This new section of The Agenda is intended to reinforce key organization-wide updates, important procedural changes, and upcoming action items. The items in this issue have all been announced previously in RUL-wide emails.
FlexWork@RU Update
University Human Resources announced on July 31 that in preparation for the implementation of the new Oracle HCM Cloud HR and Payroll system, the flexible work arrangements will be automatically extended through January 31, 2026. This extension ensures continuity and provides a bridge to the new system.
A new FlexWork@RU application process will be launched in conjunction with the HCM Cloud implementation. Detailed instructions and training resources will be shared before the system goes live to ensure a smooth transition.
Travel Reminder
All travel that occurs on work time requires approval from leadership and via Concur regardless of whether funding is required. The business team can assist with the Concur system as needed. Please also remember to set business team members as your delegates. Questions related to travel can be sent to libraries_travel@libraries.rutgers.edu.
Reorganization Announcements
Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Campus Libraries
Leslin Charles is the inaugural coordinator for instruction and reference services. She will be responsible for the planning, management, and delivery of a broad range of reference and programmatic instructional services in support of the university’s curriculum and mission. Reporting to the associate vice president for campus libraries (AVP-CL), this position will provide and promote high-quality and innovative services to a diverse community of university users and beyond. The coordinator will collaborate with the assistant vice president for scholarly communications and collections, the AVP-CL, and the executive director for administrative and information technology services, as well as with other subject librarians on these library services.
Joseph Deodato is the inaugural coordinator for research support services. In this role, he will lead the Research Support Services (RSS) Group. Reporting to the associate vice president for campus libraries, the coordinator for research support services will be responsible for the oversight of the RSS team that provides services, training, and programming that support the research lifecycle, including but not limited to data collection and analysis, citation management, copyright and intellectual property, and research visibility and impact.
Reporting to the Vice President for University Libraries
Mary Beth Weber has assumed the role of coordinator for training and mentorship. Reporting to the vice president for university libraries, Mary Beth will oversee the Libraries’ enrichment program initiatives and strategies, including mentorship, aimed at maximizing success and facilitating continuous learning across the organization. Partnering with Libraries HR, faculty, and staff, the training and mentorship coordinator identifies and/or develops, implements, and assesses professional enrichment programming to address organizational needs and promote overall institutional effectiveness while effecting positive organizational change.
Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Collections and Digital Strategies
Caryn Radick is the inaugural digital strategies librarian. Reporting to the assistant vice president for collections and digital strategies, Caryn will provide leadership and advocacy for the continued development of the Libraries’ digital collections. Among her responsibilities will be the development and implementation of a programmatic strategy for identifying, building, and promoting digital collections in close collaboration with the coordinator for digital projects and other Rutgers University Libraries colleagues. This position serves as the central point person for the Libraries units engaged in digital collections to ensure shared understanding and practice for developing and assessing digital projects at the local level.
Melissa De Fino has assumed the inaugural role of team lead for cataloging and metadata services. In this role, Melissa’s responsibilities include working collaboratively to develop policies and workflows for resource description, serving as the voice of the department, and working with the newly established digital team on metadata for digital projects.
Holdings Management, led by Cathy Pecoraro, now reports to the assistant vice president for collections and digital strategies and is part of the Collections and Digital Strategies unit.
Interlibrary Loan, led by Orla Mejia, now reports to the assistant vice president for collections and digital strategies and is part of the Collections and Digital Strategies unit.
Isaiah Beard, digital projects coordinator, will report to the assistant vice president for collections and digital strategies and integrate into the Collections and Digital Strategies unit.
While day-to-day workflows across the organization will remain largely unchanged, we would like to highlight the following reminders and updates:
- For holdings analysis or project-related inquiries, please submit your requests via the Holdings Report Request Form. This form should be used for title- or item-level holdings analysis supporting collection evaluation projects such as weeding, overlap review, relocation, or withdrawal. It is also appropriate for generating lists related to space management or other system-wide holdings analyses involving one or more libraries. Please note: Projects will only proceed once reviewed, approved, and prioritized by RUL leadership.
- All requests or proposals for digital projects should be directed to: rul_digital@libraries.rutgers.edu
Updates related to Rutgers–New Brunswick libraries
Tao Yang is now interim associate university librarian for Rutgers–New Brunswick. He is based in Alexander Library.
Jeff Teichmann was promoted to the position of head of access services for the Rutgers–New Brunswick libraries. Previously, he served in the interim position for this role. He will continue to be based at Alexander Library.
Rose Barbalace was promoted to the position of library supervisor I at Alexander Library and Art Library. Previously, she served in the interim position for this role. She will continue to be based at Alexander Library.
Jill Morrow, administrative assistant, will officially start reporting to the associate university librarian for Rutgers–New Brunswick and will be based in the administrative suite on the first floor of Alexander Library.
The Shipping & Receiving Department, including Charles Casseus, Raymon-Arthur George, and Luke Sangiamo, will report through the Administration and Technology division.
Laura Friday, administrative assistant, is now working within the Shipping & Receiving Department, reporting to Luke Sangiamo and based at Alexander Library.
Kelly Worth, administrative assistant, now reports to Jeff Teichmann, the head of access services for the Rutgers–New Brunswick libraries, and will remain at Douglass Library.
Elena Schneider, events and program manager, now reports to Jeff Teichmann, the head of access services for the Rutgers–New Brunswick libraries.
In addition to these changes, the centralization of IT services within the Administration and Technology unit remains on track, and an update will be provided soon.