Radioactive

Are you ready for the next Go Big Read?!

Interim Chancellor David Ward and a review committee of campus faculty, staff and students have selected Lauren Redniss’s Radioactive: A Tale of Love and Fallout as the 2012-2013 common book selection for the UW-Madison campus. The Chancellor invited the review committee to consider those nominated titles that explored aspects of "innovation" and "discovery". With its imaginative and luminous composition, Radioactive more than satisfies that charge as it examines the love, work, and legacy of Marie and Pierre Curie.

For more information about the book, visit the author’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.

See the press release.

Battitude (May 12)

Spread your wings at the Wisconsin Bat Festival, Saturday, May 12 (9:00 AM – 5:00 PM). The festival will feature opportunities to learn about different bat species from experts Rob Miles and Dave Redell, and enable you to discover, and contribute to, the essential conservation efforts being made worldwide.

And, this year, meet author and illustrator, Brian Lies.  His children’s books include Bats at the Beach, Bats at the Library, and Bats at the Ballgame.

The Wisconsin Bat Festival will be held at the Warner Park Community Recreation Center.  See directions here. All proceeds will benefit the Wisconsin Bat Conservation Fund. Festival entrance fees are $8.00 per adult (16+); children free (with paying adult).  See flyer.

To learn more about bats, visit the following links:

Wisconsin Bat Monitoring Program

Organization for Bat Conservation

Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin, Bat Conservation Endowment Fund

Paint Your Garden

While you’re in our neighborhood, be sure to take a lunch or study break to soak in the color of the beautiful Allen Centennial Gardens, easily spotted through the library’s north-facing windows (corner of Babcock and Observatory Drives).

These 2.5 acres of teaching gardens, managed by staff affiliated with the university’s Department of Horticulture, surround what was formerly known as the 'Agricultural Dean’s residence.'

Today, the gardens feature a variety of landscaping designs and plant-communities--including experiments with culinary herb and kitchen gardens.

The gardens also afford volunteer and internshipopportunities! Students and members of the public who are interested in contributing their time to a variety of gardening tasks are invited to contact Ed Lyon, Head Gardener, with that expressed interest and availability.

Keep up with what's happening in the Gardens with its blog and Facebook page.  Learn more about the 2012 "Paint Your Garden" theme, here.

Study Nights are for the Dogs! (April 18)

If you're looking to take a study break and feeling hungry, be sure to stop by the library for some bagels. CALS Week--brought to you by the CALS Student Council--features this night of studying and refreshments with special guests, Dogs on Call.

While a meet-n-greet with the dogs will be held on the library main entrance level, the bagels will be served, from 6:30-8:00 PM, on the first floor. Students who attend can also sign-in to get points for their student organization as part of the CALS Week participation competition.

When: Wednesday, April 18 (6:30-8:00 PM)
Where: Steenbock Library (first & second floors)

CALS Week Silent Auction

There is still time to get in on the CALS Week Silent Auction! Visit the auction website to register and bid on awesome gift certificates, tees, decorative items and foodie treats.

Local businesses and restaurants have contributed generously to this event! CALS Student Council hosts this auction to raise funds to support its programming for CALS students.

Bids will be accepted until midnight, Friday, April 20, 2012. Winning bidders can pay and collect their items in the CALS Student Council office at the Stock Pavilion beginning Sunday, April 22 (winners will be notified regarding time of day).