2023-2024 ANNUAL REPORT | Issue No. 7
About Temple Libraries
Temple University Libraries serves the Temple community and beyond, including more than 30,000 students, and over 2,000 full-time faculty, researchers, and visitors on Main, Center City, Rome, Japan, and Health Sciences campuses. We are committed to providing research and learning services, offering open access to our facilities and information resources, and fostering innovation and experimentation. Our collections hold millions of physical and digital titles, thousands of print and online journal subscriptions, and hundreds of research databases. We also collect, preserve, and provide access to a broad universe of special collections, including rare books, manuscripts, archives, photographs, and more. As part of our library enterprise, the award-winning Temple University Press supports our mission to advance learning and scholarship. Visit our website at library.temple.edu.
Message from the Dean
December 1, 2024
Dear friends,
The diligent work and effort of our staff here at Temple University Libraries and University Press is showcased in this year’s annual report. Temple University faced a challenging year, like many higher education institutions. Nevertheless, it continues to thrive through various new initiatives on campus, including scholarship programs and discussions focused on technology, climate change, and sustainability, among others.
This report includes highlights from our 2023 and 2024 fiscal years, including major news items, new publications, special collections acquisitions, statistics about the Libraries, and more! We have continued to grow and share our special collections, publish over 40 new Temple University Press titles, and offer a wide range of public programs, workshops, and exhibits. This report also highlights new and ongoing library initiatives as well as projects, including those related to promoting open access and scholarship, understanding the banning of books, and data-driven work that is connected to instruction, library reference, and collections.
As our communities recover from the pandemic, libraries serve as a social connector and important space for people to come together and access services, resources, and support in new and innovative ways. I am particularly proud of the work our library staff has accomplished these past two years to serve students, faculty, staff, researchers, and members of the Philadelphia community as we return to normalcy. Their dedication and passion is an inspiration to us all.
Looking towards the future, we are excited about upcoming projects and hope to continue our trailblazing work on and off Temple’s campuses.
With warm regards,
Joe Lucia
Dean of University Libraries
Major News Round Up
Temple University Libraries and University Press’ reach extends well beyond its walls by reaching places close to home as well as across seas. In this report, we highlight ways in which the Libraries continue to be a pillar of excellence in interdisciplinary research, collaborative facilities, and innovative endeavors across our campuses and the globe! This year’s annual report theme embarks on a journey of discovering our local and global impact. 2023 and 2024 have been challenging times, yet Temple Libraries and its patrons radiate enthusiasm and energy for what is yet to come through diverse partnerships and unique solutions to divided issues.
New Acquisitions & Grants
North Philly:
In 2022, Temple University Libraries received a generous grant of $75,000 from the McLean Contributionship. As a result of the grant, we were able to leverage this support in order to seek and receive additional funding from a number of individual donors and philanthropic organizations, including the Albert M. Greenfield Foundation, which established the Albert M. Greenfield Digital Preservation Endowment in 2023. This grant advanced the Libraries digital preservation initiatives. The McLean Contributionship endowment fund was specifically designated to support preservation efforts ensuring the long-term viability and accessibility of our digital and digitized archival materials.
The Albert M. Greenfield Digital Preservation Endowment will play a crucial role to help ensure that the Libraries are equipped to preserve the Special Collection Research Center’s (SCRC) deep and broad rare materials through important digital preservation methods. The Albert M. Greenfield Digital Preservation Endowment supports the programming, cataloging, and digitization of the Libraries’ interdisciplinary collections important to the civic history of Philadelphia and aligns with the mission of the SCRC of preserving and providing access to rare materials for learning and researching.
Temple Libraries also received a generous $200,000 grant from the Mellon Foundation through their Text and Data Mining: Demonstrating Fair Use grant program. From that grant Temple University Libraries' Loretta C. Duckworth Scholars Studio and the English Department in the College of Liberal Arts have been collaborating on the project, “The Representation Lab: A Case Study in Banned Books.” This focused on conducting a model project in developing a research lab on cultural representation by digitizing and analyzing the diverse set of books recently banned by schools and libraries across the United States. A resulting banned books dataset has led to multiple analytical projects about the cover designs and textual features characteristic of the books that are frequent censorship targets. Three of our students leading the project, SaraGrace Stefan, Sydney Grimm, and Abigail Corcelli, described elements of the Mellon-funded work over a series of blog posts on the Loretta C. Duckworth Scholars Studio website: https://sites.temple.edu/tudsc/2024/05/01/climbing-a-mountain-of-books-with-distant-reading-part-1-of-the-banned-books-project/
In 2024, Temple University's Ambler Campus Library celebrated a significant milestone with the successful integration of the Ambler Library and Information Technology Services, resulting in the creation of the Information Commons in the Ambler Learning Center. On February 22, 2024, the campus community gathered for a historic ribbon-cutting ceremony to inaugurate this state-of-the-art facility, which featured new movable shelving systems, contemporary furniture, and an optimized layout. A major highlight was the return of a vast collection of books from Charles Library, relocated following the 2021 tornado that impacted the Ambler Campus. To better serve the campus community, it operates with extended hours from Monday to Saturday, fostering an environment conducive to creativity and collaboration. The establishment of the Information Commons marks a significant step forward in Temple University's commitment to providing cutting-edge resources and fostering a dynamic learning environment at its Ambler Campus.
In 2024, the Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection at Temple University welcomed Nubia Vicky Wardford Polk as a project archivist, marking an impactful enhancement to the team's expertise. Nubia, a doctoral candidate in Temple's Department of Africology and African American Studies, brings valuable experience in historical archaeology, African and African Diaspora history, and collection management to her role. Her appointment was made possible through a grant from the Getty Foundation’s African American Visual Arts Archives initiative, providing a two-year grant to support the preservation of the John W. Mosley Photograph Collection. Nubia's primary responsibilities include metadata creation, rehousing of negatives, and digitization of the Mosley archive. Her diverse background, including positions at the Charles H. Wright Museum, Gordon Grosscup Anthropology Museum, and Henry Ford Museum positioned her well to contribute to the Blockson Collection's mission of preserving and promoting African American cultural heritage.
Global:
Temple Libraries main and Japan campus libraries have long accessed similar electronic resources, such as the online catalog, databases, and ebooks. This past year collaboration between the two libraries achieved new heights with increased staff engagement. Two Japan campus librarians visited main campus in December 2023 for an information exchange with main campus colleagues. The two libraries now work together to cover the other’s live chat services during their respective late-night closures, facilitated by a time zone difference of 12 hours. In addition to exploring new ways to achieve efficiencies and maximize resources, we aim to collaborate in order to learn from each other and implement best practices.
TUScholarShare serves as Temple University's institutional repository, designed to support the community in sharing, promoting, and archiving a diverse array of scholarly works resulting from research and teaching. This platform aims to make Temple scholarship freely accessible online to a global audience, thereby advancing knowledge and learning. Currently, TUScholarShare is widely used in non-native English-speaking countries like China, Germany, Bulgaria, India, and the Philippines. This year alone we have surpassed 2 million+ downloads from 160+ countries since our 2020 launch and deposited 1,696 new items––an almost 90% increase from last year. In the last two years, Temple University Libraries expanded their offerings by adding two new data repository options: the Qualitative Data Repository (QDR) in 2023 and Dryad in 2024. These repositories enhance the ability of Temple researchers to deposit, share, and preserve their data effectively. The addition of QDR provides specialized support for qualitative and mixed-method research data, while Dryad serves as a generalist data repository that accommodates datasets across all disciplines. Both repositories are essential for fulfilling funding agency requirements for data sharing and contribute significantly to the visibility and impact of Temple's research outputs.
The Fourth Annual Temple University Health System Nursing Research & Evidence Based Practice Conference, held on April 19, 2024 at the Student Faculty Center on the Health Sciences Campus, marked a significant milestone in promoting and disseminating the remarkable work of nurses. Under the theme "Refresh Your Goals," the conference attracted nurses, nursing faculty, and nursing students from throughout the region and internationally, reinvigorating their spirit of inquiry. Librarians Will Dean and Travis Nace, council members of the Evidence and Research-Based Practice Council, played a pivotal role in orchestrating the event, meticulously reviewing over 40 abstracts for posters and panel presentations. The Ginsburg Health Science Library maintained a strong presence through their informative table, where attendees engaged with knowledgeable librarians, and later in the day, Jenny Pierce and Courtney Eger presented an insightful breakout session on "Writing a Successful Abstract for Poster or Podium Presentations."
Public Programming & New Exhibitions
North Philly:
In March 2024, we opened a new exhibit on the 4th Floor of Charles Library in the quiet reading room called Temple Faculty Authored Books. The exhibition showcases a diverse selection of publications by Temple faculty authors, encompassing around 70 titles spanning various fields such as Bibliography, Library Science and Information Resources, Education, Fine Arts, Geography, Anthropology and Recreation, History of the Americas, Language and Literature, Law, Medicine, Music, and many more. You can view a detailed list of faculty authored books here.
The 2023 fall exhibit, Portraits of Philadelphia, explored the images of two photographers, Joseph V. Labolito and Jim MacMillan, as they traveled around Philadelphia, photographing unique human experiences and fleeting moments in the city. Joseph V. Labolito’s career in photography began in 1977. For the past 27 years he has worked as Senior Photographer for Temple University. Labolito documented the areas where he grew up and the places he frequented, capturing a deeply personal and authentic perspective of Philadelphia, from the 1980s through the 2000s. Jim MacMillan is the Founder and Director of the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting and its parent organization, the Initiative for Better Gun Violence Reporting, as well as Assistant Director of the Logan Center for Urban Investigative Reporting at Klein College. During his prior photojournalism career, MacMillan spent 17 years at the Philadelphia Daily News and worked for The Associated Press in Boston and in Baghdad during the war in Iraq, for which his team was awarded The Pulitzer Prize.
Research Data Services (RDS) successfully collaborated with various Library departments and external partners to deliver an impactful Love Data Week (LDW) in 2024. Key highlights included a keynote presentation on subjectivity and care in qualitative research by a Criminal Justice faculty member, co-hosted with the Qualitative Data support group, as well as a webinar on ethical sharing of qualitative data presented by the Associate Director of the Qualitative Data Repository. These collaborative efforts and innovative programming contributed to a diverse and engaging Love Data Week, furthering the Library's mission to support data literacy and research excellence across the university community.
Building Our Open Culture
Temple University Libraries is dedicated to advancing the adoption and use of open publications for learning and research. Open publications, including scholarly journals and monographs, along with course materials, are freely available and may offer unique permissions for re-use and modification by educators at no or low costs to the institution and students. Each year, Temple Libraries celebrates Open Access (Oct. 23-29) and Open Education Week (Feb. 26-Mar. 1) to promote the benefits of a campus culture of openness. For Open Access Week, the Scholarly Communication Strategic Steering Team engaged students with a "Which costs more?" quiz, which shed light on the cost of the Libraries' subscription resources, and showcased six faculty open access advocates on slides around campus. In addition to multiple workshops on textbook affordability and open scholarship, Open Education Week featured a fun event, Waffle OPEN House, that invited Temple faculty to Charles Library for breakfast refreshments and an opportunity to meet our staff Open Education Group.
Global:
Temple University Libraries hosted a "Grand Challenges" Faculty Conversation on March 20, 2024, bringing together seven esteemed faculty members to share their insights on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within their respective disciplines and classrooms. The panel highlighted the critical importance of understanding the power of AI technologies and how they can be best utilized in educational and professional settings. The discussion covered various perspectives, including AI in the Arts, AI in Management, and Communicating about AI. The Libraries foster partnerships and collaborate with experts as well as diverse stakeholders from all corners of the campus. As we tackle the challenges of managing AI, these discussions are crucial for advancing our research community. By bringing diverse perspectives together, the Libraries facilitate an environment for growth and collaborative problem-solving in this rapidly evolving field. Overall, the panel discussion underscored the urgency for universities to proactively engage with the evolving landscape of AI and empower faculty, students, and the broader community to navigate this transformative shift effectively.
On April 26, 2024, the Loretta C. Duckworth Scholars Studio hosted its first-ever Electronics Faire. The event was a resounding success, featuring a diverse array of activities and presentations throughout the day. The morning part of the faire included 10 engaging talks from artists, researchers, and practitioners working with and writing about electronics in innovative ways. The all-day walk-through faire showcased seven local Philadelphia organizations working with electronics, including PAR Recycle Works, Philly Community Wireless, and Philly Typewriter, providing attendees with a unique opportunity to learn about the vibrant electronics community in the city. In the afternoon, John Pettit of the SCRC led two well-attended tours of the A/V archiving studios, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the preservation of important electronic media. Complementing the informative talks and exhibits, the event also featured six hands-on workshops covering a range of topics, such as flashing custom games onto Gameboy cartridges, analog video feedback, electronics synth soldering, and making radios out of discarded MP3 players. The workshops were a huge hit, with 90 participants engaging in these interactive and educational activities.
This spring Temple University Libraries launched an inspiring new public programming series called A Time to Act: Responses to the Climate Crisis Within and Beyond the University. This series focused on various discussions about creating a sustainable and environmentally equitable university campus and community. Throughout the semester, topics related to climate action in the university and beyond were discussed, including Temple’s sustainability research agenda, and how we can translate climate scholarship for local impact. Students, researchers, faculty, and staff came together to discuss this imperative topic.
Our spring exhibit, The Art of the Book, in the 1st Floor Exhibit Space in Charles Library, highlighted various artwork housed in the Special Collections Research Center. Organized through a curatorial collaboration between graduate students from the Tyler School of Art and Architecture, the exhibition examined how the format of the book has been treated across time and geography. The 40 diverse examples featured in this show challenged our preconceived notions and expanded upon our definitions of this type of object. Melding illustration, painting, object-making, calligraphy, and storytelling, the objects featured in The Art of the Book transmit a robust sense of time, place, and identity.
Press Publications:
The Press published 41 books and 2 journal issues this past year. Out of those 41 titles, our Director of the Press was particularly thrilled about our notable regional titles which include:
- Queering Rehoboth Beach: Beyond the Boardwalk, which was called a “tour de force of micro-history at its best” by Library Journal
- Black History in the Philadelphia Landscape, which was subject of a lengthy feature in the Philadelphia Inquirer
- Work, Fight, or Play Ball: How Bethlehem Steel Helped Baseball's Stars Avoid World War I, which was the subject of a review featured in the Wall Street Journal
Notable scholarly titles included
- Taking Stock of Homicide, a state-of-the-field toolkit for the study of homicide and violent crime
- Play to Submission, a study of how a Big 5 tech firm's use of workplace games takes advantage of gaming culture to exploit highly skilled employees
- Toni Morrison and the Geopoetics of Place, Race, and Be/longing, by noted scholar and former president of the Toni Morrison Society, Marilyn Sanders Mobley, an illustration of how Morrison moves beyond stereotypical attention to race to explore the interior lives of Black people
The Press won 11 awards in 2023 and 6 to date in 2024, including a Choice Outstanding Academic Title award, an Outstanding Book Award from the National Association of Black Journalists, and a title named one of the Best 2023 Books About Black Life in America by Kirkus Reviews.
The Press was also awarded a $5500 Fellowship Open Book Program grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to make From Confinement to Containment: Japanese/American Arts during the Early Cold War, openly available for free access. They also received a $6600 grant from the same NEH program for an open access edition of Model Machines.
New & Updated Services
Over the past year, Temple Libraries expanded its offerings to meet the evolving needs of our academic community in the realms of artificial intelligence and research data management. We introduced a concise, self-paced online tutorial that demystified generative AI chatbots, empowering users to understand their functionality, strengths, and limitations. This module proved particularly valuable for faculty, who could seamlessly integrate it into their Canvas courses. In response to the growing influence of AI in scholarly pursuits, we unveiled a comprehensive guide to AI-powered research tools. This resource not only navigated the complex landscape of emerging technologies but also provided practical guidance for their assessment and application in academic contexts. Additionally, we launched a tutorial on citation chasing, guiding researchers through effective search tactics and the use of tools like Web of Science and Google Scholar to enhance their research process. Recognizing the importance of accessible data sharing, we expanded our repository options for researchers. The addition of QDR and Dryad to our existing suite of repositories enhanced our ability to support diverse data types and disciplinary needs. These new platforms offered tailored solutions for qualitative, mixed-method, and multidisciplinary research data. Throughout these initiatives, our commitment to supporting our users remained steadfast. We continue to assist, guide, and educate our community ensuring that they can harness these new tools and resources effectively in their academic endeavors.
Temple University Libraries enhanced its GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and mapping services, providing essential tools and expertise to support our academic community. Our dedicated GIS specialist, Felipe Valdez, assisted students, faculty, and researchers in leveraging geospatial information for innovative projects and interdisciplinary collaboration. This year, we expanded our mapping workshop series, improved access to open-source geospatial data, and integrated GIS tools into various course curricula. By offering these robust services, Temple University Libraries continue to empower our community to explore and visualize complex spatial relationships, solidifying our role as a campus leader in supporting data-driven research.
The Libraries recently made the switch to a new course reserves software, Leganto, which promises to enhance the experience for both instructors and students. Leganto's streamlined reserves processing will benefit library staff by enabling a more efficient and cost-effective solution for students. This system also allows instructors to easily incorporate existing library resources and other no-cost content into their course materials. As a result, Leganto supports faculty who want to reduce or eliminate course material costs for their students.
We introduced a new library self-checkout app called Meescan that enables book borrowers to complete check-out on their phone from anywhere in the Charles Library or Ambler Campus Library.
TUL by the Numbers
New Staff Additions
To conduct the work of preserving, cataloging, and digitizing our unique and rare materials, as well as connecting people and ideas to enhance learning, research, clinical practice, and creativity, we rely on our exceptional staff's expertise. In 2023 and 2024, we welcomed 10 new team members who are instrumental in ensuring our operations run smoothly and efficiently.
- Isabel Monseau joined us as a Bibliographic Assistant II for Access Services for stacks support.
- Maia Janssen joined us as a Bibliographic Assistant III for Access Services for circulation reserve support
- Martina Merlo joined us as a Bibliographic Assistant II for Access Services for resource sharing support.
- Ella Lathan is our new Assistant Director for Editorial for the Office of Communications, Programming, and Outreach.
- Melissa Vandeburgt is the new Director for the Special Collections Research Center.
- Jim Boyce has returned to his role as the Libraries’ Evening Building Supervisor.
- Nubia Wardford Polk is the new Project Archivist at the Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection.
- Outside of Charles Library we have added two new staff to the Law Library: Mariah Arieux and Ryan McGinnis, and at the Japan Library we have Emma Lincoln and Drew Damron joining us.
Support the Library
Temple University Libraries is grateful for our friends and philanthropic supporters who support multiple facets of our library and university press enterprises. From the new Charles Library to special collections endowments, and annual funds, the support from our friends and donors enables the ongoing resources, operations, and preservation initiatives here at Temple University Libraries. Truly every gift makes a difference.
We hope you will consider supporting us and our work today. You can make a gift at giving.temple.edu/givetolibraries.
For more information, call 215-204-9305 or email dwash@temple.edu.
Library Success Stories & Testimonials:
Ever wonder how important and vital the Libraries really are in research and further higher education resources? We think they are extremely important! But don’t take our word for it, read below to hear what students and residents have said about Temple Libraries!
“I utilized Temple Libraries to research external sources concerning the challenges faced by international students at American colleges. This allowed me to enhance my understanding of the topic and integrate it with my personal experiences. It was my first time using this valuable resource, and I also used it for many other classes. Moreover, I began engaging in verbal discussions with a writing assistant at the Charles Library, which proved immensely beneficial during the writing process. The opportunity to articulate my ideas and receive immediate feedback on my essay helped me address my difficulties with speaking and writing in my second language.”
~ Rocco Haeufgloeckner, Livingstone Undergraduate Research Award in General Education Recipient
“The library played a crucial role in supporting my project by providing hard-to-access technological tools and resources in a low-stress experimental environment. Through the artist residency, I had the opportunity to explore Arduino kits, 3D printers, and laser cutters, which were essential for animating and expanding my clock sculptures. Additionally, the knowledgeable residency staff offered one-on-one demos and consultations to help me understand and navigate these new technologies. Their support extended beyond just the tools; they fostered an environment of learning and experimentation that was vital for the development and execution of my project.”
~Carmel Dor, Makerspace Resident and Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Tyler School of Art and Architecture
“Charles Library was always a sanctuary for me while studying at Temple, and in this specific research project the Libraries became that and more. Whether it was perusing the stacks, examining the sources from the BookBot, or sifting through the limitless academic articles and encyclopedias digitally, the experience of researching helped me filter a very expansive topic and find my niche within it. I ended up encountering indispensable sources from each of these facets of the libraries’ capabilities. I also vividly remember consulting with a few librarians, as well as my professor, Dr. Joshi, on specific sources I gained from the Libraries that would then aid me in the task of assembling numerous moving parts and putting it on paper in my own words. The libraries helped me find various academic conversations on Proust and led me towards feeling confident enough to place my ideas in conversation with them.”
~ Bella Sophia Baldini, Livingstone Undergraduate Research Award in Humanities
Cover
Aerial view of Charles Library on Liacouras Walk, photo by Ryan S. Brandenberg
About Temple Libraries
Left to right: Headshot of Joesph Lucia, photo by Geneva Heffernan; Charles Library’s Liacouras Walk entrance, photo by Michael Grimm; Headshot of Ella Lathan, photo courtesy of Ella Lathan; Charles Library’s atrium, photo by Michael Grimm; Third floor study area, photo by Betsy Manning; Headshot of Joi Waller, photo by Heidi Roland Photography; Charles Library’s aerial view, photo by Betsy Manning
Contents
Angled view of the Liacouras Walk entrance to Charles Library, photo by Michael Grimm
Message from the Dean
Students on Polett Walk and Liacouras Walk with Charles Library in the background and Stella the Owl statue in the foreground, photo Ryan S. Brandenberg
New Acquisitions & Grants
Samplings from the 150th Anniversary of Grace Baptist Church Beyond the Page programming, photo by Heidi Roland Photography; Banned Book spines rainbow wheel, photo by Ella Lathan; Ambler Campus Library in the Ambler Technology Center, photo by Ryan S. Brandenberg; Fourth Annual Temple University Health System Nursing Research & Evidence Based Practice Conference, photos courtesy of Travis Nace, Librarian
Public Programming & New Exhibitions
Temple Faculty Authored books, Fourth floor, photo by Evan D. Weinstein; Samplings from the Portraits of Philadelphia panel discussion and exhibit opening, photos by Ryan S. Brandenberg; Panel discussion during the Faculty Conversations: Grand Challenges event. From left to right: Christine Cleaver, Slobodan Vucetic, Phillip Dames, Abby Guido, Stephanie Fiore, and Brian Hutler, photo by Ella Lathan; Samplings from the Loretta C. Duckworth Scholars Studio Electronics Faire, photos by Heidi Roland Photography; Samplings from A Time to Act: Responses to the Climate Crisis Within and Beyond the University program, photo by Ella Lathan; Samplings from the Art of the Book Exhibit opening, photos by Joseph V. Labolito
Press Publications
Temple University Press office, photo by Ella Lathan
TUL by the Numbers
Leisure reading area on the first floor of Charles Library, photo by Geneva Heffernan
Support the Library
Charles Library fourth floor stacks, photo by Michael Grimm
Library Success Stories & Testimonials
Rocco Haeufgloeckner with Gale Representative Roger Strong, photo by Heidi Roland Photography; Loretta C. Duckworth Scholars Studio 3D printer, photo by Geneva Heffernan; Loretta C. Duckworth Scholars Studio laser cutter award, photo by Heidi Roland Photography
Conclusion
Sampling from the 150th Anniversary of Grace Baptist Church Beyond the Page programming, photo by Heidi Roland Photography
Credits:
From North Philadelphia to the World, Temple University Libraries and University Press 2023-2024 Annual Report