Pup it Up!

Take a study break with us as we welcome special guests, Dogs on Call!
Steenbock staff welcomes Dogs on Call (and their companions) to the library, Tuesday, April 8, from 6:30-8:00 PM.  The dogs will be available for a pat, during this special study break, near the front, main entrance to the library (second floor).  We are honored to be one of their many campus stops.

Dogs on Call is a local member of Pet Partners--an organization devoted to improving human health through the existing bond between people and companion animals. These companion animals are specially-trained to gently-interact with their human counterparts in any number of environments including schools, hospitals, libraries and special-care facilities.  In addition to its membership with Pet Partners, Dogs on Call is a R.E.A.D (Reading Education Assistance Dogs) affiliate with Intermountain Therapy Animals.  Please visit their sites to learn more about their services.

Edible Book Festival, 2014

'Have your cake and read it, too' with the annual Edible Book Festival! The festival, which is free and open to the public, will be held, Thursday, April 10.  Stop in to Memorial Library, Room 116 between 11:00 AM until 4:30 PM in order to browse and vote for your favorites; there will be reception (with cake other than the entries!) from 4:00 - 5:30 PM.

As part of the fun, the Libraries encourage all aspiring "food artists", (bakers and book enthusiasts) to participate by crafting their own edible books. An edible book is an entry made of edible materials, with the subject pertaining to books in shape or content. In the past, those participating have worked with cake, Jell-O, cheese, matzo, pretzels and more.  

If you are interested in contributing an "edible book", please complete and return the application form found on the festival page.  The festival page also supplies information about the prize categories and festival sponsors and judges.  The deadline for submitting this application form is Monday, April 7, 2014.

Find inspiration from Steenbock collections.  Ask your librarians for assistance browsing the cookbook collection for cake baking and decorating!

Vote Now! UW Book Madness

Let the voting begin!  Visit the UW Book Madness Tournament site to vote in Round 1.  Round 2 voting will begin on Saturday (March 22) at noon.

Thank you for submitting your brackets in advance. The most accurate bracket, post-voting in the final match-up, will win a gift certificate to the University Bookstore.  See the rules of play here.

Visit the site to learn more about the books in each division, including fun facts and stats.

Voting fine print:

• One vote, per person, per pairing!
• First round voting begins on Thursday, March 20.
• Voting for later rounds begins at approximately noon on these dates:

• Round 2: Saturday March 22
• Round 3: Tuesday March 25 (Sweet 16)
• Round 4: Saturday March 29 (Elite 8)
• Round 5: Tuesday April 1 (Final 4)
• Round 6: Sunday April 6 (Championship)

Organic Agriculture in Wisconsin: 2014 Research Report

In cooperation with farmers from around the state, researchers from CIAS and DATCP share the findings and progress of 23 studies into organic farming practices, products, and marketing in their recently-published (February) report, "Organic Agriculture in Wisconsin".  Among the projects highlighted are those that examine specialty and varietal crop trials, assess cropping systems and no-till methods, and recommend tools for education and farm management.

Organic Agriculture in Wisconsin: 2014 UW-Madison Research Report (PDF)

Authors: Erin Silva, Lisa Bauer and Laura Paine
CIAS (Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems, UW-Madison)
DATCP (Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection)

Pi Day (3.14)

Mathematicians, among others, observe "Pi Day" on March 14 in keeping with Pi as 3.14 (or extended as, 3.1415926535...). While you can commemorate the occasion with some clever calculations, I suggest another formula. Check out some "pie" from Steenbock’s cookbook collection!  

Visit our Pinterest board for a few suggested titles from the collection or stop in to select from a small assortment of 'grab and go' books near our Circulation/Reference desk (second floor, across from entrance)—look for the "Pie for Pi" sign.  Enjoy rationing your slices!

Try BrowZine!

Have you yet tried your hand at "BrowZine"?!   No need to knit your brow over efforts to stay current with your favorite research journals.  Download the Browzine app for iPad or Android tablet. 

When you download the BrowZine application from the AppStore or Google Play, you will see a list of schools.  Select UW-Madison then enter your NetID and password.  Once installed, you can create a bookshelf of your favorite journals, browse and read articles, and export citation records to compatible citation management tools. 

Brought to you by UW-Madison Libraries, BrowZine is available to all UW-Madison faculty, staff and students. 

Book Madness

Let the Book Madness begin!  Fill out your brackets for the second, annual UW Book Madness Tournament!

Download or stop by a participating library (including Steenbock!) to pick-up and to return your brackets.  The most accurate brackets, post-voting in the final match-up, will win gift certificates to the University Bookstore.

All brackets must be returned by March 18 in order to qualify; one submission per person.  Click here to read the complete rules of play.

Beginning March 20, you will be able to vote online for which book in each pairing will advance.

Visit the site to learn more about the books in each division including fun facts and stats that may influence your picks.  The divisions this year are: Books in the Movies, Books on TV; Glass Half-Full, Glass Half-Empty; Required Readings, Guilty Pleasures; Stars’ n Stripes, Union Jack.

#UWBookMadness

Meet Your Farmers (CSA Open House)

CSAs are alive and well in the Madison area!  The FairShare CSA Coalition will host its annual open house at the Monona Terrace, Sunday March 23, from 1:00-4:00 PM. A "CSA" (Community-Supported Agriculture) is a community venture in which participants pledge their support for a farm’s food production efforts and, in turn, receive a share of the product in various installments.  The CSA model has been extended to include (and support) other small grower/producer products including craft beer, coffee, and seafood.

At the open house, you will be able to chat with farmers and evaluate the different share options--often weekly or every-other-week deliveries of seasonal produce, eggs, cheese, honey or meat depending upon share plan and CSA farm. (And, many of these same folks participate in the area farmers’ markets).

In order to plan ahead, take a look at the Farm List to consider farms and share options that will best satisfy your appetite for produce and level of participation. Many of the farms have application forms that you can submit now.

In addition to supporting a local economy and savoring the fresh produce, there are some other incentives for students and staff. Many health plans furnish rebates for CSA participation. Shares can also be donated to assist families in our community in need. And, less we forget, there are opportunities to volunteer and to learn more with a job or internship at an area farm or FairShare event.

Get Out There! (WI Film Festival)

Save the date for the 16th Annual Wisconsin Film Festival (April 3-10, 2014)! The annual festival brings Madison audiences some of the finest examples of independent, local and international film-making. The 2014 festival will also feature many restorations.  Advance tickets will go on sale Saturday, March 8 (online, or by phone or in-person at Union South).  Screenings will take place at four festival venues on campus, the Sundance Theaters, Hilldale Mall and at the Capitol Theater, Overture Center for the Arts (Sunday, April 6).

Look for the festival guide in the forthcoming issue of the Isthmus (Thursday, March 6). The Festival is presented by the UW-Madison Arts Institute and the UW Department of Communication Arts; additional sponsorship is provided by UW-Madison and community businesses and foundations.
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