University of South Carolina Libraries hosted the Association of Southeastern Research Libraries (ASERL) 2024 Annual Meeting and Spring Membership Meeting last week.

Some forty library Deans and professionals attended this year’s ASERL meeting, which kicked off on May 22 with the Board of Directors meeting. The members then had the opportunity to receive a tour of the University’s Historic Horseshoe with University Archivist Elizabeth West.

The ASERL Spring 2024 Membership Meeting, which included conversations surrounding financial updates, as well as updates on ASERL initiatives and electing Board of Directors members, took place later that afternoon. Members also held peer-to-peer discussions on various issues.  

Beyond the Spring Membership Meeting, ASERL members participated in a panel discussion surrounding “The Importance of Crisis Communications in Research Libraries,” a central and timely topic of discussion this year, as protests and other challenges have been prominent on many campuses around the country. The panel featured presenters from Virginia Commonwealth University, Florida State University, and the Richland County Library System.

The group got the opportunity to tour a few of University Libraries facilities, including the South Caroliniana Library and the Hollings Special Collections Library as well as Thomas Cooper Library. The first day of the meeting was wrapped up with a reception in the Hollings Program Room.

“I am delighted that the ASERL board chose to hold this year’s spring meeting at USC,” said David Banush, Dean of Libraries.  “ASERL has never met here, and we were very excited to show our colleagues from the southeast region our spaces and our staff.  Member directors seemed to be impressed with both.”