From the Director

Bibliotech Fall 2021

Photo: Shawn G. Henry

After a year and a half of supporting MIT research and learning by providing remote services and ongoing access to both digital and tangible content, we were finally able to welcome the community back into our physical spaces this fall. Students, faculty, and staff were eager to return to library spaces, and none more so than the transformed Hayden Library and Building 14 Courtyard. I’m pleased to share some beautiful views of these dynamic, welcoming, light-filled spaces in this issue of Bibliotech.

The renovation wasn’t the only large, complex project that we realized this year — in July we launched Search Our Collections, a new library search platform. This was a launch three years in the making, and I’m grateful to the many staff involved. Our entire MIT community — and beyond — will be the beneficiaries of this hard work, with a greatly improved experience discovering and accessing our rich collections.

Deputy Director Tracy Gabridge ‘88 has been one of the steady hands guiding us through the many opportunities, challenges, and complex initiatives of the last several years; she will be sorely missed as she retires from the Libraries this fall after more than 20 years. I know I speak for many of my colleagues when I say that I have relied greatly on Tracy’s knowledge of MIT and of the Libraries, her keen strategic insights, and her unwavering commitment to the organization and its vision.

Whether we’re enabling a better experience in our physical spaces or searching our collections online, the Libraries are able to pursue our most urgent priorities with the support of our loyal donors. Your generosity is a gift to the whole MIT community. Thank you.

 

Chris Bourg signature

 

 

 

 

 

All my best,
Chris Bourg, PhD