Conference Day: Discover Us

The Roof of Aiken: A Staff/Faculty Development Committee Field Trip

Summer Picnic!

Save the date! Our much-loved annual Libraries Picnic will be Wednesday, June 19, in the big white orientation tent behind Bailey-Howe. More details will be forthcoming in due course. Prepare yourselves for good fun and excellent food!

Your generosity (through yearly or monthly dues, or occasional donations) allows us to purchase the serving ware, burgers, beverages, and other items we need to make this event possible - so now is a great time to say thanks! If you haven't contributed recently, Jimmy would be happy to receive any cash you care to send his way.

---Chris K., and the other fine folk of the Libraries Social Committee

Nancy's note: This photo, taken by Theron S. Dean, is called "Picnic at the Battell Lodge," and is from the CDI Collection. Pictured are Mr. and Mrs. Chittenden, and Mr. and Mrs. Cowles, and one unidentified person.

DEAN'S COUNCIL MINUTES: April 16, 2013

I.                  Introducing Bobbi Burns, Major Gifts Officer

 The UVM Libraries, along with the Fleming Museum and the Honors College, have a Major Gifts Officer to help build relationships with potential donors and acquire donations over $25,000. Mara introduced Bobbi Burns, who moved here from Lexington, Kentucky, to the Dean’s Council. Burns reported that Billings’ fundraising is at $4.5 million—half of $9 million needed. She intends to advocate for the Libraries at the UVM Foundation. “Think about ways I can help you,” Burns said. 

II.                  LibQUAL Update

The Libraries’ LibQUAL survey will close out this week. Response rate is on par with previous years: 700 for BH, 200 for Dana. The great philanthropic experiment might not have made an additional impact, although it has been well received. B/H Circulation and Dana Medical are making a final push this week for participation. 

III.                Major Announcement from Administration

The University of Vermont is undergoing an administrative reorganization. Dean Mara Saule has been named CIO in this new structure. The change does not affect the libraries role at UVM and faculty and staff will not be affected. The change does, bring Admin Information Technology and Academic Information Technology into alignment. 

IV.                LibStaff

Paul Philbin reported that information-sharing in the Libraries is getting a makeover. A survey about Libstaff discovered that people aren’t using Libstaff generally. Access Services is exploring ways to create an improved document portal that will encompass Sharepoint and Wikis, among others. 

 V.                  Cortney Cahill and Dean’s Council Leadership 

The Dean’s Council is continuing its leadership development work consultant Cortney Cahill. The next meeting is Tuesday, April 23, 9-Noon, in the Phi Beta Kappa room in Waterman. 

VI.                Libraries Faculty 

The Libraries Faculty convenes for a meeting on Thursday, April 18, 2-3:30 p.m. in the Dean’s Conference Room.   

VII.              General Updates

Sarah Gordon will be working with the UVM Auditor on best practices for keeping all kinds of records safe and private. 

Alison Armstrong reported that the foundational Gen Ed writing piece has been approved by faculty senate—which will double the number of classes or sections related to teaching info literacy. Also, four units (Nursing, Anthropology, CDAR and Romance Languages) are piloting the WILD program, which stands for Writing Information Literacy in the Disciplines. Furthermore, the CATQuest usability report has been conpleted, and soon recommendations will be brought forward to DC for how to take care of CATQuest going forward. Alison is working with Mara and Nancy to revitalize a Diversity and Internationalization Committee. Alison is working with Sarah to create and streamline the process of hosting interns in the Libraries. 

Paul Philbin mentioned a possible change in summer hours, but the matter is still under review. 

Birdie MacLennan said that VTDNP  is back on board with Erenst Anip at the helm. The search for a digital support specialist is underway.  Her department will celebrate comings and goings with a pizza party on April 25 at noon. 

Selene Colburn reported that she, Mara and others have been in a discussion with the SGA about the Textbook on Reserves issue. She and Mara also have been working with the Vermont Folk Life Center on examining an affiliate situation with them. 

Laura Gewissler said the IR committee is charging along. Also, she mentioned that for Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETD’s), we’re considering whether to join ProQuest again.  

Piazzas, Verandahs, Stoops: A Fascinating Look at Porches

WHAT Porches of North America 

WHEN April 23, 2013, 7 pm

WHERE Special Collections, Bailey/Howe Library 

Thomas Visser, associate professor of Historic Preservation and director of the Historic Preservation at the University of Vermont, will discuss his latest book, Porches of North America.

His slide presentation will explore how this well-loved building feature has evolved in the United States and Canada. He will also discuss his research into many curious social uses, traditions, customs, and special activities associated with porch life.

While porches have a long history and are a familiar feature of the landscape, Visser and his students discovered that there were relatively few real studies of porches. He has filled the gap with Porches of North America, a 304-page book that includes sections on the long history of porches as well as their many forms and functions. The book is loaded with illustrations of porches of all kinds, many from UVM Special Collections.

For a preview, check out this short video: CLICK HERE

Houston, We Do Not Have a Problem!

Earth to Colleagues!

 

The next exhibit to grace the B/H Lobby space is "The History of the Future: The Evolution of Science Fiction."  The Exhibit Committee has been working with lecturer Steven Hrotic to bring this idea to life.
 

 

The exhibit will feature the following themes: Adventure Fiction; Popularization of Science; The Creation of a Genre; Mainstream Science Fiction; Metropolis (1927); The Golden Age; Monster Movies; Classic Novels; Television & Movies; and Steampunk.

Also, of note, "75 Years of Science Fiction: An Interdisciplinary Conference," will take place at UVM on April 27, 2013. This Conference is free and open to the public. Email SF75@UVM.edu for more information.

 

 

 

What? Some Wednesday Fun? Two Days Before Friday? Yup!

Lori shares this film with us today. She explains that it's a short (under 8 min) creepy/horror flick that was made by a media student, Phil Cheney. Check out the talent in our building!