May 12, 2025

In This Issue:

• 2025 WRLC Annual Meeting: Agenda and Zoom Link
• WRLC Committee Structure for FY 2026-2029: Call for Nominations
• WRLC Welcomes Jamie Kutzuba
• Stay Connected: Join the New WRLC Events Listserv!
• WRLC Job Listings

Mark your Calendars! The WRLC Annual Meeting will take place virtually from May 20th-22nd, 2025, hosted via Zoom.

This year’s lineup reflects a wide range of topics from artificial intelligence and instructional design to student engagement and campus outreach. Whether you're a librarian, administrator, or library staff member, the 2025 WRLC Annual Meeting offers something for everyone.

View details about this year’s presentations at https://www.libraries.wrlc.org/2025-wrlc-annual-meeting/agenda. You may also use the Zoom link listed in this article to attend all sessions.

Day 1 — Tuesday, May 20: Keynote and Presentations

11:00 AM — WRLC Update
12:00 PM — Keynote: AI Competencies for Academic Library Workers
1:00 PM — Intellectual Freedom Update 2025
1:25 PM — Harnessing AI for Research: Explore, Experiment, and Engage
2:00 PM — ProQuest and Anti-Quest: What's Next for Perpetual Access?
2:25 PM — "Do Students Even Know This Exists?": Creative (and Cheap) Ways to Get Real Feedback on Library Services

Day 2 — Wednesday, May 21: Presentations

10:00 AM — Alma Analytics on the Web
10:25 AM — Sustainable, Snappy, Strategic: Info Tips for Library Outreach and Instruction
11:00 AM — Creating an AI Toolkit for Instructional Librarians
11:25 AM — Handle with Care: Practicing Humane Leadership in Special Collections and Academic Libraries
1:00 PM — Taste Test: Engaging the UDC Community in Hands-On Exploration of Gen AI Tools
1:25 PM — What is Undergraduate Research? Bridging the Gap Between Libraries and the Undergraduate Research Office
2:00 PM — Standardizing English 101 Library Instruction at Catholic University Libraries
2:25 PM — Incorporating Civic Engagement into a Librarian’s Role

Day 3 — Thursday, May 22: Final Day of Presentations

10:00 AM — Building a Culturally Responsive Zine Collection
10:25 AM — Critical Friendship: Peer-Mentoring for Professional and Scholarly Success
11:00 AM — "You’ve made yourselves invaluable": Updates from UDC’s Embedded Librarian Program
11:25 AM — Rethinking Student Worker Training for the Information Desk
1:00 PM — "Bueller? Bueller...?": A Case Study in Tackling Student Staff Absenteeism and Supporting Coverage Needs
1:25 PM — Edible Book Festival: Appetizing Outreach for Any Library
2:00 PM — Nobody Likes the Couches (and Other Important Lessons): Space Assessment in the New UDC Library
2:25 PM — A Review of the Open@WRLC Faculty Course Transformation Pilot Program

As we move toward commencements and the close of the fiscal year, it’s time to begin planning for the committees that will work on the Strategic Plan recently approved by WRLC’s Board of Directors. That process will begin with a call for membership. Using the form linked below, you have the opportunity to nominate yourself or a colleague to serve on one of 6 committees. While the names of the committees will be mostly familiar, each has a new charge and redefined strategic initiatives.

The nomination form includes background information on the WRLC Strategic Plan, the committee structure and assumptions, and a general timeline. In addition, Kim Armstrong and Aaron Krebeck will be presenting the plan at the introduction to the WRLC Annual Meeting at 11:00 AM on 5/20. Thanks to all who have served this year. In your final meetings, please complete a year-end update for the Library Directors Council including any questions or requests for clarification about the committee work for next year.  

Please complete the nomination form by June 1st.

On June 1, 2025, Jamie Kutzuba will join the WRLC staff as Library Systems Supervisor.

Jamie is currently a Product Manager for Alma at Clarivate/Ex Libris, and has held positions at the company since 2018. Previously she was Systems Librarian at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. Jamie holds a B.A. in Asian Studies from Carleton College, and a MS in Library and Information Science from Syracuse University.

"We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Jamie, a true tech-savvy problem solver with a collaborative mindset. Jamie's deep knowledge of academic libraries and integrated library systems align with WRLC's strategic priorities. Her energy and insight will be a huge asset to WRLC," said Kim Armstrong, Executive Director.

We’re excited to announce a new communication tool designed specifically for our library community: the WRLC Events Google Group listserv. This platform is your go-to source for sharing and receiving timely updates on events relevant to our consortium.

Why Join?

While our monthly newsletter keeps you informed, events and opportunities can pop up at any time. The WRLC Events listserv ensures you are always in the loop. Whether it’s a hands-on workshop, an insightful webinar, or a collaborative networking event, you’ll be the first to know.

How It Works:

• Timely Updates: Receive email notifications about events as they are announced.

• Community Engagement: Easily share your own events and insights with fellow library staff across the consortium.

• Easy to Join: Simply visit https://groups.google.com/a/wrlc.org/g/events/about and sign up: it’s quick and straightforward! If your organization is not on the Google Workspace platform, email Joel Shields at shields@wrlc.org to request to be added.

Your Participation Matters

Your active involvement directly impacts our community. By joining and contributing to the listserv, you help create the opportunity to share your expertise, ask questions, and learn about new initiatives from colleagues across the consortium.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect and collaborate. Join the WRLC Events listserv today and be a part of our engaged, dynamic library community.

• Reference and User Services Librarian — Catholic University DuFour Law Library

• Head of Digital Initiatives — Georgetown Law Library

• Collections Strategist — The George Washington University

• Research Services Librarian for Business and Data — The George Washington University

• Data Services Librarian — The George Washington University

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