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.

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!

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!

Alien Invasions, Darwin Day 2014

Celebrate Charles Darwin’s birthday (February 12) by exploring the evolution of our alien invaders, otherwise known as parasites!
The Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery and Union South will play host to the JF Crow Institute's annual Darwin Day(s) series of films, lectures and hands-on stations, February 6-8, 2014.

Visit the website to view the schedule of events, speakers and list of teacher resources.  Follow it on Facebook!

Stop in to Steenbock Library to "check-out" our display of selected book titles, to theme, from the collection.

"There is grandeur in this view of life...from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being, evolved."--Charles Darwin

Barn Dance (Oct 19)

Celebrate the fall with live music, cider, a pie-raffle and more when the Cates Family Farm hosts its Barn Dance, Saturday, October 19.  The Barn Dance will, of course, feature dancing in tune with music from the Kettle Creek String Band with proceeds from the occasion benefiting student research in the Agroecology program. 

The event runs from 7:00-10:00 PM with doors opening at 6:00 PM.  Tickets ($10 for students and $15 for general public) can be purchased from Brown Paper Tickets.

There will be free camping on-site for those who wish to "make a night of it".  Find the Cates Family Farm at 5992 County Road T, Spring Green.

Join the event on Facebook.

Curiosity Unleashed! WI Science Festival 2013

"Unleash your curiosity" with the Wisconsin Science Festival, September 26-29, 2013!

Visit the festival website program guide to plan your day.  While many events and programs will take place at the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery, there are many other area venues including the Geology Museum, the Madison Children’s Museum and Union South that will be hosting special events. 
The festival affords an amazing opportunity to dabble creatively in the sciences with hands-on activities, demonstrations, exhibits, films, lectures, workshops, and more.  Importantly, too, you will meet the individuals behind the art and science who will share an infectious enthusiasm for what they do--whether that is their work in the lab, field or studio.  Ask plenty of questions!

And, do look for your campus librarians! They will be staffing an "Ask a Librarian/Ask a Science Librarian" table during the Discovery Expo (Town Center, WID).  What with our interest in the sciences and science literacy, how can we resist but to be there where the action is--we look forward to seeing you there!

Follow the fun via Facebook and Twitter.

The Wisconsin Science Festival is free and open to the public.

Edible Book Festival, 2013

'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, Tuesday, April 16 from 4:00-6:00 PM (Memorial Library Commons, Room 460).

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 and more.  This festival coincides with National Library Week.

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.  The deadline for submitting this application form is Tuesday, April 9, 2013.

Comments or questions? Please send email to the Edible Book Festival Committee.  

Pi Day, 3.14

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

A few slices from the whole:

Author: Chattman, Lauren
Title: Icebox Pies: 100 Scrumptious Recipes for No-Bake, No-Fail Pies

Author: Clarkson, Janet, 1947-
Title: Pie: A Global History

Author: Cherkasky, Lisa, 1956-
Title: The Artful Pie: Unforgettable Recipes for Creative Cooks

Author: Olstein, Judi.
Title: Desserts: Pies, Cakes, Puddings, Tarts, Crêpes, Sorbets, Ice Cream & Cookies for the Sweet Tooth in All of Us

For assistance finding these and more from our cookbook collection, speak with your librarians.

Madison Reads Leopold (March 2)

Visit the UW Arboretum for a special public reading from Aldo Leopold’s seminal treatise on life in the natural world and conservation ethos, A Sand County Almanac, among other essays, Saturday, March 2 (beginning at 9:30 AM).

Scheduled readers include Madelyn Leopold, Scott Craven, Ron Seeley, Marie McCabe, and Stuart Levitan, among other students, naturalists and leaders from community organizations.

The "Madison Reads Leopold" events are free and open to the public.  Beginning at 1:00 PM, singer-songwriter, Tim Southwick Johnson will perform a special musical interlude of compositions inspired by Leopold.

The Arboretum Visitor Center is located at 1207 Seminole Highway.

For more information about these events, phone the UW-Arboretum Visitor Information Desk (608-263-7888) or visit the Website.

View the campus press release.

For related interest and inspiration, do review photos and text from the digitized Aldo Leopold Archives!

The Mating Game, Darwin Days 2013

"Life only exists because it can reproduce - and living organisms have sure found some odd ways to do it!"*

In the spirit of Valentine's Day and Charles Darwin’s birthday (February 12), the Crow Institute invites you to celebrate by exploring the Mating Game.  Get it on and mark your calendar for its annual Darwin Day(s), February 14-16, 2013.

The Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery will play host to a series of lectures and science stations, free and open to the public, that explore the science of evolution.

The UW-Madison Darwin Day(s) website supplies the schedule of events, speakers and themes, and a list of teacher resources.  See also the Facebook page!

New this year will be a special movie night, Thursday, February 14 (Union South Marquee): Evolution Shorts:  Love and Sex in the Natural World.

"There is grandeur in this view of life... from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being, evolved."--Charles Darwin

* From the Darwin Day 2013 site.

Helen C House Party (Sept 13)

Campus libraries are the place to be--not only as spaces for serious study, but as interesting social spaces for group work and the occasional party.

Check out the fun when College Library (Helen C. White) hosts its annual house party, Thursday, September 13 (8:00 PM-midnight).

The schedule of events includes carnival games, human foosball, student group performances, miniature-golf and more--with plenty of free snacks on the side.

Enjoy the evening and be sure to look for Steenbock Library on the mini-golf course!

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.

CALS Week 2012

CALS Week Events:

Tuesday April 17:

CALS Day for Kids
CALS Student Organizations run a fair to intrigue and inspire local elementary-school children.

WHERE: Stock Pavilion
WHEN: 8:30 AM-2:30 PM

CALS Research Symposium
Students, faculty, staff, and community members are invited to attend the annual CALS Undergraduate Research Symposium. To kick-off the event, Dean VandenBosch will address to undergraduates beginning at 10:00. CALS undergraduates will share their research in fields as diverse as forest and wildlife ecology, biochemistry, limnology, and everything in between! Students will be presenting in Find poster sessions in the atrium and oral presentations in the Ebling Symposium Center.

WHERE: Ebling Symposium Center, Microbial Sciences
WHEN: 10:00 AM-3:00 PM

Wednesday April 18:

Study Nights are for the dogs!
Got exams? Join CALS for a study night complete with Helper Dogs on the 1st floor of Steenbock Library! If that isn't enough to distract you, we will be serving bagels for our studious attendees.

WHERE: Steenbock Library (entrance and first floor)
WHEN: 6:00-8:00 PM

Thursday April 19:

Guest Speaker: Shelly Mayer
As a professional in dairy industry and a CALS mom, Shelly will speak with us about "Defining Yourself within the Dash", a personal reflection of her path and the local and global challenges facing today's graduates.

WHERE: Ebling Symposium Center, Microbial Sciences
WHEN: 5:00-6:00 PM

Saturday, April 21:

CALS Olympics!
Saturday afternoon will be filled with classic events like chocolate milk flip club, egg races, pudding scramble, egg toss, and tug of war.

WHERE: Jorns Courtyard
WHEN: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Pi Day (March 14)

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

A few slices, among others:

Author: Chattman, Lauren
Title: Icebox Pies: 100 Scrumptious Recipes for No-Bake, No-Fail Pies
Publisher: Boston, Mass. : Harvard Common Press, c2002.

Author: Clarkson, Janet, 1947-
Title: Pie: A Global History
Publisher: London: Reaktion Books, 2009.

Author: Cherkasky, Lisa, 1956-
Title: The Artful Pie: Unforgettable Recipes for Creative Cooks
Publisher: Shelburne, Vt.: Chapters Pub., c1993.

Author: Olstein, Judi.
Title: Desserts: Pies, Cakes, Puddings, Tarts, Crêpes, Sorbets, Ice Creams & Cookies for the Sweet Tooth in All of Us
Publisher: New York: Triangle Group, 1993.

For assistance finding these and others, speak with your librarians.

Madison Reads Leopold, March 3

Come visit the UW Arboretum for a special public reading from Aldo Leopold’s seminal treatise on life in the natural world and conservation ethos, A Sand County Almanac, Saturday, March 3 (beginning at 9:30 AM).

Scheduled readers include Kevin McSweeney (Director of the Arboretum), Madelyn Leopold, Ray Guries, Ron Seeley, Marie McCabe, and Chuck Quirmbach, among other students, naturalists and leaders from community organizations.

The "Madison Reads Leopold" events are free and open to the public with light refreshments to be served in the visitor center lobby.

The Arboretum Visitor Center is located at 1207 Seminole Highway.

On Sunday, the Arboretum will host a "Walk with Leopold" tour beginning at 1:00 PM.

For more information about these events, phone the UW-Arboretum Visitor Information Desk (608-263-7888) or visit the Website.

View the campus press release.

Unnatural History, Darwin Day 2012

"Toxic newts capable of poisoning humans, and the snakes that eat them. Delicate beauties and nightmarish monsters from the ocean depths. Plants that make a living sucking the life out of other plants..."

For all that and more, mark your calendar for UW-Madison’s annual Darwin Day(s), February 9-11, 2012.

The Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery will play host to a series of lectures and science stations, free and open to the public, that explore the science of evolution.

The UW-Madison Darwin Day website supplies the schedule of events, speakers and themes, and a list of teacher resources.

"There is grandeur in this view of life... from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being, evolved."
--Charles Darwin

Founders' Day Treats, Feb 6

The Wisconsin Alumni Association and University Housing wish UW-Madison a Happy Birthday with free cupcakes for students. UW-Madison held its first day of class on February 5, 1849 and celebrated its first Founders’ Day events in 1924.

On Monday, February 6, UW-Madison students can celebrate with free cake (cupcakes, etc.) beginning at 10:30 in front of Social Sciences OR in the dining halls at Frank’s, Gordon Commons and Rheta’s beginning at noon and continuing while supplies last. Bucky will be helping to celebrate at the dining halls.

Should you be looking to "sweeten your day" more, then tweet using the hashtag #HappyBirthdayUW, or post a birthday message on the WAA Hookup's Facebook page. The WAA will pick three people to win a gift certificate to a local business.

Ghastly Fun

Greet your guests this weekend with green slime and glowing pumpkins! Visit the Halloween Science tab on the "Science Projects for Kids" guide for do-it-yourself tips and recipes.

The "Science Projects for Kids" guide is just one of the many online guides created by campus librarians to assist library users with finding useful information--be it books, databases to the research literature, or Websites--available on a particular discipline or topic.

Visit the entire menu of Research Guides.

Fall Foliage Celebration

Every fall, my grandparents would reserve a weekend for a "color tour" during which they would navigate their boat of an Oldsmobile along winding Midwestern roadways to marvel at the foliage. "October is golden" my grandfather would conclude, his favorite month and also my own.

While there is some October to enjoy, I encourage you to crunch along the lake-shore path to Picnic Point, observe the fall palette, and visit the Fall Foliage Celebration Webpage. This Special Features page is a compilation of sites, organized by science librarians with the University of Buffalo, to highlight the science and spectacle of the season.

With thanks to Amanda W for proposing this Web link.

Happy Birthday Babcock Hall!

Come celebrate the 60^th Anniversary of Babcock Hall on October 14 (3:00-5:30 PM) in Rooms 205, 222 and Food Application Lab, Babcock Hall. The festivities will include a social hour and tour of the Food Applications and Ice Cream Lab. You are invited to register online by October 3, 2011.

Babcock Hall first opened for use in 1951 and was named for pioneering agricultural/dairy chemist and professor, Stephen Babcock. Professor Babcock was also instrumental in the genesis of Steenbock Library with the donation of his first paycheck to seed a library for the University’s College of Agriculture.

• Babcock Hall Highlights, from the Department of Food Science

• Babcock Hall, from Buildings of the University of Wisconsin, UW Archives Online Resources, Collections and Exhibits