Towers Newsletter of the Library Associates of the University of Idaho Library Spring 2014
Inside this issue: Faculty Research.......................... 1 Briefs........................................ 2 Student and Archives..................... 3
Library faculty pursue specialized research When Garth Reese announced his selection as a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Summer Scholar, it came as no surprise to his colleagues and others familiar with his excellent work as the library’s Head of Special Collections and Archives. Reese was one of 16 selected from a national applicant pool to attend a five-week summer program held in Antwerp, Belgium, London, and Oxford, England. As an NEH Summer Scholar, Reese will participate in a seminar Librarian Garth Reese will study as an NEH Summer Scholar entitled “Tudor Books and at the Plantin-Moretus Museum in Antwerp, Belgium; Readers: 1485-1603.”
Retirements............................... .3 Dean’s Corner.............................. 4 Ways to Give.............................. 4
Student Workers .......................... 3
Volume 17, Issue 2
Senate House Library, University of London; and at the
As Reese conducts research on Bodleian Library (pictured above), University of Oxford. rare books and print history, other UI Library faculty are pursuing professional development and researching topics in their fields of specialization.
Transforming the practice of librarianship Ongoing research by University of Idaho library faculty positions the library to respond to the social, cultural, and technological changes that are transforming teaching and learning in higher education — and in turn, the practice of librarianship.
875 Perimeter Dr., 2350 Moscow, ID 83844-2350 Phone: (208) 885-6534 Email: librdean@uidaho.edu
•
Digital Initiatives librarian Devin Becker is researching the changing role of technology in the writing processes of established professional creative writers, a study he began last summer with a seed grant from University of Idaho. Becker is interviewing ten prominent writers who have been writing and publishing since 1980. “I believe this is a unique period in the history of writing,” said Becker. “I also believe that computing technologies have permanently altered the ways we relate to each other and to the products of our own thought. I hope to discover what changed when these writers’ working medium began to incorporate digital modes,” he said.
•
Research librarian Jeremy Kenyon and science librarian Nancy Sprague have been studying trends in the use of supplementary materials in environmental science journals. On the heels of their recent publication on the topic (Issues in Science and Technology Librarianship, Winter 2014), they decided to look at supplementary materials in the fields of geology and plant sciences to determine differences between supplementary material used by life scientists and physical scientists. The pair is joined in the study by Ed Flathers, a UI Forest, Rangeland, and Fire Sciences doctoral student. continued on page two
1
“Faculty Research,” continued from page one
•
•
Cataloging librarian Alex Kyrios is examining the cataloging • Scholarly Communications librarian Annie Gaines is researching practice of crosswalking. This practice helps databases share the knowledge of Open Access across the various disciplines on information, and Kyrios is looking into problems the UI campus. “Gauging the perceptions of open that arise when crosswalking different sets of access by UI faculty should indicate how willing they As research by UI metadata standards to each other. He is joined would be to submit their work to an institutional librarians attests, by Kenyon in the study. Kyrios is also researching repository. Testing their knowledge will allow the the suitability of a proposed set of new Library library to see where it should focus education in traditional library of Congress subject headings to reflect new scholarly communications,” she said. services are concepts and terminology. He is basing his study undergoing going As research by University of Idaho librarians attests, on how external sources treat the subjects. traditional library services are undergoing rapid rapid changes. . . GIS librarian Bruce Godfrey is examining the role changes, and areas such as Geographic Information of web services in making data accessible to Systems and Digital and Scholarly Communications researchers. Godfrey is collaborating with Kenyon and research are coming to the forefront. The practice of librarianship is being librarian Gail Eckwright in the study, which was inspired by their transformed. Research by UI library faculty keeps the library in step previous publication “Geospatial Data Curation at the University with the changes of the 21st century that are affecting the library, its of Idaho” (Journal of Web Librarianship, Winter 2012). users and the nature of information.
Briefly . . . •
here very quickly and free of charge,” she said. “The librarians and the technical support staff are all very friendly and helpful, too. They showed me how to use the various databases and find the secondary sources online. I like the library very much!” she added.
Idaho Library Snapshot Day The UI Library joined other libraries across the state during National Library Week to track activities with statistics and photos, creating a portrait of a typical day in the life of Idaho libraries. Our statistics showed that on April 15, Idaho Library Snapshot Day, the UI Library welcomed 2,375 people through its doors, circulated more than 328 items, and provided classroom instruction to 55 students; the library website had 787 visitors.
•
•
At the spring 2014 meeting of the Library Advisory Board, Chairman Gary Strong introduced two new board members: Sandra Shropshire of Pocatello, Associate University Librarian for Collections & Special Projects at Idaho State University, and Max Cowan, the outgoing president of the Associated Students of the University of Idaho (ASUI). Shropshire replaces Marty Peterson of Boise, and Cowan replaces the previous ASUI president, Hannah Davis, on the board.
Devin Becker receives accolades Devin Becker, Digital Initiatives and Web Services Librarian, was named a “Mover and Shaker” by the national publication Library Journal. Becker is one of 50 outstanding professionals selected for their “commitment to providing excellent service to meet the needs of the people they serve.” Becker was selected in the Tech Leader category for his success expanding the library’s digital initiatives collections.
New University of Idaho President Chuck Staben attended the meeting as a guest. Other guests included library faculty member Rami Attebury, who gave an overview of the library’s Instructional Materials and Technology Center, and library intern Jordan Wrigley, who presented information on the Campus Photograph Collection and its incorporation into the university’s 125th anniversary celebration. Devin Becker
•
In addition to this honor, Becker, a published poet, recently was awarded the 13th annual A. Poulin, Jr. Poetry Prize for his debut collection, Shame | Shame. The collection was selected from nearly 500 manuscript submissions. Becker will receive a $1,500 honorarium and book publication by BOA Editions, Ltd. in spring 2015.
•
New Advisory Board members
ASUI provides Dead Week treats to students The Associated Students of the University of Idaho (ASUI) handed out snacks, coffee, and encouragement to their fellow students studying for finals in the library. ASUI set up its “snack cart” for three nights during Dead Week.
Kind words from visiting scholar Qun Fang, a visiting scholar from China’s Guangdong province, tells us, “I came from China to collect primary sources for my doctoral research. I can find whatever book I need! The UI and Summit and WorldCat are so wonderful. The books are delivered
Join us on social media for news and updates! We are on Facebook and Twitter (UofILibrary), Pinterest, Tumblr, and Instagram.
2
UI student uses, then contributes to library’s Special Collections & Archives Something clicked for Megan Gehrke when her history professor, Adam Sowards, asked if she would take on the project of revising and updating the history of Athena, a campus organization for women faculty and staff members. The UI junior from Boise, who is working toward a double major in History and English with a Professional Writing emphasis, thought it was a perfect match for her interests and her career goal to enter the publishing world after graduation. Soon after Gehrke was given access to the Athena documents in Special Collections and Archives, she was spending hours each week in the basement of the UI Library scouring the organization’s records. She then began to develop a presentation that combined her archival research with four oral history interviews she conducted with past Athena leaders, including UI Library Dean Lynn Baird, an early member of the organization who also served as its president in 2004.
UI junior Megan Gehrke delivered her presentation to a packed house at the University Inn in Moscow, using images from the library’s Special Collections and Archives to tell the history of the campus women’s organization, Athena.
“The oral histories filled the gaps left by the paper documents,” Gehrke said. “It seemed important for the future of the organization that we record personal accounts from these women. Hearing these women speak about how the organization affected their careers was quite insightful and helpful in compiling Athena’s history,” she said. The recorded oral histories will be available to Athena members through the Special Collections and Archives.
website, which will be up by the end of the semester. Gehrke has a campus job tutoring other students in the Writing Center and says she often encourages them to discover the library. “I see so many students who don’t know what the library offers in terms of research help. I tell them about all the search tricks that librarians can show you if you go to them for help and about using chat reference if they can’t come to the library,” she said.
“The library provided a plethora of resources for my work with Athena: an oral history from the library’s dean, Lynn Baird; advice and assistance from librarian Kathleen Monks, an Athena board member; and use of the library’s Special Collections. These resources culminated in a more diverse, complete history for Athena, documenting their past in order to lay the groundwork for the organization’s future.” Gehrke delivered her presentation before a packed house at the Athena Woman of the Year ceremony in Moscow last month. She is also writing a revised history for the Athena
“As I prepared my presentation, I was surprised to find that such rich resources existed for researchers in the library’s Special Collections and Archives,” she said. “During my time here, I’ve used many of the other great resources, including government documents. And I’ve found that you really can’t underestimate the help of professional librarians in using these resources. Technology simply cannot replace librarians in navigating these documents.”
Gail Eckwright and Judy Bielenberg to retire at end of academic year
Six student workers to graduate in May Congratulations to the library’s six student workers who will receive their diplomas at the May 17 commencement exercises in Moscow. Bailey Hescock (right), a McCall native, will receive a B.S. degree in Mathematics and enter the university’s master’s degree program in statistical science in the fall; her career goal is to become an insurance actuary.
Two members of the University of Idaho library team have announced their retirements after decades of service. Judy Bielenberg, Library Assistant in Access Services, will retire at the end of May; Professor Gail Eckwright is set to retire from the library faculty this summer. Professor Eckwright currently serves as Research Librarian and liaison to the College of Engineering. She began working at the UI Library in 1977 and joined the faculty in 1978. Over the the next 35 years, she held numerous positions including Media Retrieval Specialist, Assistant Social Sciences Librarian, and Humanities Librarian. Eckwright is also retiring as Faculty Secretary, where she has been responsible for overseeing and supporting shared governance at the university. She retires with the titles of Librarian with the rank of Professor and Faculty Secretary Emerita.
Bailey Hescock
“Working in the library while I’ve been a student here has been great. It’s a very supportive environment. The stats tutors meet in the library, and they’re one of the reasons I decided to apply to grad school,” she said. The five other new graduates are also looking forward to their futures. Brandyn Krotzer (B.S. in Virtual Technology and Design) is an aspiring filmmaker; Sierra Magnuson (B.A. in Art and Design) will pursue an associate degree in business from North Idaho College; Delaney Nolan (B.S. in Sociology with an emphasis in Criminology) is planning a career working with youth offenders; Jordan Proctor (B.S. in Early Childhood Development and Education), wants to become a special education teacher; and Andrew Rowe (B.A. in English Literature) hopes to enter graduate school for library science. Proctor and Magnuson are previous recipients of the Donna K. Smith Award for outstanding student workers.
Bielenberg began working at the library in 1988 in the Serials and Periodicals department. She then worked in Cataloging before moving to Access Services, where as stacks supervisor she coordinates student workers. She has served on many committees and mentored many students during her 26 years in the library. “I’ve especially enjoyed working with the students,” she said. “It has been both challenging and rewarding, and I’ll take many fond memories with me,” she said.
3
Dean’s Corner: Faculty research drives our future The close of another academic year is upon us. With commencement just days away (and already completed at several of our branch campuses), we send the class of 2014 into the world, full of ideas and dreams. The University of Idaho is a special place where students arrive ready and eager to learn and faculty create environments to promote this learning. The library plays an important role to support both faculty and students in this process. Our librarians facilitate students’ inquiry and research, helping students in the development of sophisticated searches and critical assessment of the results.
I’d like to take this moment to introduce to you our newest member of the library team, Jim Zuba. Jim is our development
For more information on giving options and ensuring your gift is used exactly the way you want it to be, contact Jim Zuba at (208)8854142 (work), (509)432-6422 (cell), or jzuba@uidaho.edu. • Cash Gifts • Planned Giving • In-kind Gifts (Materials and Personal Collections) • Tax Benefits Appreciated Assets • Memorial or Honorary Gifts For more information, please visit: www.lib.uidaho.edu/giving/ways.html Dr. Lynn Baird, Library Dean
officer and is helping us with building the library’s capacity to best serve our students. Right now, we are in the initial phases of raising funds to remodel the first floor of the library. This targeted project is intended to infuse the space with more collaborative learning rooms, meeting the needs of today’s students. As you may remember, we have made some modest investments in transforming this space into a larger group study area. This latest drive will be more substantial, addressing
furnishings and technology needed by our students for their education. I invite you to support this initiative. Please contact Jim Zuba if you are interested in partnering on this or any other library project.
875 Perimeter Dr., 2350 Moscow, ID 83844-2350 Phone: (208) 885-6534 Email: librdean@uidaho.edu
For our library faculty to be successful, they must engage with professional developments that transform the practice of librarianship. This continual process of learning, synthesizing, and submitting work for peer review and comment is what advances us in our professional lives. Our faculty research is what improves their practice—which is why our students and other faculty members know they are getting expert service from the library.
Ways to Give