Thursday, May 22, 2014

Library Hours, Spring/Summer Recess

Steenbock Library welcomes you to visit during the following hours of the spring recess and summer term (May 18-September 2):

Monday-Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday-Sunday:  Closed

Holiday Exceptions:
Monday, May 26 (Memorial Day) Closed
Friday, July 4 (Independence Day) Closed
Monday, September 1 (Labor Day) Closed

As all campus libraries observe different hours of operation during the spring recess/summer term, we encourage you to verify hours of access before planning your trip to campus or to a specific library location.

Do consult our staff should you need assistance finding and using our collections and services.  We are happy to provide reference assistance from the public-services desk or by chat, email, phone, or appointment.

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

I am Malala

The next Go Big Read has been selected!
Chancellor Rebecca Blank and a review committee of campus faculty, staff and students have selected I am Malala as the 2014-2015 common book selection for the UW-Madison campus.

Chancellor Blank invited the review committee to consider those nominated titles that examined issues of service.  As a model of service, Malala Yousafzai has campaigned mightily, and at great personal risk, for the right of girls and young women (all children, really) to pursue their education.  During her address to the United Nations, she stated, "So let us wage a glorious struggle against illiteracy, poverty and terrorism, let us pick up our books and our pens, they are the most powerful weapons. One child, one teacher, one book and one pen can change the world. Education is the only solution. Education first."

For more information, visit the publisher’s site for the book. And, do consult with campus and area public libraries for available copies.

Go Big Read is UW-Madison’s common book program where students, staff and the community are invited to read the same book then participate in a variety of related programs in-and-out of the classroom. Go Big Read will welcome your participation with this new title during the forthcoming academic year.

Read the press release.

Note: UW-Madison instructors interested in using the book can request review copies by contacting the Go Big Read office.

Monday, May 12, 2014

Look Mom...I'm at the Library!

Tell your friends and family where you study with a free, library postcard! 

Take a break, select and write your postcard, then drop it off in our dedicated drop-box.  We will take care of the postage and send it on its way. 

The original images that inspired each of the four different postcard designs were supplied by University Archives.

Look for our postcard-writing station near the front entrance during finals week.

Friday, May 09, 2014

Blow off some Steam!

Take a study break with us.  Free, coffee (hot) and lemonade (cold) will be available Saturday, May 10 through Tuesday, May 13 beginning at 7:00 PM (while supplies last).  The beverage service, located in our vending area on the first floor is provided by University Housing in cooperation with Steenbock Library.

During the day (Monday, May 12-Friday May 16), Steenbock will also have bubble-blowing equipment available for use on our front deck.

For a list of extended library hours and finals week activities at the various campus libraries, visit the special, "#studystrong" pages.

We wish you the best for a successful finals week and end of term.

UW Family Gardening Day (May 10)

Put some spring in your step with a visit to our neighborhood this Saturday.  From 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM, the D.C.Smith Greenhouse and the Allen Centennial Gardens will welcome campus and community guests to find inspiration for gardens, large and small, with tours, demonstrations, and hands-on activities.

As Steenbock Library dwells handsomely between these two destinations, our staff will be ready to supply guests with information about the collections and services we supply to those with--and those who aspire to have--a green-thumb.  Partners in this endeavor to share information and resources of interest to campus and community include library staff from Wisconsin’s Water Library and Dane County Public Libraries' Seed Library Project.

Look for our information kiosk, outside, near the front entrance to the library.  In case of rain, you will find us in Room 240.  When you enter our building, you will also have an opportunity to browse a selection of titles from our gardening collections.  We also have some gardening-themed Pinterest boards to showcase selected titles.  Do note that these boards supply a visual teaser to what we have and not every item in our collection.  Speak with our library staff for assistance finding more!
Read the Gardening Day press release!

Tuesday, May 06, 2014

What's in Your Garden?!

Save the date for two opportunities this coming weekend to consult with experts and select the plants best suited to your gardening style and available space.

"Plant Sale with the Pros", Olbrich Gardens
The staff of Olbrich Botanical Gardens hosts its "Plant Sale with the Pros", Friday, May 9 and Saturday, May 10, from 11:00 AM until 5:00 PM (Friday) and from 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM (Saturday).  Look for tents, 3330 Atwood Avenue.

The sale features Wisconsin-hardy annuals, perennials, ornamental grasses, shrubs and more. Master gardeners and Olbrich’s horticulturists are available to answer questions. Proceeds from the sale benefit Olbrich Gardens.  See the 2014 Plant List!

Native Plant Sale, Arboretum
The Friends of the Arboretum hosts its annual Native Plant Sale, Saturday, May 10, from 9:00 AM until 2:00 PM. Look for tents near the Visitor Center.   Information sheets are available online for the various native trees, shrubs, prairie, savanna and rain-garden plants available at the sale.

While every effort is made to supply a quantity of each species, the Friends cannot guarantee that everything will remain available, or in the quantities desired, upon your arrival.

My rule of thumb (green thumb, that is!)--get there early! Experts will be on hand to help you locate species and to answer questions.

Ride to Farm, 2014

Plan now to hop on your bike to benefit the Wisconsin School for Beginning Dairy and Livestock Farmers with the eleventh annual "Ride to Farm" (Saturday, May 31).  Visit the Event Information page to learn more about the two route options for this year’s ride.  Both routes, which include rest-stops at area farms with a sampling of treats, will begin and end at Birch Lake Park in Barneveld.

For more information, 2014 highlights, and to register, visit the Ride to Farm site.  The Wisconsin School for Beginning Dairy and Livestock Farmers is a program managed by the Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems and the Farm and Industry Short Course.