William Curran re-appointed to Libraries

The Board of Governors, on the recommendation of an evaluation committee, has re-appointed William Curran to another five-year term as Director of Libraries, ending May 31, 2008.

Curran became director in May 1998. Under his leadership, Concordia’s library system adopted several major initiatives to make services more accessible, including the introduction of 24-hour access in Webster Library to provide extended service for users prior to the exams.

With IITS, the library also launched the first wireless Internet I-Book pilot project, a first for academic libraries in Quebec. This was followed by a laptop-borrowing service and an electronic reference service via e-mail.

Major renovations were undertaken at the Webster Library, resulting in the addition of much-needed stack and seating space for users, better use of existing staff space and greater visibility for service points. The installation of the first automatic check-out machines allows users to borrow materials when the service desks are closed.

Under Curran’s leadership, the purchase of the Irving Layton Collection, begun in 1978 by the former director, was completed. The first practicum opportunity at Concordia for student librarians through McGill’s Graduate School of Library & Information Studies and the École de bibliothéconomie et sciences de l’information (EBSI) at the Université de Montréal was established.

Congratulations and best wishes, Bill.

Denis de Melo appointed budget analyst

Irvin Dudeck, director of the Office of Budget Planning and Control, has announced the appointment of Denis de Melo as Budget Analyst, effective May 13.

A graduate of Concordia University, Denis comes to us from the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel, where he started as an Accounts Receivable Agent. He then rose to Accounts Receivable Supervisor and most recently was Assistant Accountant before joining the Office of Budget Planning and Control as Budget Analyst.

In his spare time, Denis managed the Queen Elizabeth hockey team as well as organizing the YMCA hockey team. He is also an avid golfer.

The Office of Budget Planning and Control welcomes Denis to its team.

Jacques Lachance appointed investigator

Jacques Lachance has been appointed Investigator, effective May 10. He joins the Security Department with more than 20 years in providing security consultation to private industry and various universities, as well as having taught industrial security at the college level.

Most recently, he was head of security services at Haute Études Commerciales (HEC) in Montreal and is the owner of a private security consulting company.

His responsibilities at Concordia will include handling investigations and training, and acting as the internal security consultant for all new construction. On behalf of the Concordia community, Director of Security Jean Brisebois welcomes Jacques and wishes him all the best with his new responsibilities.