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From the University Librarian: Take One

This page covers issues of Take One published beginning in August 2009, for issues published prior to August 2009, please visit the TAKE ONE ARCHIVE.

Take One: September 24, 2012 (Our brother's keeper)

I thought a lot about Cain and Abel after viewing the short video that we will see this Thursday at our upcoming Library Forum on harassment and discrimination in the workplace. You may recall the story: Cain kills his brother and when God asks him where Abel is, Cain responds "Am I my brother's keeper?" This phrase has come to symbolize people's unwillingness to accept responsibility for the...

Take One: September 10, 2012 (more on supporting collections as a strategic priority)

Last week the following questions were posted to the Library Forum comment box. John Saylor and Kizer Walker provided this response and, because the issue of supporting collections has come up in the staff survey and listening sessions, I thought this exchange deserved a wider audience. I appreciate the Library Forum’s hosting of the comment box.  

Take One: September 4, 2012 (letter to faculty)

I thought you’d be interested in reading the letter that went out to all faculty late last week. I’ve heard from quite a few of them, thanking the library for this update and also the wonderful service they receive. Major kudos to all of you and a big thank you to Communications and Assessment for drafting this letter.     

Have a healthy and productive...

Take One: August 27, 2012 (a week in the life of…)

When I was a junior archivist back in St. Louis, I always wondered just what it was my boss did in her office all day. She wasn’t processing papers, working with researchers, or staffing evening hours. When I finally replaced her, I realized that her job was a lot different from mine. I quickly gained an appreciation for both the importance of what she did and the challenges she faced. So,...

Take One: August 20, 2012 (The Life Before Us)

It’s time to welcome new students to campus and what better way than to bring them together to discuss a wonderful book. This year’s new student reading selection is a real gem. The Life Before Us, by Romain Gary, is the story of an orphaned Arab boy, Momo, and his devotion to Madame Rosa, a dying 68-year-old, 220 lb. survivor of Auschwitz and retired “lady of the night.” Their love...

Take One: July 30, 2012 (on Discovery & Access)

Thanks to all of you who were able to attend last week’s All Staff Meeting. I really appreciated the Q&A portion of the meeting and would appreciate any thoughts you might have on how we can build on that time to engage more fully. For those of you who were unable to attend the meeting, the PowerPoint presentation is available at...

Take One: July 23, 2012 (preview of upcoming all staff meeting)

This week we will hold two All Staff Meetings, the first of which is scheduled for today at 2:00-3:30 in G-10 Biotech and will be repeated on Tuesday, July 24, 9:30-11:00, also in G-10 Biotech. We’ll be updating you on our current Priority Objectives as well as next steps in moving the Strategic Plan forward. Managers’ Council has been analyzing and discussing...

Take One: July 16, 2012 (Annual Report to the Provost)

The FY2011/2012 annual report to the Provost is now available on Staff Web at: http://staffweb.library.cornell.edu/annualreport. It follows an outline provided by the Provost’s office and details the amazing amount of work and accomplishments you all have contributed to this past year.

Take One: July 2, 2012 (on Myanmar)

Last week I had the honor and privilege of participating in an international roundtable organized jointly by the Myanmar Academy of Arts and Sciences and the Open Society Foundations, established by investor and philanthropist George Soros. This event would not have been possible even a year ago, but its occurrence reflects how the opening up of Myanmar under the new president is beginning to...

Take One: June 25, 2012 (on virtual browsing)

A common lament by students and faculty is that as more material goes online or out to the annex they are not able to do physical shelf browsing. Never mind that related content might well be dispersed across a range of locations on campus (consider social science materials, which are located in nine different libraries) and relevant materials such as dvds, websites, e-books, and primary...