During the first week of July, the management of computing and printing services in the University Libraries will be transferred the University’s Information Technology Services (ITS). This new partnership offers some significant benefits to library users:

• Users will have access to the full range of software provided by campus ITCs (including the Microsoft Office suite); lists are available at http://itc.uiowa.edu/Software.aspx.
• Students will only have one account and will finally be able to use their free print allowance in the library.
• All computers in the Libraries will have the same configuration and library users will be able to use any of the machines for research, writing and other applications.
• Though authentication will be required, non-UI users will still be able to use the machines. We are developing procedures to issue temporary HawkIDs and passwords; more information will be forthcoming once those procedures are finalized.
• Printing will be managed either through individual or departmental printing accounts or by acquiring a Print Key.

Playing to a standing room only crowd in the North Hall of the Main Library on Tuesday, April 20th , Walter Hamady¹ discussed his work², the creative process³ and working with students⁴. Drawing a cadre of graphic design students, Center for the Book students and faculty, local printmakers, bibliophiles from near and far⁵ and even Hamady’s aunt and uncle, the lecture was an open forum of questions from the audience, followed by a gallery walk and talk.

When asked about is “Gabberjabbs” and extensive use of footnotes, Hamady responded that he wanted to take a non-scholarly approach to the scholarly medium of footnoting. He discussed one of his collaborations, where the footnotes take over the page and eventually the poem disappears. He also noted that much to his delight writer Mary Lydon had taken on the task of defining “Gabberjabb⁶,” so that he could later refute her definitions.

A second “Conversation with Walter Hamady” sponsored by the Graduate Art Congress was held on Wednesday morning in the Main Library’s Second Floor Conference Room.

Having Walter Hamady come to the Libraries to talk about his work and walk us through the exhibition was time well spent. The exhibition “Four Decades of Walter Hamady and the Perishable Press Limited” will run In the North Exhbition Hall of the Main Library during regular hours⁷ through July 2004.