Summer Construction
The Offsite Summer Projects are progressing as planned and in spite of all the challenges resulting from construction, library operations have continued uninterrupted. Patron services are working consistently and efficiently via the temporary service desk installed in Room 330. All Library Departments have adapted their processes to circumvent the challenges presented by construction activities. The Bridge is using Room 224 as a consultation area, and the Writing Center relocated their patron-facing activities to Room 203A. Daisha and Jemma worked on installing external and internal signage, which has helped employees and the community navigate the premises.
Shifting Projects
In May, the move of the M call number range to its new permanent home on the 8th floor was completed. This transition aligns with ongoing efforts to improve subject coherence and collection flow across the building. With the M’s in place, the team will begin a shift of Reynolds 1. The first step will involve relocating the Oversize Collection to the opposite end of the floor. Once that move is complete, the remaining collections will be shifted to replicate the shelving configuration used on other floors (flowing across the aisles instead of in a “U” shape).
To accommodate Atrium renovation work, the New Books and Graphic Novels collections were temporarily moved to Reynolds 4. The move ensures continued access to high-interest materials during the renovation period, and signage has helped guide patrons to their new location. A special thanks to Laura Milcarzyk, Patrick Ferrell, and our student workers for keeping this project going during summer construction!
Professional Development & Publications
Jemma Johnson collaborated with her colleagues on NCLA’s Intellectual Freedom Committee to publish an infographic detailing the results of the group’s annual censorship survey.
Rodrigo Castro was invited to participate in the Cross-Institutional Re-Envisioning Advisory Group (CIRAG), a University-wide initiative aiming at re-envisioning how the University promotes connections across our campus community, broadens our approach to inclusive excellence, and strives for intentional belonging.
He will also serve as the Chair of the Senate Committee on Capital Planning. This committee, which is part of the University’s Faculty Senate, is tasked with monitoring, evaluating, and participating in the University’s program planning, capital planning and other long-range planning processes.
NC Live Conference, May 16
Jemma Johnson and Will Ritter attended the 2025 NC Live Conference on May 16 in Charlotte, NC. You can read more about their experiences here for Jemma and here for Will. Will also gave a lightning talk during the virtual conference on May 16, “Magnets and Messages: Creating a Student-Centered Feedback Board,” about the “What’s on Your Mind?” Feedback board here at ZSR.
TALA Conference, May 28
Kylie Bradley, Tara Hauser, Jemma Johnson, David Link, and Laura Milcarzyk attended the 2025 TALA Conference on May 28 at Winston-Salem State University. You can read more about their experiences in their upcoming post on Inside ZSR. Jemma and Laura also participated in the well-attended panel session “X’ers, Zoomers, Boomers, Oh My! Generational Dynamics in Library Work” where Jemma moderated and Laura was a panelist.
Book Displays
May Displays
- Once Upon a Retelling: Modern & Diverse Reimaginings of Classic Stories, curated by Will Ritter.
- Baseball: America’s Game, curated by Erin Jones.
- History of Railroads, curated by Laura Milcarzyk.
- May the Fourth Be With You, curated by Erin Jones.
- Sexual Assault Awareness Month, curated by the University Counseling Center.
Upcoming Displays
- Ink and Memory: The Rich Literary Culture of the Middle East, curated by Jemma Johnson.
- 60 Years of Sand, Spice, and Sci-Fi, curated by Will Ritter and Jemma Johnson.
- Beyond the Rainbow: Exploring LGBTQ+ Narratives Across Genres, curated Will Ritter and Jemma Johnson.
Offsite Storage
- fulfilled 48 physical request,
- fulfilled 17 electronic request,
- accessioned 12 new items,
- and audited 7,715 items.
Alayna Veasey continues to compile information and solve mysteries within the SCA collections stored offsite. She will share her findings with incoming Collections Archivist Sam Sfirri this fall. Alayna is also gathering archival supplies and scheduling time for other members of the SCA team to work on various offsite projects this summer. In May, she
- fulfilled 3 SCA offsite requests,
- returned 14 SCA offsite items,
- shifted 5 SCA rare books and periodicals offsite, and
- and shifted 30 SCA boxes offsite.
May by the Numbers
2 Comments on ‘What’s Happening in Public Services: May 2025’
Thanks to the Public Services team for quickly adjusting services to support our patrons during summer renovations, even as you were wrapping up a very busy end of the academic year. I’m always impressed by this team!
Thanks, Jemma! I enjoy reading these updates.