Glass wall

Last week, one of the glass panels located on the wall entering the Russell Reading Room shattered. Security, Facilities, and Engineering and Construction were contacted immediately and came onsite to assess the situation. The cause of this is still under investigation, but Wescor has removed the shattered panel from the wall as we wait for next steps. Images below.

Recruitment

We will be hiring a temporary half time librarian to help fill some of the research gaps now that Michelle is leaving. We are also recruiting for an Information Desk Coordinator that will report to Meredith. Next week’s message will highlight the Information Desk, stay tuned.

Farewell Party for Michelle Bass

Last week we wished Michelle well wishes as she embarks on her new journey to Philly. Michelle has done exceptional work for Countway. Michelle and Norman will be greatly missed.

New R&I Librarians

I am excited to introduce two new Research and Instruction librarians to Countway. Please join me in welcoming Carrie Wade and Jenna Lepczyk. Please see below their pictures and bios.

Carrie Wade

Carrie Wade serves as a Liaison to the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health and specializes in instructional support and literature searching for Public Health. She has nearly a decade of experience in academic and health libraries in Missouri, Iowa, and Wisconsin helping researchers in Nursing and Allied Health fields and collaborating with faculty to integrate information skills into a variety of curriculum. Her favorite part of working with researchers is connecting them with skills, tools, and materials to successfully accomplish their goals.

Jenna Lepczyk

Jenna began her career in medical libraries as Health Sciences Intern at Duquesne University and earned her ALA-accredited MLIS from the University of Pittsburgh's School of Computing and Information. She loves to learn and hopes to continue building her competencies, utilizing every opportunity she can! She also cares for a senior cat, Chili, two snakes, and a ton of houseplants (which she is happy to ramble on about). 

Staff Meetings

The focus of staff meetings is to highlight individual staff or departmental staff initiatives. Staff meetings are once a month, in person, on Wednesdays. Here is the schedule for the fall semester:

• August 24^th—Scott Lapinski regarding Scholarly Communications
• September 28^th—Dominic Hall and Scott Podolsky regarding the slavery report and human remains report
• October 26^th—Len Levin and Matthew Noe regarding Collections Inventory
• November 23^rd—Spruill Harder and Meredith Solomon regarding the new Information Desk
• December—Holiday party!

White Coat Ceremony

The HMS White Coat Ceremony will be on Friday, August 5^th. Please anticipate an increase in visitors at the library throughout the weekend as students will have their families and friends celebrating the start of their new journey.

Enjoy the last few weeks of July and stay cool!

Elaine