New Teaching Learning Community
A Fondren Library staff group, the Teaching Learning Community, began meeting in January 2025. Convened by Information Literacy Librarian Joe Goetz, this group aims to foster professional development and peer support in teaching and learning at Fondren by serving as a forum for conversations, a source of mentoring, and an avenue for learning for library staff across departments. In four meetings so far, the group has collaboratively planned its activities, responded to professional readings, and shared teaching techniques. A highlight for the fourth meeting was a visit from Dr. Catherine Barber, Associate Director of the Center for Teaching Excellence, to discuss data-informed instruction in library classrooms. Future meetings are planned around AI and instruction, and discussing readings in pedagogical theory. Currently, 15 staff members are active in the group.
Professional Development for Fondren Staff
This year, the LTTD Committee introduced new strategies to promote staff learning opportunities. We continued using the Fondren Events shared Google Calendar to highlight professional development sessions, including NISO webinars and Amigos Library Services trainings on topics such as metadata, DEIA in the scholarly landscape, artificial intelligence, and effective communication. To increase visibility—a practice continued from the last fiscal year—we also posted announcements for upcoming webinars on the staff lounge bulletin board. In addition, we continued sharing the Skilltype Spotlight series, which highlights curated resources to support staff in developing new and relevant skills.
In Fall 2024, LTTD continued building momentum with a series of engaging and practical professional development events. We partnered with the Student Wellbeing Office to host a virtual QPR Suicide Prevention Training, offering staff tools to support mental health awareness. We also launched a new Lunchtime Learning series, beginning with How to Successfully Submit a Conference Proposal for ALA Annual, led by Thumy Webb and Amanda McClendon, and How to Add Gallery Boxes to Your LibGuide with Jeanette Sewell. In addition, we hosted a virtual session titled Records and Relevance Ranking in Primo OneSearch, presented by Adrian Johnson.
In Spring 2025, LTTD continued to offer meaningful professional development opportunities tailored to the needs and interests of Fondren staff. We brought back Keeping Current, a revived series of informal sessions where staff could share their experiences from conferences, courses, and other professional development activities. The return of this program included a lunchtime session that created space for cross-departmental conversation and reflection. LTTD also hosted several workshops in collaboration with staff and campus partners, including a session on supporting graduate students at Fondren led by Carrie Willard from the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. Anna Xiong facilitated an Excel in Action workshop to strengthen practical data skill and presented a Federal Data webinar highlighting freely available government data sources. These sessions underscored LTTD’s commitment to fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional growth across the library.
The Shapiro Library Staff Innovation Award was granted to Joe Goetz, Information Literacy Librarian for the Reference Department on April 24. The award ceremony is postponed until September 17, 2025, due to availability of the Kyle Morrow Room. Heidi Vieira chaired this subcommittee, which included Dr. Naoko Ozaki from the Center for Languages and Intercultural Communication, Keith Chapman from Cataloging and Metadata Services, Steffi Dardon from Acquisitions, and electrical and engineering student Trisha Rangi.
The pilot project to connect staff interested in an MLIS with funding for their first course is ongoing. We believe this pilot program should transition to a regular offering, and discussions regarding funding and communication for reimbursement by the university are ongoing.
Friends of Fondren Library
Introduction
The 2024–25 academic year marked the 75th anniversary of Friends of Fondren Library (FoFL). Since 1950, FoFL has championed Fondren Library’s resources, research, and facilities while fostering community and alumni engagement. Through membership and philanthropy, the Friends support Rice University’s academic mission by funding collections, programs, and spaces that enrich the campus and wider community.
FoFL is sustained by its dedicated Board of Directors and members. Membership provides benefits such as borrowing privileges, advance notice of lectures and events, and more. Full benefits and membership information are available online.
Highlights
FoFL contributes to the growth and excellence of library resources and facilities, benefiting Rice students, faculty, staff, and the broader Houston community. Throughout the year, the Friends sponsor lectures and events that spotlight Fondren Library’s collections and expertise.
- Annual Membership Celebration and Dinner featuring retired Rice Centennial Historian Melissa Kean
- 2025 Celebration of Rice University authors, editors, composers, and artists of works published in 2024
- The Books That Shaped My World lecture featuring Gladys Louise Fox Professor Emeritus of English J. Dennis Huston
- FoFL Gala honoring Kathleen and Robert L. Clarke ’63 and celebrating FoFL’s 75th anniversary
- Two Meet the Author events with author and Writer-in-Residence Justin Cronin and Libbie Shearn Moody Professor of Creative Writing and English Kiese Laymon (The Meet the Author series is cohosted with the Association of Rice Alumni)
Recordings of many events are available at library.rice.edu/friends/past-events.
Projects Funded
In collaboration with Fondren Library leadership, FoFL supported several projects with lasting impact this year:
- Sixth-Floor Reading Room: Refreshed with modern study carrels and ergonomic chairs, enhancing capacity and comfort for students during busy study periods.
- Brown Fine Arts Library: Upgraded with rolling tables, stackable chairs, and new display shelves, creating a flexible space for exhibitions and small performances in partnership with Rice’s arts, music, and architecture programs.
- Digital Media Commons: Enhanced with professional-grade soundproofing in its recording studios, supporting high-quality multimedia production.
Gratitude
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all Friends of Fondren Library members for their generosity during this milestone year. Special appreciation goes to the Rice University faculty and guest speakers who shared their expertise at FoFL events and FoFL’s FY25 President Virginia A. Clark, Ph.D, ’14 and 75th Anniversary Chair Travis Johnson ’03, for their exemplary efforts in leading the anniversary celebration. Together, we celebrate 75 years of partnership and look forward to the future of Fondren Library.