Libraries Merger Steering Committee

Purpose

The Libraries Merger Steering Committee is charged with reviewing all aspects of the currently separate units of Academic Library Services and Laupus Health Sciences Library in order to make recommendations as to how they can operate under a single administrative umbrella beginning July 1, 2026.

Objectives

  1. Operational Review: Evaluate all aspects of Academic Library Services and Laupus Health Sciences Library separate existences to inform your recommendation of the most effective way to operationalize a merged unit. The committee will work through the fall semester toward a completed report and recommendations to the Provost by February 1, 2026. During this time, the committee should carefully examine administrative structures, technology / systems, resources, policy / procedures, collections, staffing, and the unique features of each unit, while keeping goals of streamlining resources, reducing redundancies, and maintaining the continuity of patron services in mind. 
  2. Recommendation of Outcome: The committee shall produce a final report, including a description of their work and actionable recommendations on the proposed governance and structure of the new unit (including organizational chart and provisional code), plans for library resources, addressing anticipated challenges or concerns, communication planning, etc. More information about the proposed timeline is below. 
  3. Creation of a Proposed Implementation Timeline: The final recommendations shall include a proposed timeline February – July 2026 describing the steps toward the completion of the recommendations and the debut of the merged unit (effective July 1, 2026). Detail the resources needed and specific outcomes at each step. 
  4. Report Identified Efficiencies: As part of the report, the committee should specifically identify efficiencies anticipated as a result of the merger (administrative costs, shared services, etc.). 

Members

 The committee shall be co-chaired by Directors Lewis and Ketterman and includes representative members from each unit. 

  • Beth Ketterman, Co-Chair; Director, Laupus Health Sciences Library 
  • Jan Lewis, Co-Chair; Director, Academic Library Services 
  • John Acord, University Library Technician, Laupus Health Sciences Library 
  • Meghan Croll, Special Collections Cataloger, Academic Library Services 
  • Courtney Horns, Business Officer, Laupus Health Sciences Library 
  • Megan Inman, Collection Development Librarian, Laupus Health Sciences Library 
  • John Lawrence, Assistant Director, Special Collections, Academic Library Services 
  • Charlene Loope, Head, TRC, Academic Library Services 
  • Ashley Moore, Head, Administrative Services, Academic Library Services 
  • Mary Roby, Assistant Director of User Services, Laupus Health Sciences Library 
  • Marlena Rose, Assistant Director of Collections and Historical Services, Laupus Health Sciences Library 
  • Roger Russell, Associate Director, Laupus Health Sciences Library 
  • Mark Sanders, Assistant Director, Public Services, Academic Library Services 
  • Joseph Thomas, Assistant Director, Collection Management and Scholarly Communication 

Timeline

The task force will convene in September, 2025, with a final report and recommendations due to the Provost by February 1, 2026. The final report and recommendations shall include a proposed timeline to begin February 2026 and complete the successful merger of the units by July 1, 2026.