Another semester has come and gone. Despite the many challenges, I am incredibly proud of what RUL staff, faculty, and students have accomplished this year. From expanding our resources and services to opening innovative new spaces, we have much to celebrate. Thank you for your hard work and dedication. I wish you and your families a safe, peaceful, and joyous holiday season and all the best for the new year!
Rutgers University Libraries hosted numerous stressbuster events to help students destress during finals week. Students enjoyed copious free snacks and activities during their study breaks.
On December 22, members from the Collection Acquisitions department gathered to celebrate the holidays and their accomplishments over the past year. We were happy to see so many smiling faces!
I wish you all a merry Christmas, happy holidays, and a happy new year! For those who know me, you know that I love you. For those who don’t know me, know that I love you too!
You may have read the tragic story about the 40-year-old entertainer, Twitch. His succumbing to depression reminds us to value the people around us and never assume all is well. Though this is dubbed the season to be jolly, many of us fall into depression for various reasons. It should be a time of celebration and merriment, but some are overwhelmed by memories of their lost loved ones.
If you’re feeling depressed, please don’t try to tackle the process alone—seek professional help (e.g., the Rutgers University Human Resources Wellness Support page is a great resource). In the meantime, know that you’re surrounded by people who wish you well, value you, smile when you enter the room, appreciate your work, value your opinion, want to talk to you, want to listen to you, think you’re funny, and love you just the way you are!
This season, and every time you remember, make sure to share positive thoughts with those blessed to be in your circles. Your smile may be the only smile a person may see for the day. Your gratitude goes much farther than you think and is of greater value than most monetary gifts (I’ll gladly take a GMC Hummer EV).
So happy holidays to you! I hope all is well and you enjoy your family (RUL, blood) and loved ones this season and recognize the value in their lives and yours.
Warmest regards,
Phil Wilson
Library Specialist I
Robert Wood Johnson Library
Health Sciences Libraries staff and students rang in the holidays with a festive book tree and book billboard in RWJ Library.
On December 14, Douglass Library hosted a pop-up concert featuring performances by Rutgers Mason Gross School of the Arts Chamber Music Ensembles. More than 30 people gathered in the Mabel Smith Douglass Room to enjoy the finals week stressbuster event.
“Sometimes music has the ability to relax and re-energize us, so we were pleased to host this musical stressbuster to help students unwind during finals week,” said Bret McCandless, Music and Performing Arts Librarian at Douglass Library and coordinator of the pop-up concert. “Each performance is a component of the Chamber Music courses offered by Rutgers Mason Gross School of the Arts. We are grateful to the musicians for volunteering their time and talent.”
The concert program included the following:
Rutgers Health Sciences Libraries (HSL) is pleased to announce the December issue of its Impact e-newsletter. Please click this link to read the latest HSL news, events, and features, including:
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The Ex Libris Implementation Team is hard at work on the Alma Post Implementation Review. We look forward to sharing the results in the new year and wish everyone a restful and peaceful holiday break!
Paul Robeson Library‘s exhibit for the NEA Big Read/Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude by Ross Gay has been extended through January 2023. The event is hosted in partnership with the Rutgers–Camden Center for the Arts (RCCA). Attendees can receive free copies of Gay’s book (while supplies last) and contribute a tag to the accompanying installation piece by RCCA.
On December 9, the New Brunswick Libraries’ Shipping, Logistics, and IT departments held their annual holiday party and white elephant gift exchange. Guests enjoyed pizza, snacks, refreshments, and dessert in Alexander Library’s break room. The always-entertaining gift exchange featured many amusing and unusual items, encouraging much wheeling, dealing, and stealing. A good time was had by all!
