And, the news continues....

In light of our newly-revised library site, the Steenbock News blog now enjoys another presence.  Please follow us there.

A Summer's Reading

One of the interesting and pleasantly-challenging aspects of our work in libraries is to match a library user with the texts that he or she will most want to read, be it for research or entertainment.

If you intend to read for fun this summer, chat with us, check out our campus libraries’ Pinterest Board to "Summer Reads", revisit the 2014 "Book Madness" selection or try some of the tools, below. Each one of these additional resources enables you to explore a genre or factor a recommendation based upon authors, books or themes you already enjoy.

• Fiction Connection (and nonfiction connection)
• Novelry 
• Which Book?

Locate available copies of books on campus or within the UW-System by using the library catalog and its UW System search feature. The Madison Public Library, as part of the South Central Library System, is also an amazing resource for satisfying popular reading interests--search its catalog to locate items of interest.  (Subscribe to its MadReads Daily for book recommendations).

And, if you haven’t yet discovered it, Steenbock Library hosts its very own "Little Free Library" in which you can also freely exchange popular reading materials.

Pinned by Steenbock

Browse Steenbock collections with Pinterest.  Our newest boards will take you from garden to table.

• Compost it!
• Gardening with the Wild
• Garden to Table
• The Potted Garden
• Take Root!

Speak with your librarians for assistance in retrieving these titles and more.  If borrowing from UW-Madison Libraries is not an option for you, be sure to look for available library copies using WorldCat (catalog).

The Buzz in Digital Collections

Steenbock Library, in cooperation with UW Digital Collections, is pleased to announce its sweet release of "Historical Bee and Bee-Keeping Literature" from the Charles C. Miller Memorial Apicultural Library.  Newly-digitized as part of this project are 11 serial titles in bee-keeping from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.   

The initial collection of this bee-keeping literature was donated to the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1922, with a stipend for its continued support, by enthusiastic admirers of Charles C. Miller who had mentored many a bee-keeper through example and scholarship.  Once housed in Agriculture Hall and then Steenbock Library upon its completion in 1969, many of its texts have since been transferred to the Department of Special Collections where there are descriptive finding aids to the collection.  A list of publications that were documented by WPA workers as part of this collection in 1936 can be found via links from the library catalog. The collection was also featured in an article for the Friends of the Libraries Magazine in 2004. 

In Class with GBR

The Go Big Read program invites instructors who intend to use the 2014-2015 selection, I am Malala, with their classes during the fall and spring semesters to complete a request form for complimentary 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.

For additional information about how to access the book--including alternative formats, click here.  Visit the publisher’s site for the book.

Save the date!  A public presentation with special guest speaker, Shiza Shadid, CEO and Co-Founder of the Malala Fund, is scheduled for October 27, 2014 beginning at 7:00 PM in Varsity Hall, Union South.  For more information, please see the press release about Ms. Shadid' visit to campus.

Barn Dance (June 27)

Kick up your heels and benefit CIAS research and instruction with a celebratory barn dance, Friday, June 27, 2014. As part of its 25th Anniversary celebration, CIAS (Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems) will welcome students, staff, alumni and friends to Schuster’s Farm in Deerfield for an evening that will feature, in addition to dancing, the music of Thirsty Roots (aka Graminy), a silent auction and refreshments.

The event runs from 7:00-10:30 PM.  Tickets ($10 in advance; $15 at the door) can be purchased from Brown Paper Tickets or at the CIAS office (phone 608-262-8018 or email for hours). Do note that there will not be a credit-card option at the event.  Ticket prices for children ages 5-12 will be $5.00; those younger than 5 attend for free.

Free Summer Reading Club (for adults!)

When was the last time that you participated in a summer reading program?!  If you’re in town this summer, stop in to one of our Madison Public Library branches to register for its Adult Summer Reading Club, or, you can also register online. 

Log your finished reads, in person, at your local branch or do so online to qualify for weekly prize drawings beginning the week of June 17 (all summer reading clubs began June 1).  You can also browse by branch to see what other participants have been reading and enjoying--all the better to discover something new to add to your reading list.

In addition to the copies, you can check-out from our public libraries, do consult our campus library catalog, if more convenient, to find available copies of a desired read.

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.

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.

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.

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!

Gardening with the Wild
Compost It!

The Potted Garden

Read the Gardening Day press release!

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.

Where the Locovores go...

Go where the locovores go and benefit REAP in the process by using a selection of coupons to area restaurants and vendors.  The REAP Coupon Book is a "must have" item for Madison-area food lovers who enjoy saving on items purchased from area farmers’ market vendors, restaurants and shops.

The coupon book can be purchased at the REAP Food Group office for $10.00, ordered online, or from participating area groceries, Coops.  Proceeds from the sale of coupon books serve to benefit the Buy Fresh, Buy Local program. To learn more, visit the REAP Food Group site.

Get Your Farm Fresh Atlas!

The 2014 edition of the Southern Wisconsin Farm Fresh Atlas has been released! Pick up your copy from any of several university and area locations, including Steenbock Library (look for copies at our service desks and information kiosks).

Use the Atlas to locate farms, markets and restaurant partners who bring you fresh, area-grown produce and food products. Do note that many of the area growers welcome visitors with special events, u-pick options, hay-rides and tours.

Should you be looking for options apart from the southern Wisconsin area, consult the site for Wisconsin Farm Fresh Atlases or nationally, using the Local Harvest site.

Nourish the links between land and table!  Learn more about the REAP Food Group!

AWA Breakfast on the Farm (Apr 27)

The annual Breakfast on the Farm will be served Sunday, April 27 from 8:00 AM until noon at the campus Stock Pavilion (1675 Linden Drive). Breakfast will include hearty fare with ice cream for dessert.

Tickets can be purchased at the door; $7 for adults, $5 for seniors (65+), $5 for students (K-UW) and $3 for children (5 years and younger). A dollar discount will be granted from the price of breakfast with a donation of three canned-food items. All donations will go to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Southern Wisconsin.

This event, sponsored by the Association of Women in Agriculture, includes an educational area, petting zoo, and entertainment.

Come hungry; stay for the fun!

See other CALS Week Events here.

Canine Campus Crawl (Apr 27)

The UW Pre-Vet Club hosts its annual Canine Campus Crawl on Sunday, April 27 (noon -). This dog-friendly, 2.5 mile run/walk serves as a fundraiser for the Dane County Humane Society and the "One Horse at a Time" project. The run/walk departs from Lot 60 (801 Walnut Street).

Pre-registration can be done online. The pre-registration fee is $15 for one person (no dogs) or $20 for one person (up to two dogs). Registration fees for the day of the event (beginning at 11:30 AM) are $20 for one person (no dogs) or $25 for one person (up to two dogs).

For more information, see the information packet.

Visit the Facebook page.

All Campus Party (Apr 22-27)

Each spring, the Wisconsin Alumni Association and the Alumni Student Board (WASB) team up with student organizations, University departments, area businesses and national corporations to sponsor the All-Campus Party.

Check out the week of events that include opportunities to enjoy free food and entertainment, outdoor recreation, and contests (with awesome prizes).

CALS Week Food Drive (Apr 20-25)

The CALS Student Association will be running a food drive during CALS Week, April 20-25, 2014.  Look for designated collection spaces in Ag Hall, Animal Sciences, Biochemistry and Steenbock Library.  All items collected will be donated to the Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin.  Please consult the poster at drop-sites for a list of suggested food and non-food items.

See the list of all CALS Week activities and events, here!