Category: Articles

NBL Engagement Day 2022 a Huge Success
On August 23, 2022, the New Brunswick Libraries (NBL) Learning Community hosted its second annual Engagement Day for all New Brunswick Libraries faculty and staff. This professional engagement event is an important part of the NBL Learning Community’s effort to enhance the New Brunswick Libraries’ culture of collaboration, communication, and success.

Group photo of the NBL Engagement Day 2022 attendees at Rutgers Gardens.

Despite the challenges of our busy schedules, over 55 New Brunswick Libraries staff and faculty members participated in some or all of the day’s programming. The event was held online and in person to accommodate as many people as possible.

Before the virtual morning programming began at 9:00 a.m., we received warm welcomes from Consuella Askew, our new Vice President for University Libraries and University Librarian, and Dee Magnoni, the Associate University Librarian at Rutgers–New Brunswick.

Engagement Day attendees in the Rutgers Gardens pavilion.

Throughout the morning, presenters shared their expertise through nine sessions that ranged from interactive workshops to conversations and learning presentations. Two of the nine presentations were given by external specialists, six by Rutgers faculty and staff, and one by an NBL professional. Attendees were split into groups of three and chose from the following sessions:
- Integrative Medicine
- Do You Really Know What Time It Is? Horology: The Science of Measuring Time and Watchmaking
- Employment Discrimination Law: What Is It and How Does It Affect Me?
- Global Health and Its Impacts
- Professional Development at Rutgers
- Sharpening Your Resume and CV
- Build Your Professional Brand
- RU Aware of the Software Portal and OIT Help Desk
- The Rutgers Geology Museum
Following the virtual programming, we traveled to Rutgers Gardens for lunch and an afternoon filled with learning, music, hats, and engagement. Lauren Errickson, Director of Rutgers Gardens, gave a presentation about the history of the gardens. Afterward, we participated in many entertaining activities such as games, origami, button making, a photo booth, self-guided walks through the gardens, and plenty of conversations.

Enjoying lunch.

Playing cards.

Giant Connect 4 game.

Because of the pandemic, many attendees had not met in person for at least three years! Some of our new librarians met their colleagues face-to-face for the first time. It was wonderful to connect—and reconnect—this way.

The day concluded with career acknowledgments and recognitions, which included length of service tributes and promotion announcements. All Rutgers Gardens attendees were invited to participate in a Tricky Tray game. Raffle tickets were distributed for gift baskets generously made and donated by NBL staff and faculty. Lastly, we took a group photo to remember the day.

Awards and acknowledgments for NBL staff and faculty.

The NBL Learning Community Advisory Group thanks everyone who helped make Engagement Day a huge success! We are grateful to those who:
- volunteered to be session hosts and emcees for the afternoon’s proceedings,
- set up and broke down equipment in the Gardens,
- organized carpooling and covered chat reference shifts,
- donated items and helped assemble the gift baskets,
- wore hats, and
- contributed to many more efforts that aren’t listed here!
We especially thank Consuella Askew and Dee Magnoni for their incredible support, which included, but was not limited to, funding, pausing operations for the day across the libraries, and starting our day off by welcoming and encouraging us to engage and learn.

Gift baskets.

Dee Magnoni and her butterfly hat.

We also thank the Engagement Day presenters:
- Dr. Lauren Adamo, Director of the Rutgers Geology Museum
- William Constantine, Director, Organizational and Talent Development
- James M. Cooney, Esq., Associate Teaching Professor, Labor Studies and Employment Relations
- Lauren Errickson, Director of the Rutgers Gardens
- Julia Fuchs
- Dawn Heintz, BSN RN OCN
- Arpita Jindani, Associate Program Manager at the Institute for Health
- Nicholas Manousos, Executive Director at Horological Society of New York
- Carol McCarty, Research Collaborator at Rutgers University
- Dr. Mindy O’Mealia, Program Director of Medical Professions & Life Sciences Career Interest Communities at Rutgers University
- Laura Palm, MD
- Dr. Sacha Patera, Strategic Partnerships and Industry-University Relations
- Andrew Ruggiero, NBL-Unit Computing Specialist
- Toi Tyson, Director of Career Communities and Campus Partnerships
Lastly, a huge and enthusiastic shout-out to all the New Brunswick Learning Community Advisory Group members: Stacey Carton, Becky Diamond, Erika Gorder, Grace McGarty, L Miller, Jill Morrow, Sue Oldenburg, Andrew Ruggiero, Luke Sangiamo, Elena Schneider, Jeff Teichmann, Kate Van Riper, and Ryan Womack! Without their behind-the-scenes and on-stage creativity, resourcefulness, willingness, and hard work, this day would not have been possible.

Dee Magnoni celebrates Barry Lipinksi’s 40 years of service at Rutgers.

Awards and acknowledgments for NBL staff and faculty.

More awards and acknowledgments.

Round table discussions.

Round table discussions.

Round table discussions.

Luke Sangiamo wears a chicken hat during the activities portion of Engagement Day.
October 31, 2022
New Brunswick Libraries’ Celebration of Scholarship 2022 a Resounding Success

NBL’s Celebration of Scholarship 2022 was held in the Mabel Smith Douglass Room at Douglass Library.

On October 26, New Brunswick Libraries (NBL) hosted their annual Celebration of Scholarship (COS) at Douglass Library to highlight and recognize the scholarly accomplishments of authors and creators across the wide range of disciplines at Rutgers–New Brunswick. More than 60 guests attended the event, which was held in person for the first time since the pandemic.

Associate University Librarian for New Brunswick Libraries Dee Magnoni welcomes guests and introduces keynote speaker Dr. Alan Robock.

COS 2022 highlighted 256 submissions from all Rutgers–New Brunswick schools, including 135 journal articles, 84 monographs/books, 29 book chapters, seven sound recordings, and one film. These works were displayed in physical and virtual spaces at the library. Follow this link to view the submissions.

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This year’s keynote speaker was renowned climate scientist Alan Robock, a Distinguished Professor of climate science in the Department of Environmental Sciences at Rutgers’ School of Environmental and Biological Sciences. Dr. Robock presented “Global Famine After Nuclear War,” a thoughtful discussion about the catastrophic impact of nuclear war on food security, and then answered questions from the audience.

Dr. Robock at the lectern.

Dr. Robock presented “Global Famine After Nuclear War.”

The co-sponsors who made this celebration possible are the Margery Somers Foster Center, Rutgers Global, and Rutgers University Press. To learn more, please visit the Celebration of Scholarship website.

The audience applauds after Dr. Robock’s keynote presentation.

Dr. Robock answers questions following his presentation.

NBL hosted its Celebration of Scholarship 2022 event at Douglass Library.

Guests peruse the Celebration of Scholarship book submissions.

Magnoni with Rutgers’ Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education Carolyn Moehling.

Associate Professor Martin Gliserman of Rutgers’ School of Arts and Sciences looks over the book display at COS.

Dr. Changlu Wang of Rutgers’ Department of Entomology with “Biology and Management of the German Cockroach,” a book he co-wrote with Chow-Yang Lee and Michael K. Rust.

October 30, 2022
EVPAA Meets with RUL

On October 27, 2022, Prabhas Moghe, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs (EVPAA), presented his vision and goals for the Office of the EVPAA (OEVPAA) to Rutgers University Libraries (RUL) staff and faculty. The information shared during this virtual meeting will be instrumental to RUL’s organizational strategies. To watch the presentation, please follow this link and click “EVPAA Meeting with RUL” under the Assessment, Reports & Communications section.

October 28, 2022
Ex Libris Implementation Team Update – October 2022

The Ex Libris Implementation Team continues to keep busy with a variety of initiatives, projects, and issues. Here are some highlights:

Library Mobile

Over 1,000 patrons have downloaded and registered their Library Mobile app as of mid-October. Weekly drawings are occurring to award swag and gift cards to students who register and respond to Quick Polls. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and we are excited to grow our user base even more. Representatives from the Rutgers Library Mobile implementation team presented on the app and our implementation process at the Ex Libris Northeast User Group (ENUG) conference on October 21.

Post Implementation Review

Over the course of FY23, representatives from the Implementation Team will lead a post-implementation review of each of their functional areas. During this process, we will review current backend Alma workflows in an effort to identify areas where improvement is necessary or desired. Once identified, we will prioritize issues for deeper analysis and potential solution implementation. We encourage everyone working with Alma to participate in this process and to reach out to your Implementation Team Representative with any ideas for areas that could use improvement.

Chosen Name

Starting October 17, a chosen/preferred name provided by students, faculty, and staff began appearing in Alma patron records in place of the patron’s legal first name. The chosen name is being used in QuickSearch once a patron has signed in and in any email communication from the Ex Libris platform. For more information on managing your chosen name at Rutgers, please visit the University Inclusion and Equity site.

ReShare Update

The version updates performed by Index Data on October 2 resulted in many issues that continue to disrupt processes at all PALCI member institutions. While some bugs have been resolved, Index Data continues to address the outstanding issues. Most of the interruptions are specific to the staff interface, but we have been able to continue receiving items with manual intervention. However, patron notifications are currently suspended. As a result, patrons are not receiving emails confirming their request or notifying them of a failed request. We have requested that an alert be placed on the VuFind landing page so patrons are aware of this suspension. PALCI has done a good job of keeping all members informed with updates. We will continue to monitor progress and share updates as they are available.

Esploro

Q&A sessions were held for library faculty interested in learning more about Esploro’s researcher profiles. Researcher profiles gather and present information about faculty scholarship, activities, and achievements in order to showcase and promote faculty research, facilitate collaboration and identification of experts, attract external funders and industry partners, and enhance institutional reputation. As proof of concept, publication data was imported using Esploro’s smart harvesting technology, and profiles were created and temporarily activated for all library faculty. Q&A sessions were then held to show faculty how to edit and manage their profile and discuss potential benefits, use cases, and configuration options. Library faculty were also invited to take a brief survey to assess the completeness and accuracy of their profile, share feedback, and offer suggestions for improvement.

October 19, 2022
AvramCamp 2022: My Experience
AvramCamp is a one-day preconference offered by Core, a division of American Library Association (ALA). The event is named in honor of Henriette Avram, the creator of MARC format. It was offered on July 29 as a virtual event. Core describes AvramCamp as “a safe and welcoming space for women and non-binary technology library workers to explore common challenges faced, learn strategies for dealing with them, and discuss specific tools to build confidence….” AvramCamp is open to anyone, and registrants don’t need to be ALA members. Attendance was limited to 60 participants, who were from a range of libraries and at different points in their careers.

The event opened with a discussion of ALA’s code of conduct, an overview of a jamboard (a virtual bulletin board with virtual post-its), and a guided meditation. The meditation was led by Ginger Stevens, a certified meditation coach and certified life coach. It was the first event I’ve attended that began with a guided meditation!

The meditation was followed by a keynote by Dr. Sharon Whitfield, Electronic Resources and User Access Librarian, Rider University. Dr. Whitfield is also a researcher, and her primary focus is gender and library technology. Her keynote was titled “Schrodinger’s Workplace: Existing in Multiple States of Being,” and focused on the impact of external departments and constant interruptions on our work. Whitfield stressed that we tend to make more mistakes when we’re fragmented. Other drivers include increased workloads due to post-COVID retirements and vacancies and an uncertain future. She discussed how we can take control in such circumstances.

Attendees were asked to reflect on our workplace and the various roles in which we serve. Whitfield asked attendees to discuss how they felt fragmented, both at work and in their personal life at home. We discussed whether we felt successful at multitasking and if we were effective at decision-making amid numerous interruptions. Whitfield addressed fragmentation and Imposter Phenomenon. Fragmentation can lead one to feel like an imposter, and she asked participants to acknowledge if they had felt that way.

The next topic was gendered fragmentation, a common part of the culture of academia. Women are often viewed as nurturers and take on more service. This is particularly true for BIPOC women. Women who are in technology fields often lack mentors. Whitfield noted that Imposter Phenomenon isn’t exclusive to women and reported that 70% of the general population have experienced imposter tendencies in relation to their work.

Whitfield shared a working definition of Imposter Phenomenon, which is common to high achievers, who are unable to internalize and accept their success. They often attribute their success to luck and fear that they will be revealed as a fraud. Although men may also suffer from Imposter Phenomenon, Syndrome, Whitfield reported that they tend not to internalize their feelings.

The discussion moved to an examination of the unintended consequences of fragmentation and Imposter Phenomenon, which include workplace mobbing (i.e., bullying), decision making that doesn’t balance short- and long-term consequences, toxic work environment, and burnout from taking on too much responsibility. Workplace mobbing is common in libraries due to lack of clear job descriptions and this results in people being pulled into different fragmented areas. Attendees were asked to consider what we might do to stop fragmentation and feelings of imposter phenomenon.

The remainder of the day was devoted to two breakout sessions and a closing discussion. Participants were asked to use virtual sticky notes to suggest discussion topics for the two afternoon breakout sessions. The suggestions with the most votes were selected (imposter phenomenon and invisible disability/neurodiversity). Feedback from the Imposter Phenomenon session included:
- Adopting the mindset that there’s no true emergency in the work we do.
- Recognizing that we may be our own worst critic.
- The phrase “just say no” isn’t just about drugs and may be used at work.
Feedback from the invisible disability/neurodiversity discussion included:
- Provide training tools and resources for student employees/co-workers based on how you wish you had been trained.
- Disclose to co-workers; explain the things that you need to be successful at work to those who need to know.
- Ask students at hiring if they need accommodations—mental/physical/religious accommodations.
The session ended with a recap of the breakout sessions and an open discussion.
October 12, 2022
Laura Costello Appointed Director of Strategic Planning and Assessment

Laura Costello was appointed Rutgers University Libraries’ new Director of Strategic Planning and Assessment, effective October 10. Laura came to RUL from Stony Brook University Libraries in 2018 as our Virtual Reference Services Librarian. In 2021, she was promoted to Research and Instruction Services Coordinator. Laura brings to this leadership position a set of skills informed and honed by her responsibilities here at Rutgers and by her previous roles as Head of Research and Emerging Technologies at Stony Brook University and Head of Library Materials and Acquisitions at Teachers College, Columbia University.

Laura has been an integral part of the implementation, administration, and training activities for several of our current data collection platforms, including Alma analytics and Springshare’s LibAnswers and LibInsight. She was also instrumental in the implementation of Leganto. This past year, she stepped in and took on the responsibility for compiling and submitting RUL’s statistical data for the ACRL, ARL, and IPEDS surveys in the absence of a full-time assessment person.

Her interest in assessment is evidenced by her body of scholarship. She has written and presented on library topics such as reference, space programming, and collections with a focus on assessment. A productive scholar, Laura has authored or co-authored three books, seven book chapters, and over 20 peer-reviewed articles and other publications. Laura is currently the managing editor for the Virtual Reference Bibliography and serves as a peer reviewer for Evidence Based Library and Information Practices. Her interest in assessment methods has led her to pursue a Ph.D. in Communication, Information, and Media at Rutgers with a focus on Library and Information Science. She expects to complete her degree in 2024.

Her record of service to the Libraries, the University, and the profession is extensive; the following are some highlights. On the national level, her activities include being a member of the Big Ten Academic Alliance Virtual Reference Peer Group since 2020 and the LITA Assessment & Research Committee since 2016, for which she has served as Vice-Chair and Chair. Laura has been actively engaged in the governance structure and informing Libraries operations as Vice Chair of the Faculty Planning Committee and a member of the RUL Scholarly and Professional Activities Committee.

October 10, 2022
President Holloway Delivers Address to University Senate at Alexander Library

On September 23, 2022, President Jonathan Holloway delivered his address to the University Senate in Alexander Library’s Teleconference Lecture Hall. Members of the Rutgers community were invited to attend the hybrid meeting.

The president spoke about serving and supporting students, recognizing differences, and serving the common good. He emphasized the importance of boosting student success and building a culture of collaboration at Rutgers.

“The more we do this work, the more we become a university where there is an established reputation of listening to and working with all of our constituents,” Holloway said. “Forging this reputation is part and parcel of building the beloved community that I asked us to aspire to become when I started my presidency. I stand by that aspiration and have been excited to see so many different members of the community embrace that ethos and join in the effort to improve this great university.”

Please click this link to read the Rutgers Today article.

The Rutgers University Senate is a universitywide deliberative body consisting of representatives of Rutgers faculty, students, staff, administrators, and alumni.

Photos by Nick Romanenko

September 25, 2022
RUL Affirmation Town Halls 2022
One of the first steps of achieving organizational clarity is establishing a common understanding of who we are, what we do, and what we aspire to achieve. Along with our guiding principles and values, the responses to these fundamental questions would help bring clarity to our organizational identity. To this end, we formed the RUL Affirmation Group consisting of faculty and staff from across the libraries. They were responsible for drafting a mission statement and a statement of aspiration. We are pleased to announce they have completed this important work. Their results were shared during two town halls on July 29, 2022, at 9:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.:
- Morning Session
- Afternoon Session
September 21, 2022
Author Talk with Joe Pompeo on Infamous New Jersey Cold Case

Rutgers University Libraries Special Collections and University Archives (SC/UA) and the New Jersey Studies Academic Alliance (NJSAA) are pleased to host an author talk with Vanity Fair correspondent and Rutgers University alumnus Joe Pompeo on Thursday, November 10, 2022, at 4:00 p.m. via Zoom. Pompeo will speak about his new book on the notorious Hall-Mills murder case, Blood & Ink: The Scandalous Jazz Age Double Murder That Hooked America on True Crime. Please register at this link or visit libcal.rutgers.edu/event/9365079 for more information.

Blood & Ink was published by William Morrow this month, marking the 100th anniversary of the double murder of Reverend Edward Hall, rector of St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church in New Brunswick, and Eleanor Mills, a singer in the church choir, who were reputedly having a scandalous affair. Their bodies were discovered artfully posed on a notorious lovers’ lane on the border of New Brunswick and Somerset. Edward Hall’s wife, Frances, who was related to the wealthy Johnson family, and Eleanor Mills’ husband Jim were early suspects in the case. The bungled investigation by the police took years and failed to bring any criminals to justice. The much-anticipated trial featured eccentric characters such as Jane Gibson, a pig farmer who came forward with a purported eyewitness account of the murder, at one point testifying from a stretcher brought into the courtroom. As well as investigating the fascinating details of the case, Pompeo shows how the rise of New York tabloid journalism and the resulting wars between papers of the 1920s kept the story alive. In an epilogue, Pompeo suggests his own theories on the still-unsolved case.

Joe Pompeo (photo by New Moon Photography)

In his well-researched book, Pompeo used the Hall-Mills Collection, as well as the Wallace Conover Papers and the Stevens family letters from SC/UA. This presentation forms part of SC/UA’s Research Salon series, which features researchers who have used SC/UA’s resources in their work. It is co-sponsored by the New Jersey Studies Academic Alliance.

Over the years, many authors have tried to solve the case, including famed attorney William Kunstler, whose The Minister and the Choir Singer: The Hall-Mills Murder Case (1964) attributed the murders to the Ku Klux Klan. Another theory was offered by former dean Mary S. Hartman, who lived in Frances Hall’s house, now the residence of the Douglass Dean, in “The Hall-Mills Murder Case: The Most Fascinating Un-solved Homicide in America,” The Journal of the Rutgers University Libraries, 1984. The case has also inspired novels and plays, most recently Thou Shall Not, performed at St. John the Evangelist Church by Thinkery & Verse. Blood & Ink is unique in placing the case in the context of the rise of tabloid journalism and the popularity of true crime in the 1920s.

Joe Pompeo is a correspondent at Vanity Fair who previously worked at publications including Politico and The New York Observer. His writing has also appeared in The New York Times, Bloomberg Businessweek, the Columbia Journalism Review, and many other outlets. He lives in Montclair, New Jersey, with his wife and children.

September 20, 2022
RUL Announces Launch of Library Mobile App

Rutgers University Libraries is pleased to announce the launch of Library Mobile, an innovative app designed to enhance the Rutgers community’s library experience. The new app delivers seamless integration with the Libraries’ vast resources and services, providing an intuitive interface with personalized content.

Library Mobile can be downloaded at libraries.rutgers.edu/app and is available for iOS and Android. After logging in with their Rutgers NetID, users can quickly access hours, study space reservations, course reading lists, and research assistance. The feature-rich app also allows users to conveniently search for content, manage their accounts, and stay up to date with library events.

Rutgers is proud to be the first North American institution to release the Library Mobile app, developed in partnership with Ex Libris, a leading global provider of cloud-based solutions for higher education and research. Feedback submitted through the app helps the Libraries to improve not only the app but also the resources and services it provides.

September 12, 2022