Welcome to the Spring Semester!
Dear University of Delaware Community,
Welcome to the spring semester! Whether you are returning, transferring or new to campus, we are excited to have you as part of our vibrant community. Each new semester brings opportunities to explore, learn and grow, and we are here to support you every step of the way.
I encourage you to visit the Morris Library and our three museums—the Mineralogical Museum, Old College Gallery and Mechanical Hall Gallery. These spaces are designed to inspire curiosity, foster creativity and support groundbreaking research. Whether you need a quiet corner to study, resources to fuel your research or time to reflect amidst remarkable collections, we welcome you with open doors and dedicated staff ready to assist. We look forward to greeting you either in person or virtually.
Budget Update and Strategic Adjustments
As we continue to face financial challenges across the University, I will share an update with you about the Library, Museums and Press budget for the 2024-2025 academic year. Over the past five years, we have experienced significant reductions in staffing and general operating budgets. Rising costs—particularly for library materials—necessitate additional strategic adjustments to ensure sustainability.
Effective Jan. 1, 2025, select journal and database subscriptions were canceled, including:
- Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) Journal Collection
- Sage Premier Collection (retaining the Science, Technology, and Medicine subpackage)
- Taylor and Francis journals
These changes reflect efforts to align our expenses with budget realities, continuing the approach we began with the Elsevier cancellation in 2021. We are prioritizing resources requested for teaching and research, expanding open-access alternatives and leveraging partnerships for resource sharing. Alternative access methods, such as Google Scholar, Unpaywall and Interlibrary Loan (ILL), remain available, and liaison librarians are ready to assist.
Leaving X (formerly Twitter)
We have made the decision to discontinue posting on X (formerly Twitter). While the platform was once a valuable tool for amplifying our mission, recent increases in misinformation, disinformation and other forms of speech that conflict with our institutional values have led us to reassess its alignment with our goals. Our account will remain active to preserve past content, but we are redirecting our efforts to platforms that more closely reflect our commitment to inclusivity.
Thank You
To our friends and supporters: Your generosity sustains us. Together, we ensure UD remains a place where knowledge flourishes and community grows.
Let’s make this semester one of discovery and achievement.
Warm regards,
Trevor A. Dawes
Vice Provost for Libraries and Museums
and May Morris University Librarian
University of Delaware