This is the time of year when we try to assess our progress over the past academic year. I'm pleased to report we've had many successes.

In our September 2006 newsletter, I outlined changes at the Library to address issues raised in our 2006 LibQUAL+ survey. "Library As Place" was our biggest concern and I’m happy to report that our 2006-2007 building usage statistics indicate a 40% increase over last year. I would attribute this success to two particular projects:

First, our marketing plan, Meet Me @ McQuade, was met with enthusiastic response and increased awareness of the library as a place to be. Everyone enjoyed our posters, social nights, and contests.

Second, modest furniture changes and painted walls made the environment more appealing and comfortable. The use of the second floor atrium area for group study more than doubled this year.

Another positive sign that our plan is working is the 26% increase in circulation of library items this year. 16% more items were checked out to faculty and staff and 22% more items to students. I don’t know for sure, but I think creating a New Book Display in the foyer helped.

The most exciting ongoing project that began this academic year is the College’s capital campaign, which will focus on the library. This initiative will transform McQuade Library. I applaud President Santagati, Vice President Chuck Mollor and all of our colleagues in Institutional Advancement for their work on our behalf.

The semester isn’t over and we'll be working throughout the summer. Read on and remember to Meet Me @ McQuade!

~ Barbara Lachance

Laura entered this clever, colorful poster in our Meet Me @ McQuade poster contest.

Her poster can now be seen throughout the library and serves as our April READ poster.

McQuade Library received a donation from the Merrimack College Federal Credit Union from the proceeds of this year’s raffle in memory of Martha Wright. Martha, a beloved employee of the MCFCU, passed away this past year after a long battle with cancer.

Martha had a particular interest in children who are meeting the challenges of disability, as well as the benefits that animals and pets bring to the lives of these children.

Merrimack College offers a graduate program called: Master’s as a Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities PreK-8. McQuade Library has an Educational Resources Collection (ERC) that provides resources to support our teacher preparation programs and is open to professional educators in the wider community. The ERC contains materials that teachers use in the classroom for unit development and curriculum planning. It also houses children’s literature and special education materials.

Martha’s interest in children with special needs, as well as the therapeutic and service use of animals, fits perfectly with the mission of the ERC. To honor Martha’s memory, books and DVD’s will be added to the Educational Resources Collection dealing with these themes.

As you prepare for finals, remember that McQuade Library has a designated Silent Study area: the Periodicals Room.

Talking and cell phone use is strictly prohibited in this area. During finals week, Library staff members will try to control noise in the building as much as possible.

If you have problems studying due to disruptive activity or noise, please report it to the Circulation Desk or Reference Desk on the first floor.

The entire McQuade Library staff wishes all students the best of luck during finals!

As the Head of Circulation, I have the privilege of supervising over 19 student workers. This year 6 circulation students are graduating. Some of these students are the first class that I have been working with for all four of their years at Merrimack College.

Two workers, Charlotte Smyth and Robert Hayes, were some of my first hires four years ago. I took an opportunity to get their reflections on working at McQuade.

Both Charlotte and Robert agreed that this is the best job on campus! Robert appreciated the fact that we have realistic expectations of our student workers and realize that they are students first. Since they are both commuters, working at the library made them feel a part of the Merrimack College Community and allowed them to interact with other students, staff and faculty.

The positive changes in the library that they have witnessed over their four years include the addition of new furniture to make the library more inviting and conducive to group work, more library book displays, the library going wireless, and the addition of books on CD. They also mentioned the Meet Me @ McQuade marketing campaign.

Both Robert and Charlotte have been accepted into the Graduate School of Library & Information Science program at Simmons College in Boston. According to Charlotte, a career in libraries had not occurred to her until she started working at McQuade. Both Robert and Charlotte agree that working at the McQuade Library played a role in their academic successes here at Merrimack College. Whatever the future holds for Charlotte and Robert, we wish them much success.

~ Chris Condon

Approximately 70 people attended the April 23rd reception. This popular exhibit features students' photographic work from Kevin Salemme's FA203 "Basic Photography" course, as well as work created in other Fine Arts Directed Studies.

This exhibit will run until the end of the month.