Welcome to our first issue of this electronic newsletter! Initiated by Margherita Ligorio, our new Development Officer, we would like to share with you timely on what we are doing to serve our students and faculty and to connect with you near and far through this virtual tool.
With the start of the new semester in Fall 2020, we have welcomed students back to the campus. The Libraries became vibrant again. We have seen over 3,000 students coming to the Libraries and using the services, programs, technologies, collections, and study spaces on a daily basis. The pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges; it is indeed a new “normal”. We have been closely working with the Provost’s Office, Risk Management, Facilities Management, and other campus units to ensure the needed protocols are in place for re-opening to safe environment for our students, faculty, and staff.
After over a year of planning, designing, and implementation, the Libraries’ newly renovated facility, the Innovation & Research Commons, is in excellent shape, including the Makerspace, VR/AR Workspace, Audio Recording Studio, Adobe Creative Space, Data Space, Liquid Galaxy Visualization panels, and Technology Checkouts. While we are continuing to explore and adding new services to this list based on the needs of students and faculty, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your generous funding support that enables us to provide the first-class learning and research tools and services to our students and faculty. I am very grateful!
Please do not hesitate to let Margherita or myself know your thoughts, ideas, and advice on how we can better connect with each of you during the most challenging time. Hope that you all stay safe and well.
Shali Zhang
Dean of Libraries
