Dear Library Supporters,
As you’ll see in this issue of Bookmark, the UMass Amherst Libraries have been quite busy of late! We’ve welcomed new students and a new chancellor, Javier Reyes, and we’ve continued to partner with faculty and students on research, teaching, and scholarship through the development of our data unit and the acquisition of unique collections—like the glass plate photography collection featured in these articles—and other new academic resources.
In addition, the Libraries’ team has continued to expand, with new hires joining existing staff to meet increased demand for services. We’ve hired 25 people between January 2020 and December 2023, so be certain to check them out to see who’s who! I’m also very pleased to note that three of those hires represent additions to my Library Leadership Team, and you can find profiles of these new associate deans. And since the Libraries are committed to increasing justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) as well as the sense of belonging for students as part of the UMass community, you will also be able to read about our inaugural Events, Decorate Your Dorm and Postcards Home, as well as our ever-popular Get Your Game On event, which is part of the Libraries Outreach Series, and cultural celebrations like Latinx Dancing on the Du Bois Library’s promenade and two talks by members of the Taino community.
I hope you’ll also pay attention to the icons that accompany each story in this issue, as they represent the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and serve to illuminate how our work at the Libraries is directly linked to efforts to increase justice and sustainability worldwide. Read more about this in the article about Sustainable Development Goals.
Thank you for making time to read this issue of Bookmark and for your steadfast support of the UMass Amherst Libraries!
With appreciation,
Nandita S. Mani, Ph.D.
Dean of University Libraries