The Library welcomes John Shepard to his new appointment as the Head of our Music Library. John started at UCB on October 6th. He comes to us most recently from Rutgers University, where he served as the Music & Performing Arts Librarian at the Blanche and Irving Laurie Music Library. Prior to that, John was Head of the Rare Books & Manuscripts, and Curator, Toscanini Memorial Archives, Special Collections, of the Music Division of the New York Public Library. He has been very active in the Music Library Association and the International Association of Music Libraries, and in many aspects of music librarianship.

Isabel Stirling
AUL and Director of Public Services

As we move into the public phase of the Campaign for the University Library, the development office has two staff changes to announce. Deborah Maxon is our new Senior Major Gifts Officer. She manages the Library's major gift programs and corporate and foundation programs, including special initiatives and projects, volunteer and donor relations, and stewardship. She has been involved with development and public affairs for most of her career, including 6 years on the staff of a U.S. Senator and 18 years with the University of California System. Prior to joining the Library Development Office in 2008, she spent three years as a Senior Development Director in UC Berkeley’s Office of University Relations, and fifteen years in the UC Office of the President’s University and External Affairs office. Deborah is a proud alumna of UC Berkeley and the University of Wyoming. We’re thrilled to have her with us!

Sandy Tesch has a new role in the development office, as Campaign and Young Alumni Program Manager. In this capacity, she provides support for the Library's efforts to identify, cultivate and structure contributions from individuals, foundations and corporations for all levels of campaign giving. Her responsibilities include developing and implementing solicitation and marketing plans, with a special focus on young alumni.

Dave Duer
Director, Library Development

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Susan Edwards as the new Head of the Education/Psychology/Social Welfare Libraries. At Amherst College since 1992, Susan has held positions as a humanities librarian, internet/ documents librarian, and reference/library web manager librarian. She has been very active in instruction and outreach for psychology, sociology, political science, history, and education. Susan will begin her appointment on January 5, 2009.

Thank you to everyone for participating in the recruitment effort and on-campus interviews in August 2008, and special thanks to the Search Committee, chaired by Norma Kobzina (and members including Bette Anton, Brian Light, Jill Woolums, and Milt Ternberg).

Isabel Stirling
AUL & Director of Public Services

How do cells preserve or remodel their shapes in response to external forces like human disease?  In what ways was Beethoven engaged in political propaganda?  What is and what should be the relationship between African medicinal plants and U.S. pharmaceutical profits?

Consider these questions and more, and become inspired about scholarship by meeting three of Berkeley's most innovative and exciting young faculty featured in the new Faculty Spotlight exhibit which opened in Moffitt Library's lobby on August 6.   The work and inspirations of Professors Sanjay Kumar (Bioengineering), Abena Osseo-Asare (History), and Nicholas Mathew (Music) are highlighted in this exhibit, co-curated by campus librarians Lynn Jones and Pat Davitt Maughan and designed by Library Exhibits Coordinator, Aisha Hamilton.

Bioengineer and M.D. Kumar helps students better understand how the human body exhibits the laws of chemistry and physics in basic processes, like breathing, in ways that are as elegant and beautiful as a symphony.  Musician Mathew helps students recognize how deeply music affects us is therefore a powerful force in influencing our political loyalties and emotions.  Historian Osseo-Asare helps students make sense of the African continent by examining films, novels and readings that bring Africa's past to life.  All three share the common goal of guiding students in becoming better informed citizens capable of understanding complex and interdisciplinary topics.

Find out what attracted them to their fields and the books they recommend to undergraduates, and why through the Faculty Spotlight Exhibit.

Moffitt Library Lobby
August 6 through December 22, 2008

Doe/Moffitt Instructional Services welcomes Char Booth, who began September 8, 2008 as an E-Learning librarian. She comes to Berkeley from Ohio University, where she worked as a Reference and Instruction Librarian and Communications bibliographer. In addition to her Bachelors of History from Reed College and Masters of Science in Information Studies from University of Texas at Austin, Char recently completed a Masters of Education in Instructional Technology at Ohio University. Her experience with tutorial development, e-reference, web interface design, instructional design, and digital collection development, among other areas, will all be welcome here as we implement changes suggested by New Directions. Char’s contributions to the profession have been recognized by the American Library Association, who selected her for the Emerging Leaders program in 2007, and by Library Journal, which named her one of 2008’s “Movers & Shakers.” Char’s new phone number is 643-1636 and email is cbooth. Please join me in welcoming Char to her new position! Jennifer Dorner Doe/Moffitt Instructional Services