UW-Madison Day at the State Fair (Aug 8)

Save the date! Come celebrate UW-Madison’s history of service and outreach by visiting its Wisconsin State Fair event, August 8. Located on the fair ground’s Central Mall, the "UW-Madison Day" will feature staff and alumni demonstrating their expertise and inviting fairgoers to "jump around" and experience all that the university has to offer--be that to taste some Babcock Ice Cream or to witness the Wonders of Physics.

Be sure to look for your Steenbock librarians and their campus library colleagues! We will be on hand to distribute some library-themed fun and to answer your questions about how you may visit and access library resources.

The State Fair event will also be an opportunity to donate school supplies to Milwaukee-area students. By bringing a new school supply to the Fair admissions gate, you will receive a voucher toward $5 off a $15 ticket sheet for SpinCity, the State Fair’s new amusement ride and game area (while supplies last).  See the list of necessary school supplies.

If you are unable to visit the State Fair during UW-Madison Day, please do consider making a school supply donation.  Donation boxes can be found at sites across campus--including Steenbock Library and Ag Hall.

For more information about the UW-Madison Day at the State Fair, visit this page.

Creating DairyLand, Book Talk (Dec 5)

Learn how and why Wisconsin became a dairy state when Steenbock Library welcomes author Edward Janus for a special book presentation, December 5, 2011. In his new title, Creating DairyLand, Mr. Janus examines how the history of ideas and the reality of resource degradation would serve to transform the practice of agriculture in the state, or, in other words, show "how caring for cows saved our soil, created our landscape, brought prosperity to our state and still shapes our way of life in Wisconsin."

In addition to recounting this dairying revolution, the author shares stories and photos of contemporary practitioners--dairy farmers and cheese-makers. There will be time for questions.

Author’s Website | Press Website | Read an excerpt

Date: Monday, December 5, 2011
Time: 1:00-2:15 PM
Place: Room 340 (third floor), Steenbock Library, 550 Babcock Drive

Visitor Information | Parking

This event is free; the library welcomes faculty, staff, students and the community to attend.

Print a flyer (PDF)

Year of the Wisconsin Idea

How has the University of Wisconsin touched your life? During the academic year 2011-2012, UW-Madison will celebrate the "Year of the Wisconsin Idea" and how the university, with this particular philosophy of collaboration, outreach and service, continues to enrich Wisconsin communities.

The seeds of the Wisconsin Idea were sown in 1904 when UW President Charles Van Hise declared that he would "never be content until the beneficent influence of the University reaches every home in the state."

In its early days, this philosophy served to forge relationships with state government and to inform legislation, but would evolve to speak more fully to the university’s commitment to public service, translating research into action.

Visit the Wisconsin Idea Website for information about its history, projects, forthcoming events and opportunities to share your experience.

Save the date for the following events:

Aug 10, 2011--UW-Madison at the State Fair (and look for the Wisconsin Idea Story Booth!)
Sept 1, 2011--Chancellor’s Convocation
Sept 22, 2011--Morgridge Center for Public Service 15th anniversary
Sept 22-24, 2011--Science Festival, Humanities-Science-Art Interplay
Oct 15, 2011--100 Year Anniversary of the First UW Homecoming
Late Oct, 2011--Reexamination of the Wisconsin Idea in the 21st century: Engaged Scholarship
Nov 11, 2011--Wisconsin Idea Forum
Feb-Mar 2012--Founders Days
March 31, 2012--Science Expeditions
April 28-30, 2012--Alumni Weekend
April 22, 2012--Nelson Institute Earth Day Celebration

Putting the Wisconsin Idea Online (Oct 19)

The Wisconsin Idea is the principle that our efforts here, as students and staff, should inform and enrich our communities beyond the university. UW-Madison researchers are now able to fulfill this guiding principle by using the Web to reach Wisconsin residents and an interested audience worldwide.

On October 19, faculty, staff, students and librarians will have an opportunity to discuss efforts to archive and to impart the product of one’s research online.

Visit the site to view the schedule of featured speakers and to submit your registration. Registration for this day-long event is free.

Putting the Wisconsin Idea Online
October 19, 2010 (9:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
Memorial Library Commons (Room 460)

This event coincides with Open Access Week 2010.

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).