at more than 80% of our goal but we need your help to achieve 100%. 2013 is the 40th anniversary of the opening of the “Tower Library,” renamed the W.E.B. Du Bois Library in 1994. Designed by Edward Durrell Stone, the Du Bois Library still holds the title as the world’s tallest university library. 2013 is the year of many new and exciting services and programs, as you will read on the following pages. The new Digital Media Lab on Floor 3 of the Du Bois Library is an excellent example of how the Libraries can work collaboratively with others on campus to create an innovative modern service for our 21st century students. 2013 is, sadly, the year the Libraries lost a long-time champion – Randolph “Bill” Bromery. Dr. Bromery was instrumental in bringing the Papers of W.E.B. Du Bois to the Libraries and was, until his death, a passionate supporter of the Libraries, the Du Bois Collection, and the W.E.B. Du Bois Center. 2013 is a year of celebration and remembrance. If you can celebrate and remember the excellent work you read about in the following pages, your contributions will be greatly appreciated. Jay Schafer Director of Libraries
UMass Amherst Friends of the Library Newsletter - Fall/Winter 2012 (no. 44)
(2012-10-01) Schafer, Jay
The Story of the $60 Gift On the following pages, you will see and read about the transformative renovations in the W.E.B. Du Bois Library and the Science & Engineering Library that were completed over the summer. An important part of the story that the photos don’t tell is how these projects have been funded. Unlike major infrastructure improvement projects (including the new elevators and the electrical upgrades), the renovation of interior library space is not directly funded by the state or the campus. The success of the Procrastination Station café over the past several years encouraged our Campus Auxiliary Enterprises to invest in creating the new and larger facility that responds to student requests for more choice and quality in the services and “product” of the café. The renovations in the Science & Engineering Library, Special Collections & University Archives, and the Music & Media Floor are largely supported by gifts from generous individuals like you – Friends of the Library. Over the past several years, a major focus in our library fundraising has been for facilities improvement. Through Annual Fund giving, support of the Dinner with Friends, and special gifts and bequests, we have been able to transform library spaces for our students – floor by floor, area by area, and room by room. The true success of this story is the $60 gift. Over the years, the average donation to the Friends of the Library Facilities Fund has been about $60. It took approximately 4,000 individual donations at that level to fund the renovations of the Science & Engineering Library – and the results are amazing. Students like Civil Engineering senior Zach Bemis ’13 (see page 3) appreciate the new group study rooms, additional technology, and comfortable study spaces. The moral of this story is not that we only want donors to give $60 per year, but that any and all donations, no matter how large or how small, are vital to making and keeping UMass Amherst Libraries at the top of our game for the thousands of students entering our doors daily. Jay Schafer Director of Libraries
UMass Amherst Friends of the Library Newsletter - Spring/Summer 2012 (no. 43)
(2012-04-01) Schafer, Jay
While climatologically our New England winter and spring have been unusual, the academic calendar continues on at a steady pace. February was again the time to celebrate the birthday of W.E.B. Du Bois with the 18th Annual Du Bois Lecture. We shared this lecture with the Springfield community and then also participated in the second annual tribute to Du Bois at the St. John’s Congregational Church in Springfield. The 10th Annual Dinner with Friends recognized a new collaboration between Yankee Publishing and the Libraries. We are especially proud that this generations-old New England publishing icon has entrusted its archives to our Department of Special Collections and University Archives. And now, for the tenth year, the falcons are back. But this year, thanks in great part to the Friends of the Library, our peregrine falcons have their own reality TV show at www.library.umass.edu/falcons. For the first time, we can watch the eggs hatch and anticipate the excitement of seeing the chicks as they grow and ultimately leave the nest. Sustainability was the key word as we celebrated Earth Day this spring. UMass Amherst has a growing culture of sustainability – largely signified by the Gold STARS (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System™) award now displayed in the entry of the Du Bois Library. To support this campus effort, the Libraries have established a Sustainability Fund that will support collections and services related to the campus-wide dedication to sustainability. Sustainability is also a key word for the Friends of the Library. It is only with your strong financial support that the Libraries are able to sustain these many exciting activities I’ve mentioned. We greatly appreciate your continued support and hope you understand how important each contribution, no matter how small, is for our continued success. Jay Schafer Director of Libraries
UMass Amherst Friends of the Library Newsletter - Fall/Winter 2011 (no. 42)
(2011-01-01) Schafer, Jay
Message from Jay: “The Digital Revolution [is] ripping through our lives like the meteor that extinguished the dinosaurs” – so writes Louis Rossetto, founding editor of Wired (June 2008). He goes on to say,“Practically every institution that our society is based on, from the local to the supranational, is being rendered obsolete. That is the world you [his children] are inheriting. ”I often think of this quote when people ask me “What is the future of libraries?” And, I think of another quote attributed to Charles Darwin, “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change. ”What is the future of libraries? If libraries remain focused only on their traditional role of acquiring, cataloging and preserving print materials, there is not much of a future – libraries could become as extinct as the dinosaurs. And, we could serve the same purpose as dinosaur bones in museums do today – a reminder of prehistoric times. But, if libraries evolve and adapt as we understand the impacts of the “Digital Revolution,” we will have a strong future. It is the transition that is difficult. How do we maintain appropriate “homage” to the print world while we struggle to understand and adapt to the changing digital world? As I mentioned to the Friends of the Library Board recently, libraries must aim to be the cockroaches of the “Digital Revolution,” not the dinosaurs. Jay Schafer Director of Libraries
UMass Amherst Friends of the Library Newsletter - Spring/Summer 2011 (no. 41)
(2011-07-01) Schafer, Jay
Message from Jay: At social events when people learn I am the Director of Libraries at UMass Amherst, the most frequently asked question is “Why do we need a library since everything is now digitized?” It is impossible to deny that networked computing has changed libraries, academia, and our society over the past twenty years. Google, Wikipedia, Facebook, and Twitter are just a few examples. The importance of social networking in the recent political unrest in Egypt and other middle eastern countries is further evidence ofthe global impact networked computing is having. These changes make libraries more important than ever; with the exponential growth of available information on any given subject, librarians—who have always expertly curated information—are critical to information literacy. The transition from a print-based environment to one that is increasingly digital, demands that libraries transform themselves. The role of libraries in the print world—collecting, providing access to, and preserving our cultural heritage—does not change as we move into a digital realm. The role of libraries remains the same but we must take on new challenges in determining how to fulfill this role. As you read the Newsletter, you will get a glimpse of the ongoing efforts being made by staff at your UMass Amherst Libraries to maintain the best traditions of the print-based world while transforming ourselves into a world-class 21st century digital environment. Your financial contributions and your donations of significant collections are essential to our continued success. As always, we are deeply grateful for your support. Jay Schafer Director of Libraries
UMass Amherst Friends of the Library Newsletter - Fall/Winter 2010 (no. 40)
(2010-01-01) Schafer, Jay
Message from Jay: Over the summer, Emily Silverman, our longtime Director of Library Development and Communication, left us to move to North Carolina with her husband Mike Milewski, who recently retired from Special Collections and University Archives. To fill behind Emily, we conducted a national search. In reading the numerous applications we received from professionals across the country, it was obvious that many were specifically interested in joining UMass Amherst Libraries to be a part of the excellent work being done here – the work you have been reading about in past issues of this newsletter. After an extensive interview process, we found that we had a gem of a person, sitting right here on our front porch at UMass Amherst. It is my pleasure to welcome Carol Connare as the Director of Library Development and Communication. For the past seven years, Carol produced various university publications, websites, and videos, primarily focused on fundraising, including serving as editor of UMass Magazine. Carol’s diverse experience in communications and development, her enthusiasm, her knowledge of the community and her dedication to the campus and Libraries’ mission all promise that she will provide the leadership required to continue UMass Amherst Libraries’ success in Friend-raising and fund-raising. She is also very excited to be working with our three support organizations – the Friends of the Library Board, the Director’s Council, and the Executive Board of the Du Bois Center. Please help me welcome Carol Connare as she joins our excellent staff who provide the highest quality library and information services possible for the students and faculty of UMass Amherst. Jay Schafer Director of Libraries
UMass Amherst Friends of the Library Newsletter - Fall/Winter 2009 (no. 38)
(2009-01-01) Schafer, Jay
Message from Jay: In the last issue of this newsletter, we announced, with the support of Chancellor Robert C. and Sabine Holub, the beginning of the History of the Book Teaching Collection. The idea originated from a real need to support faculty in English, Art, History, and other fields who teach courses related to the history of the book. I appealed to you to “write a check” or “get that Gutenberg Bible out of the attic.” Not surprisingly, many of you did “write a check” – and we greatly appreciate that. Barbara Parker, on the other hand, got the proverbial “Gutenberg Bible out of the attic.” As you see on the cover and will read here, Barbara donated 75 rare books to our collections. By donating these rare books she has lovingly collected over many years, Barbara knows generations of future students will have an opportunity to experience the same magical wonder and special appreciation that inspired her to collect them. We are indeed fortunate to have Friends like Barbara Parker. Thank you, Friends, for helping to make the Libraries such a rich resource for our students and scholars. Jay Schafer Director of Libraries
UMass Amherst Friends of the Library Newsletter - Spring/Summer 2009 (no. 37)
(2009-07-01) Schafer, Jay
Message from Jay: Since Issue 36 (Fall/Winter 2008) of News for the Friends of the UMass Amherst Libraries, we have endured what seemed to be an exceptionally long and sun-less winter in Amherst. Or, maybe the economic news just made it feel exceptionally long and sun-less. With the flowers beginning to blossom in the Du Bois Library Courtyard, I am encouraged by this quotation from Bo Bennett (author of the 2004 book entitled Year to Success): “As sure as the spring will follow the winter, prosperity and economic growth will follow recession.” This spring has been exceptional as you will read on the following pages. After the success last fall in developing improvements to the W.E.B. Du Bois Homesite in Great Barrington, the UMass Amherst Faculty Senate has now approved the establishment of the W.E.B. Du Bois Center in the Libraries and the Verizon Foundation has awarded the Libraries a grant of $200,000 to digitize the Du Bois Papers. The Seventh Annual Dinner with Friends was also a great success. At that event, Chancellor Holub announced a new initiative we call History of the Book: A Teaching Collection. This collection will support faculty in English, Art, History, and other fields who teach courses related to the history of the book. We are seeking donations of materials and money to build this collection. So, please get that Gutenberg Bible out of the attic or write a check! After all, it is spring. As always, thank you for your kindnesses and exceptional support. Jay Schafer Director of Libraries
UMass Amherst Friends of the Library Newsletter - Spring/Summer 2010 (no. 39)
(2010-07-01) Schafer, Jay
Message from Jay: Recently I was asked what my proudest momentshave been since becoming Director of Libraries. Twoof those moments are documented in this newsletter: the expansion of the Learning Commons and theinaugural symposium of the W.E.B. Du Bois Center. I note these two events because they are symbolic ofthe dedication, hard work, and collaboration of many individuals in the Libraries and across the campus who have come together to make a positive impacton the lives of our students and the reputation of the university. At the ribbon-cutting for the Learning Commonsexpansion, Ngozi Mbawuike ’11 made the following remarks: I cannot think of a more empowering experience than students sharing knowledge with their peers. This library has created an environment in which students do not have to worry about where to get books from, where to get help from, or where to get away from thecraziness of the dorms. This library was named after a man (W.E.B. Du Bois) who strongly believed in the power of education for all people. The library has created, as well as improved and increased, the learning experience and opportunity of the students here atthis university. I am proud to have been a part of this moment where new generations of students can come,share, and exchange information, knowledge, and culture. It is deeply gratifying to hear Ms. Mbawuike talk about the Libraries, our positive impact on students and their time here at UMass Amherst. I hope you, as a Friend of the Library, will find it equally gratifying. Please know the support you provide as a Friend is vital to these achievements and very much appreciated. Most sincerely, Jay Schafer Director of Libraries
UMass Amherst Friends of the Library Newsletter - Fall/Winter 2008 (no. 36)
(2008-01-01) Schafer, Jay
Message from Jay: There is no question – UMass Amherst librarians and staff are world class. Featured in this Newsletter are photos taken during “First Week” and other occasions. You will notice a common theme of the “question mark.” What symbol better characterizes the mission of UMass Amherst? Higher education is all about the pursuit ofknowledge and the creation of new knowledge through the research process. Libraries and librarians are an essential component in this process. I am extremely proud of the achievements of our librarians and staff – some of which are clearly described in this Newsletter. When I’m asked how the library supports themission of the campus – whether in print or electronically– the answer is easy:Students and Faculty; Teaching and Research.Any questions? Jay Schafer Director of Libraries
UMass Amherst Friends of the Library Newsletter - Fall/Winter 2007 (no. 34)
(2007-01-01) Schafer, Jay
Message from Jay: Here’s a twist on the traditional conversation. “Libraries aren’t just about coffee.” With the success of the LearningCommons and our emphasis on the “non-traditional” aspects of service at UMass Amherst Libraries, it is important to tell both sides of the story. Yes, in fiscal year 2007, we did sell over 75,000 cups of coffee at Procrastination Station in the Du Bois Library. Yes, this is the most coffee sold at any place on campus. Nearly 1.1 million people came to theLibraries in 2006-07, but not just for coffee. Inside the doors we offer a rich mix of services. They include “traditional” library reference and research assistance, campus information technology support, and myriad other offerings aimed at student success such as Academic Advising, Career Services, the Learning Resource Center, and the Writing Center. In this 21st century world it is exciting and even sexy (in PR terminology) to talk about how we have broken the mold and stereotypes of “the traditional library” to become “relevant” to today’s students. The library as place – the social and intellectual center for collaborative study – is an important new focus for UMass Amherst Libraries. But, as we discuss the “21st Century Library” it is vital to honor the core values of the institution – to collect, organize, and preserve information resources for our campus constituents. I like to call it “the stuff” our users need to be successful as students and researchers. Others might think of books, journals, databases, digital images, manuscripts, documents, etc. but to me it is “the stuff” and it is important to have the “right stuff” for our users. You will read in this newsletter about new “stuff” we have acquired ... an extensive aerial photography collection, a vast collection of books and broadsides pertaining to theatre, and a unique collection of gay and lesbian materials are a few examples. It is equally important to note that UMass Amherst Libraries was the top lender of “stuff” in our six state New England library cooperative of more than 600 libraries. Not only do we have the “right stuff” but we are willing to share it. As a Friend, I hope you share the pride I have for the excellence found at UMass Amherst Libraries. Building this excellence depends on your continuing support. Most appreciatively, Jay Schafer Director of Libraries
UMass Amherst Friends of the Library Newsletter - Spring/Summer 2008 (no. 35)
(2008-07-01) Schafer, Jay
Message from Jay: Anticipating the campus ten-year New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) institutional reaccreditationprocess in 2009 (originally scheduled for 2008 but postponed for a year due to campus circumstances), UMass AmherstLibraries initiated a “self-study” process to assess our progress since the 1997 review. The final Self Study Report included the usual documentation of goals, accomplishments, and statistical comparisons. Unique to our Report were two exceptional vision statements created in a collaborative process by Library staff – “Focusing on Undergraduates” and“Serving the Graduate and Research Mission.” In December 2007, a team of four distinguished library professionals visited the campus to evaluate the progress we have made in achieving our mission and to provide insight into our future directions. As Director of Libraries, I have to admit this process was very challenging – not unlike singing before the judges on American Idol or cooking for a panel of experts on Iron Chef. The External Review Team Report confirmed what I knew to be true – “One major strength is the existence of dedicated librarians and staff who have a significant commitment to the University and the Libraries.” The Report continues – “we observed a strong sense of respect among the various members of the staff and a great willingness to work together for the good of UMass Amherst students and faculty.”Again in this Newsletter, you will read of the amazing accomplishments of the UMass Amherst Libraries during the past semester. Please remember that each of these brief “sound bites” is the result of extraordinary efforts by an incomparable library staff. When you support the Friends of the UMass Amherst Libraries, your gift not only elevates us to the next level of excellence in collections, facilities, and services, it also demonstrates to the Library staff that you recognize and appreciate their individual efforts to serve the UMass Amherst community. On their behalf, I sincerely thank you. Jay Schafer Director of Libraries
UMass Amherst Friends of the Library Newsletter - Spring/Summer 2007 (no. 33)
(2007-07-01) Schafer, Jay
Message from Jay: Telling our story – the story of UMass Amherst Libraries – is essential to building a community of support among students, parents, alumni, and corporate sponsors. The story is a simple one. UMass Amherst Libraries exist to support students andfaculty; teaching and research. Funding from the Commonwealth provides baseline support for the library. Excellence is possible only with contributions from those of you who share our vision of providing outstanding library and informationresources, facilities, and services to outstanding students and faculty. How do we tell the story of UMass Amherst Libraries? Sometimes friends like Governor Deval Patrick, UMass President Jack Wilson, and UMass Amherst Provost Charlena Seymour drop by to help. More usually, this newsletter, the annual report, press releases, and the library website are our primary venues. Over the past several years, the quality of these “products” has gained the attention of you, our readers, the campus community and even the national library community. This month, the Massachusetts Library Association (MLA), as part of its 18th Biennial Public Relations Awards, acknowledged the excellence of UMass Amherst Libraries’ publications by awarding us with First Place in the category Annual Reports, and Second Place in the Newsletter category. It is too easy for the library director to say “us.” Usually, when I say “us” I mean the more than 125 library staff and more than 200 students who provide the excellent level of performance that results in the many services you expect and appreciate from UMass Amherst Libraries. In this case, the award-winning “us” is Emily Silverman (Director of Library Development andCommunication), Leslie Schaler (Communications Assistant), and Susan McBride (Administrative Support). These are the three individuals who are most responsible for “telling our story.” In this Newsletter, you will see their magic at work yet again. But ask them and they will say the “magic” is “students and faculty” and the tremendous support received from each and every one of you. Most appreciatively, Jay Schafer Director of Libraries
UMass Amherst Friends of the Library Newsletter - Fall/Winter 2006 (no. 32)
(2006-01-01) Schafer, Jay
Message from Jay: Honoring the generosity of library donors has traditionally been a function of the Friends of the UMass Amherst Libraries newsletter. Last year this listing of some 5,000 donors required twenty pages with five columns of small print. This year we have even more names – 6,344 to be exact (and we are always in danger of omitting at least one person’s name in a list this long). To list or not to list, that is the question. Most donors enjoy seeing their names in print and we love to provide a documented list of our Friends, both as individual recognition and as a demonstration of the extensive support the Libraries receive on an annual basis. On the other hand, it is the donors’ contributions that pay for the newsletter, and is a sixteen-plus page list of names the best use of these funds? One suggestion this year was to list only the contributions above a certain dollar level. Depending on the chosen level ($100, $250, $500, $1,000, $5,000, $10,000), this could significantly reduce the number of pages required to acknowledge donors. My immediate reaction was to reject this proposal. Every donation given to support the vision and mission of the UMass Amherst Libraries is vital to our success, no matter the sum. A $10 donation from a student is as meaningful as a $600,000 donation from a major corporation, especially when the gross annual earnings of both are considered. Obviously, money matters. Support from the state legislature, student fees, and research income provide only a baseline of support for the library budget. We depend on the contributions from our Friends to take the Libraries – our collections, services, and facilities – to the next level of excellence. We hope the activities, accomplishments, and aspirations described in the following pages affirm your support for the UMass Amherst Libraries. A complete listing of our donors is available at www.library.umass.edu/friends/donors.html. Please know, as you review this list, that the library staff and I thank each and every donor and we appreciate knowing that you are our Friends. Most sincerely, Jay Schafer Director of Libraries