Newsletter Spring 2026

From Dean Mark Emmons

As we welcome spring, I am reminded that this season carries a sense of renewal and momentum. Across University Libraries, we see that renewal in the energy of our students, the creativity of our faculty, and the deep commitment of our staff. Each semester brings new opportunities not only to learn, but to reimagine how libraries can advance student success, research excellence, and the stewardship of distinctive collections that define our university.

This spring also marks an important moment for UNM. I have been asked to help lead the university’s efforts in shaping our institutional approach to artificial intelligence. While this role extends beyond the libraries, it grows naturally from the work librarians have always done. For generations, we have helped our campus navigate evolving information landscapes, teaching students and researchers how to evaluate sources, think critically, and use emerging tools with integrity and purpose.

Artificial intelligence presents extraordinary possibilities for discovery and creativity, along with complex ethical and societal questions. Our librarians are already partnering with faculty and students to explore how AI can enhance research, teaching, and learning while remaining grounded in our core commitments: access, equity, intellectual freedom, privacy, and responsible information use. We see AI literacy as a natural extension of information and digital literacy, essential capacities for today’s graduates and scholars.

At the same time, our mission remains constant. Libraries are engines of innovation, but they are also anchors for community. In moments of uncertainty or rapid change, people return to libraries for clarity, focus, and connection. A quiet place to think. A trusted guide at a service desk. Access to knowledge preserved across generations.  These experiences remind us that learning is both deeply personal and fundamentally communal. 

In this newsletter, you’ll discover the many ways our faculty and staff continue to innovate, collaborate, and serve our community. I am deeply grateful for their dedication and for the strong partnership we share across campus. Most of all, I am thankful for donors like you, whose generosity and support inspire our work every day.

Thank you for your support.

Mark Emmons 

ZIMMERMAN LIBRARY NAMING CAMPAIGN OFF TO A GRAND START

The University of New Mexico’s Zimmerman Library has long stood as a beacon of discovery, innovation, and academic excellence. For generations, it has been a place where students take their first steps into scholarly research, where faculty advance groundbreaking ideas, and where alumni reconnect with the intellectual spirit that shaped their futures. Today, a new chapter in that proud history is underway.

The recently launched Naming Campaign in Zimmerman Library is off to a grand start, offering supporters a meaningful opportunity to leave a lasting legacy within one of UNM’s most treasured academic spaces. With early enthusiasm and strong interest from loyal donors and alumni, the campaign is already building momentum as members of the UNM community step forward to invest in the future of University Libraries.

Earlier this year, Dean Mark Emmons shared a letter with many of the library’s most dedicated supporters, introducing exclusive naming opportunities throughout Zimmerman Library. The message emphasized the library’s enduring role as a cornerstone of learning and invited recipients to take part in shaping its future.

“As we continue to enhance and preserve this essential space,” the Dean wrote, “we are excited to share a new opportunity to become a lasting part of our library’s legacy.”

The campaign offers naming opportunities at various levels and across a range of spaces within Zimmerman Library. From study rooms and collaborative spaces to program areas and distinctive collections, donors have the chance to align their philanthropy with the aspects of library life that matter most to them. These opportunities not only recognize generosity but also celebrate the deep connections individuals have with the University and its libraries.

For many, this campaign represents more than a naming opportunity—it is a way to honor distinguished alumni, cherished family members, respected faculty, or retired librarians whose contributions have left indelible marks on the institution. It is also a meaningful avenue for supporters to commemorate their own journeys at UNM and to ensure that future generations benefit from the same transformative experiences.

Importantly, gifts made through the Naming Campaign will directly strengthen the library’s ability to serve students and faculty in powerful and innovative ways. Support will help sustain and expand digital and information literacy workshops, equipping students with essential research and critical thinking skills in an increasingly complex information landscape. Funding will bolster student success initiatives and inclusive programming designed to create welcoming spaces for every member of the UNM community.

In addition, philanthropic support will enhance research services for faculty and graduate students, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations that drive discovery across fields. It will also help bring UNM’s distinctive collections to life—supporting archival processing, public exhibitions, outreach efforts, and educational programming that connect the campus and broader community to the rich cultural and historical resources housed within the library.

Zimmerman Library is more than a building. It is a dynamic academic hub where ideas are exchanged, creativity is nurtured, and knowledge is preserved. Every day, students gather in its study spaces, faculty consult with expert librarians, and researchers engage with rare and unique materials that tell the story of New Mexico and beyond. By participating in the Naming Campaign, donors are investing directly in these experiences.

To learn more, schedule a tour, or reserve a naming opportunity, please contact Director of Development Carol Kennedy at Email Contact.

As the campaign continues to gain momentum, one thing is clear: the Zimmerman Library Naming Campaign is not only off to a grand start—it is poised to create an enduring impact for generations of Lobos to come.