Scholes Library will be open Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm. Herrick Library will be open by appointment only.
Library materials from both Herrick and Scholes are available for pick up via the item request system. Directions on how to use the item request system can be found here.
All requested library materials, including interlibrary loans, will be made available for pick up in Scholes Library.
Printers, scanners and computers are available to current AU students, staff, and faculty in Scholes Library. No appointment is needed.
Services such as Archives and research consultations will be available by appointment in Herrick and Scholes. Please contact directly, the staff or librarian you wish to meet with to make arrangements. Contact information can be found here: Herrick Library; Scholes Library.
The entrances will remain locked and instructions for entry upon arrival will be posted on the doors.
Both book drops will remain available for returns.
After 29 years at the Samuel R. Scholes Library of Ceramics and the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, Mark Smith will be retiring at the end of this year, signaling the end of an era for the Alfred University Libraries.
For nearly three decades, Mark has been recognized, appreciated, and widely beloved across campus for his passionate advocacy for and devotion to the College of Ceramics, his boisterous laughter, and his dynamic and all-encompassing fervency in everything he does. After obtaining his Master of Library Science degree from the University at Buffalo, he has served the Alfred University Libraries, and Scholes Library in particular, in a variety of positions, including Reference Librarian, Information Systems Librarian & Head of Technical Services, Collection Management Librarian, and, most notably, Director of Scholes Library & Associate Dean of Libraries.
During his extensive career, he has shepherded Scholes Library with his characteristic nurturing style and roll-with-the-punches attitude, through all of the tremendous computing and technological shifts of the past few decades, including the implementation of numerous digital systems, tools, and resources. In addition, he led several strategic planning processes, directed multiple library space redesign initiatives, and helped to establish lasting cross-library partnerships while tirelessly championing the unique and specialized mission of Scholes Library. Mark served on myriad College and University committees including Middle States Steering Committees, Promotion and Tenure Committees, Search Committees, the College of Ceramics Faculty Council, Faculty Senate, and the Advisory Council on Technology.
Mark came to librarianship as a second career after a decade of teaching music and theater in Canisteo, NY. He has continued to share these gifts with the community though his leadership and involvement with The Orpheus Chorale, the Hornell Area Community Cantata Choir, the Hornell Community Theatre, and as a board member of the Arts Council of the Southern Finger Lakes, from which he received the Arts Partnership Award in 2013.
As a leader and mentor, Mark has consistently modeled how to lead with empathy, using the heart as well as the mind. Colleagues through the years could tell stories of times they brought Mark an idea and watched him immediately light up with excitement and enthusiastic support in direct proportion to their own excitement and enthusiasm. Mark has always been a master at nurturing the seed of an idea and ensuring it has ample opportunity to thrive. His approach to the cultivation of people has been similar, providing just the right mix of encouragement, direction, and space for each person to soar as their best self.
Throughout his career, Mark has drawn energy and inspiration from the relationships he created through his professional involvement in groups outside of Alfred. For instance, he has been the president and executive board member of the SUNY Librarians Association, the Chair of the SUNY Council of Library Directors, a member of the SUNY Provost’s Faculty Advisory Council on Teaching & Technology, a board member of the South Central Regional Library Council, and a contributor to the New Media Consortium’s highly influential Horizon Report. He received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Librarianship in 2004 and the Friend of SUNY Librarians Association Award in 2012.
Mark’s colleagues throughout the years are grateful that he answered the call to forge a new vocational path into the world of librarianship. His second act has inspired, uplifted, and left us smiling a little bit more than before we heard and joined in his song.
Thank you for all of the laughter, support, and creativity you have given us, Mark. We wish you all good things in the next act of your life’s adventure.
In order to support students in their preparations for final exams, Alfred University Libraries announce extended hours for Herrick Memorial Library and Samuel R. Scholes Library. For more information on AU Library Services during COVID-19 go to: https://libguides.alfred.edu/COVID
Alfred University Libraries is pleased to welcome the newest member of our team, Kevin Adams. As the Information Literacy Librarian, Kevin is here to help students navigate the deluge of content available to researchers in the information age. Whether you need help starting a paper or research project, evaluating the quality of your search results or creating citations for a bibliography Kevin is here to help.
Kevin will also be reinvigorating our Library Liaison program which connects our AU Librarians to each of the University’s majors and minors in order to provide content specific research support, instruction and library collection development. For more information about this program or to schedule an appointment with Kevin email: adamska@alfred.edu
Q&A with Kevin:
What was your background before Alfred University? Education: I studied History and Philosophy at Purdue University, then I got my MS in Library and Information Science and the University of Illinois in Urbana Champaign. Work: I have mostly worked in restaurants and libraries. To name a few positions, I have worked as a delivery biker, delivery driver, server, kitchen prep, line cook, archivist, reference librarian, and a comic book cataloger. What interests you about your current position? I am excited to engage with the students and find creative ways to center them as we explore information literacy concepts! Favorite social media platform? Twitter! What are you reading or listening to? As I write this, I am listening to Charles Mingus. The book I most recently picked up is Black Skin, White Masks by Frantz Fanon. What do you like to do to for fun? I like to read, hike, fish (very amateurly), play video games, and cook. What is something would you like to learn? I would like to learn to play an instrument! What has gotten you through quarantine and pandemic times? Hunkering down with my fiancée Sara Kramer and my two cats and dog. Is there anything about you that others would be surprised to know? I love punk music. Before quarantine I would frequently go to basement shows and start the occasional mosh pit.
Alfred University Libraries will reopen to students, faculty and staff on Sunday, August 23rd, 2020
The best source of up-to-date information, including the complete reopening plan, is the AU Libraries Services for Fall 2020 Guide (https://libguides.alfred.edu/covid).
Both Herrick Library and Scholes Library will reopen on Sunday, August 23, at 2pm. Complete building hours for Fall 2020 are listed below.
At this time, due to the unique demands of this coming semester, our reduced building services will initially be directed toward the academic support of AU students, faculty and staff. Community members are valued library patrons and we look forward to welcoming the community for item pickup and appointments as early as Monday, September 7th, 2020. Watch for separate announcements regarding these services.
Here are a few highlights of what to expect this semester: What’s available?
Library books and media for pick up via an online request system (coming soon!)
Research assistance with Librarians by Zoom or email
PCs, printers and scanners, but with reduced seats and capacity to support distancing
Article databases, Kanopy (video streaming) and ebooks
Interlibrary Loan (Electronic requests available now, print material returning soon!)
Scanning pages from Library periodicals or books (amount may be limited due to copyright restrictions)
What’s not available?
Shelf browsing
Study rooms and conference rooms
The 24 hour study rooms
Reserve Books (email libraries@alfred.edu and we will assist you via scanning or locating electronic alternatives)
Shareable items like headphones, laptops, chargers, and markers
Programming and events
Please email us any questions you have at libraries@alfred.edu.
We look forward to seeing you soon. Let us know how we can help make this semester a success for you and your students!
Fiat Bibliotheca!
The Alfred University Libraries have a long tradition of sponsoring a variety of activities to help relieve finals week stress. This year we’ve adjusted to remote delivery.
In the past, the Libraries have provided coloring pages and puzzles, a Lego table, massage night, and therapy dogs, in addition to free cookies and coffee.
Although we are all spread far and wide right now, we can still enjoy some free, virtual finals week study breaks together. Here is a collection of some stress-busting ideas:
Remember, Librarians and staff are still reachable at libraries@alfred.edu for questions if you need help during finals week. You can also follow AU Libraries on Instagram or Facebook.
Alfred University Libraries is pleased to announce the recent hiring of Laura Habecker for the position of Digital Projects and Archives Assistant. You can find Laura in Scholes, in the digitization lab near the Mac Lab, or on the 3rd floor in the College Archives. We are very happy to add Laura to the Library family.
AU Libraries Apex Intern Haleigh Youll asked Laura some questions to help Alfred students and staff get to know what a great addition she truely is. What was your background before Alfred University?
I came from Houghton College where I was the College’s Archivist for 3 years, my husband has worked therein ITS for 6 years. Before that we were missionaries in Alaska for 9 years in a small town of 500 people called Glennallen, 4 hours east of Anchorage. What is your educational background?
I have a BS in Communications (Major: Mass Communications, Minor: Interpersonal Communications) from Ohio University and a MA in Christian Thought (Theology and Church History) from Biblical Theological Seminary What are you excited to accomplish in your new role?
I love how inclusive the archival philosophy is here. All Faculty and Students can end up having their work included in the College of Ceramic’s story. I also want to learn more about digitizing those works. What areyou most proud of?
My boys. Chris is 16 and Jon is 12, or the fact that we are still together as a family after we crossed this continent 3 times in our mini van starting when the boys were 2 and 5 1/2 years old. 2 weeks of driving 9-5, then a hotel with a pool, repeat. I don’t go anywhere without duct tape, toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Ever. Who is your biggest supporter?
Jesus Do you have any pets?
Wrangell (named after a volcano in Alaska, the name means “weather stopper”). He is probably 10-11 years old, was abused and rescued. It took him 2 years to bark (though he is part chihuahua) and we had to teach him to eat dog food. His favorite food is pizza and veggies. One thing you wish you knew when you were 20?
At 20, I had been a Christian for 2 years. Life as an adult can get really really hard. I wish I had understood how much better life is with Jesus at the center of my life, not just on Sundays. What do you do to relax?
Read, garden, fiber arts, family time (often spent watching one of my boys in soccer, basketball, band, art exhibits…) What is a skill or hobby you’d like to learn?
Watercolor What is your favorite place in the libraries?
Libraries are my happy place…I have to choose one spot?! Is there anything about you that others would be surprised to know?
My time in Alaska is chuck full of crazy stuff. I’ve eaten roadkill (moose, caribou and salmon). Come ask me and I’ll tell you how you get roadkill salmon. The coldest we lived through was -56F. The scariest earthquake we had scored a 5.6. My kids didn’t get a snow day until is was -50F…but they could have outdoor recess until -20F. My son Chris’s nickname is Eagle Bait. Our first spring there he was 15 months old and sitting in the driveway while I was in the garage. I looked over and saw a bald eagle flying right at him. I realized he weighed less than a salmon! and had to chase it off like a momma bear. I had no weapon. Just my voice and my waving arms. It was only afterwards that I realized I had taken on a bird of prey with a 7.5 foot wing span, and nothing to fight with.
Alfred University Libraries welcomes Rebecca (Becky) Stewart as Technical Services Assistant. Becky is learning cataloging and other specialized skills that help get library materials into students’ hands. Becky is not new to AU, but we are celebrating her new role with the libraries.
AU Library Apex intern, Haleigh Youll, collected some fun facts about Becky and her life! What was your background before Alfred University?
Retail that led into being a general manager for 8 years. I decided to take on a slower role shortly after the birth of my twins. Most recently before coming to AU, I worked as a pre-school teacher. What is your educational background?
I graduated Hornell High School, Class of 1999. Wildwood Education Center – Automated Office Practice -1999. Olean Business Institute – Business Management 2006. Eastern Gateway Community College – Accounting, Currently enrolled. Several Trainings for Child care safety, First Aid, Food/Nutrition classes. Currently enrolled in ALCTS – Fundamentals of Cataloging online course. What are you excited to accomplish in your new role?
Order/organization in the various holdings throughout the library. What are you most proud of?
I started my career at AU as a Janitor. I want to learn as much as possible to support AU all the way around. Who is your biggest supporter?
My mom – forever my best friend. Do you have any pets?
I have several: 2 dogs, 2 cats, 2 goats, 8 ducks, 1 potbellied pig, 1 bearded dragon, and too many chickens to count. One thing you wish you knew when you were 20?
The importance of developing a personal relationship rather than trying to be strictly professional at all times with coworkers. What do you do to relax?
I enjoy reading. Gardening. What is a skill or hobby you’d like to learn?
How to sew. What is your favorite place in the libraries?
1st floor and the various art placed around.
Currently on display in the Scholes Library Project Space
The Ripple Effect: A student curated show in the Scholes Project Space. Available through March 6th, during regular library hours. The show draws from the work created during Stephanie McMahon’s Fall 2019 Water Based Media class.
Artists include: Lauren Boshart, Clare Stephenson, Brianna Wacenske, Jaclyn Doyle, Angela Childs, Carrie Dugan, Jessica Lake, Brigitte Denome, Cynthia Stasio, Tim Sears ,Ryn Sczudlo, and Paige Wetherwax.
