I am pleased to announce the re-launch of The Agenda, a newsletter first issued in February 1979 to improve internal communication within Rutgers University Libraries. At that time, The Agenda was a weekly printed newsletter, and it has since taken on many revised formats.
Today, of course, we have many more technologies and platforms to keep us connected across campuses – but I firmly believe in the importance of continuing to produce a publication through which we can stay informed as a community and celebrate our successes. From this point forward, The Agenda will publish as an online newsletter once every two months.
This has been and will continue to be a period of great change for Rutgers University Libraries. I mean “great” in multiple senses of the word: huge, remarkable, and excellent.
First, it goes without saying that in our lives and work, we have faced huge changes for many years – whether we are talking about a global pandemic, political and social unrest, rapid technological advancements, or many levels of transitions in leadership – from the Libraries to Rutgers to world leaders. In the past year alone, we have faced a rapid succession of federal orders impacting Rutgers, and Jonathan Holloway, a well-respected and historic president, left the university at the end of June. At Rutgers University Libraries more specifically, we have undergone remarkable changes in moving toward our One Libraries model and a reorganization.
We need to give ourselves space to acknowledge how unsettling all this change can be. This is why, through Engagement Day and a virtual professional development leading up to it, we chose to focus on post-crisis leadership and wellness.
“Great” change also can mean “excellent” change. Our reorganization and One Libraries focus will help us work smarter and serve our communities better. We also can look forward to the opportunities presented by new leadership as President William F. Tate IV ushers Rutgers into its next chapter, and as Tonya Smith-Jackson takes over as chancellor of Rutgers University–Newark, effective August 1. Multiple new leaders, faculty, and staff members have recently joined us or taken on new roles at Rutgers University Libraries. I encourage you to read about them on the Faculty and Staff News page.
I hope you enjoy this new issue and iteration of The Agenda. Your thoughts on future content for this publication are always welcome! Please send your ideas to Lara De Meo Hoyt at lara.hoyt@rutgers.edu.
