Interim University Librarian Named - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: May 31, 2006

Interim University Librarian Named

Date: May 31, 2006

I believe that turnover of librarians on the Hattiesburg campus has also been unusually high.

Date: May 31, 2006

It's inredible that USM has kept Mary Beth Applin as long as it has. She is way too good.

Will

Date: May 31, 2006

Coast Watcher wrote:
McCormack, remember, either said nothing or was told nothing about Ken Malone's ill-conceived 2004 plan to convert a large portion of the Gulf Park library into a conference center. In either case, he didn't say anything that could be construed as even mildly critical of the plan.

McCormack knew from the beginning about the plan to use library space for the exMBA program and he did not speak out against it. When the GC faculty uncovered the plot, he disavowed any knowledge of the plan.

Date: May 31, 2006

Yes, apparently there was a salary negotiation for McCormack, and that the current director's -- you know, the one who is leaving USM to become the Dean of Libraries at Clemson, so why take her advice? -- recomendation for interim librarian was rejected by the University Adminstration.

I am led to understand he (McCormack) had a lot of unhappy faculty on the coast for the majority of his tenure, and that his new position is the result of his being good friends with Grimes. Aaaaah, cronyism is alive and well, even at the end of the Thames era. The hiring of McCormack as interim director is an ill portent indeed, both for the library and the university as a whole.

Date: Jun 1, 2006

cavortin' in davenport wrote:

I believe that turnover of librarians on the Hattiesburg campus has also been unusually high.

Has been or will be?

Seriously, after checking Babbs' lists, I see only the departure of the two heads. Why your allegation, davenport?

Date: Jun 1, 2006

Eh? wrote:

Seriously, after checking Babbs' lists, I see only the departure of the two heads. Why your allegation, davenport?

Surely someone from the library can complete the list of Thames-era library departures/resignations/retirements? It begins:

Jim Martin, Dir. of Libraries
Kay Wall, Dir. of Libraries
Dee Jones, de Grummond Curator
Ginamarie Pugliese, de Grummond Curator
Toby Graham, Head, Special Collections
Mark Danley, McCain Library Curator
Suzanne Graham
Mary Hamilton
Meg Meiman
Irmgard Wolfe
Kathy Davis

Date: Jun 1, 2006

sofa wrote:

Why your allegation, davenport? Surely someone from the library can complete the list of Thames-era library departures/resignations/retirements? It begins: Jim Martin, Dir. of Libraries Kay Wall, Dir. of Libraries Dee Jones, de Grummond Curator Ginamarie Pugliese, de Grummond Curator Toby Graham, Head, Special Collections Mark Danley, McCain Library Curator Suzanne Graham Mary Hamilton Meg Meiman Irmgard Wolfe Kathy Davis

Shelley Zeigler Hill (Gulf Coast)

Donnelle Conklin (Gulf Coast)

Hans Rasmussen--cataloger

Date: Jun 1, 2006

Librarians are extremely upset about this announcement. Look for rocky times ahead for the library and for the university.

Date: Jun 1, 2006

also from H'burg: Sarah Spencer, Laura Simpson (both in reference)

Date: Jun 1, 2006

also Jerrie Hall (from the Coast)

Date: Jun 1, 2006

Folks, these names are being passed around, but for what reason? Every department, every college, has people leaving for one reason or another. About half of the people mentioned here took retirement - cheers to them! Some took other jobs that advanced their careers, others might have opted to stay at home with kids and put careers on temporary hold, ready to launch later. All of it was voluntary, that is for sure. (I do know, these were voluntary)

What we need to do, regarding the University Librarian position, is be completely sure that a national search is arranged and completed and that all candidates are considered fairly. A sham search at this point will stink very plainly and will not be tolerated quietly... for what that is worth.

The temporary situation is what it is - not what was expected or hoped for, but reality must be dealt with. The key is that a true national search should take place, with an enticing salary, so we might bring someone in who can do a few good things for the university for decades to come.

You may not often think about the library or the position of University Librarian, but when you consider all of the students and staff members and faculty members who use library resources, including the building and web site, it is plain to see that the library does enormously influence how people navigate their way toward degrees at USM.

Date: Jun 1, 2006

I wonder if Shelby still wonders "Why do we need a library?"

(It is an actual quote as relayed to me by the person Shelby told it to.)

Date: Jun 2, 2006

I think these names are mentioned because obviously many of these people did leave (voluntarily) for some sort of reason, and everyone here would really like to see a national search conducted. Let's not lose sight of that.

Date: Jun 2, 2006

The majority of the early library departures were because of Thames. Within the first year of his "leadership" more than one third of the librarians left USM. If McCormack is in charge for long, another mass exodus could be on the way.