Welcome Message from the University Librarian
It is a pleasure to share the many accomplishments of the Fondren Library staff in 2022. After the past two years of planning and offering services in different formats due to the pandemic, it was wonderful to return to a more vibrant in-person environment on campus and in the library! We realized that our students and the community were eager to collaborate and gather in the library at our many events celebrating being back together again—and enjoying studying and being in the library. Library staff enjoyed supporting students through events such as study breaks and access to therapy dogs during finals.
I hope you enjoy reading this annual report focused on how the Fondren Library supports teaching and learning, provides training and access to information and collections in support of the university’s research infrastructure, supports community engagement and events through the Friends of Fondren Library, supports student success initiatives, and promotes diversity, equity and inclusion. I’m particularly proud that in the fall of 2022, the Texas Library Coalition for United Action was finally able to close out negotiations resulting in a historic agreement with the publisher Elsevier—that means lower costs and great access to Library resources.
2022 was an exciting year for the library—with approximately twenty new staff members joining the Fondren Library team. We look forward to introducing them to the university, and learning new things from them as we review our strategic plan and think about new ways to support new university initiatives.
We are grateful for the supporters of the Fondren Library, and we look forward to working together to make 2023 a wonderful year!
Sara Lowman
Vice Provost and University Librarian
Editor’s Note
In keeping with the university, Fondren Library runs a fiscal year from July 1 to June 30. Unless otherwise noted, stories and numbers in this annual report are gathered utilizing the July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2022 fiscal year. Special thanks to UX Office Assistant Keaton Abbott ‘25.