Alfred University Libraries joins schools around the country in celebration of University Press Week, November 12th-17th!

The University Press community amplifies voices, disciplines, and communities.
University presses around the country publish international and local authors writing on subjects that are broad, niche, and every level of inquiry in between. Without university presses, many of these authors or subjects would not be heard so clearly in the marketplace of ideas. [1]
SUNY Press
Since 1966 SUNY Press has published research, writing and scholarly work throughout the State University of New York (SUNY) system.
SUNY Press sponsors publications in the areas of African American studies, Asian studies, environmental studies, Indigenous studies, Italian American studies, Jewish studies, philosophy, political science, queer studies, religion, transpersonal psychology, and women’s studies.
Through its Excelsior Editions imprint, SUNY Press publishes works for an audience beyond academia with popular titles showcasing the history, diversity and natural beauty of the New York region. [2]
University Press Week
What is University Press Week? In the summer of 1978 President Jimmy Carter proclaimed a University Press Week “in recognition of the impact, both here and abroad, of American university presses on culture and scholarship.”

The importance of university press publishing continues today.  University Press Week highlights the extraordinary work of nonprofit scholarly publishers and their many contributions to culture, academia and an informed society at large. [3]
A foyer display in Scholes Library highlights a sampling of SUNY Press publications. Stop by and see what SUNY Press has contributed to the academic conversation.
Can you spot the names of any Alfred University professors in the display?
Sources:
[1] Association of University Presses 
[2] SUNY Press
[3] University Press Week
 

Get inspired by the NaNoWriMo Challenge!

What do New York Times Bestsellers Water for Elephants, Wool and Fangirl have in common?

They all began as a part of National Novel Writing Month’s 30 day challenge. 

Ever wanted to write a book? Take the NaNoWriMo challenge to write a 50,000 word novel in just one month. Time to dust off those story ideas and give yourself a deadline to get that novel finished!  National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) began in 1999 as an annual, Internet-based creative writing project. Participants can register at nanowrimo.org for support as they attempt to write a 50,000 word manuscript between November 1 and November 30.
Sound crazy or exhilarating? No pressure if you aren’t ready to commit to an entire novel just yet.
Join other aspiring writers Friday, November 16th at 7pm in the BookEnd Cafe of Herrick Library for an evening of creative writing, discussion, and share your story! 

11.09.2018

Here’s an incomplete list of some of what Herrick and Scholes have to offer.

Articles you can’t just Google

The libraries subscribe to numerous databases which give you access to thousands of journal and magazine articles not freely available in a typical Google search.  Searching these databases instead of just Googling cuts downs on search time.  Also, the articles you’ll find are more likely to be reliable sources.  A librarian can help you evaluate your results to be sure.

Video Streaming

Alfred University Libraries subscribes to a video streaming service, Kanopy. It contains thousands of movies and documentaries.  Try it here:  Kanopy

Materials sent from aLL over the world

We don’t have what you need? Bet we know someone who does.  Since libraries love to share take advantage of a little library magic known as InterLibrary Loan, a.k.a ILL.  Our ILL specialists Patty Barber and Amanda Criss can search and obtain materials like books, articles and theses from all over the world. We’ve borrowed books from as far away as Australia. For details contact Patty in Scholes or Amanda in Herrick. Many patrons tell us the wish they’d found out about this sooner.

24-hour study rooms

Both Herrick and Scholes have designated 24 hours study areas with separate, secure entrances.  Each has PCs and a printer. Access is protected by keypad entry. Bring your AU ID card to the front desk to receive the access code.

Specialized Software

Need something specific to get your work done? We have SolidWorks, MATLAB, SciGlass, SPSS, Adobe PhotoShop and MSOffice just to name a few.  See library staff for a complete list of what’s available at Herrick and/or Scholes.

Specialized Librarians

Alfred University Libraries has a team of six Librarians ready to help you with papers, projects and other research assignments.  Whether it’s Art, English, Gerontology, Glass Science Engineering, Business, Planetary Science, Criminal Justice, Psychology, Global Studies or any of Alfred University’s 40 majors-or one you design yourself-we have a Librarian who specializes in your area.   All the Librarians are happy to help you anytime, but to connect with your “Personal Librarian” click here.

Answers!

This isn’t quite the same as the last one. Everyone who works in the libraries-from our student workers at the front desk to the Dean, Director or the Archivists (we have Archivists!) love to help out. That’s pretty much the number one reason people work in libraries. We all love questions-whatever you’re working on is more interesting than whatever we were doing so please interrupt us! So if you need directions to the Equestrian Center, help locating a book, or just don’t know where the bathroom is we’re here to help.

Books

We snuck it in anyway because the books are still so good! From New York Times Best Sellers to 17th century leather bound multi-volume tomes we have tens of thousands of books. We love helping people find just the right one. Some are red, some are blue, some are old and some are new. Some are thin, some are fat. The fat one has a yellow hat. (Okay, maybe not that last part.)
 

Full-time and Part-time Professional Positions Available

The Alfred University Libraries are pleased to announce several position openings.  A library career is enjoyable, challenging and fulfilling all at the same time.  The daily tasks of all our library positions are centered around providing excellent service to students, faculty and staff.  Alfred University Libraries is comprised of the enthusiastic and dynamic teams at Herrick Memorial Library and Samuel R. Scholes Library.  We are looking for teammates for the following positions:
Technical Services Assistant: https://alfred.edu/jobs-at-alfred/viewpost.cfm?ID=6378
Public Services Coordinator: https://alfred.edu/jobs-at-alfred/viewpost.cfm?ID=6377

New at Scholes Library: Samantha Dannick — Engineering and Scholarly Communication Librarian
Something Old and Something New
The role of Engineering Librarian is well established at Alfred University. I’m here to support the students, faculty, and staff of the Inamori School of Engineering in their research endeavors and academic lives here at Alfred University. I can help you find, evaluate, and use information and resources (engineering-related or not). I can help you frame your research question or work through how to approach a project. I can help you whether you’re a first-year figuring out the college library and college-level expectations or a PhD student working on your thesis. The bottom line is: I’m an information professional, and I’m here to work and collaborate with the Alfred University community.
 
The role of Scholarly Communication Librarian is new to Alfred University. I’m here to support the entire Alfred University scholarly community in navigating the world of academic publishing and the frontiers of open access. I’ll keep us moving forward in implementing and developing open educational resources (OER). I’ll be working on making Alfred’s institutional repository, AURA, a home for and a showcase of faculty scholarship. When you’re ready to publish (or at least starting to think about it), I hope you’ll talk to me.
 
You’ve probably heard that Alfred University Libraries are going through some restructuring; Herrick and Scholes will still be Herrick and Scholes, but they’ll both be under the umbrella of Alfred University Libraries. We’re one great University with two great libraries. It’s an interesting time to come on board, and I’m excited to be here.
Samantha Dannick — Engineering and Scholarly Communication Librarian
 
 

The Encounter Group by Louis Mendez displayed in Scholes Library

 
New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University recently acquired The Encounter Group a sculpture by artist and alum Louis Mendez (BFA ’52, MFA ’54).  The hand-built, pit-fired sculpture was donated by Mendez’s wife Dianne-an avid supporter of the School of Art and Design.  Mendez passed away in 2012, making its installation in the Samuel R. Scholes Library of Ceramics a fitting tribute to his legacy as an influential ceramic sculptor.
Mendez is remembered by his students as an engaging teacher, holding positions at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, the Philadelphia College of Art, and the Ohio State University in Columbus, where he was an Associate Professor of Art and Chairman of the Graduate Faculty in the Ceramics Department.[1]
“In his quest to capture the remnant vitality of ancient images and to interpret these forms in a highly personal idiom, he created a body of work at once decorative, evocative, and original.” [2]
The Encounter Group, made in 1989, is a fine example of his iconic body of work-“largely figurative ceramic sculpture inspired by a consistent esthetic allied to both the ancient origins of cultures and a modernist treatment of forms and surfaces.”
“Mendez is well known for his signature ‘Spanish Hand-Building Technique,’ using highly textured slabs, whose surface designs are suggestive of archetypal images that tend to recur across many ancient cultures.  The technique contributed materially to the transformation of ceramics from ‘craft’ to ‘art form’, allowing the construction and firing of works in clay without the use of an armature.”[3]
The piece is available for public viewing on the main floor of the Samuel R. Scholes Library located at the New York State College at Alfred University, 2 Pine Street Alfred, NY 14803
For current Library hours see our website: https://scholes.alfred.edu/
 
[1]http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/nytimes/obituary.aspx?n=louis-mendez&pid=158979369
[2] https://www.louismendez.com/about-louis-mendez.html
[3] ibid
 

As a result of a self-study and outside consultant report, the Alfred University Libraries are reorganizing and rebranding as a more unified academic unit while simultaneously maintaining their unique identities and core missions.
First steps included creating a new administrative structure with one Dean and one Director overseeing both libraries and the formation of cross-library teams. Following the retirement of Steve Crandall, the role of Interim Dean is currently being filled by Laurie Lounsberry McFadden. She will be focused on more “outward facing” aspects of the libraries, serving on various committees and councils, representing the libraries work with SUNY and the College of Ceramics, advocating for the libraries on various levels, managing the budgets and overseeing strategic planning and assessment.
Brian Sullivan has stepped into the Interim Director position (Mark Smith is on sabbatical and will return in a new role in the spring semester). The newly defined director position will handle more “inward facing” aspects of the libraries: supervising personnel, building/maintenance issues, promotion and tenure, policies and procedures, etc.
During the transition period Laurie and Brian will each continue with their regular responsibilities as much as possible so feel free to continue to reach out to them as usual.
Deb Rollins is now the Administrative Assistant to the Dean and Director and will support the work of the new AU Libraries leadership.
The anticipated outcomes of the process include greater collaboration, the sharing of expertise and time, and better overall efficiency. The ultimate goal of the AU Libraries is to provide the University campus with excellent resources and services that support the success of our students.

Alfred University’s Herrick Memorial Library is hosting the traveling exhibit, Recognizing Women’s Right to Vote in New York State, from now through Friday, March 2.

New York State is celebrating the centennial of women gaining the right to vote in New York State on November 6, 1917—three years before the 19th Amendment was passed and women throughout the United States gained the right to vote. The South Central Regional Library Council and the Empire State Library Network have partnered with the Digital Public Library of America on the exhibit, which looks beyond the traditional Women’s Suffrage narrative and explores the history behind the movement that made New York State such an important place in the fight for Women’s Suffrage.
The exhibit includes five panels, each showing a different theme:
Woman Suffrage before 1848 – Explores voting in New York State before the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848, including in the colonies and among the Haudenosaunee people.
Women’s Rights Activity up to 1848 and the Seneca Falls and Rochester Conventions – Women and men organized to restore the right to vote to women, among other rights.
Pop Culture Suffrage – Suffragists displayed brilliance when it came to promoting their cause, and packaged their message in consumer goods, created songs and theater performances, formed parades and processions, and traveled through rural areas, knocking on doors.
Anti-Suffrage – Most women and men believed that equality for women would lead to the destruction of the state. The Anti-suffrage movement engaged in public debates, created publicity materials to counter those of the suffragists, and argued that support for Women’s Suffrage was unpatriotic, especially during World War I.
Race and Diversity – The early Women’s Suffrage movement embraced women of all races, but overt racism in the later years led some suffragists to argue for the inclusion of all races winning the right to vote—including those effectively denied their voting rights.
For more information, contact Herrick Library at herricklibrary@alfred.edu.

A selection of personal letters to and from Charles F. Binns, the father of American studio ceramics, are now available to view online. These archived letters have recently been digitized, transcribed, and uploaded to AURA (Alfred University Research & Archives).  There are currently 135 transcribed letters, with many more on the way!


For those who may not be in the know, Charles F. Binns was an artist (potter), as well as a major influence during the Arts and Crafts movement at the turn of the century. This movement promoted the unique physical beauty and aesthetics of handmade pottery and other art pieces, as opposed to the mass produced products that were becoming widely available due to the Industrial Revolution.
Binns was also the first director of the New York State College of Clay-Working and Ceramics, which was the first school to combine ceramic art and engineering.  Today it is know as The New York State College of Ceramics (NYSCC) at Alfred University.  For 30 years, this was the only school to have combined the two. Additionally, Binns was one of the first to strongly promote taking a scientific approach to glaze study. Binns worked with, as well as taught, many famous artists such as Elizabeth Overbeck, Mary Chase Perry Stratton, Arthur Eugene Baggs, and R. Guy Cowan.  He continued to correspond and give advice to his students well after they had graduated. This was done through letters, some of which can now be viewed through the AURA site. Binns was so well respected by his students as well as other artists that he was often consulted about techniques, clay, kilns, glazes, and general guidance. The NYSCC Archives in Scholes Library also holds correspondence between Binns and famous contemporaries such as Gustav Stickley, Frederick Carder, and Paul Gardner.

So, you are interested in finding these letters but you are unfamiliar with AURA? No problem! Here is a step by step guide on accessing the letters.
Step 1) You will find a link to AURA on the Scholes Library or Herrick Library web sites, or follow the direct link https://aura.alfred.edu.
Step 2) On AURA‘s main page enter Charles Fergus Binns in the search box.

 
 
From here, you can browse everything uploaded so far!
So now you know a little more about Charles F. Binns and how important he was to Alfred University and to modern ceramics. Make sure to check AURA periodically for updates and additional letter uploads. For more information, or if you would like to visit the NYSCC Archives in Scholes Library, contact Verna Mullen, Archives Manager, at mullenvc@alfred.edu.