How about that InfoForum!

logo for a lecture seriesMany thanks to those who responded to our survey last month. The feedback was very helpful in guiding our planning efforts for the coming year. With that in mind, a little review is in order.

Wade Moricle and I were asked to consider a new approach to the InfoForum last summer. After completing an initial survey to discern the issues with the previous iteration (timing conflicts w/standing meetings, lack of content, too long, etc.), we chose a format of three speakers (one each from the Library, IT, and non-LITS Emory), each with fifteen minutes of presentation and five minutes of Q&A. We also varied the day and time to allow flexibility around standing meetings, and offered light snacks.

Once we had a plan, we booked speakers based on availability, current projects, and hot topics for eight InfoForums. Attendance was very good, and the latest survey yielded a net promoter score of 55, which was a whopping 136 points higher than last year. The pilot year with the new format proved successful, and we want to move forward with your latest feedback.

One recurring question: How are speakers selected? Last summer, we made lists of potential speakers based on current projects, future direction, important messages and special highlights for the Library, IT and Emory. We curated all eight sessions and approached speakers well in advance to enhance publicity, communications and engagement.

Once underway, we received several requests to speak – some of which we were able to accommodate with last-minute cancellations. We kept a running waitlist and are carrying it over to the Fall.

You too can be a speaker at the InfoForum as the scheduling effort is only just beginning. Your participation is welcome and invited. Please contact Wade or me to let us know of your interest.

See you in September!

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LEAF Ice Cream Social July 25

Due to the generosity of our Dean and University Librarian Yolanda Cooper, and on the occasion of National Hot Fudge Sundae Day, LEAF is hosting an Ice Cream Social on Thursday, July 25 at 2:00 pm in the Jones room. The ice cream, non-dairy sorbet, and toppings will come from the the Decatur-based gourmet shop Butter & Cream. Come and enjoy cool treats while catching up with your co-workers.

As always, we welcome your feedback about anything in the library through our online feedback form located here: http://bit.ly/LEAF-form. Or tell us directly at the event!

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Sam Keller, Enterprise Middleware Admin II, Web Management

“This department has a good bunch of guys. It’s quite a change from my previous work.” – Sam Keller

Sam Keller joined the Web Management team this year as a new enterprise middleware admin II. He has been working on hosting Cascade and the Wiki confluence. Also has started to work on the cloud infrastructure migration planning project (CIMP). Sam came to Emory after spending over three years at General Motors as a systems admin.

Sam was born in California but grew up in Duluth, GA. He received a bachelor’s degree in information technology from Georgia Southern.

He loves to travel, having visited Europe and Australia. His favorite destinations were the Great Barrier Reef, the Netherlands and Iceland. Sam likes to watch movies and is an avid reader.

“This department has a good bunch of guys. It’s quite a change from my previous work,” says Sam. “I really like them and I’m learning a lot.”

You can reach him at samuel [dot] keller [at] emory [dot] edu.

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Gautham Reddy, South Asian Studies Librarian, Emory Libraries

“During my field work in India, I developed a passion for preserving and curating at-risk archives in Indian languages.” – Gautham Reddy

Gautham Reddy (pronounced GOW-thum) has joined the International Area Studies Team as the new South Asian studies librarian. Previously he taught course on South Asian studies and religion at the University of Chicago, while studying as a PhD student. Gautham also worked for the University of Chicago Library as a research and cataloguing assistant and served as a volunteer archivist for the South Asian American Digital Archive.

Born in Breaux Bridge, LA, Gautham was raised in Minneapolis, MN. He received his bachelor’s degree in Asian studies and religious studies from St. Olaf College and his master’s degree in history of religion from the University of Chicago Divinity School. Soon, he will defend his PhD dissertation on Telugu literary culture and the history of print in colonial south India at the University of Chicago’s Department of South Asian Languages and Civilizations.

Gautham loves to travel, having recently returned from a trip to Morrocco. He is a vegetarian and loves to experiment with a variety of foods in the kitchen. Gautham has studied multiple languages, including Sanskrit, Telugu, Hindi, and Urdu.

“During my field work in India, I developed a passion for preserving and curating at-risk archives in Indian languages,” says Gautham. “I am excited about making these endangered materials accessible to a larger audience and thinking about how they shape our ideas of South Asian history.”

You can reach him at gmreddy [at] emory [dot] edu.

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Tom Sedlack, Director, Application Development and Integration, University Information Technology

“What really excited me about Emory was the Emory purpose.” – Tom Sedlack

Tom Sedlack is the new director of application development and integration in UIT. Prior to joining Emory, Tom spent 14 years at SunTrust, most recently as a product delivery manager and previously as an enterprise architect. Tom began his career at AT&T as a developer and has also worked for GMAC Insurance, Delta, and Bell South.

Born in Crawford Long Hospital (now Emory Midtown) and raised in Atlanta, Tom attended UGA, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science.

Tom’s free time revolves around being a husband, father of three, grandfather of four, and of course catering to his 100-plus-pound labradane Otis. “Family is important.” Tom’s favorite time is the annual family vacation to the beach. “Watching my BullDawgs comes in a close second.”

“What really excited me about Emory was the Emory purpose,” says Tom. “Coming from the corporate world, it felt like I was making rich people richer. Here, we are saving lives and assisting the university. It really intrigued me.”

You can reach him at tom [dot] sedlack [at] emory [dot] edu.

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Pet of the Week: Toby!

After more than a decade without a dog, I was finally ready to find a new companion. The adoption process can be fraught, but I was too jealous of all my neighbors and coworkers to let that stand in my way. With a small house and a long workday, I needed a pup to match some specific criteria. A little research presented me with the perfect option – the Greyhound.

It turns out that these “40-mph couch potatoes” aren’t easy to come by. Adopt-A-Greyhound Atlanta, our local organization, hadn’t had any retired racers come through in several months. But after months of persistent calling, I got the notice that some furry friends were headed our way, and I went to Stone Mountain as soon as I could.

I knew when I saw him that he was the one! Perfect in every way except one – his name. “Dutch Reagan” wasn’t going to fly. So with a new life ahead of him, he got a new one – TOBY!

After a few snips here and there, Toby arrived at home just shy of his fourth birthday, with tattooed ears and a birth certificate in tow. My new buddy and I shared a hometown (Jacksonville, FL), where he raced at the track that was a landmark throughout my childhood.

I’m still learning plenty about my wonder dog, but so far I know that he’s a 75-pound bundle of anxious love, which makes him very easy to relate to. He runs to the window to watch me depart for work each day, and is quite friendly with the legions of admirers we encounter all over town. Other dogs are a different story; he’s opposed to any bark in his direction. He’s decidedly retired and doesn’t seem to enjoy moving faster than a stroll.

Although he has about 15 minutes of wild energy in him each day, he loves a good couch and spends a great deal of time exploring new and amusing poses of relaxation. I’m amazed at how quickly he’s adapted, and inspired by how he demands attention but rarely makes a sound.

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LITS recent headlines and upcoming events

Headlines & Events graphic banner


Recent LITS headlines:

Upcoming LITS events:

(go HERE for more information for each event)

  • July 25 – Event: LEAF Ice Cream Social, 2:00 – 3:00 pm, Jones Room, Woodruff Library
  • August 7 – Event: LEAF Coffee Hour, 10:00 – 11:00 am, Jones Room, Woodruff Library
  • August 15 – Event: Punk’s Not Dead, 6:00 – 8:00 pm, Level 1, Woodruff Library
  • August 28 – Classes Begin
  • August 30 – September 1 – Event: Decatur Book Festival
  • September 12 – Event: LEAF Coffee Hour, 10:00 – 11:00 am, Calhoun Room, Health Science Library, optional tours available
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