While it seems as though this winter weather will never end, it hasn't slowed the many activities of the University Libraries. The most visible sign of progress is the Information Commons which is rising up on the lakefront south of Cudahy Library. Workers are now pouring concrete for the second floor corners and columns and it's beginning to look like a real building. It is still on track to be finished late fall in time for opening the first day of classes in the Spring 2008 semester. We have just posted an advertisement for a new faculty position, the Director of the Information Commons, in hopes of finding an energetic, visionary librarian to take the helm of our exciting new service here on the Lakeshore campus.

In other recruiting news, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Elizabeth Myers as Director and Archivist of the Women and Leadership Archives in Piper Hall. The WLA is an important part of our Women's Studies program and of the University Libraries and we are excited to have Beth, a recent Loyola Ph.D. in history, take charge. She has mounted an exhibit for Women’s History Month here in Cudahy and I encourage you to stop by and see photos of Mundelein College and information on some of the important collections in the WLA.

We are also recruiting for a new Associate Dean for Library Services and Collections to replace Mike Napora who resigned in December. Another search is underway for a reference librarian specializing in the humanities in general and English in particular. We hope to fill both positions later this spring.

The Henry Hyde papers have arrived from Washington and from the Congressman’s office in Addison. We are quite happy to have Chairman Hyde’s collection which chronicles his 40 years of service to our nation. The Hyde and Rostenkowski papers will form the basis of a new congressional archive at Loyola, part of the new Center for Public Service with offices in the Information Commons.

Best wishes for the rest of the semester and stay warm!

Bob Seal, Dean of Libraries