Bookmark, the Magazine of the UMass Amherst Libraries, Issue 7

Read the full 2022 Bookmark magazine here

A Note from the Dean of University Libraries

Dear Friends,

My first semester at UMass Amherst has been a whirlwind of warm welcomes and opportunities to learn more about how the Libraries have impacted people and where we may be able to deepen our partnerships.

Through my experience as Associate University Librarian at the University of North Carolina (UNC) Chapel Hill, I led the development of the UNC Libraries’ data science initiative to articulate how the library could contribute to campus-wide data science initiatives, as well as participated in the development of the UNC Libraries’ Reckoning Initiative. The experience I bring from UNC aligns perfectly with the aspirations of the UMass Amherst Libraries and campus to advance student success, research, and social justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, and I am working in collaboration with Library and campus leaders to outline ambitious new initiatives, partnerships, and goals to improve and expand the ways we serve our patrons and community. The Libraries are critical partners in advancing the university’s teaching, learning, and research enterprise, and I look forward to delving into these areas with my team and all of you to ensure that the Libraries be recognized as the indispensable partner we are.

I have been inspired by the meetings I’ve had with donors and friends and appreciate the incredibly generous and bold commitments of support for our mission. When I speak with people—whether alumni, students, faculty, or friends—it is evident that the Libraries have played an important role in the success of so many people at UMass Amherst. With such amazing work going on in the Libraries, I’ve asked our communications team to publish two issues of Bookmark magazine a year!

In this issue, you will meet some of our incredible donors, like Upton Bell, The Honorable Stephen Driscoll ’73, ’75MEd, and Francesca and Bill Lenville, all of whom entrusted their valuable collections to us to be used by students, faculty, and the wider community to fuel limitless learning and teaching possibilities. You will also get to meet members of our spectacular student staff. We’ve got more students on campus (and online) this semester than ever before, so a huge shout out to our team who help make the Libraries’ spaces and services open for all. We’ve featured a few of our student workers on pages 10 and 11 who inspire us every day with their energy and enthusiasm and help keep us connected to the pulse of the university.

I hope you enjoy learning more about the UMass Amherst Libraries’ work in this issue of Bookmark, and I look forward to sharing even more with you in spring!

Nandita S. Mani, PhD
Dean of University Libraries