Announcement from the Dean of UW Libraries
(Note: This version of the announcement was published in UW Libraries Weekly Online News and is what's actually being implemented.)
March 6th, 2023
Tateuchi East Asian Library Reorganization
I would like to share some information about upcoming changes to the Tateuchi East Asian Library (TEAL) effective April 3, 2023. The Libraries have set precedent with consolidating and centralizing staffing and budgets for collections and services. In summer 2022, three Fiscal Specialists from the Health Sciences Library and ILL departments joined the Libraries Finance department in preparation for UW Financial Transformation (UWFT) system implementation and improving efficiency, quality, timeliness, and outcomes for business processes. The Libraries is intentionally moving towards an approach that ensures our finite resources are deployed to maximum efficiency to provide the UW community with resources and services that support teaching, learning and research.
A key aspect of the reorganization is the move of TEAL technical services staff to central library technical services. The integration of area studies technical services is a national trend that started at least a decade ago at other Association of Research Libraries (ARL) institutions. Integration of technical services will allow TEAL subject librarians more time to focus on working with students, faculty, and donors.
The realignment of staff will improve efficiency by:
Reducing duplication of work (i.e. receiving print serials, managing electronic resources, and outsourced cataloging projects)
Improving training and communication, (i.e. all CAMS and ARCS staff consistent communication and training on standardized practices and workflows, reducing confusion, and maximizing opportunities to identify and resolve problems)
Increasing learning opportunities for TEAL staff (i.e. cross-training and applying C&C practices such as CAMS batch loading and ARCS rapid cataloging to CJK materials), and
Bringing TEAL into alignment with the One Library: Three Campuses (originally from 2005) operating principles by providing centralized technical and preservation services for collections.
In addition to these changes, TEAL subject librarians will be joining the Research and Learning Services portfolio.
In her role as Director, Dr. Zhijia Shen will continue to oversee onsite library operations including access services staff, liaise with faculty and students as well as donors and other TEAL stakeholders.
All of the changes described here are designed to help strengthen the many services and resources that TEAL provides to faculty, students and community users. It's important to note that subject librarians, access services staff and technical services staff will continue to focus on supporting TEAL collections and services and the user community.
Simon Neame
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Dean's Announcement: Tateuchi East Asia Library
March 8, 2023
The Tateuchi East Asia Library is one of the most unique and distinctive libraries on campus, and well-respected as one of the top East Asia libraries in the country. The strength of its collections coupled with the deep expertise of its staff provide a rich and diverse range of resources and support across disciplines in the study of East Asia language, history and culture. It is because of this unique value to the University that UW Libraries has invested in and cultivated investment in Tateuchi East Asia Library for the long-term benefit of UW students, faculty and our broader community. These investments include the Tateuchi East Asia Library renovation project scheduled to reopen in Spring 2023.
It is with this growth and development mindset that we are reorganizing the Tateuchi East Asia Library staffing structure. A key aspect of the reorganization is to integrate Tateuchi East Asia Library technical services staff with central library technical services. This will allow for improved training and learning opportunities for Tateuchi East Asia Library staff, more efficient problem-solving and better support for technical and preservation services. When these additional supports are in place, Tateuchi East Asia Library subject librarians will have more time to focus on working with students, faculty and donors.
The integration of area studies technical services is a national trend that started at least a decade ago at other Association of Research Libraries (ARL) institutions. This approach also supports efforts to ensure our finite resources are deployed to maximum efficiency to best support teaching, learning and research at UW. This type of integration has been part of UW Libraries planning discussions for several years, and the new structure takes into account input and support for such change from Tateuchi East Asia Library staff.
From a user perspective, these changes should be relatively seamless. While supervisory lines are changing, there is no staffing or service reduction associated with this change. The restructuring will not impact the use of Tateuchi East Asia Library for meetings, consultation, instruction or other events typically held at the library.
Through this centralized reporting structure, library staff will be better supported through position-specific growth and development, leading to overall improvements in service of Tateuchi East Asia Library collections, service, and instruction.
For additional questions, please see your subject librarian or contact us.
Simon Neame
Dean of UW Libraries
