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Vol. 12 In this IssueDirector's CornerA new addition to the Wisconsin Music ArchivesMemorial Program for
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Director's CornerStaff changesThe past year has seen big changes at Mills Music Library. Following on the heels of the retirements of Steve Sundell and Alinda Nelson in the summer of 2005, director Geri Laudati needed to take extended disability leave beginning last November to treat recurrence of her cancer. After a long struggle, she retired in June 2006 and passed away in August. A memorial concert for Geri, held on October 28 in Music Hall, was well attended. During this transitional period, the staff has worked hard to ensure that the library’s services and collection management activities have continued with as little disruption as possible. Lisa Wettleson, who was hired by Geri to serve until a replacement was found for Steve, has taken over most of the day-to-day administrative duties for the library since Geri’s departure. Her appointment has been extended accordingly. In this capacity, she has worked to maintain Mills Library’s presence on UW library committees and to strengthen staffing of the library by hiring an LSA and in moving forward with renovation plans for the library’s physical space. In early November, a search committee was announced for Geri’s replacement. It is expected that by sometime this year a new director will be hired and assume the directorship. Hiring of a replacement for Steve will await the new director. In May 2006, Mills Library hired Ron Wiecki, a 2006 SLIS graduate and holder of master’s and doctorate degrees in musicology from UW, as Library Services Assistant-Advanced Lead. In this capacity, Ron joins the other staff librarians, concentrating on serials acquisitions, bindery operations, and management of the library’s website and databases. He also assists Lisa with selection, covering this part of her duties during her maternity leave last summer, and participated in the planning for the recent renovation and in many other aspects of the library’s operation. Renovation! During the summer, the Mills Library staff began the process of planning renovations to the library’s facilities. The old furniture and layout were in place since the 1970s and, as part of the UW library system’s efforts to upgrade both the functionality and aesthetics of the campus libraries, Mills Library had a complete renovation over the winter interim period, through the generous support of the Parents Enrichment Fund. During the late summer and early fall, the staff worked with Lerdahl Interiors to choose new carrels, desks, chairs, carpeting, and paint. These changes have updated the library’s audio and computing services, but also make studying here much more comfortable. In addition to new carrels, tables, and chairs, there is a small area with soft seating, consisting of a loveseat and five armchairs. Three of the armchairs have attached, swiveling desks. Students should find the new furniture to be not only more comfortable, but more easily reconfigurable, as well. (See the gallery of before, during, and after pictures.) Mills Library was closed during the renovation, which occurred between December 26 and January 21. Unlikely as it might sound, almost all of the work occurred on schedule and without serious setbacks. The main difficulty was that the need to rewire both the network and electrical connections for the entire space was underestimated. As a result, this was the most time-consuming of all the renovation projects. On February 16, Mills Library hosted a grand opening of our remodeled space. Many GLS staff, students, and other interested people enjoyed refreshments. |