Volume 2, Number 1, March 1997
Contents
Carrel Project Adopted
by Class of 1997
Friends of the
Library: Year 2
Acquisitions
The Future of
Academic Libraries
Friends Note
Cards Coming
Book Sale
'97
Archival Speakers
Series
The MTU Afghan
Carrel Project Adopted by Class
of 1997
The Class of 1997, as their Senior Class Gift, has decided to renovate
three library study-carrel rooms to become small-group study space.
This project, initiated by the Friends of the Van Pelt Library, will
transform three 100 square-foot open study carrels into modern rooms which
may be used by students and faculty alike to hold small meetings, tutorials,
group-study sessions, or any similar activity. The built-in furniture currently
in the space will be removed, and modern office furniture will replace
it, including comfortable tilt/swivel chairs, ample table space, a coat
rack, and carpeting. The new small-group study rooms will be closed so
that the noise usually associated with group activities will not disturb
other library patrons.
"We know that this kind of space is needed," says University Librarian
Phyllis Johnson, "because our career room is very heavily used for the
same purpose." Friends board chairman Faith Morrison, an associate professor
in chemical engineering adds, "Our chemical engineering seniors spend 90%
of their time working in groups of four students; they need places where
they can be undisturbed and still have access to reference materials. These
rooms in the library will be ideal."
The Senior Class was intrigued with the carrel project from the very
beginning. "We wanted to do something with more impact than adding another
public clock or thermometer," says Jenn Witer, chair of the Senior Class
Gift Committee. "But we had a tough time finding a project which would
benefit all majors. This library project is it."
The cost of the project is estimated at $10,000 for three rooms, with
the Friends providing volunteer labor to remove the current built-in furniture.
President Tompkins has pledged to match the senior's pledges one-for-one,
and the campaign to get the Class of 1997 signed-on has begun. Beginning
in late March through early April, the Friends will have samples of furniture
on display in the library for student and staff review. "We want the students
to help select the furniture and colors for these new rooms," says Friend
board member Nan Fisher. "Ballots will be available in the library; be
sure to vote and help decide on the design of the new study space," she
adds.
When pledges reach $5,000 construction will begin on three study rooms,
opening the possibility that they will be complete by the end of spring
term. If the seniors raise $10,000 in pledges, three additional rooms will
be renovated over the summer.
Friends able to help in the construction phase of this project are asked
to contact board member Terry Reynolds (treynold@mtu.edu or 906-487-2113)
to volunteer. For insurance reasons, only employees of Michigan Technological
University may work on the construction phase. To pledge to the 1997 Senior
Class Gift, contact Jennifer Witer, 487- 6760, jawiter@mtu.edu.
Friends of the Library: Year 2
The Friends of the J. Robert Van Pelt Library organization is well into
its second full year and still going strong. Maintaining momentum is a
priority of the Board of Directors. "We're sending out renewal letters
quarterly," reports board secretary Joe Fass, "We want to keep all our
members and add many more." Membership in the Friends is granted following
a donation to the Friends or to the Van Pelt Library at Michigan Tech.
All donations are fully tax-deductible at the Federal and State levels,
and Michigan residents receive income tax credit for their donations. To
renew your membership, fill out the form on the back page of this newsletter
and send $15 for an individual membership or $25 for a family membership
($10 for senior citizens) in a check made out to Michigan Tech Fund - FVPL.
You may also renew by credit card. Higher levels of donation are also welcome.
Another method of joining the Friends has been popular with graduate
and undergraduate students at Michigan Tech. Friends membership is bestowed
on volunteers who give four hours annually in service to the Friends. To
participate in enjoyable community-spirit activities and to earn your membership
through volunteer work, contact Faith Morrison (fmorriso@mtu.edu). Volunteer
activities include working at the book sale (scheduled for April 2 and
3, 1997; see article this newsletter), selling blankets, baking for Friends-sponsored
events, providing artwork, performing construction work on Friends' projects
(see lead article). We'll find something for you to do!
Acquisitions
The Friends are creating displays in the two glass cases at the entrance
of the Library to feautre the library's latest book acquisitions. Check
to see what is new at the library!
The Future of Academic Libraries
An important role of the Friends is to work with the Van Pelt Library's
professional staff to maintain the vibrancy of the library in this era
of rapidly changing information technology. To this end, four university
representatives, all of whom are members of the Friends, will be attending
the annual meeting of the Association of College and Research Libraries
(ACRL) meeting on April 11-13, 1997 in Nashville, TN. Attending the ACRL
meeting will be University Librarians Phyllis Johnson, Ellen Seidel, and
Theresa Spence, and faculty member and chairman of the Friends board, Faith
Morrison. The primary topic of the meeting will be "What is the Future
of the Academic Library," a question which is uppermost on the minds of
all Friends of the Van Pelt Library. "We will be attending many interesting
sessions concerning, for example, the role of technology in university
libraries," notes Seidel. "When we get back to Houghton we'll compare notes
and report our findings to the library staff and to the Friends and incorporate
the new ideas into our planning for the Van Pelt Library." "I'm going in
order to educate myself on these library issues," comments Morrison, "I'm
a library lover, and I want the Van Pelt Library to thrive during this
time of change, but predicting the future of institutions like ours is
difficult. We all need to be cognizant of things being tried by other institutions
in order to help to decide what is right for Michigan Tech and Houghton."
Funding for Johnson, Seidel and Spence is coming from the library budget;
Morrison is being sponsored by the Provost's office.
Friends Note Cards Coming
The Board of Directors of the Friends is pursuing the design and production
of unique note cards to publicize the extraordinary historical collection
housed in the Van Pelt Library's MTU Archives and Copper Country Historical
Collections. Spearheaded by library archivist and Friend Erik Nordberg
and Friends board member Nancy Fisher, twelve different note cards are
planned. The cards will be sold in local retail outlets and by the Friends
at our events. "We are not looking at the cards as a fund-raiser," says
board chairman Faith Morrison, "but rather as an opportunity to share the
Copper Country Historical Collections with a wider circle including community
members and visitors."
The cards will be packaged with 12 cards to a box and sell for $15.00.
The back of the cards will identify the graphics as coming from the MTU
Archives and Copper Country Collection. The images on the cards include
underground mining photos, neighborhood pictures from local communities,
and landscapes of the Keweenaw. Look for the Friends' note cards in early
May in local retail outlets.
Book Sale '97
The dates are final, the books are coming in, and the excitement is growing!
Mark April 2 and April 3 on your calendar and be sure to attend the Friends
of the Van Pelt Library Book Sale! On April 2 from 5-8pm FRIENDS ONLY will
get first crack at the sale which includes volumes withdrawn from the Van
Pelt Library as well as tomes donated by members of the community. Those
interested in shopping during this pre- sale who are not Friends may join
at the door for a $15 donation to the Friends. April 3 the event is open
to the public from 10am until 7pm. If you have any books you would like
to donate to the sale, we will be accepting donations up until April 2nd.
Donations may be dropped in the large orange receptacle in the Library
entrance hall; larger donations will be picked up by Friends (call Faith
Morrison, 906-487-9703 to arrange pick-up). Anyone able to help in setting
up or cleaning up after the sale, please contact Nancy Fisher at 906-296-0644.
This is your sale, come be a part! Be sure to come and pick up some new
volumes for your collection as well.
Archives Speaker Series
In March, the Archival Speakers Series featured a talk by Jonathan Leitner,
a doctoral student in sociology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
His research involves analysis of shipping records in the Roy Drier Collection
in the MTU Archives and Copper Country Collection. "Shipping Mass Copper,
1850-1890: Results from the Drier Collection" was well attended. The Friends
served refreshments and the event was enjoyed by all.
The next Archival Speakers Series is scheduled for May 15 and will feature
Lynn Bjorkman, community planner with the Keweenaw National Historical
Park. Bjorkman's presentation will examine the work of landscape architect
Warren H. Manning in the design of Agassiz Park in Calumet, Michigan, and
will consider the impact of other Manning plans on communities across the
Upper Great Lakes region.
The MTU Afghan
The Friends have sold more than 250 MTU afghans for a net profit of more
than $6,000. Afghans make great graduation gifts, and can be ordered any
time by calling Nancy Fisher at 296-0644.
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