We wish everyone a very happy holiday season! May you all have a wonderful and restful winter recess. See you next year. 🙂
Best Regards,
Herrick and Scholes Library
Student Art Collection at Herrick
For over twenty years Herrick Library has been collecting AU student art. Sometimes the library itself buys from the senior shows…
   
sometimes the library is given art from a committee which buys excellent student art to place across campus…
sometimes students really just want to leave a piece of their work at Alfred, and they give it to the library…
or make the library a really great deal…
We also have some art that was created by our own student workers…
Some of the art is fanciful…
Some is abstract…
Herrick also hosts temporary student art exhibits…
Sometimes art can just disappear when you’ve walked by it for a long time without really looking at it. When you’ve got a few spare minutes, check out the student art at Herrick. Most of the library’s student art is in the Learning Commons, and in the top floor hallway between the Children’s room and the East Wing (toward Alumni Hall.) Most pieces are identified by the name and graduation year of the artist. They’d be happy for you to stop by and see what they created.
Steve Crandall
The Library is Full of Fakes
Hang on, I promise this is a good thing.
We’ve talked about some of the genuine, original artistic creations housed in the Scholes Library before, in the form of the artists’ books in Special Collections. While artists’ books have a fairly old history, the first true artists’ books weren’t created until the 20th century. We’re going to go further back in this post; in fact, we’re getting downright medieval.
Closeup of a page from the Stundenbuch aus Nordfrankreich : Handschrift auf Pergament–that is, a book of hours from Northern France. Spec. Coll. Oversize ND3363.N67 S79 1985
A full page view of the same folio from the Stundenbuch.
Alongside the artist’s book collection at Scholes is a collection of manuscript facsimiles. Facsimile–the origin of the word “fax,” for the curious–just means an exact copy of something, but in the books and manuscripts world it becomes something much more fabulous. A manuscript facsimile is an exact reproduction of a particular manuscript, often down to the tiny details of the cover, the irregular shapes of the pages, holes, smudges, signatures, stamps, and all the other quirks that make a unique manuscript unique. It becomes a way of experiencing a rare, unusual, or important manuscript when the original is miles away in another country, or too fragile to be handled. For both scholars and the casually curious, this is incredibly valuable. As books, manuscripts are meant to be experienced in three dimensions, with the reader moving from page to page in context rather than staring at flat images projected on a screen; facsimiles are sometimes the only way the average reader can experience them in this fashion.
A two page spread from the facsimiles of the Farnese Hours, a Renaissance manuscript. Spec. Coll. ND3363 F35 C57 1976
Many of our facsimiles are of medieval or Renaissance books, and present a beautiful array of illuminations and illustrations, often literally sparkling with gold. Not all of them a “true” facsimiles in the sense of being a complete, unaltered replica. Some are individual pages, perfectly reproduced down to the tears in the corners; some are bound together with commentary and a new cover; all are worthwhile parts of our collection.
However, not all the facsimiles in our collection are of such aged and venerable materials. A facsimile can be an exact copy of any rare or valuable document, and that also definitely applies for our copies of Jackson Pollock’s sketchbooks. The originals of these remarkably large books (the full folio is significantly larger than my entire torso) are currently held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, but patrons of the Scholes Library can flip through identical, full-size copies of them right here in Special Collections. Those who do explore them will be rewarded not only with the abstractions that might be expected from Pollock, but also glimpses of representational art of great vitality.
One of the pages from the Jackson Pollock sketchbooks. Spec. Coll. Folio NC139.P6 A4 1997
Another page, and view of some of the closed sketchbooks.
The experience of flipping through an artist’s sketchbook isn’t limited to modern artists, either. Also in our collection is a two volume copy of the sketchbooks of Hiroshige. As with Pollock’s sketchbooks, the structure of these works has also been reproduced, in this case a long accordion fold of images on creamy paper that sometimes meld into each other. Any patron interested in artistic process would be strongly advised to investigate these and other facsimile treasures.
A few glimpses of the folded pages of Hiroshige’s sketchbooks, including a fox mask dance. Spec. Coll. ND2073 A48 A4 1984.
Accessing the Special Collections room is fairly simple; just ask a librarian, or, if you can’t find one, ask one of the student workers at the front desk to find you a librarian. Special Collections is not set up as a casual browsing collection, so it may help to have a list of certain works you’d like to see before you go. You can try searching our catalog from our website, or you can contact one of the librarians for help finding materials in your area of interest.
We hope you’ll come see us soon!
Forget Books, Pickup a Trade Magazine!
Books are boring. Yes I said it, boring.
What is this librarian talking about? Has he never heard of Hemingway, Austin, Dr. Seuss? Where would we be without A Tale of Two Cities, Dune, or The Secret Garden? Does he not value job security? Heard of that quote by Thomas Jefferson “I cannot live without books?” MY GOD! Does he even know he’s librarian!?
Please, hear me out. I love books too. That better? First off, they’re way better than the movie. And who doesn’t love that smell, right? I could get lost in that smell…. I am a librarian you know.
Plus, ebooks (We’ve got a digital ton of these) are great right? Ctrl+f right through those things and find all the good stuff you came for. Seriously every time you open an ebook and hit those two little magical buttons you’re turning yourself into a real life index/Sherlock Holmes. I mean is there anything ctrl+f can’t find?
Ok maybe not one of those.
Anyways, now that I have told you all about how awesome books are let me get back to my original argument about the AWESOMENESS of trade magazines. (by now I would hope you had figured out that I was just trying to catch your attention with that boring books line)
It will all make sense soon.
TRADE MAGAZINES
What are they?
Trade magazines are periodicals that are developed for different professions, industries, trades, fields, etc.. They often share what’s happening within a field, review new research/techniques/trends to show possible impacts, provide a forum for discussion, and geared toward you.
Why should I care?
Trade magazines are great for a number of reasons. Many of them are associated with professional organizations. These organizations are all about supporting the their members and their field of study. They can provide job listings, information on grants, conferences, and other opportunities. In general, they are a great resource for keeping up on what is happening in your field. Besides all that, trade magazines are great for researching your next paper on recycling spent nuclear fuel,  3D printing in space, or wax fuel for safer rockets, etc..
You just blew my mind, where can I find them?
So glad that you asked! Depending on what you are looking for you can either find them in print at the library, through one of our databases, or online through the library’s subscription. Both Scholes and Herrick librarians can point you in the right direction. Just drop by and ask! If you want to learn more about trade magazines or any of our other awesome resources, find your personal librarian and drop them a line.
A short list by subject area
Accounting
- Main Street Practitioner (NSA – National Society of Accountants) library access
Art
- Art Bulletin (CAA – College Art Association) library access
- The Independent Artist newsletter (NAIA – National Association of Independent Artists)
Business Administration
- MWorld (AMA – American Management Association)
Chemistry
- C&EM (ACS – American Chemical Society)
- ChemMatters (ACS – Education Division)
Education
- American Educator (AFT – American Federation of Teachers)
- Education Matters ( AAE- Association of American Educators)
- PRISM (ASEE – American Society for Engineering Education)
Engineering (Ceramic)
- ACerS Bulletin (ACerS – American Ceramic Society)
Engineering (Electrical)
- IEEE Spectrum (IEEE – Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers)
Engineering (Mechanical)
- ME Today newsletter (ASME – American Society of Mechanical Engineers)
- Mechanical Engineering Magazine (ASME) Library access
Physics
- Physics Today (AIP – American Institute of Physics)
Psychology
- Monitor on Psychology (APA – American Psychological Association)
Herrick Halloween Contest!
Once upon a time, there was a zombie who resided in Carnegie Hall! As a matter of fact, if you pay close attention, you can still see it peeping through the windows. We were lucky enough to capture a photo, and we would like a story to go along with the image of this mysterious creature! The contest will run through Sunday, Nov. 2, and on Monday, the winner with the quirkiest short story or caption will win a free t-shirt! To enter, please leave a reply under this blog post.
Happy Halloween!!
There's Gold on the 3rd Floor of Scholes Library
There’s Gold on the 3rd Floor of Scholes Library
Early Advertising Flyer for the College
Ever been up to the 3rd floor of Scholes Library? Nestled among the study rooms and various offices stands the home of The Archives of the New York State College of Ceramics.
The business of the College Archives is to collect, describe, preserve and provide access to the story of this important college.
From its humble beginnings as the “New York State School of Clay Working and Ceramics” to the college’s present status as a leader in materials research and fine arts education, a trail of documents and artifacts are collected and made available to researchers throughout the world.
Sumer School Class 1901
Calls for access to this rich history extend well beyond local service to students, faculty and administrative offices. In this past year alone we have received inquiries from institutions such as the American Decorative Arts Unit of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, the Dinnerware Museum in Cleveland Ohio, the Art and Architecture Libraries, University of Maryland, and Sotheby’s Twentieth Century Design Department.
The archives at Scholes is also busy working to serve independent scholars seeking access to records, papers, correspondence and photographic images for their books, lectures and genealogical studies.
Daniel Rhodes Tools
This year, we have provided content from the letters of Charles Fergus Binns, biographical information on faculty and graduates past and present, information on manufacturing and artistic processes, copies of ceramic glaze recipes of notable faculty, gallery and exhibition records, and historical photographs.
Charles Fergus Binns Tool Set
At the same time, Scholes Archives Manager Verna Mullen is busy collecting and describing a steady stream of items donated to the collection and for our historical record.
1900-1901 Catalog
This year we have processed items including Fosdick-Nelson gallery posters and cards, papers from the former Center for Environmental and Energy Research (CEER) at Alfred, papers from the former Center for Glass Research at Alfred, photographic transparencies of artist/educator William Parry, materials from the Schein-Joseph Int’l Museum of Ceramic Art and correspondence from renown ceramic artists Brother Thomas Bezanson and Sister Angela Fina.
Antique Glass Slides
This is just a brief synopsis of some the ongoing work of the College of Ceramics Archives during this past year alone. The Archives at Scholes Library holds the expected set of materials (yearbooks, catalogs, papers, correspondence, photos etc.) but is more than a repository for “stuff.” It serves a variety of important and influential communities whose purpose is to turn our “stuff” into meaningful stories and brings life and meaning to the work in our unique college.
If you have an interest in visiting the College of Ceramics Archives at Scholes Library, or have an informational need that we can address,
Glaze Recipes of Otto and Vivika Heino
please feel free to contact Archives Manager – Verna Mullen at 607-871-2938 (mailto:mullenvc@alfred.edu).
Val Cushing’s Glaze Samples
Alfred University is quite focused in its commitment to preserve its rich history. The Archives at Scholes Library focuses exclusively on the history of the Ceramics College.
This is only part of the story of Alfred University. A fuller campus history is preserved in the remarkably rich Archives and Special Collections at Herrick Library. For information or access to that collection please contact Laurie McFadden, University Archivist and Special Collections Librarian, 607-871-2385 mcfadden@alfred.edu
Theodore Roosevelt’s Signature establishing The NYS School of Clay-working & Ceramics at Alfred
Four is an Impressive Number
This past August I had the opportunity to meet with incoming students during the Student Success Conference. The Alfred University Libraries held a session titled 10 things you should know about the libraries before you start class. Anyone who has sat in on my introductory library sessions knows that I often ask the students if they know how many libraries there are in the village of Alfred. Often enough, one or two students will come up with the correct number: four.
The reason I ask this question is to provide an opportunity to talk about the different libraries available to them, and to discuss the strengths of each collection. I have to admit that I also ask the question because, as someone who lives and works in the village, I am proud of the number and happy that I can possibly surprise students (if that is even possible) with such a big number for such a small village. The question I ask is misleadingly simple, though. I could qualify the question with a possibly laborious introduction to the nature of libraries in the twenty-first century, i.e. what forms they take (physical or digital or both).
With the arrival over the past fifteen years of organizations such as the The Internet Archive and The HathiTrust Digital Library and, more recently, the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA), these resources expand the reach of libraries beyond the boundaries of any given village. I think I will keep the question I ask the students deceivingly simple (and possibly impressive) despite the fact that the question is complex.
By focusing the question on the four libraries in Alfred, I know that I am giving each student a good place to start and that, over time, they will discover the many remarkable collections that are available online.
-John Hosford
Additional information about the DPLA.
Digital Public Library of America
The National Digital Public Library is Launched! essay by Robert DarntonÂ
[youtube=http://youtu.be/m0ngLBa4ewM]
How to print from a personal computer to a library printer
Beginning this fall, you can print from a personal computer to a library printer without having to download any software or printer drivers! Below are step-by-step instructions. If you need assistance, ask for help at the library’s front desk.
1. Go to http://my.alfred.edu. On the left-hand menu, hover your mouse over “My Printing” and select “Status.”
2. Log into PaperCut using your Alfred University username and password. This is the same username and password that you use for AU email. Do NOT include @alfred.edu as part of your username.
3. After logging in, select “Web Print” from the side menu.
4. Click the link “Submit a Job” to get started with choosing a document to print.
5. Select the printer you’d like to print to. The three printers highlighted in the image below are the printers available in Herrick. After selecting the printer, click the “Print Options and Account Selection” button to continue.
6. You will now be able to indicate the number of copies you’d like to print. Choose a number and place it in the box labeled “Copies.” Then click the button “Upload Documents.”
7. Select the file(s) you’d like to print by selecting the “Choose Files” button. This will open a dialog box where you can select your file(s). You can also see which file types are accepted for web printing. After selecting the files, click the “Upload & Complete “ button to start printing.
8. Your job should have been sent to the printer. PaperCut should display the status of your print job, as in the example below. Be patient for large files, which may take longer to print. To print another document, choose “Submit a Job” from this screen.
— Brett Arno and Ellen Bahr
Personal Librarian Dessert event a success!
Gourmet cupcakes, delectable cheesecake, freshly baked cookies, and tasty treats. These were the delicious desserts that were served last week as the Personal Librarians Program kicked off the fall semester with an informal meet-and-greet gathering in the Book End Lounge. The event provided an excellent opportunity for each of our AU librarians participating in the program to introduce themselves to first year students and for our librarians to get to know their students, as well.
Thank you to all who attended; you made the event a fantastic and memorable one!
Dessert buffet, Book End Cafe, Herrick Library.
Students and librarians engage in conversation in the Book End Lounge.
Mark Smith, Stephen Crandall, and Trevor Riley remind everyone to “Keep Calm and Ask a Librarian” by sporting their awesome new t-shirts!
Mark Smith, left, is the Director of Scholes Library; Stephen Crandall, center, is the Library Director and Collection Management Coordinator at Herrick Library; Trevor Riley, right, is the Engineering and Emerging Technologies Librarian at Scholes Library.
Eva Sclippa, right, is the Art Librarian and Instruction Coordinator at Scholes.
Ellen Bahr, left, is the Information Systems Librarian and Interlibrary Loan Coordinator at Herrick.
Laurie McFadden, center, is the University Archivist, Librarian, and Special Collections and Cataloging Coordinator at Herrick.
Brian Sullivan, middle, is the Instructional Librarian and Access Services Coordinator at Herrick.
What's happening at Herrick?
What’s going on at Herrick? Why are there so many empty shelves? Where are those books going? What will be done with the space that becomes available?
Part of the project involves moving most of Herrick’s art books to Scholes. Herrick built a collection of art books to meet a need in the distant past. Now those books are joining the books in the Scholes collection to make art research just a little easier. This has been an ongoing project for several years.
The other reason for all this activity is a re-evaluation of the entire library collection. It’s been many, many years since all the books in the library collection have been reviewed to see if they are still relevant and useful to AU students and faculty.
To start the evaluation process the library staff identifies older books that haven’t been used for 20 years or more. Then faculty members in each subject area evaluate the possible removals to ensure that we don’t lose important works in the subject areas which support our curricula, just because those books haven’t been used recently.
The next step is to identify which books might be of use to others. We send many of the items we remove to Better World Books, which supports literacy initiatives in developing countries. They sell used books through their web site to fund those initiatives. So its a win-win situation. We feel better about the books leaving the library, because we know they may now get into the hands of someone who will use them. And literacy is something near and dear to our hearts, so we’re happy to support efforts to improve literacy world-wide.
All of this evaluation and “slimming-down” of the collection will create a fair amount of new floor space — what will it be used for?
The top floor of the east wing (next to Alumni Hall) is slated to be transformed into a new space for the Center for Academic Success and the Writing Center which will come together to create special areas for writing assistance, tutoring, testing and other services.  When combined with the ITS HelpDesk and the library services already in place, it will make Herrick a “one-stop-shopping” location for academic support services.
We’ve still got a lot of work to do before the Center can be created at Herrick.  I want to give a shout out to the many faculty members who have volunteered their time to do this important review of the Herrick collection. THANKS!!!
— Steve Crandall