As we continue settling into 2023, I am excited to reiterate our three-phase plan for the Libraries’ organizational realignment, what we have accomplished to date, and the work that lies ahead of us. During Phase I, we agreed upon a new leadership structure to best position us for success. This decision was informed by the October 2022 town halls, where many of you shared your ideas and perspectives and when the online voting results were revealed. This process established two Libraries administrative positions: Assistant Vice President for Research and Learning Services and Associate Vice President for Campus Libraries. We have engaged the executive search firm Isaacson, Miller to lead our recruitment efforts and will shortly embark on a nationwide search for this critical position. The person in this role will provide focused day-to-day support for the AULs and work directly with them to identify synergies across the Libraries’ large and diverse geographical footprint.
Phase II will focus on determining the functional areas and services reporting up through each AVP position. As one example, additional conversations are needed to identify where RUL’s distinctive collections and archives most appropriately fit under this leadership hierarchy. As always, our priority is to ensure our services directly align with and are nimble enough to meet the evolving needs of our users across the university. Phase III will follow and emphasize our workforce organization across the Libraries system. We expect to complete Phase III in early 2024.
The realignment process requires careful deliberation, along with your steady engagement. By maximizing and leveraging our considerable human, intellectual, digital, and physical resources as one Libraries, we can more efficiently provide the vital and dynamic services expected of a 21st-century academic library. As we move into the next phases of this process, I encourage you to continue sharing your thoughts by contacting me directly or through the VP/UL anonymous comment form.
