Two New Databases

Family Studies Abstracts and Public Administration Abstracts are two new databases that Steenbock patrons may find especially useful.

Family Studies Abstracts includes citations and summaries of journal articles covering essential areas related to family studies, including marriage, divorce, and family therapy. It complements Family & Society Studies Worldwide, which is heavily used by Human Development and Family Studies, Extension, and Rural Sociology researchers.

Public Administration Abstracts covers essential areas related to public administration, and complements our existing subscription to Public Affairs Information Service (PAIS). These databases are particularly useful for researchers in Urban and Regional Planning, Urban and Regional Planning, and Environmental Studies.

Reading the Body Eclectic

Campus librarians gather annually for a book-sharing event, replete with discussions and recommendations. If you are looking for something to distract you from the local wintry scene or simply need to come up with that 'little something' for a friend or family member, consider this year’s eclectic body of titles (generated December 2008).

Consult with your campus or public libraries to find available copies.

Handy links:

MadCat
Don’t forget UW System search and borrowing options!

LinkCat, South Central Wisconsin Library System

WorldCat

Remote Access

With the Libraries’ remote access service, you are never far away from the campus library resources you know and love. If you should find yourself snowbound, but enjoying Internet access, stay productive and continue your pursuit of information.

Select the resource you need to use from the Libraries’ homepage. Resources requiring authentication will prompt you to log in with your NetID. In some instances, apart from NetID, you may still be asked to submit your University ID number and last name as a password. Once you have entered either of these two pieces of identifying information, you will be able to use the resource as if you were on campus.

Should you have any questions regarding off-campus access, visit the Off-Campus Online Access page for general information and troubleshooting tips.

Winter Intersession Hours (Dec 22-Jan 19)

Steenbock Library will observe the following hours during the winter intersession:

Monday - Tuesday, December 22 - 23: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wednesday - Thursday, December 24 - 25: CLOSED (Holiday)
Friday - Sunday, December 26 - 28: CLOSED

Monday - Tuesday, December 29 - 30: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wednesday - Thursday, December 31 - January 1: CLOSED (Holiday)
Friday, January 2: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday - Sunday, January 3 - 4: CLOSED

Monday - Friday, January 5 - 9: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday - Sunday, January 10 - 11: CLOSED

Monday - Friday, January 12 - 16: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday - Monday, January 17 - 19: CLOSED

Tuesday, January 20: 8:00 am - 1:00 am (Classes Resume)

Course Reserves for Spring 2009

Have you prepared your course reserve materials? It's that time of year...time for instructors to submit their course reserve materials to the library for processing.

To ensure that your reserve materials are available in time for the first day of class, do submit these materials by December 20, 2008.

For more information, visit the Steenbock Course Reserves page, phone 263-8331 or email.

If you are a student, do note that you can access your e-reserve content by logging in to your MyUW and selecting the Library/Reserves link listed with your registered classes. Similarly, you can access these same library links from within Learn@UW. Should your instructor have placed materials for you to use at one of our campus libraries, visit the MadCat catalog to run a Course Reserves search.

Stress-Busters

Allow other people to make life a bit easier. Don't be afraid to ask for help.

Treat your body with respect and compassion. (Eat well; get some sleep!)

Accentuate the positive. It’s fine to acknowledge doubts, but always keep an image of success in your head. This focus can help bring out your best when needed most.

These are just a few of the tips listed on the “Healthy Ways to Handle Stress” page from University Health Services. Given that this is often a stressful time of the year for students and staff, UHS offers a variety of counseling opportunities and support services. Take a look at the links available from the Live Well pages. Additionally, you may find the Relaxation Exercises (MP3 audio) helpful.

Wishing you all the best for a successful end of term!

Study Spaces at Steenbock

As you prepare for your final projects and exams, do note the various areas of Steenbock Library that can accommodate your preferences for quiet, study space or areas for group work. For those sporting a laptop, each floor can connect to the wireless network; there are also additional wall outlets to power the laptop. If you should need to use your cell-phone, we ask that you set your phone to a silent indicator and take calls to the stairwells or entrance. Seeing as this is a stressful time of the semester and that there will be many more people in the building, we encourage everyone to be mindful of others so that all areas of the library prove conducive for productive work.

First floor (book stacks)
Visit the first floor to find the library’s group study rooms (that can be reserved using the Study Room Reservation System). Additionally, there are many large tables to accommodate group work. Snack machines (including one for hot beverages) can also be found here. A small bank of computers accesses online resources and the MS Office suite of software; for additional software, visit the InfoLab on second.

Second floor (entrance level)
The second floor (or entrance level) hosts the DoIT Infolab as well as library circulation and reference services where you can seek assistance from staff. The floor offers some relaxed seating and tables for reasonably-quiet group study.

Third floor (journal collections)
The third floor affords table seating and individual study carrels. While it is generally a quieter study area than the first floor (for instance), the open atrium with its view of second, does permit some sound to carry.

Fourth floor (journal collections, government documents, University Archives)
This floor has been designated as the quiet study floor for this building. While there will be some staff working in this space between the hours of 8:00-5:00, the library endeavors to preserve this space for quiet study needs. Large tables and individual carrels are available.

Best wishes for a successful end of term!

Top 10 of Everything

What a year it has been! For those of you who like to reflect on the past year, have some fun with a look at Time magazine’s Top 10 Lists of Everything from 2008—albums, food trends, news stories, movies, video-games, etc.

Wonder what 2009 has in store?!

Planning Ahead, Job Hunting Resources

As you begin your search for an exciting career opportunity, do consult Steenbock Library’s online guide to Job Hunting.

This guide supplies links to resources for helping you prepare your resume and cover letter, tips for networking and interviewing, sources to help you research potential employers and sources for retrieving current job listings--and finding those opportunities that may not be advertised.

College Library also maintains a Career Collection of more than 1,000 books on writing resumes and cover letters, preparing for interviews, job hunting, and choosing and preparing for a career. This collection is located in the center area of the third floor of College Library.

Call for Course Reserves (Spring 2009)

It's that time of year...time for instructors to submit their course reserve materials to Steenbock Library for processing. To ensure that your reserve materials are available in time for the first day of class, do submit these materials by our deadline date, December 20, 2008.

For more information, visit the Steenbock Course Reserves page, phone 263-8331 or email.

Farewell Union South

Campus will bid farewell to Union South at the end of this semester. For those students and staff accustomed to visiting Union South for its dining options and other services, you may find this modified campus map helpful for sourcing alternatives.

If you are interested in checking on the progress of new Union construction (and to weigh-in on its amenities), take a look at the Union Building Project site, read the blog or sign-on to the Facebook group.

There will also be a fun opportunity to issue a student farewell, this Friday (December 5) with the “Wreaking Ball” schedule of events—dances, karaoke, free snacks and midnight movie.

Second Harvest Donation Event

The campus Visitor & Information Programs (VIP) office will host an opportunity to donate to the Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin. On December 5, students and staff can bring non-perishable food items to the Red Gym (716 Langdon), between 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM, for this effort. While there, enjoy some hot chocolate, courtesy of University Housing.

Your contribution matters, here, locally!

For some additional information and statistics regarding food insecurity/hunger in the United States, consult the following fact-sheets and studies supplied by Feeding America (parent organization for the Second Harvest foodbanks).

Tree and Wreath Sale

The UW Forestry Club will hold its annual tree and wreath sale, December 5-7 in the Stock Pavilion. Students will be selling fresh trees--Fraser fir ($50), Balsam fir ($40) and white pine ($30) and Fraser wreaths ($22). Proceeds from this sale are used to help subsidize students’ experience at the summer field skills camp, Kemp Natural Resources Station, and to fund travel and registration at professional society meetings.

Hours:

Friday, December 5 8:00 am-8:00 pm

Saturday, December 6 8:00 am-8:00 pm

Sunday, December 7 9:00 am-3:00 pm

Open Campus Forum, Copyright

The UW-Madison Libraries are sponsoring an open campus forum to look at how copyright issues have an impact on faculty, staff, and students. The goal of the forum will be to initiate an institutional discussion of the issues surrounding copyright, and to help identify specific examples of how faculty, staff and students encounter copyright challenges in their work.

Forum on Copyright Issues
December 2, (1:00 - 2:30 pm)

Open to all interested individuals.
Memorial Union (TITU)

Although registration for this forum is not required to attend, you can submit a Registration Form.

Wild about Turkey

Given that the Thanksgiving holidays are often celebrated by feasting—either upon a mythologized spread featuring a signature bird, or upon that which you would rather--I offer up several titles from Steenbock’s cookbook collection so that you may prepare accordingly (ideally amid friends and family).

(For some additional information about all things “turkey”, take a look at the Madison Public Library’s Turkey Resource Page (books and Web pages).

With turkey:

Title: Holiday food fun--creative ideas for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas & more
Publisher: Lincolnwood, Ill. : Publications International, c1993.
Location: Steenbock Stacks -1st Floor
Call Number: TX739 H6524 1993

Title: Wild about turkey: tantalizing tastes of turkey and all the trimmings, with recipes for Thanksgiving ... and beyond / National Wild Turkey Federation; [recipe editor, Ed Bamberger]
Publisher: Memphis, TN : Wimmer Co., c1996.
Location: Steenbock Stacks -1st Floor
Call Number: TX750.5 T87 W55 1996

Without turkey:

Author: O'Brien, Susan, 1955-
Title: The gluten-free vegan: 150 delicious gluten-free, animal-free recipes
Publisher: Cambridge, MA: Marlowe & Company, c2007.
Location: Steenbock Stacks -1st Floor
Call Number: RM237.86 O13 2007

Author: Brill, Steve.
Title: The wild vegetarian cookbook : a forager's culinary guide (in the field or in the supermarket) to preparing and savoring wild (and not so wild) natural foods, with more than 500 recipes
Publisher: Boston, Mass.: Harvard Common Press, c2002.
Location: Steenbock Stacks -1st Floor
Call Number: TX837 B824 2002

Author: Jaffrey, Madhur, 1933-
Title: Madhur Jaffrey's world vegetarian
Publisher: New York: Clarkson Potter, c1999.
Location: Steenbock Stacks -1st Floor
Call Number: TX837 J15 1999

And, if you cannot locate one of these titles from the collection or if it is already checked out, do speak with a librarian for assistance; we can help you locate a copy.

Campus Libraries' Holiday Hours

During the week of the Thanksgiving holiday, campus libraries will observe some changes from their regular hours of operation. Do plan ahead should you need to visit the libraries or pick up items from their collections. Steenbock Library hours are posted on our home page and on our hours page. Hours of operation for all campus libraries can be found by browsing the list of libraries at the campus libraries page.

Of course, online resources are available twenty-four hours every day and can be accessed from off-campus as well.

Green Your Holidays

The Horticulture Society is selling poinsettias ($14.00), Norfolk Island pines ($8.00), and Christmas cacti ($8.00)—great for cheering your living space or for giving to the plant-lovers you know and appreciate.

Sale ends November 26; send your purchase request to a Society member through email (uwhortclub@hotmail.com) or by visiting the Horticulture Department main office (1575 Linden Drive).

For more information, visit the Plant Sale page.

As the Snow Flies

What with the dusting of snow we received this week and the anticipation of much more, I thought it would be appropriate, if not fun, to share some recommended book titles—the theme being “snow”.

Charlie English, deputy editor of the Saturday Guardian has generated a books column with his recommendations of those snowy titles.

With the exceptions of English’s own title and Snow by Ruth Kirk, campus libraries have copies of all the books recommended on this list. (Other Kirk titles are in the collections; Snow can be obtained using a UW System search and retrieval!)

Undergraduate Research Awards

College Library invites students to apply for its annual Undergraduate Research Awards. The awards will celebrate excellence and creativity in using the library to complete an undergraduate research project.

(Examples may include a literature review for a lab study, the use of primary sources in a historical research paper, or the background research for a creative arts project).

Up to three Library Research Awards and one Research in Progress Award will be presented at the Undergraduate Symposium. (The Research in Progress Award is intended for projects that will not be completed before the award deadline).

Winners of Library Research Awards will receive a cash prize of $300. The winner of the Research in Progress Award will receive a cash prize of $150.

(Please note: The Financial Aid Office may need to modify your aid package if you were to receive outside aid, such as this cash prize).

Applications are due by April 1, 2009

How to Apply—the process:

• Meet with a librarian or attend a drop-in information session to review and discuss your research.
• Reflect on the various tools and strategies used to locate relevant materials.
• Write a 600-800 word essay describing your research strategies and reflecting on your experience, noting the successes, difficulties, and surprises you encountered.
• Submit an application, a statement of faculty support, a final version of your project, and the essay.
  

Drop-in information sessions will be held at College Library (1193D):

Wednesday, January 28, 2009 (5:00-6:00 PM)

For more information, contact College librarian Kelli Keclik or College Library Director, Carrie Kruse.

Badgers Abroad

The most indelible experience from my undergraduate years was the one year I spent abroad. One step off the plane and my life would never be the same. Not only did I augment my comprehension and fluency with another language but also my ability to cope with change, to go with the flow, and to feel comfortable in my own skin.

During International Education Week (November 17-21), you may wish to explore what programs are available to take you abroad. The Division of International Studies has also launched a blog where faculty, staff, students and alumni share information about their various experiences.

Additionally, it is important to note that there are often internships, loans and scholarships available that can help with defraying the cost of international opportunities. See the Financial Information pages posted on the International Academic Programs site.

Other study abroad opportunities are listed at the CALS Study Abroad site.

Change is in Order

The office of President-Elect Barack Obama offers an interactive Web site where you can read news and learn more about the new administration’s transition process.

An additional site—Presidential Transition Resources--also describe this process—with organizational charts and links to documents explaining the duties of the executive, legislative and judicial branches, laws regulating the orderly transition of the executive office, inauguration practice, and requirements for conduct and record-keeping.

The White House Transition Project is a site that attempts a non-partisan approach to information-sharing regarding the challenges of the transition process and some strategies for overcoming them with analysis provided by university scholars and policy analysts.

Google Flu Trends

Using statistics gathered from searches entered into its search engine, Google is exploring its ability to predict outbreaks of the flu. In other words, Google is measuring the trend, so to speak, to use the Web to seek information or guidance regarding health issues—perhaps by searches that query ‘flu symptoms’ or similar. For some additional information, see the Guardian article.

Of course, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also track the flu virus. See the Flu Activity and Surveillance page.

NIH Policy Workshop (Nov 13)

As of April 7, 2008, all investigators who are funded by NIH must submit their accepted, peer-reviewed manuscripts to PubMed Central upon acceptance for publication. These manuscripts will be made available to the public on PubMed Central within 12 months of the publication date.

UW-Madison Libraries have agreed to help campus implement this initiative. This workshop will answer questions regarding this policy and supply researchers with assistance for compliance.

For more information, see:

Campus Libraries NIH Public Access Policy page
NIH Public Access Policy site


Complying with the NIH Public Access Policy

Thursday, November 13 (noon-1:00 PM)

Steenbock Library, Room 340

No registration is necessary in order to attend.

Visit the calendar for a listing of other library workshops offered this fall.

Job Hunting Workshop (Nov 13)

Discover resources and strategies for job hunting on the Internet/Web. The workshop will cover resume writing resources, databases for job postings, tips for finding non-advertised jobs, and methods for researching potential employers. There will be time for hands-on exploration.

Job Hunting on the Internet

Thursday, November 13 (3:30-5:00 PM)

Steenbock Instruction Lab, Room 105

No registration is necessary in order to attend.

Visit the calendar for a listing of other library workshops offered this fall.

Short Course Welcome

Steenbock Library welcomes CALS Short Course students to campus. The Farm and Industry Short Course, founded in 1885, is a 17-week program of study designed to prepare its students for great careers in agriculture.

(For more information about this program’s history, take a look at A History of the Farm and Industry Short Course, 1885-1985 that was issued during its centennial. This publication and more can be found by visiting the University Archives).

The library with its collections, staff and proximity to the residence halls is prepared to assist students with finding and using resources to complete class projects. The library also supplies lab and group study spaces and access to recreational materials from our entire campus library system.

Art Reception, Open Book Cafe (Nov 11)

The Open Book Café (College Library) will host an art exhibition of student work contributed to Illumination: The Undergraduate Journal of Humanities. Mingle with the artists and Illumination staff over cider, popcorn and cookies, tonight, at its opening reception from 6:00-7:00PM. The art will remain on display through February.

Keeping Current

Make those library databases work for you! Many of the databases to the research literature permit you to save a search that will pull citations, either weekly or monthly (you choose), and email you that retrieval—provided there is new content that matches your saved search. These alerts are easy to set up and are especially useful for ongoing research where you will want to keep track of a particular topic over time.

For more information about email alerts (and RSS feed options), see the Libraries’ Alerts and RSS page. Steenbock librarians are also happy to assist you with selecting a database and constructing the search.

Managing Your Copyright?

Scholarly publishing is rapidly changing as new technological developments are made in the publishing industry. To expand the reach of research and to maximize its value in this new environment, many researchers are taking a more active role in managing their copyright. In support of these efforts, the UW-Madison Libraries encourage you to be aware of your rights as an author and can help you to navigate and to manage your copyright.

If you are interested in exploring ways to negotiate these rights, need assistance using the endorsed addendum or have any questions related to issues of fair use or the re-use of materials in your teaching, please contact the Libraries for assistance. Visit the UW-Madison Libraries’ Scholarly Communication and Publishing Web site or contact your library liaison.

Test Prep Online

Do you need to prepare for an entrance or professional exam? If so, take a look at the following resources:

Testing and Education Reference Center (or find this resource using the E-Resource Gateway)

Use this resource to access full-text practice tests and study guides. These practice tests and guides enable you to prepare for college and graduate entrance exams (ACT, SAT, GMAT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT), college credit exams (AP, TOEFL), and civil service and licensing exams (clerical, law enforcement, postal, etc.)

LearningExpress Library (access via the Madison Public Library, Research & Reference Services page)

Use this resource to access interactive practice tests, e-books, and courses/tutorials in such areas as reading, writing and math skills, college and professional school entrance exams, and more. Log in by entering your public library card number.

Additionally, many campus libraries have study guides to entrance and professional qualification exams in their collections. Run a MadCat search or speak with a librarian for assistance.

(With thanks to Wendt Library for inspiring this blog post).

One More Day!

Election Day is tomorrow, November 4! Are you ready to cast your vote?

The polls are open from 7:00 AM until 8:00 PM. In order to vote in Wisconsin, you need to be registered and you can still do that at your polling place on Election Day.

Use the following links to find your polling place.

Where Do I Vote? (City of Madison)

Voting on campus (dorm polling locations)

Additional information:

Voter Information, FAQs (Elections Division, State of Wisconsin Government Accountability Board)

Wisconsin, Election Information You Need (VOTE411.org)

Sources for information about the candidates and issues:

Wisconsin Vote

For a bit of fun, be sure to stop by Ben & Jerry’s ice cream shops for a free scoop during its Democracy Never Tasted So Sweet campaign!

Get your Flu Shot (campus clinics)

UW-Madison students can obtain a flu shot by visiting University Health Services (1552 University Avenue) weekdays, between the hours of 9:30 AM and 4:30 PM. No appointment is necessary during these walk-in clinics which will continue through December (after December the UHS clinic will move to 333 East Campus Mall). Students will be asked to present their university ID in order to get the vaccine.

For more information about influenza and the vaccine, visit the UHS site.

Faculty and staff can obtain the flu shot at walk-in clinics hosted in several campus locations during two weeks, November 3-14 and, unless otherwise indicated, from 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM. Faculty and staff will be asked to present their insurance card. For more information, visit the campus Occupational Health site.

Books with Bite!

"I like the night. Without the dark, we'd never see the stars."

--From Twilight, 2005 by Stephenie Meyer

Among the stars of popular, gothic literature are Laurell K. Hamilton, Stephenie Meyer and Anne Rice who have introduced readers to a passionate coven of vampires. Their books are to be found lurking in the stacks of campus libraries—primarily College and Memorial.

Run a MadCat search for these authors (either a “Words Anywhere” or “Author Browse”) or ask a librarian for assistance.

Sink your teeth into a few of these books during your Halloween weekend; you’ll be thirsting for more!

Tips from staff fans:

Look for the Anita Blake, vampire hunter series by Laurell K. Hamilton

Look for the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer

Look for the Vampire Chronicles (series) by Anne Rice

Holocaust Memorial Exhibit (Oct 10-Dec 10)

Memorial Library is hosting a traveling exhibit from the US Holocaust Memorial Museum on the Nazi Persecution of Homosexuals 1933-1945.

The Gay Straight Alliance for Safe Schools and the General Library System are co-sponsoring this exhibit plus a series of related presentations and events.

The exhibit is comprised of more than 200 reproductions of photographs, documents, and artwork that examine the Nazi regime’s social and racial ideology that contributed to its persecution of the gay community.

The exhibit and events are free and open to the public. When coming to visit the exhibit, as housed in the main entrance lobby of Memorial Library (728 State Street), you will be asked to present campus ID, driver’s license or other photo ID to enter.

Guide for Penny Pinchers

In tough economic times, it is useful to note a few strategies for saving some pennies here and there. Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor, Barbara Lawton, has issued an online Guide for Penny Pinchers with links to tips on saving money and stretching your dollar where necessary.

Among her tips is the call to use your library (be it public or campus!) in order to access resources, of all kinds, suitable for scholarship or entertainment. Ask a Librarian today how you can retrieve the resources you need to complete your papers and projects.

Ebling Book Sale (October 23-24)

Ebling Library will hold its annual book sale, Thursday, October 23 (from 8:00 AM -5:00 PM) and Friday, October 24 (from 9:00 AM -12:00 PM) in the Historical Reading Room (third floor, Ebling Library). Bargains are to be found on out-of-date anatomy, clinical, nursing and pharmacy books, and reasonably priced 19th and early 20th century collectibles—including texts of the history of the health sciences.

Campus Bus 80 will get you there!

To donate books for this sale or to ask questions, contact Micaela Sullivan-Fowler at 262-2402.

Journal Collection News

Campus libraries have recently negotiated new multi-year licensing agreements with some journal publishers. As a result of these negotiations, we now have greatly increased access to journals from Elsevier.

Campus libraries have also negotiated access to all of the Nature journal titles, including Nature Protocols, Nature Photonics, and Nature Geoscience.

Despite these favorable leasing agreements, Steenbock Library has had to cancel some journal subscriptions in order to stay within budget. You can learn more about this these journal collection issues by visiting the library’s Journal Subscriptions and Related News for 2009 page.

This web page also includes a brief update on journal price increases and local budget issues, information about the UW System budget request for UW Digital Commons, and an explanation of the criteria that we use to identify journals for cancellation. As always, we have targeted lower-use journals. To comment on any of these cancellations, please contact Steenbock Library Director Jean Gilbertson by November 1, 2008.

When you need a journal article that is not available on our campus, we encourage you to use Library Express to request a copy at no charge to you. While we are aware of the potential inconvenience caused by canceling subscriptions, we are committed to providing you with the information you need in an efficient and timely manner.

Mami Wata Exhibition (Oct 18-Jan 11)

“Beautiful and seductive, protective yet dangerous, the African water deity Mami Wata (pidgin English for “Mother Water”) is often portrayed as a mermaid, a snake charmer, or a combination of both. She and related African spirits dwell in rivers, seas, and other bodies of water. Mami Wata: Arts for Water Spirits in Africa and Its Diasporas explores five hundred years of the visual culture and history of Mami Wata, honoring the essential, sacred nature of water.” (from the introduction to the exhibition)

In addition to honoring water in art and folklore, the curator for this exhibition has pulled together a series of speakers and events, from many campus departments and venues, to expand our appreciation for a vital resource. Visit the online exhibitions page or print the flyer to plan your visit.

Mami Wata: Arts for Water Spirits in Africa and its Diasporas
Chazen Museum of Art, October 18, 2008 – January 11, 2009
Brittingham Galleries

Unless otherwise noted, all events are free and open to the public.

Friends of the Libraries Book Sale (Oct 15-18)

The Friends of UW-Madison Libraries will host a used book sale October 15-18 in Room 116 of Memorial Library.

A preview sale, with $5.00 admission, will be held from 5:00 until 9:00 PM, Wednesday, October 15. The regular sale, which is open to all at no charge, will be held from 10:30 AM until 7:00 PM on Thursday and Friday, October 16-17.

On Saturday, October 18 (10:30 AM – 1:00 PM), you can bring a bag and fill it for $3.00. Between 1:05-2:00 PM, remaining books are free.

Care to donate? Donations of books, CDs, LPs and videos can be made any time during the year by leaving them in the Open Return book drops at campus libraries. Materials can also be dropped off at the Lake Street loading dock of Memorial Library between 7:00 AM and 3:30 PM weekdays.

Open Access Day (October 14)

October 14th has been named Open Access Day! Libraries, publishers and academic institutions will be using this day to draw attention to the Open Access Movement—a movement that seeks to harness the power of the Internet to advance the unrestricted and altruistic sharing of research with a worldwide community of interested parties who can benefit from and contribute to the development of that research.

Open Access Day is sponsored by SPARC, the Public Library of Science and Students for Free Culture. The day’s events will include a live video webcast at the Memorial Union at 6:00 PM (check TITU for room location).

For an overview of the issues regarding Open Access and how it may impact you, visit the Scholarly Communication & Publishing website.

Wisconsin Book Festival (October 15-19)

Need an opportunity to feed the mind and stir the soul? If so, consider taking a break to cozy up to the bountiful harvest of author presentations and book discussion forums that comprise the Wisconsin Book Festival.

(Apologies for my lavish use of feeding/harvest metaphor but is there any better illustration for that which the season implies and good literature can inspire?!)

The theme for the book festival this year is that of “changing places” and what that may connote for writers and their readers—how we may step into another’s shoes and learn to honor and to appreciate the other—be it a place, an experience or a point-of-view.

Featured speakers include: Lynda Barry, Judy Blume, Moustafa Bayoumi, Mia Kirshner, David Maraniss, Michael Perry, Jeremy Scahill, Christina Schwarz, Patricia Smith, among many others.

New this year will be an opportunity to participate in conversation circles—public forums for exploring themes of change and community.

See the list of presenters.

View the five day schedule of events.

UW-Madison Libraries and the Friends of UW-Madison Libraries are among the festival sponsors.

Register to Vote!

Library staff and volunteers are available at campus library locations to register City of Madison voters for the November election. As these staff and volunteers need to deliver the Registration forms to the City Clerk’s office by 5:00 PM on Wednesday, October 15, early registration will end at 3:00 PM that day. Registration can also be made through your municipal clerk's office or at your polling place on Election Day.

Library locations and hours:

College Library: 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM, Sunday through Tuesday
(phone the Information Desk, there, for additional hours, 262-3245.

Memorial Library: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday

Steenbock Library: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday
(phone the Circulation Desk to confirm Registrar availability, 262-1371)

Wendt Library: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday
(phone the Circulation Desk to confirm Registrar availability, 262-3493

Related information:

Where Do I Vote? (City of Madison)

Voting on campus (dorm polling locations):

Voter Information, FAQs (Elections Division, State of Wisconsin Government Accountability Board)

Wisconsin, Election Information You Need (VOTE411.org)

Sources for information about the candidates and issues:

Wisconsin Vote

Sometimes it takes GUTS!

The Greater University Tutoring Service (GUTS) has posted its schedule for drop-in tutoring at College and Steenbock libraries. GUTS is a registered student organization that connects UW students with volunteer tutors.

Tutors are available to assist with academic courses, study and test-taking skills and conversational English. Visit the GUTS site to learn more about how you can connect with a tutor or volunteer your skills to the organization.

Odd Wisconsin

If you have ever thought Wisconsin to be a curious place (as I often do), then the new exhibit opening at the Wisconsin Historical Society Museum (on the Capitol Square) is for you!

The Odd Wisconsin exhibit features a collection of Wisconsin artifacts and fifty displays exploring the history—from college pranks to spiritualist séances—engaged in by its residents.

Take a sneak peek at what you will see!

The exhibit opens October 3.

Museum location: 30 N. Carroll Street on the Capitol Square
Museum hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Admission: adults ($4.00); children ($3.00); families ($10.00)

And, of extra note, the museum is planning some fun tie-ins with Halloween week (see the Calendar of Events).

Additionally, keep up-to-date on Odd Wisconsin with its blog. There is also a book, authored by Erika Janik, available from the Wisconsin Historical Society Press and area public libraries.

Wisconsin Solar Tour (October 3-4)

If you are interested in exploring alternative energy solutions, come take of tour of area (south-central region) homes and businesses that have incorporated wind, solar and geothermal technologies into their design and energy production—electricity and space and water heating.

On Friday, October 3, business sites are open from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM.
Homes sites are open for tours on Saturday, October 4 from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM.

(All tour sites are free and open to the public).

For more information, visit the Midwest Renewable Energy Association Solar Tour web site.

Of related interest, Wendt Library staff has recommended the following e-book titles:

Crystalline Silicon Solar Cells

Designing Indoor Solar Products: Photovoltaic Technologies for AES

Energy Conversion

Energy Efficiency Manual

Handbook of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Handbook of Photovoltaic Science and Engineering

Modelling Photovoltaic Systems Using PSpice

Nonimaging Optics in Solar Energy

Organic photovoltaics: mechanism, materials, and devices

Solar Technologies for Buildings

Research Tips & Tricks

Visit the Research Tips & Tricks page to explore a five step path to finding, evaluating and citing the information you use to complete your papers and projects. Visit each research step sequentially or select the step that best addresses what you may wish to know or to review about that particular process. Content within the steps is often supplemented by a short video clip.

A link to the Research Tips & Tricks page can be found from the UW-Madison Libraries home page in the lower right Help & Guidance box.

Banned Books Week (Sept 27-Oct 4)

Celebrate your freedom to read during Banned Books Week 2008. Some of the most profound and inspiring works of literature have faced challenges to their access from groups or individuals who have felt threatened by their content. How many have you read? Check out this list of the 100 Most-Banned or Challenged Books from 2000-2007 produced by the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom. I will admit that I have read many banned books in my day. (When I was growing up my mother would seek them out for her children to read and discuss!)

Of related interest, do save the date to see Judy Blume speak during the Wisconsin Book Festival! She is scheduled to speak Wednesday, October 15 at the Memorial Union Theater (7:30-9:00 PM). Tickets will be required for this event. Free tickets to the lecture can be picked up from the Wisconsin Union Theater box office. (Limit: two tickets per person).

Geek.Kon (September 27-28)

Get your geek on this weekend with Geek.Kon 2008!


The conference will include gaming events, screenings of anime and sci-fi films, music, costuming, vendors and panel discussions.

Special guests include Matt Sloan and Aaron Yonda (of Chad Vader fame), David Salo (linguist, Lord of the Rings’ Elvish), and Sarah Monette (novelist, sci-fi/fantasy/horror).

While pre-registration has closed, you are still welcome to attend this free conference event.

When: September 27-28
Saturday 8:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Sunday 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM

Where: Humanities Building, UW-Madison Campus (455 North Park Street)

And, of related interest...did you know that the Open Book Cafe at College Library has games, graphic novels, sci-fi/fantasy novels and DVDs that you can borrow?! Check out its collection!

Fresh Market Dining

As we approach October, I am reminded how much my grandfather loved the month, a month he simply called “golden” not only for its fall foliage but for its abundant squash—acorn, butternut, pumpkin—you name it, we harvested it. While some of you may not be as inclined to stock on the squash bounty as I am, there are plenty of other great food buys at area farmers’ markets. (In fact, the Dane County Farmers’ Market will continue on the Capitol Square until November 8).

In order to inspire your market forage, I have selected a few titles from Steenbock’s cookbook collection for your consideration (do consult with librarians for availability of these titles and for any assistance locating related items):

Author: Allen, Terese
Title: Fresh market Wisconsin: recipes, resources, and stories celebrating Wisconsin farm markets and roadside stands
Publisher: Amherst, WI : Amherst Press, c1993.
Description: 176 p. : ill.; 26 cm.
Location: Steenbock Stacks -1st Floor
Call Number: TX714 A453 1993

Title: From asparagus to zucchini: a guide to cooking with farm-fresh seasonal produce / Madison Area Community Supported Agriculture Coalition.
Publisher: Madison, Wis. : Jones Books, c2004.
Description: viii, 228 p. : ill. ; 28 cm.
Location: Steenbock Stacks -1st Floor
Call Number: TX801 F76 2004

Author: Madison, Deborah
Title: Local flavors: cooking and eating from America's farmers' markets
Publisher: New York : Broadway Books, c2002.
Description: xxiii, 408 p. : col. ill. ; 26 cm.
Location: Steenbock Stacks -1st Floor
Call Number: TX715 M1157 2002

Author: Schultz, Judy
Title: From the garden: great vegetable cooking from market to table
Publisher: Red Deer, Alta. : Red Deer College Press, 1993.
Description: 226 p. : col. ill. ; 21 cm.
Location: Steenbock Stacks -1st Floor
Call Number: TX801 S38 1993

Need Definition?

If the Google strategy define:term search (e.g. define: protein kinase) doesn't do it for you, try one of our campus libraries’ online reference databases--Oxford Reference Online or Credo Reference (formerly, xreferplus). Go to the campus libraries home page and select the E-Resource Gateway. You can get to these reference databases by searching for the database product by name or by browsing by subject (Subject/category, Reference/subcategory, Introductory Resources).

Oxford Reference Online combines scholarly resources with authoritative, quick-reference coverage of the full subject spectrum. Besides bilingual Spanish, German and French dictionaries and English language dictionaries and thesauri, it includes the following titles:

A Dictionary of Animal Behaviour
A Dictionary of Biology
The New Encyclopedia of Birds
The Oxford Companion to the Body
Dictionary of Chemistry
A Dictionary of Earth Sciences
A Dictionary of Ecology
Dictionary of Economics
A Dictionary of Environment and Conservation
Encyclopedia of Evolution
The Oxford Companion to the Garden
A Dictionary of Genetics
A Dictionary of Geography
Encyclopedia of Global Change
Dictionary of Physics
A Dictionary of Plant Sciences
A Dictionary of Scientists
Dictionary of Social Sciences
Dictionary of Sociology
Dictionary of Statistics
The Encyclopedia of Underwater Life
Dictionary of Weather
Dictionary of Weights, Measures and Units
A Dictionary of Zoology

Credo Reference (xreferplus) is particularly strong in medical dictionaries as well as French, German and Spanish bilingual and other specialty dictionaries.
It includes the following titles:

Dictionary of Astronomy, Peter Collin Publishing
Collins Dictionary of Biology
Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary
Collins Dictionary of Economics
Encyclopedia of Ecology & Environmental Management
Thames & Hudson Dictionary of Fashion and Fashion Designers
International Dictionary of Food and Cooking, Peter Collin Publishing
Mosby's Handbook of Herbs & Natural Supplement
International Dictionary of Homeopathy
Dictionary of Human Geography
Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics
Dictionary of Medical Acronyms & Abbreviations
Mosby's Dental Dictionary
Benders' Dictionary of Nutrition and Food Technology
Penguin Dictionary of Physics
Roget's II The New Thesaurus
Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary
Academic Press Dictionary of Science and Technology
Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary
World of Sociology, Gale

With thanks to librarian, Barbara L for this blog post.

Ahoy! Talk like a Pirate Day

September 19^th marks the annual “Talk like a Pirate Day”. Fancy some “aye-brary” research?!

If so, set sail for campus libraries for some assistance finding information about pirates, from the fanciful to the historic, we will have treasures to satisfy.

For a little fun, find your pirate name.

Cheers mate,

Iron Mary Flint

Food for Thought Forum and Festival (Sept 19-20)

The tenth annual Food for Thought Festival, sponsored by the REAP Food Group, will celebrate healthy food traditions and the quest to eat sustainably by tapping the seasonal harvest of local producers.

The Friday Night Forum, 125 Agricultural Hall (7:30-9:30 PM) will feature a panel of speakers including Michael Ableman (writer and founder of the Center for Urban Agriculture, Fairview Gardens), David Swanson (Chef-Owner, Braise on the Go), and Kay Jensen (JenEhr Family Farm).

Saturday festival events will be held just off the Capitol Square on Martin Luther King Blvd. from 8:00 AM until 1:30 PM. Enjoy cooking demonstrations, information tables, tasty samples, activities and raffle prize opportunities.

Climate Change is Global Forum (Sept 18-19)

The Holtz Center for Science & Technology Studies, in collaboration with the Nelson Institute, will host a free public forum at the Pyle Center on global climate change—what can and should be done.

The forum will begin on Thursday evening (September 18) at 7:00 PM with a panel presentation addressing such issues as carbon trading, food supply and public policy issues.

Friday evening (September 19, also at 7:00 PM) will feature a keynote lecture from climatologist Stephen H. Schneider on “Global Warming: Is the Science Settled Enough for Policy?” A reception will follow the keynote.

Assignment Calculator

Calendar your steps to completing your class assignments. The Assignment Calculator, available from the College Library website, enables you to enter your start and anticipated end dates to generate a step-by-step plan of action for developing your topic, finding and evaluating resources, and beginning the writing process. Each stage of the plan will suggest strategies for successfully completing that stage.

Of related interest and support, check out the services offered by the UW-Madison Writing Center:

Free Workshops

Help for individuals

Writer’s Handbook

Get Clued In!

Know anyone who could use a refresher on using library resources? If so, then suggest taking the CLUE Tutorial—a multimedia tutorial of five short modules reviewing aspects of college-level research expectations, the UW-Madison Library system, library research strategies, and searching catalog and journal literature databases.

Access CLUE

Links to the CLUE Tutorial can also be found on the UW Libraries Website, from the Help and Guidance pull-down menu.

Plant Sale (Sept 12-14)

The Horticulture Club is hosting its annual plant sale, September 12 - 14 (from 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM) at the Stock Pavilion. Club members will be selling a variety of houseplants including cacti, succulents, orchids, and, additionally, garden mums.

A nice way to add a lively touch to dorm, home or office décor.

Free READ Posters

While supplies last, collect a free READ poster from the Information Services/Reference desk. The poster features Coach Bo Ryan and members from the men's basketball team including Joe Krabbenhoft, Jon Leuer, Marcus Landry, Brian Butch and Trevon Hughes. Coach and players are shown holding copies of David Maraniss’ biography of Roberto Clemente.

Fun for dorm, house or office.

Wisconsin Eat Local Challenge (Sept 5-14)

Reduce your food miles by purchasing and consuming locally-grown and seasonal food products. The Challenge site enables you to register and to document your food purchases. The site also lists delicious options for sourcing this food bounty, (including farmers’ markets, farms and grocers), recipes and tips for making it work for you.

Why do it? Benefits of local eating

Farm Fresh Atlases

Allen Textile Collection Open House (Sept 9-10)

The Helen Louise Allen Textile Collection is a remarkable collection of textiles and costumes of artistic, cultural and historic interest. The collection is named for Helen Louise Allen, a professor from 1927 until 1968, who, as an expert in the history of textiles, weaving and embroidery sowed the seeds of this collection with her own that had been used in her instruction.

The open house will feature a display of textiles and costumes in conjunction with the Madison World Music Festival.

When: Tuesday and Wednesday (September 9-10) from 4:30-6:30 PM

Where: Room 378, Human Ecology, 1300 Linden Drive

Campus Book Delivery

Campus libraries can deliver available books to the library locations that are most convenient for you. Search the MadCat catalog for the book(s) you need. From each item record, click the Place Requests button (at the top of the page) in order to generate the request.

Once you have logged in with your campus ID number and last name, select “retrieve from shelf.” On the following screen, you will be prompted to select a library pick-up location and to enter your ID number once more.

Please allow 1-3 days for items to reach their destination. You may check the status of your request by logging in to “My MadCat Account.” An email message will be sent when your items are available for pick-up.

Click here for more information about Article and Book Delivery Services.

Need Coffee or Lunch?

A question we often hear from our library users during their time in our building is ‘where can I go for some coffee or a meal’?

If you need a quick snack, the library has a vending area on the first floor which includes a hot beverage machine (coffee drinks and hot chocolate). While we are not able to furnish beverages and food beyond what our building’s vending machines can accommodate, we can suggest some area dining options. Visit the links to view hours of operation, menus and daily specials.

Bon appétit!

Babcock Dairy Store (coffee, deli, ice-cream)

Carson Gulley Commons, Carson's Carryout (carry-out, convenience foods/grocery)

Holt Commons, Common Grounds (coffee/snack shop) and Frank’s Place (cafeteria)

Microcosm Café (coffee, hot entrees, Union deli)

Practice Safe Computing

The CIO and Vice Provost for Information Technology reminds students and staff to practice safe computing using common sense and software solutions that will defend one’s computer against viruses and spam. For more information, visit the news, tips and security information page.

Other useful links from the site:

Backup Your Data

Phishing/Email Scams (Identifying)

Protect Your Identity

Smart Social Networking

Campus Ice Cream Social (Sept 4)

All students and staff are invited to come meet the new Chancellor, Carolyn “Biddy” Martin, at the campus ice cream social on Bascom Hill, Thursday, September 4^th. The event will run from 4:00-5:30PM with Babcock ice cream available while supplies last.

The Babcock Dairy Plant has even crafted a new flavor for the event, “Strawbiddy Swirl” featuring a vanilla ice cream base with strawberry slices, strawberry marble and dark chocolate flakes.

Back to School Stats

Did you know that the projected number of students enrolled in the nation’s colleges and universities this fall is some 18.4 million students?!

The US Census Bureau Newsroom, “Facts for Features” page supplies collections of statistics from the Bureau's demographic and economic subject areas that serve to commemorate particular holidays and events. Each stat and statement is accompanied by a link to the data source.

Check out the stats on “Back to School”

Laptops and Group Study Rooms

Check out a laptop or reserve a group study room at Steenbock Library.

Visit the Laptop Checkout System page to find an available laptop from campus lab locations. In addition to PC or Mac laptops, you can use this system to find available cameras (still or video) and projectors.

Reserve a group study room online with the Study Room Reservation system page. This online system can enable you to search for rooms by date and location, find amenities and policy information regarding use of the rooms and place reservations, as needed, at College, Ebling, Memorial and Steenbock libraries.

Wisconsin Welcome

Welcome to UW-Madison! There is a lot happening on and near campus this weekend and during the first week of classes. Check out the schedule of campus events, tours and meet-ups.

Additionally, you may wish to take in the Dane County Farmers’ Market at the capitol square on Saturday morning, and then hang around for the Labor Day weekend, Taste of Madison (which will start at 2:00PM, Saturday).

Lots of food and live entertainment--what more can you ask?!

Fall Workshop Calendar

Drop by Steenbock to learn about some of the library resources and services that can make your campus work easier. Whether you would like to harness a citation management product or to search more effectively using Google or the MadCat Catalog, we have a workshop for you.

Plan to attend any of the workshops on the current fall schedule. If you cannot attend one of these particular workshops, individual or small group sessions can be arranged. Send us a request using our online form.

All workshops are free and include hands-on time to explore the resource. No reservations are necessary. Check message boards near the front entrance for room location.

The Mindset List

Beloit College has released its annual Mindset list. While it is important to note that this list does not wholly account for knowledge and experience, it does serve to capture a state of affairs—be it popular culture, technology or political situation—within the lifespan of the traditional, incoming college student.

It certainly lends itself well to discussion and reflection upon where we’ve been and where we may be heading (and, sigh, just how long some of our experience has been).

Is there anyone else out there with tartan flares and a Bay City Rollers LP?

Steenbock Tours

Come see what Steenbock Library has to offer with a tour of our facility. During the hour-long tour, Steenbock librarians will introduce tour participants to collections and service points.

Each tour will depart from the Information Services/Reference desk, second floor, across from the library’s main entrance.

Schedule:

Thursday, August 28: 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM

Friday, August 29: 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM

Tuesday, September 2: 3:00 PM

Wednesday, September 3: 11:00 AM

If you are unable to attend any of the scheduled tours, above, or wish to schedule a tour for a particular group, (class, research unit, new staff or dorm residents), do complete an online request form or phone 262-9635 for referral.

Staycation Luxury Suite

I was amused to read a blog entry about how one can evoke the charms of travel while staying at home—that being to redecorate the bedroom as a luxury hotel room--lovely linens, fluffy pillows (coffee-maker?!)--I’m sure you can imagine.

As you imagine whether this is just plain silly or whether this is, in fact, truly do-able, I will draw your attention to some Steenbock titles that may just inspire you.

Home Interiors:

Title: Bedrooms / Beta-Plus.
Publisher: Belgium: Beta-Plus Pub. ; 2005.
Description: 200 p. : photographs : 30 cm.
Location: Steenbock Stacks -1st Floor
Call Number: NK2117 B4 B43 2005

Author: Clifton-Mogg, Caroline.
Title: The bedroom book / Caroline Clifton-Mogg ; with special photography by Sebastian Hedgecoe.
Publisher: Boston: Bullfinch Press Book, 2003.
Description: 176 p. : col. ill. ; 26 cm.
Location: Steenbock Stacks -1st Floor
Call Number: NK2117 B4 C55 2003

Author: Conran, Terence.
Title: The bed and bath book / by Terence Conran.
Publisher: New York: Crown Publishers, 1978.
Description: 360 p. : col. ill. ; 27 cm.
Location: Steenbock Stacks -1st Floor
Call Number: NK2117 B4 C66 1978

Hotel Design:

Author: Broto, Carles.
Title: Iconic design hotels / [Carles Broto ; English translation, William George].
Publisher: [Barcelona]: Structure : A. Mostaedi, 2005.
Description: 239 p. : ill. (some col.), plans ; 33 cm.
Location: Steenbock Stacks -1st Floor
Call Number: NA7800 B76 2005

Author: Watson, Howard.
Title: Hotel revolution / Howard Watson.
Publisher: Chichester, England; Hoboken, NJ : Wiley-Academy, 2005.
Description: 224 p. : col. ill. ; 29 cm.
Location: Steenbock Stacks -1st Floor
Call Number: NA7800 W37 2005

Author: Yee, Roger.
Title: Hotel and restaurant design / Roger Yee.
Publisher: New York: Visual Reference Publications, Inc., c2005.
Description: 363 p. : col. ill. ; 30 cm.
Location: Steenbock Stacks -1st Floor
Call Number: NA7800 Y44 2005

For assistance finding other titles from our interior design collections, do consult with a Steenbock librarian.

Emerald Ash Borer Resources

The Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis), an invasive species of wood-boring beetle, has been identified this summer in Wisconsin.

In order to curb this infestation and to protect ash, a tree popular for home and municipal landscaping, the following resources have been developed. The sites listed below address identification concerns, news updates, and the state’s response to management.

• Emerald Ash Borer in Wisconsin,UW-Madison Department of Entomology
  
  
• Emerald Ash Borer, Forest Health Protection, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
  
  
• Emerald Ash Borer Information, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection

Research literature about the Emerald Ash Borer and its related concerns can be found by searching the following databases available from campus libraries:

• Biological Abstracts
• CAB Abstracts
• Web of Knowledge/Web of Science
  

Steenbock librarians are happy to provide assistance using these resources.

PDF Search Engine

A handy PDF Search Engine has hit the Web. While it purports to search for e-book content, this search engine proves quite useful for retrieving other PDF publications including government documents and reports from educational and professional organizations.

Give it a try; see what you think.

August Intersession (Aug 11-Sep 1)

Steenbock Library will observe the following hours during the August intersession (August 11 - September 1, 2008):

Monday - Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 PM

Saturday - Sunday: CLOSED

The library will be closed for Labor Day (Monday), September 1, 2008. Fall semester hours begin September 2.

During the intersession, reference assistance is available at the desk: Monday - Friday, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Librarians are available during other hours by request or by appointment. If you would like to schedule in advance for an appointment, email Ask Steenbock or phone: 608-262-9635. You may also wish to contact your library liaison.

The Information Commons (DoIT computer Infolab) is open all hours that the library is open.