| Newsletter of the Raynor Memorial Libraries | Fall 2003 |
MARK YOUR CALENDARSUPCOMING EVENTSLibrary Dedication: Friday, Sept. 19The formal dedication of the John P.Raynor, S. J., Library will take place at 4 p.m. on Friday, September 19 just south of the Raynor Memorial bridge. The outdoor ceremony will include remarks by Wayne Sanders on behalf of the Board of Trustees, President Wild, Provost Wake, Dean Burckel, and actor Martin Sheen. Mr. Sheen will be awarded an honorary degree for his activism and commitment to social justice. Following the dedication and blessing of the building, the Library will host a reception, and tours will be available. The entire Marquette community is invited to attend. Film Festival: Thursdays in SeptemberTo celebrate Martin Sheen’s appearance on September 19, the Libraries are sponsoring film screenings three Thursdays in September (4th, 11th, and 18th) at 7 p.m. in the Raynor Conference Center (lower level). Sheen’s off-screen activities in social service, social justice, and human rights are reflected by his roles in “Samaritan,” “Cadence,” and “Entertaining Angels.” Raynor Library: Built With You in MindCelebration for Students: Oct. 3 The Libraries, Parents Association, MUSG, Writing Center, and Student Development join to host an all-student party 4-6 p.m. Tours, blues band, munchies, drinks, prize drawings, and giveaways combine for an all-around fun time on the Raynor Library south lawn. |
WE'RE OPEN!
The John P. Raynor, S.J., Library opened its doors on August 4, 2003, twenty-two months after groundbreaking. The Library (judged “Awesome!” by one of the first student visitors) offers state-of-the art technology resources in a bright and comfortable environment. You asked for it! Many features of the new facility resulted from surveys and focus groups held during planning. User “votes” tallied during Winter 2002-03 helped with the selection of all chairs, from the café’s easy chairs to the traditional reader chairs. Over 700 students, responding to an online questionnaire, suggested we offer Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint on more machines—Raynor answers that call. Most user workstations now provide these programs, as well as Access, SPSS, and more. Student surveys as far back as 1996 showed a preference for seating at larger tables and more group study rooms. Raynor has 70 4- and 6-place tables and group study rooms on the Lower, 1st and 2nd Levels. Student desire for longer study hours is now a reality thanks to a partnership with Public Safety and their staffing contributions. 24/7 hours begin September 2! Take an online photo tour! See some of the outstanding features that make the Raynor
Memorial Libraries the heart of the campus: |
The Kimberly-Clark Information CommonsAt the heart of Raynor Library sits the Kimberly-Clark Information Commons (IC), a gathering place for the exchange of ideas and information in the digital age. The Information Commons concept reflects the expanding role of libraries, blending access to digital and physical collections with the latest technology and tools for gathering, manipulating, packaging and sharing information. The IC encompasses most of the open area on Levels 1 and 2 and houses almost 200 computers in public and classroom/lab areas, including eMacs and iMacs. Most stations are equipped with standard software: Netscape, IE, Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Acrobat Reader, Photoshop Elements, SPSS, and CD burners using Easy CD Creator software. In addition, some stations have special purpose software such as PageMaker, FrontPage, and the full versions of Photoshop, Acrobat, GoLive and Illustrator. Six stations feature scanners for both images and text. Central to the IC is the Information Desk on Level 1. Here librarians and graduate student assistants help users locate information, identify appropriate research sources and develop research strategies, using the computers and adjacent Reference Collection. Student assistants with technology expertise, called "navigators," rove throughout the Commons to help users with hardware and software questions. Integrating knowledgeable staff and the latest in technology, the Information Commons forms the hub of the new Raynor research facility. |
THE
LATEST FROM ARCHIVES
The Department of Special Collections and University Archives made the first move into the new Raynor Library. Located on Level 3, the archives reading room is named in honor of historian Francis Paul Prucha, S.J. An international authority on the American West and Native American Indian policy, Father Prucha helped acquire the archives' rich collections documenting American Indian history. A formal dedication of the Prucha Reading Room is planned for October 2. Casual visitors to the archives may examine back issues of The Marquette Tribune, The Hilltop, or view collections on temporary display. And in late 2003, the Department unveils a new exhibit featuring selections from the J.R.R. Tolkien Papers. Two seminar rooms adjacent to the Prucha Reading Room seat classes of 22 and 12. Both rooms feature overhead computer projectors and SMARTboards. Interested faculty can contact archivist Matt Blessing (288-5901) to arrange a class visit. Archives also gained a new 6,500 square foot collection storage facility, providing optimum environmental conditions for manuscripts, rare books, and historic university records. A computer-controlled thermostat maintains a constant 60º F. and 50% relative humidity, ensuring long-term protection for the library's most valuable collections. The archives is open between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday. Evening and weekend hours may also be scheduled. All visitors are welcome. (414) 288-7256. |
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What We Did on Our Summer Vacation...While students soaked up sun and surf, or worked a pair of summer jobs, or traveled abroad, the Raynor Memorial Libraries staff faced big challenges -- moving entire departments and collections into new or remodeled spaces and making sure reliable services could continue in an atmosphere of dust and fresh paint. With the help of Coakley Bros. and their ubiquitous moving "racks," almost 50 staff members embarked on their own summer adventures and managed to occupy their new quarters with barely any interruptions to the quality service our users have come to expect. In fact, the move was invisible to most users, whose needs remained top priority even while office supplies disappeared inside boxes and moving carts. In the end, the wonderful new spaces in the Raynor Library allow us to better serve our users, making our summer adventure a mere blip on the way to the library of the future. |
What's Going On in Memorial?Follow the location guides at the entrance from the bridge since parts of the collection will be in transition (and short-term storage) through much of 2004. The Raynor Project involves renovation on three floors of Memorial. Highlights include reconfiguration of the lower level and installation of compact shelving to hold all bound journals (call numbers A-Z) from 1990 to current. Redesign of the first floor accommodates a portion of the book collection, permanent office space for three library departments (Acquisitions, Bibliographic Control, and Serials), and two university offices (Renascence and MU Press). The 2nd floor will be rearranged to house a portion of the book collection. For hours, phone 288-1530 or check online. Science Library Status
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BY THE NUMBERSCheck out some interesting facts about your new Library!· Final budget $55 million · Seating for 1108, including 92 in Café and 106 in Conference Center · 230 wired PCs, 15 circulating laptops, plus wireless network access throughout the building · Access to over 18,000 print and online periodicals; 4,200+ e-books · Special Collections housing 14,000+ cu.ft. of manuscripts, archives, and rare books, plus over 100,000 historical photographs · 126,813 square feet of floor space · 733 tons of structural steel · 245,695 bricks · 274 windows (11,600 square feet) · 294,840 pounds of granite · 26,154,476 total lbs. of concrete |
We welcome your suggestions:Make general comments and suggestions about the Libraries.Suggest a book for purchase.AskUs! We're here to help! |
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