From the Director: The Past, Future, and Present of the Library

Posted on March 12, 2013 by M.Steiner

by Michael J. Paulus Jr.

Last quarter I taught a University Seminar on the history and future of the book. Near the end of the course, we visited the Seattle Public Library’s Central Library, which opened in 2004, and we discussed the three major challenges the building was designed to address: First, what is the place of legacy print materials? Second, how should space be shaped for new and emerging technologies? And, finally, what types of spaces do library patrons need in a 21st century library?

These questions concern the past, future, and present of the institution that we call “the library”: How do libraries of all types bring historical collections forward in space and time? How do libraries construct spaces that incorporate new technologies and are open to future possibilities? And how do libraries create places where people in the present can interact with the convergence of past patterns and future potentialities of knowledge?

On the final exam for my class, I asked my students to articulate what would be important to them if they were to design a library. Collectively, they wrote about the need for a critical mass of resources (including books in various formats); the need for spaces to interact with knowledge and each other; the need for technologies with which to create; and the need for human guides to help them discover and use resources. These are the essential components of every great library that was, that is, and that is to come, and they are written into the mission statement of the SPU Library: “The SPU Library provides collections, instruction, tools, spaces, and personnel to advance teaching, learning, and scholarship at Seattle Pacific University.” Although that statement was written last year, it could have been written many years ago — or it could be rewritten many years from now.

This article was originally published in the Friends of the Library Newsletter, Spring 2013. Anyone interested in signing up for the newsletter should contact maassr@spu.edu.

The history of the finals week art in the library

Posted on March 7, 2013 by M.Steiner

For several years now, Roger Feldman and Scott Kolbo’s 3-D Art students have placed their end-of-the-quarter projects in the library during finals week. Below, Professor Feldman discusses the origins of the project and how the space is used to inform the art:

In 2009, I had the students in Art 1203 (Three Dimensional design) place their final projects on sites around campus that helped to inform the project. After trying out various locations around campus for this Freshman/Sophomore course assignment, Bryce Nelson, the Library Director at that time, asked if I would consider having them in the Library. We agreed on some ground-rules and decided to give it a try.

The assignment has two aspects: Create three objects that tell a story, and locate those objects near the corresponding subject area in the Library. Students have almost half of the quarter to work on this project, using simple techniques and materials including paper mache, plaster, wire, cardboard, tape, and enamel paint. After learning how to scale 3-D objects up or down in size, students go through an elaborate process of selecting a subject they are interested in and then selecting 3-D objects that would ultimately allude to their particular interest or book in the library.

From my standpoint, this has been a highly successful venture for our students. These pieces are typically displayed in the library during Finals week and removed by the end of Finals. The students feel like their work is on the line because their peers are going to see the work! We greatly appreciate the library for their willingness to take a chance with us, and hope to continue to create new works into the future.

-Roger Feldman/Professor of Art

Note from the blog editor: This quarter, Scott Kolbo is teaching the 1203 Design class. He graciously provided a sneak peek of some of the installations-in-progress that will appear in the library next week during finals. Take a look at what’s coming, and drop by the blog next week for an update to this post with pictures of the finished work:

Update (3/22): Have a look at a few of the finished products at the library:

Looking for Library Course Reserves?

Posted on March 5, 2013 by M.Steiner

The library caters to many different patron needs, from research assistance, to reference sources, to inspiration for projects, to quiet study and reading spaces. One such need is for students to be able to access books that a professor has set aside for their course, often for library-use only. Our Course Reserves section is a way for more patrons to be able to access an item in high demand that is usually required reading or viewing material for their class.

So, how can you access a Reserve?

First, your professor must have placed the item on Course Reserve. He or she will let you know once the item is processed and available at the library. If you feel that there is a reason a book should be on Reserve for your class, discuss the possibility with your professor.

To find the call number for an item on Library Course Reserves, click on the Course Reserve link on the right side of the library’s homepage (click on images to expand them).

Select either “Instructor” or “Course” from the dropdown menu and type in the last name of the professor or the course number of the class with no spaces (i.e. UCOR1000).

Write down the call number for the item you would like to check out and bring it to the Circulation Desk. We can then pull the item for you and check it out for the limited check out period your professor has requested!

A few tips:

Do check the status of the item on the catalog (should say CHECK SHELF) to make sure that the item is not already checked out to another patron.
Do bring the call number with you to the Circulation Desk—the books are in order by their call numbers, so without this information we are unable to pull the item for you.
Do bring the book back in a timely manner and respect any library-use-only rules.

These last two weeks should fly by fast, and now you are equipped with knowledge on how to check out Library Course Reserves! Drop by this week to grab your resources and, while you are at it, take advantage of our later hours (we close at midnight from Sunday through Thursday) and make use of our designated Quiet Zone space in the Library Seminar Room.

-Melody Steiner, Access Services Technician/Reserves Specialist

Collection Development 101

Posted on March 1, 2013 by M.Steiner

Ever wonder why the SPU Library does not have that expensive textbook that you need or the latest John Grisham novel, but you do find books with dull brown covers, unexciting titles, and maybe even a speck of dust? Well, the content of those books may not be quite as unappealing as they seem, so what follows is a little Collection Development 101.

The mission of the SPU Library is to support the teaching, learning and research goals of the University. We do this by collecting materials – books, journals, electronic resources, DVDs, CDs, and even a puppet or two! – that support courses in the undergraduate and graduate curriculum, materials expected in a library of a university of our size, and materials that reflect SPU’s mission, history, and signature statements.

The primary responsibility for this work lies with the subject liaison librarians, and they use a variety of resources to help them in this endeavor. The liaisons receive recommendations from faculty (and others), they consult the professional literature for resource reviews, and they also use special library tools that provide guidance.

Besides deciding what to add to the collection, the liaisons must also decide the best format to acquire. For example, CDs are procured for the music department and the aforementioned puppets for the education department. Lately, the library has also been collecting more and more eBooks.

Collection Development is not just about selecting new materials though. The library often receives book donations, and the liaisons must decide how to best handle these items. It also stands to reason that if new items are continually being added to the collection, other items may be deselected, or “weeded” as we like to say using library lingo. Weeded items are materials that no longer meet the library’s mission. (One indication may be that speck of dust noted earlier.) These items are handled in a variety of ways, but one place you may find them is on the Book Sale cart on the main level.

Still wondering why the library does not have that expensive textbook? The reason is that one criterion we use when making collection development decisions is to purchase items with lasting value and because many textbooks are continually being updated they do not meet this criterion. And although we may not have that John Grisham novel either, should you need a break from your studies, please do check out the Popular Fiction Collection on the library’s main level. And in the meantime, enjoy our collection!

-Becky Paulson, Acquisitions Librarian

Thursday Food For Thought Recap

Posted on February 21, 2013 by M.Steiner

This quarter’s lineup of TFFT topics ranged from theology and pop culture to jazz music, from the creation of a magazine to philosophical and then on to Pacific Northwest regional history. With such a variety of perspectives, each session was filled with unique conversation. Here is a list of the books featured this quarter, complete with a brief bit about what was discussed:

January 24-Priscilla Pope-Levison, professor of theology, and other contributors

Written by professors from disciplines as distinct as health sciences and religion, literature and marriage counseling, Sex, Gender, and Christianity provided perfect jumping-off points for rich discussions.

January 31-Paul de Barros, instructor of music

Longtime Seattle Times jazz and world music critic Paul de Barros, instructor of music at SPU, read his biography of the incomparable jazz pianist Marian McPartland, Shall We Play That One Together?: The Life and Art of Jazz Piano Legend Marian McPartland.

February 7-Hannah Notess, editor of Response

Managing editor Hannah Notess read from articles inside SPU’s award-winning magazine, discussed telling stories through words and images, and talked about the role of print magazines in our digital culture.

February 14-Tom Trzyna, professor of English

Professor Tom Trzyna read from his new book Le Clézio’s Spiritual Quest, which examines the Nobel Prize-winning author’s attempt to create a new philosophy and a new spirituality from three marginal world traditions: Islamic Sufism, the pre-Socratic philosophy of Parmenides, and Aztec religion.

February 21-Bill Woodward, professor of history

Before 21st century American leaders created the Department of Homeland Security to prevent another 9/11, 19th century leaders installed a system of shore guns to prevent another 8/14. Now quaint state parks, these artifacts of a past obsession with “Never again!” raise questions about threats both imagined and real. Bill Woodward read excerpts from a manuscript in preparation.