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Grinnell College Libraries' November 2007 News Archives
We Want Your Feedback on the Libraries' Website
The Grinnell College Libraries are gathering feedback on their website from students, faculty, and staff in preparation for website improvements to be made over winter break. Short feedback sessions will be held for students, faculty, and academic support assistants. During these sessions, we will be gathering information on what students, faculty, and staff are looking for and trying to do when they use the library website, and how we could make it easier for you to find and do these things.
Even if you can't make a meeting, we'd still appreciate your comments on the Libraries' website! Feel free to contact Katie Dunn (dunnkath@grinnell.edu, x4431) with any opinions or ideas.
Students
The student feedback meeting will be Tuesday, November 20, from 6:30-7:15 p.m. in the Burling Library conference room (basement of Burling). Cookies will be available for snacking.
Faculty
The faculty feedback meeting will be held on Wednesday, Nov 28 from noon-1:00 p.m. in the Burling Library conference room (basement of Burling). Boxed lunches will be provided.
Contact Katie Dunn (dunnkath@grinnell.edu) before Wednesday, Nov. 21 with your lunch preference (see boxed lunch options here [.doc]).
Staff
Cecilia Knight and Sharon Clayton will be attending the regular lunch meeting of the Academic Support Assistants on November 14 to talk about the Libraries' website and gather feedback. Other staff are welcome to contact Katie Dunn (dunnkath@grinnell, x4431) with any opinions or ideas regarding the library website.
Ted Recio ’07 to Read at Burling Library, November 14 at 8:00 PM
Ted Recio grew up in Bishop, Texas (South Texas) and originally became acquainted with poetry through his experiences in competitive theater, public speaking, and debate throughout junior high and high school. These experiences led him to slam poetry. A 2007 graduate of Grinnell, Ted was a double major in English and philosophy and was awarded a Phi Beta Kappa Scholar’s Award for his MAP paper, "Through a Pragmatic Lens: William James’ Influence on Gertrude Stein and Alain Locke.” Currently, he is attending Drake Law School and takes an interest in the theories and philosophies constructing modern American criminal law. Recio believes that performed word can, more successfully than the written word, bring us closer to the vital dimensions of human emotion.
On November 14 at 8:00 PM on Burling Library’s first floor, Recio will be performing his poetry, reading from his essays and discussing literature and the process of creating poetry.
This reading is presented by the Grinnell College Libraries and the Asian American Coalition.
Refreshments will be served
Hot Beverage Delivery Service at Burling Library
Burling will be providing hot water and Bob’s will be delivering coffee, tea bags, and hot cocoa mix for purchase starting Sunday night, October 14. Delivery times will be 8:00 p.m., 10:00 p.m., and Midnight.
Bring your cash or p-card to the old reference desk (across from the circulation desk) at the above times to take advantage of this new delivery service. And bring your own spill-proof mug -- it's good for the environment and helps keep the Library beautiful.
If you like this service, be sure to let us know! Questions? Contact a reference librarian through query@grinnell.edu or directly.
Survey for 2008 Favorite Films Festival
It’s time to vote for the second annual Grinnell College Favorite Films Festival. Members of the college community are invited to vote for their favorite films in three categories: Action/Adventure, Childhood Favorite, and Science Fiction. The only limit is that the film must be part of the Grinnell College Libraries’ collections. The survey will be open for your vote from Sunday, October 28 through Sunday, November 11. The winning films will be announced shortly afterwards and will be shown on campus Friday, January 25, through Sunday, January 27, 2008. This year, we have also opened a blog where you can ask questions, make suggestions, or even campaign for (or against) a particular film. The only restrictions are that you stay on topic and that you be respectful of differing opinions. The Favorite Films Festival is co-sponsored by the Grinnell College Libraries and the Student Government Association Films Committee. For more information, contact Randye Jones at jonesran@grinnell.edu or the Films Committee at films@grinnell.edu.
What's New at the Grinnell College Libraries
Kistle Science Library
The new Kistle Science Library in the Noyce Science Center opened for service this
summer. It houses books and journals in all the Library of Congress classifications
associated with Science Division disciplines (Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science,
Geology and Physical Geography, Mathematics & Statistics, Physics, Psychology).
Kistle Library is for all members of the Grinnell College community. It has seating for
78 people, 14 public computers, and photocopying and scanning equipment. There are
4 group study rooms, including one with projection facilities. In addition, most of the
single study carrels will accommodate up to 4 readers. Data jacks are available in
individual carrels and the group study rooms, and wireless is available throughout the
Noyce Center.
For additional information please see
http://www.lib.grinnell.edu/collections/Sciencelibrary/index.html.
Burling Library Has a New Computer Commons, New Lighting, and a New Organization for Collections
- Computer Commons and Reference Area: A new computer commons is now located in
the northeast alcove (by the windows) for study, research and teaching;
and a new reference desk, adjacent, has replaced the older counter-style desk. The new
configuration brings computer workstations, the reference collection, and reference librarians
into closer proximity.
- Collection Reorganization: Book and journal collections have been reorganized to make use
of the space freed by the transfer of science collections to Kistle Library. Journals are now all
located on Level 4. Book collections are arranged beginning
with "A" on Level 1, proceeding alphabetically to "V" on Level 3 ("Z" will remain on
Level 1 near the Reference Collection). A map shows [PDF] where the collections are located.
- Group Study Area: A small group study area has been created at the west end of Level 1
(near the Mac workstations) with moveable tables and floor-mounted data jacks and electrical
outlets.
- Lighting Upgrade: In response to concerns expressed in last spring’s LibQUAL survey, we have
upgraded the lighting in the northern half of Burling’s first floor. The overhead lights in the
northeast and northwest alcoves are equipped with a photocell that will increase and decrease
the intensity as the outside light changes, helping the College save energy.
- Accessibility: The main entrance is now equipped with an automatic door opener, and there is
an accessible restroom on Level 1.
New Digital Collections Now Available
- JSTOR Biological Sciences Collection adds 70 titles to the Grinnell College JSTOR subscription,
covering fields such as biodiversity, conservation, paleontology, plant science, cell biology and
zoology. See title list at http://www.jstor.org/about/biosci.list.html. JSTOR reproduces the complete
contents of full runs of scholarly journals, from the first issue through a moving wall 3-5 years
before the
current issue.
- Early American Newspapers (Series II), 1758-1900: 200 significant 18th- and 19th- century
newspapers from all 50 present states. This collection focuses on the period between 1820 and
1860, when the number of American newspapers rose dramatically. Westward expansion and the
penny press helped create thousands of local newspapers, and daily editions replaced many
weeklies. In addition, the format of newspapers was transformed by an increasing emphasis on
society, industry, scientific advances, investigative journalism and stories of human interest. See http://infoweb.newsbank.com/?db=EANX.
- Empire Online (Section I: Cultural Contact, 1492-1969) examines cultural contacts throughout
five centuries of Empire, from Columbus to decolonization, drawing on manuscript sources such
as the diaries and eyewitness accounts of European travelers, correspondence, and periodical
literature. It includes evidence from native populations and indigenous tribes in Africa, India, Canada,
Australia and the South Pacific and examines how attitudes changed over time as well as the manner in which Europeans worked both with and against indigenous groups in the quest for independence
and self-government in the twentieth century. See http://www.empire.amdigital.co.uk/.
New Digital Microform Reader/Scanner
The Libraries have replaced an aging microfilm reader/printer with a new model that allows
users to capture digital images from microfilm and microfiche. The digital images can be scanned using Adobe Acrobat, edited, saved to Storage, DVD, or a flash drive, or sent to a networked
printer on campus.
The new digital reader/scanner is located in the Microform Reading Room on Burling Level B.
Because the Libraries will no longer have to supply printer paper or toner for this machine,
the Pioneer One-Card reader has been removed and there will be no charge for its use.
If you would like an introduction to the new reader/scanner, feel free to ask at the Burling
reference or circulation desk. Instructions for using the machine are also available in the
Microform Reading Room, or online at http://www.lib.grinnell.edu/general/facilities/microforms.html.
New Features in Library Catalog – and a New Look
We have updated the software that runs the Library Catalog. Let us know what you think. New features include:
- Log In with Grinnell Network User Name and Password: Access to borrowing records, course
reserves, interlibrary borrowing, and other library services is now managed through students’ and
faculty’s Network User Name and password rather than through the Pioneer One-Card number.
We hope that this simplifies your use of the system and better protects your privacy.
- Renew Online: Books and other Grinnell College Library materials charged to your account may
be renewed once online. For subsequent renewals, we ask that you return the material to the
circulation desk at Burling or Kistle. (ILL materials may not be renewed online. Renewal requests
should be made to the Circulation Desk 4 days in advance of the due date.)
- Request an Item: Items in areas not open to the public – Offsite Storage, the Curriculum Library,
and the Burling “Cage” – may be requested through the catalog. They will be held at the circulation
desk of your choice (Burling or Kistle) and you will be notified by email. Items will be retrieved within
24 hours of a request, Monday through Friday.
- Recalls: Patrons may place their own recalls on books which are checked out to another reader
through the request button in the catalog. When the item is returned and available for checkout,
you will be notified via email.
Signage in Burling
Burling Library is working to improve its signage. During the Fall Open House we added green signs around the building to point out the locations of collections and services. Now we are wondering if we should keep these signs permanently.
We have replaced the green signs with white paper signs. We invite you to write constructive comments on these signs. Think about the following:
Do we need this sign?
Is it in the right place?
Does it say the right thing, i.e., does it mean anything to you?
Are there other signs we need?
You may also direct comments and questions on signage to Richard Fyffe (fyffe@grinnell.edu),
Gail Bonath (bonath@grinnell.edu) or Kevin Engel (engelk@grinnell.edu)
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