Ten Library Visits

Unique Architecture: The architecture of the library is impressive, massive stone and marble, oak engraved wood work. Grand 3 tier electric (36) candle chandeliers hang from the ceiling approximately 12 feet from the floor and 12 feet from the ceiling. Doors are leather covered accented with brass buttons.

Stacks are lit with attached florescent lights; huge oak tables have permanently attached bronze lamps.

Creative Cataloging solution: The library has a paper card catalog containing “materials processed prior to June 1976”

Unique trust of students by staff: The evening that I visited the library was posted as closing at 5pm. 5pm came and went and everyone using the library stayed put. The main reading room remained open. Reference and Circulation area as well as computers and many books remained available. The library remained quiet. Students stepped outside to talk on cell phones or carry on conversations. Well deserved - Trust!

Creative solution to a space problem: Mobile shelving is used behind the Circulation Desk for Reserves.

Creative solutions: Lost and found shelves includes location item was found.

3 brown dish pans are used behind Circulation Desk for Interlibrary loan returns and course reserve items.

Unique use of a display case: Display case showcases distinguished alumni.

Unique and creative: Real flowers are found on a tall table near handouts adjacent from the circulation desk.

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Major Research University Campus

Charles B. Sears Law Library, University at Buffalo, State University of New York

http://ublib.buffalo.edu/

Unique use of technology: Electronic bulletin board mounted at the entrance to be viewed from outside the library gives a high tech first impression. Huge modern oil paintings on the 2^nd floor compliment the modern look. Brass lamps on the Reference desk close to the entrance and easily seen compete with the modern look giving the Reference desk a traditional (or stuck in the past) feel.

Creative way to change the style: Glassed in Archive has an antique look with a Turkish style carpet and older more traditional style furniture.

Unique: 67 different pathfinders are found behind the Reference desk. Most libraries have several pathfinders but 67 wins.

Creative: Large laminated use guides explain the purpose, holdings and scope of specific resources including Shepard’s McKinney’s Digests and others. Because of their size they are awkward to use but they can be removed and used at a table.

Unique use of an otherwise useless space: 2 location maps dated 7-10-2002 are found by the elevator mounted on permanent plastic board. Maps are also mounted in the elevator.

Display cases near the elevator are used for Law School trophies.

Near the elevator a photo display of buildings previously occupied by the Law School Libraries gives a sense of history and tradition.

Unique room: Loose leaf room, an attempt to contain easily lost items. Some newspapers are also in this room but more can be found in another location. Hanging from a coat hook by a string, a notebook lists filing call numbers.

Unique way to ensure assistance when needed: A Librarian office can be found on each floor.

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Public College

Memorial Library State University of New York Cortland

http://library.cortland.edu/

Unique: Library is divided into areas

Academic Support

Reference

Microfilm

Periodicals

Government Documents

Call numbers A-B

C-H

J-N, Q-Z

Each doorway has area designation above.

While division of space is not unique it is unique that the areas be labeled and divided so specifically.

Front Entrance has many necessities in sight

Signs at entrance door

Giant location guide/map

List of librarians and professional faculty

Benches

Phones

Suggestion Box

Rest rooms

Circulation desk

Unique: Books have double barcodes on each, one on outside front cover, one on inside back cover with a date due slip and property stamp.

Unique: Barcoded Globe 1950, with date due stamps is available for charge in the library catalog and is easily found in the OPAC with a keyword search = globe.

Unique: Small group viewing room, unlocked, warm, coat hooks, clock, 4 chairs, TV, VCR, tape rewinder, DVD player, study carrel.

Unique: Pamphlet / Picture file housed in 8, 4 drawer metal filing cabinets. Alphabetical list of contents “revised 26, January 1998” with pen notes.

Unique: Federal Register is in paper.

Unique architectural element: Many secluded spaces for student quite space.

Creative use of space: Mac Lab with 27 computers and print station, created with modular walls.

Unique architectural element: An extra “Staff only” elevator.

Creative use of available resources and unique resources: Large first floor room dedicated Academic Support Room. Locked glass cabinets on walls house rare or old books. On Shelf Manual of the Common council of New York 1860, call number D F128.1 N53 does not appear in the catalog or in World Cat. This may be the Delta Collection.

Unique architectural element: Late night reading room on the first floor with 5 vending machines, 38 PC’s and a separate entrance with security gate but exit does not appear to be usable. Emergency use only sign in front of door.

Creative use of available resources: Sculptures in stairway and near stairs most with credit plaques.

Creative use of available resources: Book dummy used to direct user to other college resources – “Visit Career Services”.

Unique signage: Signs in Reference area are red cloth banners with white letters hanging from ceiling.

Creative use of available resources: 35 computer workstations in the Reference area scrolling banner “Ask a Librarian”.

Creative use of space: Makeshift Reference instruction area, United States Catalog Supplement Books Published 1912-1917 is used as a monitor riser.

Creative use of space: The best architectural element is the stair case leading to the Periodical area. The beauty of the marble stairs, aluminum railing and round domed sky lights are obscured by ERIC Microfiche cabinets in several sizes, and colors only one side remains before enclosure is complete.

Possible creative use of finances: 1960’s worn green carpeting, worn green chairs show the age of the facility. New looking brown end panels and extra shelving room give the impression of collection maintenance.

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Public College

Albert R. Mann Library, Cornell University

http://www.mannlib.cornell.edu/

Unique financing: Friends of Mann library, donations accepted http://www.mannlib.cornell.edu/about/friends.html

Of interest: I was able to obtain a borrowers card just by showing my UB ID and my drivers license.

Unique: Faculty and Staff are not charged overdue fines loan period is 180 days.

Creative: Upcoming events to be held in the library are posted at the entrance as well as other places in the library. The display cases hold items of interest in coordination with the upcoming events. The current library event coordinates the collection at PRI Paleontological Research Institution http://www.priweb.org/ with the Mann library.

Unique: Laptops are available for use in the library a 2 hour period.

Creative: The library is currently in a state of transition and the midst of a renovation project expected to last until 2006. An addition was added to house the library collection. The current floor plan is probably temporary. It is very well done. Wood mobile wall units are used to create the administrative offices as well as others.

Creative: Cheep table top tents are used for several purposes “please no food or drink”. In an if you can’t beat ‘em join ‘em attitude “please be kind to our custodial staff remove your shoes before placing feet on chairs”.

Creative solution: Oil paintings borrowed from the Herbert F. Johnson Museum are hung on the walls adjacent to the elevator adding a touch of class and alleviating a space crunch at the Johnson. All paintings are fully catalogued by the Johnson and plaques attribute artist, medium, origins, date, title, and how painting was acquired.

Creative and unique use of space: One of the larger study rooms has a permanent plaque advising that the room is for staff use only Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm.

Unique: Lockers are available, in a time when you can’t even get a locker at the bus station.

Creative: In the elevator a framed advertisement for information literacy classes along with the dates and times the class is held.

Unique: Mann library has created a recognizable logo 2 wheat strands and a corn flower are emblazoned on the elevator, and on a small round metal plaque mounted on the side of the tables. The logo is used sparingly and appropriately.

Unique: The Stone computing center has a Braille printer, GIS computer station, Adaptive technology station, as well as the ability to print huge poster size copies.

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Private Liberal Arts College

Gannett-Tripp Library at Elmira College

http://www.elmira.edu/academics/library.shtml

Unique: Telnet / Dos OPAC connection for public users only found on the first floor.

Unique: Posted near door on permanent sign; “Please help us preserve our collections by eating your food in the Café on the first floor. Food residue in the building will cause damage to library materials. Thank you.”

Creative use of space: Café de la Biliotheque is not inviting but looks like left over tables, chairs and even posters the large sign at the entrance is the nicest part. In contrast with the beautiful artwork that appears through out the library are the posters, curled corners, taped and generally nasty. They are old, library related and probably free; Gale group, Jones e-global library, US Census Bureau, National library of China.

Unique Architecture and Art: At the entrance is a grand marble circular floor in the center is an Elmira College Bench with a bronze statue of what appears to be Mark Twain seated upon it. No notes, no artist information. Art is found throughout the library everywhere even in hallways, mostly oil paintings but many bronze statues too. The paintings have titles and artist name as well as medium used on a small plaque near and could conceivably be used as a teaching tool.

Unique signage: The library architecture uses an open floor plan. The pillars found throughout the library have been labeled with large letters and used as signs, Circulation, Reference, Documents.

Unique Copyright Statement: A copier is close to the entrance with a beautiful framed Elmira College Copyright policy statement on the wall near by. Typed in purple and elegantly presented the policy is aesthetically pleasing. However, this policy posted does not address what lawful copying is and the copyright statement presented is lengthy and most likely unread. Another tattered copyright statement is found behind the VendaCard machine in a pile of bad copies. Copyright notices do not appear in any of the media production rooms.

Creative recycling: Wooden boxes near the VendaCard machine near the copier ask users to “Please put used VendaCards in this box. Help us recycle. Thanks”. Contrary to this plea to recycle, the VendaCard machine explains that the card is reusable and costs 50 cents each.

Unique library classroom: Unique Tripp lecture hall a huge lecture style electronic classroom seating about 108. Sliding chalk boards framed in wood in the same pattern seen throughout the basement floor, a lecture podium complete with a Samsung DVD and VCR, Tao stereo mixer.

Unique Computer Center: Marble stairs lead to the basement area where a beautiful new computer center in basement. Computer Center has a look that is completely different than the library although part of it. Wood work everywhere reminiscent of a style that may have been seen in the 1880’s creates a warm atmosphere; the sterile feel of the 60’s seen on every other floor, has been erased. An octagon pattern is repeated in the wood trim and in a metal safety railing. I have to wonder if this new high tech lab is really the responsibility of the library staff or is simply housed in the library.

The very large central computer help desk rivals the Circulation desk in size and easily out classes the Reference desk. Elmira College printing policy is posted but no clear Copyright statement. The cost of copies is also posted clearly.

Lab A has 18 Gateway P4 computers with DVD, Zip and floppy drives using windows XP, 18” monitors.

Lab B has 14 similar computers with speakers, scanners and clear directions on how to operate. A wooden high tech lecture podium turns the lab into an electronic classroom.

Lab C has 15 Macintosh computers, 1 scanner with use directions.

Multimedia resource lab 4 Macintosh computers, scanners, 1 Epson stylus printer, Video VHS player, 2 televisions, a card scanner presumably for printing costs, a Wacom pen pad, wireless mouse, digital video cam, 3 ring binder containing directions including; a Macintosh digitizing guide quick take photography , scanning images and digitizing video.

A room with equipment for processing photographs, 3 darkrooms (all open), old tables and equipment an adjacent classroom is a photography workshop also with old tables, chairs and a lecture podium also leftovers from prior to the probably recent renovation.

Another electronic classroom with 24 seats.

In view of the computer help desk is an open lab which cannot be reserved with 5 eMacs, 5 Gateway monitors, they must all be running on a server because no computers are visible which also means there is no disk drive available for saving information.

Creative reuse: An old book bin sits at the bottom of the stairs to the computer center with a sign reading “Return library books here”. This could be labeled a little better. Is this for charged books?

Interesting creative use of space and cataloging concept: On the First floor an area where media such as video tapes and DVD’s are available. This consist of open shelves for browsing, a locked cabinet of DVD’s and a help desk with an attendant apparently doing homework, she asks me if I need help. Video tapes have what appear to be accession numbers (VC-0715, B.F. Skinner interviewed in his office at Harvard University, 2 parts 1 barcode) and DVD’s have been given LC style call numbers (PN1995.9.C55 T43 1999).

The media area is a stark contrast to the to the computer center, plugs in the floor for wires are ajar and I trip over one, the carpet has seen better days a.

2 televisions with headphones, are attached to satellite specifically for the purpose of viewing foreign language programs.

Unique service: An ESL office

A tutor is available, but does not appear to be very busy.

Unique Collection: The Mark Twain Room is an archive of Mark Twain memorabilia is furnished in office furnishing which were found or may have been found in his office. The floor is parquet. I look forward to seeing the archive when it is open. The hours of operation are shorter than those of the library.

Creative / making due: At the Circulation desk: A Suggestion box is on the circulation desk. On a wall a distance from the box are suggestions answers taped to the wall.

Creative adherence to policy: Behind Circulation desk is a sign that reads “food jail”, shelves are labeled “dirty mugs”, “clean mugs”, “faculty hold”.

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Private Liberal Arts College

Louis Jefferson Long Library, Wells College

http://www.wells.edu/library/li1.htm

Creative idea to circumvent restrictive operating system: While windows XP creates password protected databases the library OPAC and databases are completely guest friendly with the password posted at each computer needing one.

Creative use of paint: Walls are painted different colors serving as location guides, for example; the ladies room is on the red wall the men’s on the white.

Unique solution to a noise problem: Curtains serve as room dividers between the periodicals section and the stacks area as well as many other areas in the library. The purpose for this division is unknown to me at this time but most likely is to eliminate noise as loud echoes can be heard.

Creative way to save energy: Many lights require users to find the switch and subsequently remained dark as I wandered through the library. This would save electrical energy but may require staff energy as staff need to turn off the lights.

Unique feeling of trust among student users and library staff: Study carrels are incorporated into the stacks. Study carrels are personalized with photos, possessions and charged library books. Posted on each carrel is the notice “Wells College Library library materials must be checked out. This includes periodicals. If they are not, they will be removed from your carrels. Library Staff”.

An elevator posted staff use only is not locked.

On a Sunday night library office doors are open. Trust!

Unique: OPAC home page is Wells College not the library.

Creative donor recognition: Bronze and brass memorial / donor plaques stand on 3 foot pedestals throughout the library. Plaques also appear through out the library often in places where they obviously no longer serve the original purpose.

Creative and unique cataloging: Long Library uses a combination of Dewey Decimal Call number system and Library of Congress Call number system. Art and Music materials use LC while almost everything else uses Dewey.

Unique and awkward architecture: The Library was built in an octagonal pattern and consequently the stacks are an odd almost star pattern. The stacks are numbered probably to alleviate confusion.

Creative cataloging: Books in the EDU collection have plastic covers over paper. Barcodes are mounted on the book with the paper cut out to reveal it through the plastic.

Paperback trading shelf: “If you wish to contribute some of your paperback books to this collection just leave your books on this shelf. These books are not processed as books belonging to the Library Collection. You may borrow these paperbacks WITHOUT signing them out at the Circulation Desk.”

Card Catalog “Cards for books catalogued up to February 2000”.

Creative: A broken Canon Microfilm printer 80 has the word NON marked on a piece of paper and taped before the word printer becoming a NON-Printer.

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Community College Library

Arthur A. Houghton, Jr. Library at Corning Community College

http://www.corning-cc.edu/library/

Unique: The word Library boldly appears on the building over the door easily seen from a distance.

Unique: A national depository library, tax forms are found near the main circulation desk include those necessary to most students. Other libraries which have government document collections do not have tax forms at easy reach but with that special collection.

Unique architecture and funding: The College and its library were donated to the community by Arthur A. Houghton Jr. and his family in the 1960’s. The library and its furniture are a monument to architecture and furnishings of that era, triangular and orange. The library was inspired by Trinity College library in Dublin and is attributed to Warner, Burns, Toan and Luande Associates architects. The library has a vaulted ceiling at least 12’ at about a 45° angle with sky lights about 6 ‘ apart down the long central gallery with rooms off each side.

Unique collection: Art of all kind abounds; ceramics modern and ancient, metal objects, 13’x 8’ tapestries from the 1700’s, antique furniture, and busts copies of ancient masters: hung from walls, sitting on shelves amongst books. Many objects are attributed to their donors most often a member of the Houghton family, possibly for tax purposes. The college should consider putting some of the art works up for auction and replacing the art works with new shelving, or microfilm printers.

Creative use of space: Photocopier area is in an old coat closet. 2 photocopiers downstairs, faculty copier does not have a copyright notice students does.

Creative student motivation: Student research contest award announced over computer work stations in a plastic display.

Creative: Mouse pads at computer work stations “Need help ask a librarian” with web address and library hours.

Creative: A note book titled a “library tour” describes many of the art works through out the library but hardly mentions the book collection.

Unique collection: The sterling silver mace used by the College President during academic procession is the central show piece in the rare book room, posted as a quiet study area.

Unique collection: Archival show pieces including some books printed by Gutenberg, Aldus, Frobes and Stephans between 1482 and 1800 are placed in a locked but open front cabinets lit with fluorescent tubes and kept at 70° with humidity at 35%. Amongst these gems are 2 Egyptian Scarabs 1505-1450 BC, 2 ceramic oil lamps from the 5^th-7^th Centuries AD.

Unique collection: At the bottom of the stairs is a bin of circulating art, consisting of framed posters. I have not seen any other library with a circulating collection. Considering the beautiful art works which are housed in the library the circulating art collection is pathetic!

Creative use of space and available materials: 6 large relief maps are hung on the concrete block walls near the government documents.

Unique and appropriate: In a show case in the basement old paper clippings and souvenirs attributed to and autographed by Eileen M. Collins Astronaut from Elmira.

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Community College Library

ILRC Library Tompkins Cortland Community College

http://www.tc3.edu/library/

Creative use of space: The library at TC3 is a warm inviting place to study, research or just hang out. A huge wall of windows streams light into the library. The lay out of the library is appropriate. Current periodicals, newspapers, paperbacks are housed in the sunlight bathed area all expendable items. Bound books, Reference items and computers are not subjected to the suns rays. Plants placed on top of the current periodicals stacks and in large pots on the floor near by complete the warm comforting feeling. A full new book shelf is near the comfortable reading area.

Unique collection: The library at TC3 maintains a vertical clipping file, 5 cabinets 4 drawers each. Articles in the Vertical file are barcoded.

Creative collection: Paperbacks are on display in carousels near a comfortable well lit lounge area. While the library uses the Library of Congress call number system for the collection, paperbacks are cataloged with an acquisitions number.

Unique: The Colleges Mission, Vision, and Values statement is framed and posted in several places throughout the library.

Unique: Periodical holdings are printed (last printing November 4, 2002) and held in a binder in alphabetical order includes title change notes, call numbers and other useful information.

Creative: Donor plaques have been mounted on the backs of chairs and in study carrels.

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Private Research Library

Juliette K. and Leonard S. Rakow Research Library of the Corning Museum of Glass

http://www.cmog.org/page.cfm?page=138

Unique architecture: Awesome Architecture!

The architecture reflects the mission of the library to collect everything glass related.

Glass bridges separate the stacks area from the Reference area.

Unique stacks and forward thinking: A grand glass stair case leads to the most archivally sound modern library I have ever entered. The whole collection (except for Reference books) is stored in proper archival temperature and humidity.

Unique views: Views of the parking lot are masked by pine trees.

Light maple wood paneling matches low shelving holding Reference materials, window sills, Reference Desk, tables, railing over open and oversize carrel style work stations.

Unique business hours: The library hours are 9am-5pm Monday – Friday. Lighting is mostly natural coming through windows near the carrels and the large end window at the end. In the stacks fluorescent lights are appropriately the only light source.

Unique: Security appears to be important as a reception desk requests your reason for being in the building and your signature and address are required prior to your being buzzed through the double glass doors and into the library.

Unique: Friendly Reference Librarian ready to help greeted me at the top of the staircase. This may also be a security measure (while this may not seem unique most librarians do even not make eye contact with library users).

Open stacks

Closed Archives

No barcodes used, everything catalogued.

Slides of items owned are available for sale at $1.00 each.

All but General Reference stacks are kept at 58°F

Modern Industrial architecture but still warm and inviting.

Unique: Black leather chairs with chrome functional trim are paired with glass end tables in front of a large window over looking a beautiful tree covered hill side.

Unique and creative: One wall holds a large stained glass window described in museum style with catalog number, 93.4.103. This is the only library that actually cataloged it’s art appropriately.

Unique: Carrel style workstations each have a locking file cabinet with 2 keys. Only two cabinets are missing their keys.

Unique and very appropriate: Art Glass (7) vases and (3) bowls are found in the window sill and on a shelf near reference desk. They are not credited to an artist or Corning but are most likely a Corning Museum of Glass product. It would be better if these were labeled.

Unique archivally sound proceedure: Slides are available for use but clear directions to turn off the light over the cabinet. These cabinets are easily opened and attest to the respect given to library visitors.

Creative and simple: Laminated sign cards sit on top of the cabinet describing it’s contents.

Unique collection: One computer is dedicated to the Czech Glass Review Index compiled by Deborah Truitt

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Private Research Library

International Motor Racing Research Center at Watkins Glen

http://www.racingarchives.org/

Built in 1998 building resembles a train station, with large soffits and sturdy looking supports.

Unique: Very friendly staff ready to assist. Proud of the collection, the building, and future plans after visiting 2 research libraries and having the same reaction of staff I look forward to visiting more special libraries and comparing the special culture with that of public and academic libraries.

Unique and Creative show piece: A race car sits in the middle of the library. A 1965 BRM on loan from the Bruce McCaw Collection. I believe this is a changing exhibit, other pictures I’ve seen of the library have had another car.

Creative use of space: The library appears to be filled to capacity already. Magazines are piled on the floor and in non archival boxes.

Creative use of space: Donor plaques are EVERYWHERE! Plaques appear on the windowsills, walls, carved into the marble floor on the catwalk, and over doorways. Bricks with donor names appear in the walk way at both front and back doors.

Creative: A donation box with a small sign: “Your contributions to the work of the racing research center are gratefully accepted. Donations are used to expand our collections”.

Creative cataloging strategy: 1” 3 ring binders serve as finding guides, not all are typed indicating they probably do not appear in a database. Many books in the collection have Dewey call numbers.

No barcodes, no catalog! 2 computers are available but contain slide shows, a letter, a report form the President dated 2003, an excel spreadsheet of periodical titles in the collection with start and end dates.

Creative, cost effective: Shelved archival boxes have yellow post it notes stuck to them indicating contents.

Unique connection: This library is physically connected to the local public library and even shares a bathroom.

Unique room: Video room dedicated to Collier, has dark blue walls, 16 chairs, a huge RCA home theater system. Closet like storage area holds special collections.

Creative and Unique financing: Water color paintings, and other art for sale, $175 to $250 each. Other racing items,

Including Watkins Glen 2000 NASCAR programs are also for sale FOR $5.00.

Unique look: The library has a masculine look. Walls are dark blue and peach, not white. Interior windows have metal bars on them. Metal accent is repeated in the baseboard. Large windows on the second floor fill the room with light and give the library an elegant feel.

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This web page was created to fulfill the following assignment for LIS 584 Academic and Research Libraries taught at University at Buffalo by Dr. John W. Ellison.

Visit ten academic libraries of your choice. Include two community colleges, two private liberal arts colleges, two public colleges, and two major research university campuses. You should be looking for unique and creative aspects of each library. It is expected that you will visit libraries you have never been in before. This means taking one or two short road trips this semester.

It is strongly suggested that you establish specific criteria that you will use to determine both unique and creative activities or features in academic libraries. As you visit each library, your criteria should be applied and/or tested against your observations.

You will likely not need to spend more than one hour in each library to collect the information you will need.

It is usually not necessary for you to receive prior approval before visiting most libraries.

The findings from all ten visitations should be e-mailed at one time to: [email protected] Also, post your unique and creative activities or features on the WBB (in one posting) the week they are due. This final product of your effort should read more like a list of your findings rather than an essay. Good visuals of your observations, handouts and appropriate links will help communicate your main points.

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