R.M. and Ida McFarlin Dean of Libraries
As the fall semester draws to a close, I am delighted to share a few highlights from what has been an especially active and inspiring season at McFarlin Library. This has been a semester of growth – of spaces, programs and partnerships – that reflects the energy and creativity of our university community.
We began the semester with expanded study spaces, increasing the number of reservable rooms available to students. These new and updated areas have been in constant use, offering more opportunities for collaboration, quiet study and group work. It has been rewarding to see how quickly students have embraced these spaces as part of their daily academic life.
Beyond our physical improvements, McFarlin has been proud to support two significant grant projects this year – The Mvskokvlke Hofone Enfulletv Rasvwetv (To Bring the Ways of the Mvskoke Back) project in partnership with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation funded by the Mellon Foundation, and Updating and Expanding the Modernist Journals Project funded by the National Endowment of the Humanities. Both initiatives advance our mission to preserve cultural heritage and expand access to research and special collections, while strengthening the university’s role in national conversations about digital scholarship and humanities research.
(Credit: The University of Tulsa McFarlin Library Department of Special Collections)
Our programs have also continued to grow in both reach and impact. The Books and Bagels series brings together students, faculty and staff for lively, informal conversations about books, ideas and current scholarship. In September, we welcomed Devoney Looser, who spoke about her new book “Wild for Austin,” and we look forward to hosting Don James McLaughlin Dec. 4. This fall, we also welcomed authors participating in the Will Rogers Medallion Award conference – an event that highlighted the enduring influence of Western writing and gave our community a rare chance to engage directly with acclaimed authors in the genre.
We also kicked off the McFarlin Fellows series with distinguished author and critic Daniel Mendelsohn. Mendelsohn is the first McFarlin Fellows speaker to host two talks with students across the university, providing a unique opportunity for our students to engage with an award-winning author and critic. Mendelsohn’s talk set the tone for an engaging and thought-provoking speaker series, sparking conversations that continued well beyond the event itself. We are deeply grateful to our Fellows for their enthusiasm and steadfast support of the library’s mission. For those who are not yet members – or for those interested in joining us for a particular evening – we’re pleased to remind you that single-event tickets are available throughout the year. We hope you’ll consider joining us for an upcoming program and experience firsthand the insight and fellowship that make these evenings so special.
I am also excited to share more about the Tower Guild, a growing community of supporters who are passionate about preserving McFarlin’s legacy and ensuring its future. The Guild offers members a meaningful way to engage with the library through special programs and opportunities to connect with others who value McFarlin’s role at the heart of The University of Tulsa. As our membership and programming grows, I encourage you to learn more about the Tower Guild.
As we close out the fall, I am grateful for the dedication of our library staff, the creativity and curiosity of our students and the enthusiasm of all who share in McFarlin’s mission. Together, we continue to make the library a place where learning, research and community thrive.
Jill Krefft
R.M. and Ida McFarlin Dean of Libraries