Mathematicians Oppose Dismantling University of Iowa Math Library

March 8, 2010 

University of Iowa mathematicians Richard Baker and Palle Jorgensen are opposed to their University's plan to merge the Mathematics Library with other campus facilities.

 In a letter indicating that faculty of the university are also against the idea, they wrote, "We believe that the Mathematics Department has the dual mission of mathematics teaching and mathematics research. It is nationally and internationally recognized that the existence of an in-house mathematics library is an internal strength of a mathematics department."

The UI Mathematics Library has been located at its present spot (125 MacLean Hall) for nearly 75 years, but a budget crisis has led University Librarian Nancy Baker to propose that its books and journals be housed in either the Main Library or placed in storage. (She has also proposed merging the Physics Library and Geoscience Library with the Biology Library.) Although a delegation of mathematics, physics, and statistics professors asked Provost Wallace Loh to stop the move, Loh has backed Baker’s plan.

"The overall value of the in-house Mathematics Library to mathematical research at the UI is inestimable," argued Baker and Jorgensen. "Its dismantling would hinder the mathematics department’s mission to produce excellent mathematical research across a broad spectrum of pure and applied fields." Moreover, they argue the change would adversely affect the ability of the mathematics department to attract top graduate students, top faculty, postdoctoral fellows, National Science Foundation funding, and other external funding.

 Source: The Daily Iowan