Fogler Library Friends - The OliveTree

VOLUME 18 NUMBER 2, FALL 2010

Message from Dean Joyce Rumery

I am very pleased to be writing to you as a new Fall Semester is upon us and we welcome the Class of 2014 to the University of Maine. The cool fall weather has arrived and we are seeing the first trees change color and the campus looks beautiful. We once again began this year with the Maine Hello to welcome the new students and as before it was very rewarding to meet the parents and help with that first exciting day. We expect this year will be busy in the library with our projects, new services, and our users, both new and continuing.

We have had exciting developments here just over the past few months. Fogler Library is one of the partner libraries that received an Institute of Museum and Library Services grant. This grant is for a three year demonstration project, the Maine Shared Collections Strategy. The goals are related to the shared management of legacy print and new digital collections in light of decreased space, new needs of users, and the availability of large-scale e-book collections.

The Reference Department began a new project, the Research Consultation Area, to provide space for the Writing Center and the Tutor Program to meet in the library. This project has been very appreciated by both of the programs since it gives them a place to meet in the evenings. This space, which is located in the office behind the reference desk, is also used by the librarians for their meetings with faculty and students.
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We are continuing our scanning projects with more of the Town Reports, local Maine histories, Agricultural Experiment Station reports, and other resources added to our online collection. We are also changing the focus of some of our collections with more access to electronic books.

This past summer was also quite rewarding with the gift from President Kennedy of new carpeting for the first and second floors. The staff of the library, along with others, helped make a significant project take a very short time to implement. At the completion of the project we were able to provide more seats for users on the first floor and create a more open space for our patrons. We have already had very positive feedback on these changes. New carpet will also be installed in Special Collections during the semester break.

Once again we have a number of events and activities planned for this academic year and I know there is something of interest to everyone. These programs are open not only to the Friends, but are free to all interested in attending. We would love to see you here. If you are able to visit us I would be pleased to give you a tour of the library so you can meet the staff and see the resources and services I have described. I hope you are pleased with what we are doing and you will continue to support us into the future. Thank you for your support.

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