Construction Updates

Steenbock staff is happy to report that most of the library’s remodeling projects are nearing completion.

The library’s larger meeting rooms (240 and 340) are once again available and can be reserved by calling 262-9990. Eight new group study rooms are also available on the first floor. During the course of the semester new furniture and computer equipment will be added to these spaces. The group study rooms can be reserved during the week by signing up on the reservation sheet posted to the door of each room. These spacious rooms replace the five smaller group study rooms that were formerly available on the fourth floor.

And, speaking of the fourth floor, improvements to air-handling and lighting will be completed by late February. While some construction will continue on fourth to house an updated suite of offices for University Archives, the floor will be open for library users to visit independently.

During this semester two of the three air-handlers located in the basement will be replaced. During this final phase of the project, air quality will be monitored closely, but noise may present an occasional problem during day-time hours. Steenbock staff regrets any inconvenience to library users and those working in offices in the basement of the building.

Questions or concerns may be addressed to building manager Bob Sessions or to Library Director Jean Gilbertson.

Steenbock Calendar of Drop-In Workshops

Steenbock Library has posted its calendar of drop-in workshops for the spring semester.
No registration is required to attend. Check the second floor entrance sign for room location. All workshops include hands-on practice.

If you are unable to attend a workshop, group and/or individual consultations can be arranged. Contact Patricia Herrling at Steenbock Library to arrange for a library visit or consultation. Phone: 263-6373 or email.

An online request form is available at: http://steenbock.library.wisc.edu/instruct/instform.htm

Printable schedule of workshops.

Plan to Attend a Library Workshop!

Opportunites abound for learning more about library collections, resources and services. Consult the calendar for a list of workshops beginning in late January. These workshops are free and no advance registration is required unless otherwise noted.

If you are unable to attend a workshop, many libraries offer group and/or individual consultations. Contact the campus Library & Information Literacy Instruction Office at 262-4308 or email libinstruct@library.wisc.edu

Locally, at Steenbock Library, contact Patricia Herrling to arrange for a library visit or consultation. Phone: 263-6373 or email.

An online request form is available at: http://steenbock.library.wisc.edu/instruct/instform.htm

NIH launches dbGaP Database (Genotype and Phenotype)

The database of Genotype and Phenotype has been established to share data derived from studies investigating the relationships among genetics, body, lifestyle and human disease.

Currently, the database includes data from two large studies (NEI Age-Related Eye Disease and NINDS Parkinsonism) and will shortly incorporate the Framingham Heart Study. Eventually, information from NIH’s GAIN Network (Genetic Association Information Network) that genotypes samples from existing studies will be added.

The Galapagos Collection, Texts available Online

UW-Madison’s Zoological Museum maintains a unique collection of specimens from the Galapagos Islands, and is, in fact, one of only three museums permitted to do so by the Ecuadorian government. The museum also maintains texts that characterize the flora and fauna of this particular ecosystem.

UW Digital Collections has now embarked on a project to digitize these texts with its initial production accessible at: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/Zoology

The digitization project is funded by a Brittingham Grant.