Research libraries are undergoing tremendous change as they embrace the developing needs of 21st century scholars. The River Campus Libraries is no exception. As head of patron services in Rush Rhees Library, Kathy Metz has helped redefine how students and faculty access library services and resources. Her ingenuity and leadership have earned her the 2014 Messinger Libraries Recognition Award. The annual award, created and funded by life trustee Martin E. Messinger, ’49, includes a $5,000 prize.
“Kathy’s leadership and vision have been exceptional,” said Mary Ann Mavrinac, vice provost and Andrew H. and Janet Dayton Neilly Dean of the River Campus Libraries. “The libraries’ outstanding reputation for being an organization of ‘yes’ is in no small part due to her exemplary leadership in patron services initiatives.”
Throughout her 36-year career at the River Campus Libraries, Metz has been instrumental in enhancing services for students. Most recently, she led the launch of an initiative called “Questions and information,” or “Q&i,” in Rush Rhees Library. Q&i is a one-stop-shop for reference, circulation, and research assistance where library staff members with a broad range of knowledge and expertise are available seven days a week – often until midnight. The service debuted in September and will continue to evolve.
“Kathy enthusiastically embraced the challenge of creating a new vision for patron services at the River Campus Libraries,” said Frank Wojcik, associate dean for academic engagement. “She provided steadfast, creative, and tireless leadership for realizing our new service model.”
Metz has also been recognized as a strong role model throughout the realization of the River Campus Libraries’ five-year strategic plan, which defined new roles for library staff within a collaborative, service-oriented environment. Despite the increased availability of digital resources, students and faculty are using library spaces and staff expertise more often than in years past. The number of questions received by staff at the circulation desk increased from 299 in September 2013 to 722 in September 2014. The number of patrons using the Messinger Periodical Reading Room grew from 523 in March 2012 to 1,116 in March 2014. Overall traffic throughout the libraries increased from 5,588 patrons in March 2012 to 6,790 patrons in March 2014.
“Kathy has consistently demonstrated the University’s core values of process excellence, visionary leadership, and managerial consistency through her stewardship of the libraries’ resources, both human and capital,” Mavrinac said.
Metz began her University career in 1978 as a library assistant III in the Interlibrary Loan (ILL) department, and was promoted to head of ILL in 2001. In 2008, she received the Meliora Award for her leadership in ILL and also became head of Access Services, which includes ILL, circulation, reserves, the stacks, the mailroom, and the Annex Storage Library. She has been a member of the American Library Association since 1990.
“I have been fortunate to work with some of the most wonderful people,” Metz said. “I love the students and faculty. Each one presents a new challenge and keeps us all thinking and alive. The past couple of years have been more engaging than any before.”
The annual Messinger Award honors contributions that advance the educational mission of the library or the library profession. Previous Messinger awardees include Nora Dimmock, assistant dean for information technology, research, and digital scholarship (2013); Nancy Fried Foster, former director of anthropological research for the River Campus Libraries (2012); and Judi Briden, digital librarian for public services (2011).
A longtime supporter of the libraries, Martin E. Messinger provided support for the 1998 restoration of the Periodical Reading Room and the creation of two graduate student study rooms in 2010. The Messinger family is a generous supporter of the Center for Jewish Studies, the Debate Union, and the Eastman School of Music, where Messinger and his wife, Joan, endowed the deanship. They also funded the building that houses the Eastman Community Music School, which is dedicated in memory of Anne Waltuck Messinger.
