Angela Vanden Elzen

Author: Angela Vanden Elzen

Winter Break at the Mudd Library

It’s winter break, which means the library has switched to break hours. The library will be open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through December 18th. As with the rest of campus, the library will be closed the week of December 21-25, and will reopen on Monday, December 28. See the library calendar for more details.

Now is a great time to stop in the Mudd Library and ask our reference librarians to tell you more about the new OneSearch library resource search. OneSearch allows searching of both items in the library and electronic resources from one search bar! We’ll also help you learn when OneSearch is right for your research, and when more in-depth searching in individual databases is the right choice. Off campus, but want to learn more? Take a look at our Searching Library Collections page or contact a reference librarian by email or phone.

Remember, the library has a great selection of popular movies, novels, games, and music in addition to our vast selection of scholarly materials. Now that you may have time for leisure materials, stop in and discover something fun!

Learn About the Funding Information Network

The Mudd Library is proud to be a Funding Information Network site. This resource provides access to Foundation Center subscription databases where users can search for scholarships, fellowships, grants, and other funding opportunities for individuals as well as nonprofit organizations. Training is a joint service of the Development Office and the Mudd Library.

Multiple opportunities to learn more about this fantastic resource are coming up soon!

Wednesday, August 12: Coffeehouse- Introducing the Funding Information Network
10:00-10:40 a.m.
Seeley G. Mudd Library, first floor
Our last coffeehouse of the summer will be all about the Funding Information Network. Come get a brief introduction to these resources while enjoying coffee and treats.

Introduction to the Funding Information Network Training Sessions: (registration required)

Monday, August 24, 9:00-10:30 am
UW Oshkosh Sage Hall Computer Lab, Room 1208
Seating is limited.

Thursday, August 27, 1:00-2:30 pm
Seeley G. Mudd Library 214 (ITC)
Seating is limited.

Reserve your seat for the FREE hands-on training sessions by emailing Anna Simeth with your name and the date of the workshop you wish to attend.

Gifts to the Mudd Library

It’s that time of the year when we start gathering a variety of statistics to help us sum up the previous academic year. One such statistic is the number of items that were gifted to our library. When Director of Technical Services, Jill Thomas, compiled these numbers, she felt compelled to share and thank our donors.

This year the library faculty and staff would like to thank our many donors who have contributed to our collection. Donations are treated like new acquisitions and are evaluated by the same standards as new purchases to safeguard quality, consistency, and relevance to the needs of the Lawrence University community.  Our donors are faculty members current and retired, alumni, parents of past and current students, and Appleton community members with no ties to the university at all.

This year, from donations alone, we added into our collections over 2,000 books, DVDs, musical CDs, and journals. That number does not include two gifts we have not finished going through of over 4,000 music CDs, and over 40 boxes of books from a retired faculty member. These gifts help stretch our budget that never seems to go far enough.  If you are considering donating to the library, please check our out gift page.

So here’s to all of our donors; thank you for thinking of Lawrence and giving to the Seeley G. Mudd Library.

Summer Events at the Mudd Library

Summer is a great time to learn about new, interesting things. With this in mind, the Mudd Library is happy to be hosting an exhibit as well as our annual coffeehouse series this summer. As always, we encourage everyone still on campus to stop in and check out our great selection of novels, non-fiction, and movies.  Keep in mind, we have begun our summer hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The crowd listens at last year’s “Films from the Archives” coffeehouse.

For just a few more days, the library will be hosting the exhibit, “A Stone of Hope: Black Experiences in the Fox Cities.” Learn more about this fascinating exhibit at the History Museum website, then stop in and see it for yourself. The exhibit will be on display through June 30th.

We will also be hosting our annual summer coffeehouse series. The first session is entitled, “Lawrence and Diversity,” and will take place on Wednesday, July 1 at 10 a.m. At this coffeehouse, Archivist Erin Dix will discuss the history of how fostering greater diversity and greater appreciation for diversity has been, and remains, a priority for Lawrence University. See our guide to learn more about this, and our other exciting coffeehouses.

We hope to see you in the library this summer!

Microform Magic with the ViewScan II

Professor Frederick with the ViewScan II

If you have used the microform readers of the past, you may remember having to squint to see poor quality images and putting a substantial amount of effort into reading the material. Our new ViewScan II digital microform reader adds digital magic* to your microforms! The ViewScan II allows you to edit and crop frames, resulting in content that possibly looks better than when it was first printed back in 1900 (or whenever)!

Associate Professor of History, Jake Frederick, has been visiting the Mudd Library to use the ViewScan II quite often as he prepares for a publisher’s deadline. After trying to read a microfilm reel for years on machines at other libraries, Professor Frederick was ecstatic to discover how readable the ViewScan II made his microfilm copy of a document from the 18th century.

Here is what he had to say about his experiences with the ViewScan II:

Normally using microfilm is like trying to read badly printed newsprint in a moving car at night. It’s blurry, dark, never focuses on the whole page at the same time, and is likely to make you seasick. I have had some microfilm sitting in my office for the last nine years that I could hardly bring myself to look at because it’s usually so terrible to use. The new scanner in the library is awesome. It has literally taken away everything that made using microfilm awful. I can’t believe how much better it is.

Interlibrary Loan Assistant Andrew McSorley has noticed a number of students, many of whom have never used microfilm technology in the past, have become quite comfortable with using microforms on the ViewScan II. Andrew explained, “With the ViewScan, otherwise rare items on old-fashioned media can now be sifted through easily on state-of-the-art, intuitive technology. Basically, between ILL and this microfilm reader, there are now far fewer barriers between our students and access to just about any material they could think of.”

In addition to editing, the ViewScan II allows patrons to save microform images (from microfilm reels, microcard, etc.) to a USB flash drive, or to print directly to the nearby laser printer. If you’d like to use the ViewScan II, the Mudd has a variety of microform materials, including The New York Times newspaper dating from 1851, as well as the Milwaukee Journal and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel starting from 1884.

Have questions about using microforms? Contact our friendly reference librarians, or ask us at the reference desk!

*No actual magic is used in this machine, however the technology is quite useful.

Mozart Visits the Mudd Library

The Mudd Library was recently given the unique opportunity to exhibit an original Mozart manuscript. Technically speaking, it was an autograph (meaning Mozart wrote it himself) leaf (one page, double-sided) from one of his compositions.

To share this artifact with Lawrence students, Music Librarian and Associate Professor Antoinette Powell, and Director of Technical Services and Assistant Professor Jill Thomas put together a presentation focusing on not just the manuscript, but also historical background to put it in context. Antoinette explains:

“By researching and examining the leaf, Jill and I were able to talk about Mozart’s compositional style, the types of materials he used, the history of western Europe at that time and daily life in Salzburg. It was an extraordinary opportunity for students and faculty to see something Mozart touched.”

All of the books Antoinette and Jill used to conduct the research about the score and its historical context came from the Mudd’s collection. Their extensive research revolved around:

  • the work itself
  • the circumstances of its creation. Mozart wrote it for a family friend who was graduating from college. It was Finalmusik, which is music to be performed outdoors to honor the professors at the end of the school year.
  • how the owner acquired it
  • Mozart’s life at this time (he was 17 when he wrote it in 1773)
  • European and American history in 1773. In what is now the U.S., people were wearing hats made out of raccoons and dumping tea into Boston Harbor, while in Salzburg people were wearing elegant clothes and listening to Mozart  in a refined outdoor setting.
  • the paper and ink with which the work was created, including the differences in paper over the past 400 years

The title of the work is Serenata (Serenade in D major, K. 185.) The leaf we had on loan is from the fourth movement, Menuetto – Trio.   It contained the final 10 measures of the menuetto on one side and the first 16 measures of the trio on the other.

Over 60 people viewed the item over four days in the Milwaukee-Downer room in the Mudd Library. The students and faculty  were primarily from music composition and theory classes in the Conservatory. The students saw the autograph and were able to compare it to a modern published edition, as well as other pieces that were published around the same time and after to analyze the differences in paper making. Antoinette and Jill also showed the students what can be learned about Mozart’s process of composition by examining the leaf, including:

  • he worked fast
  • the composition was completed in his head before he put the pen to paper
  • at this time he was traveling a lot and preferred using small-format paper

The thoughtful owner of the leaf is a Lawrence University alum from the class of 2010. Although it has been returned to its owner, we are grateful to have had this unique opportunity to share such a rare piece of history with students at Lawrence.

Antoinette Powell Named Lillian F. Mackesy Historian of the Year

Antoinette (pictured here with Nick Hoffman) talks about the Cleggett-Hollensworth family during the "Bicycling Through Local Black History" tour.
Antoinette (pictured here with Nick Hoffman) talks about the Cleggett-Hollensworth family during the “Bicycling Through Local Black History” tour. (Photo from the History Museum Facebook page).

Our very own Music Librarian and Associate Professor Antoinette Powell has been awarded the Lillian F. Mackesy Historian of the Year Award by the Outagamie County Historical Society!

Nick Hoffman, Chief Curator of the History Museum at the Castle, explained that Antoinette received this award for her “important work on the Cleggett-Hollensworth [and] Newman families, organizing the Tribute Concert, work on Stone of Hope, and the Third Ward website.  [Her] talents for research and storytelling have made all these projects especially credible and engaging.”

Here at the Mudd, we have long known about Antoinette’s talents for research and her dedication to local history. We’re delighted to see that she has been recognized in this way.

Please join us in congratulating Antoinette on this significant award!

Library Winter Break Hours & Services

Mudd Library in snow.Winter break is here! The Mudd Library will be open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. beginning December 1. We will be closed from December 20-28, and January 1-4.

Faculty, staff, and students who live in the Appleton area are welcome to check out library materials over break. Did you know that we have a large collection of popular movies and TV shows? You could also check out some popular fiction and non-fiction books- now that you’ll have some time for leisure reading. We also have video games, including Wii, Xbox 360, and PS3 games. Prefer good old board games? We have a collection of family-friendly board games that were donated in conjunction with International Games Day.

Staying for December term? Our reference librarians will be on call from 8 a.m-12 p.m. and 12:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. for any research needs.Want to watch a movie with friends? Use one of our viewing rooms!

Teaching a class winter term? Get a head start on the term by bringing in your course reserves with plenty of time to spare. Don’t feel like filling out the blue and white reserve cards by hand? Use our electronic version!

Not on campus or in the Appleton area over break? The Mudd Library can still help you out! Most of our electronic databases can be accessed from off campus with a current Lawrence University log-in. Interlibrary loan services for articles only are also available for those off campus over break.

As always, ask us if there’s anything we can do!

Corinne Wocelka: “Because of her, Lawrence is a better place”

Corinne WocelkaThe library was very saddened to hear about the sudden passing of Corinne Wocelka, former Associate Professor and Director of Technical Services. Corinne retired from the Mudd Library in 2010 after 33 years at Lawrence. Her passion for public service and exacting standards were well-known in the library and across campus. Many of us also knew of her impressive skills at bridge, her devotion to the Packers, and her love of music. In light of that love of music, members of the library staff were willing to embarrass themselves by performing a dance in her honor at her retirement celebration.

Upon her retirement, Associate Professor and Library Director Peter Gilbert wrote about some of Corinne’s many contributions to Lawrence and to the library:

The director of technical services — the job that Corinne has held since 1985 — is responsible for acquisitions, cataloging, periodicals and government documents. In these last 25 years, each of those areas has undergone a massive shift in how the work is done as the world of information storage and retrieval has moved from paper to electronic. In fact, Corinne’s entire career at Lawrence — as circulation assistant, acquisitions librarian, and director of technical services — has been all about that core library value: helping people get the stuff they need for teaching and learning, no matter what the format.

One of the main signs of that shift was the transition from the card catalog to LUCIA, Lawrence’s online catalog. Corinne was, of course, a lead player in that transition — and the later transition from one vendor’s system to another. The number of details that are involved in shifts like that is just boggling, but Corinne managed to keep it all in her head (or on her desk). She also managed to keep library users in the forefront. Her priority was always to help make things easier for the reader. If you can find anything in the library, it’s because of Corinne’s efforts.

Another of the many reasons everyone loves Corinne is that it’s been her job to buy things for the library — and she was tireless in locating and acquiring materials for teaching, learning and research. Many, many faculty have praised her willingness to “go the extra mile” to help them get the books, music and videos they needed.

In addition to her excellent library work, Corinne has been an active participant in faculty committees. The Honors Committee, especially, has benefited from her high standards and attention to detail. Hundreds of students brought their honors papers to her and she responded with support and enthusiasm for even the most esoteric topics.

That support and enthusiasm extended throughout Corinne’s work at Lawrence. Whether it was creating records for the online catalog, searching for an obscure video or reading an honors paper about C. elegans, Corinne has focused her attention on the people.

When Corinne was promoted to associate professor, Dennis Ribbens, the library director, said about her, “Were she to leave today, there is no way I could replace her with only one person … Probably no one person knows more about the entire spectrum of this place than she … Because of her, Lawrence is a better place.”

Suffice it to say, both the library and the campus are better places because of her work and we’ll miss her. I’m sure, however, that her retirement travels will bring her occasionally back to the Mudd — and we’re glad of that.

A celebration of Corinne’s life will be held at her retirement community, Touchmark (2601 Touchmark Dr, Appleton) on Saturday, September 27th in the afternoon. More details will be added as they become available.

Update: The following memorial service details were published in her obituary in the Post-Crescent:

The memorial service for Corinne will be held at 4:00 PM on Saturday, September 27, 2014 in the chapel at TOUCHMARK ON PROSPECT, 2601 Touchmark Drive in Appleton, with Rev. Jane Anderson officiating. Family and friends are invited to gather at Touchmark on Saturday from 2:00 PM until the time of the memorial service. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Lawrence University are appreciated. Online condolences can be offered at www.wichmannfargo.com.

5 Things I Wish I Knew About the Mudd Library as a Freshman

Mudd buildingLawrence student and library fan William Gislason took the time to write another excellent post for our blog. In this post, he imparts some wisdom he’s gained about the Mudd Library after spending much of his summer here in a student office.

5 Things I Wish I Knew About the Mudd Library as a Freshman by William Gislason Class of 2015

The summer before my senior year, I got to know Lawrence University’s Mudd Library on a whole new level. Amazingly, Lawrence hired me to build an iPad app for the trails of Björklunden— that’s right, sometimes Lawrence actually pays you! Along with the job, I got an office of my very own in the Seeley G. Mudd Library. After spending day after day in it, I’ve learned a thing or two about this building and I’ve come to realize that our library is actually one of the best places on campus! Here’s a list of 5 things I wish I knew about our library when I was a freshman.

1. There is a place for any mood
Whether you want to hang out with friends surrounded by the hustle and bustle of the first floor or have some peace and quiet on the fourth floor — there’s a spot for you. When serious work needs to be done on a paper, check out the study carrels along the windows of the silent third and fourth floors. When you need to meet with a group, try reserving the meeting rooms on the second and third floors (fully equipped with all you need to practice a presentation or write out a complex differential equation). Of course, if you just want to meet up with some friends while getting this week’s Italian homework out of the way, there are plenty of large group tables throughout the first and second floors always littered with groups of laughing students.

2. Movies and Music?
Anyone who thinks the Mudd Library is only filled with books is missing out. Every student has access to thousands of albums – new and old. You want The Beatles? They’ve got The Beatles. You’ll graduate long before you have a chance to listen to half the free music you’ve checked out. Of course, you can’t forget about the movies. When you and your “LUMOS” friends (Lawrence University’s Magical Organization of Students) decide you need to watch all 8 Harry Potter movies over Reading Period, you know where to go. And did I mention the viewing rooms? Let’s say you need to watch 2001, A Space Odyssey for your Film Studies class. You can actually check it out from the library and watch it away from the distractions of campus on a big screen TV!

3. Themed (Curated) Rooms
I’ll bet you didn’t know that Lawrence University has an Abraham Lincoln themed room where anyone can go to study and keep a bronze bust of Honest Abe company. How about an antique room devoted to the legacy of Milwaukee-Downer College that is filled with ancient books that bears an eerie resemblance to the library in Hogwarts (particularly after your Reading Period binge). And did you know about a small bare white room called the Mudd Gallery that serves as a pop-up gallery for a diverse array of art student’s projects. Within a week, the room will switch from delightful exhibit on typography to a grungy cavern showing beautiful, yet slightly disturbing, music videos for some of our campus’s rock bands on repeat. All of these room exist in Mudd Library and are open to students for study, contemplation, or artistic expression.

4. The Best Book Recommendations
The library is always filled with a plethora of librarians and student workers who love books. Each worker is surrounded by all genres of books and is bursting with recommendations about any subject. Looking for a collection of short stories? They just read a great one! How about a World War Two memoir? Their friend just recommended one. A book on how to write html/css code? They can show you exactly where all your options are.

5. The best part of the Mudd Library: FREE BOOKS!
Do you realize that throughout your four years at Lawrence you will never have to pay for a book? Aside from some classes’ mandatory textbooks, any book you want is free! Think of the possibilities! Even if the unthinkable happens and they don’t have the exact book you want, you can easily order it through Interlibrary Loan. Currently, I have checked out a book on the ecology of Door County, a book on Wisconsin’s geography, the film Wild Strawberries by Ingmar Bergman, and the novel A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce (if you are also a Joyce fan, don’t worry, they have 3 more copies).

The Mudd Library can easily become anything you need it to be: a quiet study carrel, a meeting spot for friends, the hub of your cultural pursuits, or a home away from home. My best advice is to make full use of our library during your time at Lawrence. You’ll quickly understand why we all love it so much.

Are you interested in writing a guest post? Contact Angela Vanden Elzen with ideas.