Library - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Jun 19, 2006

Library

Date: Jun 19, 2006

Don't know the person, but maybe the priority is to not rock the boat until SFT leaves, and not risk any more funding cuts? Is this interim a candidate for the real job?

Date: Jun 19, 2006

Duh. The interim director was picked by the administration over the recommendation of the departing director and after having done at best a half fast job on the coast. Do you remember the deal where library space on the coast was "donated" to the administration to be used as class space? Don't be surprised if you see similar compromises up there in Hattiesburg.

Date: Jun 19, 2006

Thanks for the info. That's scary.

Date: Jun 19, 2006

What I heard was that he was in the process of giving away the entire stacks / books section on the second floor to Rex Gandy, who wants to place a massive math lab in the area (or at least, somewhere the library). At the very least it seems he's already in the process of parceling out physical sections of the library to FOS. In retrospect, maybe Gandy wants a massive METH lab, which would go a long way towards explaining many of their (university admin's) desicions.

Date: Jun 19, 2006

The last lecture in Organic Chem II when I took it, er, 31 years ago at USM happened to be the synthesis of methamphetamine...

Date: Jun 19, 2006

well, see, it's all starting to make sense. Everything can now be explained.

Date: Jun 19, 2006

Just how "interim" is this guy?

Date: Jun 20, 2006

Is Kay Wall still at the University?...Has she gone on leave or has she already departed and moved to Clemson?...

Date: Jun 20, 2006

Whursheat? wrote:

Is Kay Wall still at the University?...Has she gone on leave or has she already departed and moved to Clemson?...

Kay is still in town, but she is not serving as the University Librarian at this time. That is Ed McCormack's role now. Kay's job at Clemson begins the first week of July.

Date: Jun 20, 2006

He'll be as interim as Grimes and Thames require. If he does what they want, you can be assured he'll be here ad infinitum.

Date: Jun 20, 2006

Has anybody explained the phrase "short-timer" to Mr. McCormack?

There have been lots of comments about the fact that SFT should not make major changes for his successor to have to deal with. Maybe Mr. McC should keep the same principle in mind.

Date: Jun 20, 2006

The professional life expectancy of Toadies is usually short. Eventually, they get squashed.

Date: Jun 20, 2006

I heard that Headmaster Eddie is mandating that he be addressed as "Mr." McCormack by all. I have also been told that he announced a dress code for you decadent and unkempt library folks. No jean skirts anymore, ladies.

Doesn't sound like an interim to me.

The henchcrew (e.g., Grimes, the Deans, and now 'lil Eddie) have pushed the line that they are "just following orders" and "have no choice" hard for the past couple of years. The "go along to get along" nonsense is getting rancid. Grimes and his crew are willing participants and fully complicit in, and responsible for, all the grief we have endured. Sadly, many of them expect to continue in place in the next administration.

Date: Jun 20, 2006

I have heard nothing of a new dress code or a mandatory greeting, and I work at the Hattiesburg campus libraries. Perhaps I was left out? Or this hasn't happened?

Date: Jun 20, 2006

at the library wrote:

I have heard nothing of a new dress code or a mandatory greeting, and I work at the Hattiesburg campus libraries. Perhaps I was left out? Or this hasn't happened?

No, its true, Mandatory dress code has been implimented, see below

Date: Jun 20, 2006

If that were the case, I would be all for it.

Date: Jun 20, 2006

at the library wrote:

If that were the case, I would be all for it.

But what does "that" stand for, please?

Date: Jun 20, 2006

No jean SKIRTS? Surely you jest. I worked back in the hose&heels days and we could wear denim skirts. I hope this is untrue. That is a really unacceptable level of interference.

Date: Jun 20, 2006

Definitely a joke, as many postings on this board are. Please don't take every rant seriously until evidence bears it out. There are many issues that could come to light, but let us fight the battles that are true battles, rather than rumors. If a true battle appears, many will join in with serious fervor.

Date: Jun 20, 2006

I understand that he was asked about dress code were he to become University Librarian and that he commented that "denim was for after work" and that ..."it did not present a professional image." I'm sorry, but I have yet to see a dress code section in the faculty handbook mentioning specific fabrics.

Anyway, as asinine as it may seem, McCormack's obsession with blue jeans is the least of the Library's worries. Those who work at Cook have recited a laundry list of possible substantial changes in the library's focus, goals and activities - as soon as I have those substantiated, I'll post them. I do understand that he has told faculty his number 1 goal is to work "closely with the university administration."

Date: Jun 20, 2006

I too think jeans are inappropriate for some jobs, but I'm old and hark back to a more formal age.

It is surprising that the interim librarian feels free to make substantial changes at this early point. Did we see Dr. Lucas do anything like this during his time as interim, even though he was the former president? Or is Mr. Mc simply trying to change anything he can that the previous University Librarian did?

Is a search underway for a permanent librarian?

Date: Jun 20, 2006

Speaking of the "henchcrew" are any of them starting to act nervous? Job hunting? Shopping for retirement homes? Quietly putting more distance between themselves and the Big Guy?

Date: Jun 20, 2006

The chair of the search committee for the new University Librarian is Dean Pood.

No word yet on when that search will begin.

Date: Jun 21, 2006

Kicked up over SPAM.

Date: Jun 21, 2006

How many key personnel at USM are in an interim role? The associate provost on the coast is in a two year interim role. Are there others?

Date: Jun 21, 2006

at the library wrote:

I have heard nothing of a new dress code or a mandatory greeting, and I work at the Hattiesburg campus libraries. Perhaps I was left out? Or this hasn't happened?

Hasn't happened yet, but the new interim director has talked about these things individually with many librarians/staff. There is some big meeting planned for July where he is going to present changes he will make.

Seriously, he seems to be much more concerned about style than substance. He has said that he will not ask for money for new books.

He is a nice guy who is way out of his depth here. If you have a conversation with him that lasts more than 3 minutes, he will tell you how political things are around here. Yes, it is important to have a good relationship with those who have money and power, but it is equally important that someone in an interim position like this has a good understanding of substantive issues and of the organization that he is expected to lead. Also important that this leader have the confidence of those he is expected to lead and it's just not there.

Date: Jun 21, 2006

Interim Intern wrote:

How many key personnel at USM are in an interim role? The associate provost on the coast is in a two year interim role. Are there others?

The most important interim administrative position is President Shelby F. Thames, thank goodness!

Date: Jun 21, 2006

Library watcher wrote:

<cut>He is a nice guy who is way out of his depth here. If you have a conversation with him that lasts more than 3 minutes, he will tell you how political things are around here. <cut>

OMG, I hope he doesn't consider this perception to be a helpful or profound insight. Talk about belaboring the obvious.

Date: Jun 21, 2006

There is much to anticipate, and much to scrutinize here. The term "interim" seems to be lost, if reports are correct. I feel a "wait and see" attitude is needed, until reports or rumors are confirmed, but I hope the university community will speak up loudly if there is a feeling that the mission of the libraries and the university is being neglected.

Having potential radical changes occur during the summer is problematic because the normal force of faculty is not all here, unfortunately. So, again, I hope that those who are here will be vocal if things occur that are not in the best interest of the libraries and the university. We may soon see which way that wind is actually blowing. I hope it is a gentle breeze, not a hurricane. I'm really tired of hurricanes.