Skip to content

The University of Iowa Libraries

Skip to content
Go to
InfoHawk+
University of Iowa Libraries University of Iowa Libraries The University of Iowa The University of Iowa Libraries

Library News

Go to the University of Iowa Libraries home page

Author: ndawson

Jan 17 2023

Here’s What Entered the Public Domain in 2023

Posted on January 17, 2023January 20, 2023 by Natalee Dawson
A montage of 2023's public domain offerings.
COURTESY: THE CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF PUBLIC DOMAIN AT DUKE LAW SCHOOL

1927 was a big year for the arts. It brought new fictional works from Virginia Woolf, A. A. Milne, Edith Wharton, Herman Hesse, and Franz Kafka. It gave us audio hits including Irving Berlin’s “Puttin’ on the Ritz” and the soundtrack to Ira and George Gershwin’s Funny Face. Movie audiences saw (and heard) the first “talkie” film, and Alfred Hitchcock’s first thriller kept viewers on the edge of their seats. And as of January 1, all of these works are now available in the public domain. 

When a work enters the public domain, the public no longer needs to seek the artist’s permission to copy or use the work. This opens the door for creative riffs on the classics, and makes public domain materials available free of charge.  

Here are some places to check out the newly available creative works from 1927 available in the public domain:

  • Hathi Trust Digital Library – These materials from the Google Books Project have been digitized for years, but as of January 1, the full-text is now available to everyone.
  • Center for the Study of Public Domain – Duke’s Public Domain Day page has some great selected highlights.
  • The Public Domain Review – This journal specializes in mining the public domain.
  • The UI Libraries Catalog – Search InfoHawk+ to find digital versions of public domain works. 

Interested in finding out more about U.S. copyright law and how to determine a work’s copyright status? The Scholarly Impact Department helps faculty work through complex copyright issues, such as what can be used in the classroom, how to retain your rights as an author, and how to apply Creative Commons licensing. Feel free to send an email to mahrya-burnett@uiowa.edu to set up a consultation. You might also try these excellent copyright resources:

  • Cornell University Library Copyright Information Center – This handy reference chart is great for a quick check on copyright status.
  • Digital Copyright Slider – This Flash-based slider provides copyright status for works, depending on when they were published and whether copyright was renewed.
  • UI Libraries Copyright Guide – This guide provides the basics on copyright issues, such as Fair Use, seeking permissions, author rights, and licensing.
Posted in Uncategorized
Main Library Stacks
Jan 17 2023

Meet the 9 Student Library Workers Awarded Scholarships for 2022-2023

Posted on January 17, 2023January 20, 2023 by Natalee Dawson

We’re grateful every day for our student workers, whose contributions are foundational to the University of Iowa Libraries. They’re the vital engine behind everything we do, from the front desk at the Lichtenberger Engineering Library to the stacks at the Main Library. These dedicated students make time alongside their classes to create friendly, helpful environments where library users can focus and explore.

For the 2022-2023 academic year, nine student employees have been awarded scholarships in recognition of their work in the UI Libraries. We’re proud to celebrate each of them, as they share how their time in the UI Libraries has impacted their studies, their confidence, and their plans for the future.

Elizabeth (Lizzi) Ayers has been awarded the Judy and Mike Greer Scholarship in Memory of Mary E. Greer. She is an English major and French minor from Iowa City, Iowa. Through a summer project maintaining 18th-century Belgian political pamphlets in Conservation & Collections Care, Lizzi discovered a love of antique materials—and found the inspiration to begin her own career in librarianship.

“Working at the Libraries has helped me strengthen my professional communication skills (both verbal and written), as well as giving me a chance to pick up a variety of collections care/management-specific skills such as database navigation and caring for fragile items. [There is] variety in my work, day to day. Working in Collections Care has reassured me that libraries are anything but boring.”

Skylar Halley, a mechanical engineering student from Fairfield, Iowa, was awarded the Dale M. and Mary Gail Bentz Libraries Student Employee Scholarship. Skylar works in the Lichtenberger Engineering Library, where his encounters with visitors and library co-workers exposed him to new fields of study within engineering. Meaningful discussions with one PhD student even encouraged him to reincorporate music into his life. 

“I have learned both how to think on my feet, as well as the right questions and people to ask when I am not sure what to do. Working at the Libraries has provided me with the opportunity to interact with many fellow engineering students, which has shown me the range of people in the field with a multitude of different personalities and approaches towards engineering.”

Emiline Heimos was awarded a UI Libraries Student Employee Scholarship for her work at in the bookstacks at the Main Library. Originally from Labadie, Missouri, Emiline studies linguistics (teaching English as a second language) and translation for global literacy. She has come to love the quiet and calm of the stacks, finding a meditative sense of wellbeing among the books. This tranquility has served her in the classroom, where she’s noted a sense of increased confidence.

“Working at the library had helped me in many aspects, and developing professional skills is definitely one of them. I have learned patience, how to be organized and precise with my work, and how to think critically when going about my organization. I hope to be an ESL teacher in the near future, and I believe that all of these skills will apply there… as a library patron, you see a cart of books being shelved, and that might be all. Working here, I realized that there is so much more to accomplish, and I am happy to be a part of that.”

Cara Heuer is a third-year student from Ames, Iowa studying human physiology. She received a UI Libraries Student Employee Scholarship for her work at the Sciences Library. During her time at the library, Cara has come to appreciate the sense of connection and shared motivation that naturally grows within the space. She loves to help “set the tone” for each person’s library visit by making sure to greet them with positivity and enthusiasm.

 “I have had the chance to interact with so many students and professors that I may not have otherwise met. During my time here I have been able to share so many small moments with those in the library and a part of the university community. These experiences have given me confidence in my ability to connect with others and communicate to solve problems. I hope to translate these skills into my connections with my patients and colleagues as a future healthcare provider!”

Adam Holmes is studying mechanical engineering with minors in art and mathematics. An Iowa City native, Adam was awarded a UI Libraries Student Employee Scholarship in connection with his work at the Lichtenberger Engineering Library. He was surprised to discover that library users often recognize him from the front desk when they cross paths elsewhere on campus; this made him realize that his work has an impact on each person’s experience.

“In the Engineering Library alone, it’s been fascinating to learn about our extensive tool collection, which has things that I hadn’t even heard of before this job. I also frequently have students working on research papers that come to me looking for books on a certain topic. I love seeing their surprised reaction when I show them our catalog, which usually has dozens of books, journals, and other media on their topic.”

Abigail Kellis is studying English & Creative Writing and History, with a Certificate in Museum Studies. She was awarded a Dale M. and Mary Gail Bentz Scholarship for her work in Circulation Services at the Main Library. The spirit of collaboration and mentorship she feels with her fellow library workers has inspired Abigail to seek a future career in libraries, museums, and archives.

“The library has helped strengthen my ability to adapt and solve many different types of problems. All jobs and careers have issues that arise that need to be solved, and being able to solve them or contact the people with more expertise who can solve them is an important skill to have.”

Ana Koch was selected for a Dale M. and Mary Gail Bentz Scholarship. Ana is a nursing student with a minor in music and works at the Pomerantz Business Library, where her experience at the main desk has bolstered her skill in communicating with patrons. Ana believes that her time spent in a people-oriented role will strengthen her interpersonal skills in her future career as a healthcare provider.

“Working at the Business Library has helped me improve my time management and communication skills. Having a concise working schedule helps me to remain organized. An organized schedule encourages me to stay on top of my assignments while properly managing my time. I also communicate with people on a regular basis as I work. I help them with directions, solving problems, and checking out materials. Communicating with people in a respectful fashion is a huge part of nursing.”

Alyssa Lemay, a statistics and mathematics major from Sussex, Wisconsin, has been awarded a UI Libraries Student Employee Scholarship in connection with her work in Circulation Services at the Main Library. Alyssa says that helping library users locate resources and navigate a vast collection has made her a flexible communicator and revealed her love of customer service—traits she looks forward to using in the future.

“
Working at the library, I have learned to communicate with people of all backgrounds effectively. Interacting with coworkers and patrons can sometimes be interesting or difficult because of these backgrounds! Learning to navigate these obstacles will for sure be helpful in my future career path. Part of being a statistician is working with groups of people, all of which have different educational backgrounds, to come to a conclusion. I need to be able to effectively communicate my ideas in order to achieve this goal.”

LilliAnna Scott is majoring in environmental policy and planning, with a certificate in sustainability. Lilli received a Dale M. and Mary Gail Bentz Scholarship in recognition for her three years of work at the UI Libraries, in both the Main Library and the Art Library. As a first-generation student, Lilli found that working at the Libraries gave her an immediate chance to familiarize herself with the academic resources available at a large research university.

 “I have been surprised by the deep connections that the Libraries have with the community of Iowa City outside of campus and beyond. In my time working at the Art Library, I have had the pleasure of assisting many different patrons with a range of interests. I love to see the variety of topics of books that the graduate students check out for research or the many books we send and receive through the Interlibrary Loan. This has truly shown me the powerful connections of libraries and how they enrich our communities.”

You can learn more about UI Libraries student scholarships here.

Posted in Art Library, Business, Employment, Main Library, Music, Special Collections, Uncategorized
Dec 21 2022

All Library Locations closed Thurs Dec 22 | Fri Dec 23 due to winter storm

Posted on December 21, 2022December 22, 2022 by Natalee Dawson

The National Weather Service is forecasting severe weather beginning Wednesday evening and extending through Saturday morning, with the greatest threat for dangerous wind chills on Thursday and Friday. To minimize nonessential travel, all library locations will be closed on Thursday, Dec. 22, and Friday, Dec. 23.

Remote access to library resources and online services are expected to continue without interruption. Library users who have outstanding materials due while the building is closed should hold on to those materials until the libraries reopen. 

Complete hours information
Wednesday, Dec 21 Main Library open to 6:00pm; other locations as posted
Thursday, Dec 22 Online only; all library locations closed
Friday, Dec 23 Online only; all library locations closed
Saturday, Dec 24 CLOSED
Sunday, Dec 25 CLOSED
Monday, Dec 26 CLOSED (university holiday)
Tuesday, Dec 27 CLOSED (university holiday)
Wednesday, Dec 28 Winter interim hours resume; see lib.uiowa.edu/hours

 

 

Posted in Uncategorized
Dec 07 2022

Taking on Finals Week with Help from the UI Libraries

Posted on December 7, 2022December 7, 2022 by Natalee Dawson

Even the most unflappable students tend to feel stress spiking in the final week of the semester, when exams and essays loom. It’s also one of the busiest seasons at the UI Libraries, with visitors seeking energy and focus among the stacks. We’ve put together a list of recommendations and activities to help you find a finals routine that works just as well as you do.

Attend finals week programming 

Throughout finals week, the UI Libraries and other university organizations are supporting students by offering special activities and resources designed to add fun and relaxation to the calendar.  

On Monday, for example, you can fuel your studies with a free breakfast in the IMU, catered by the famous “Pancake Man.” Then head down the road to the Main Library for some snacks, or stop by the Hardin Library for the Health Sciences to find the plush dinosaur hidden in the building and collect the prize.  

Monday, Dec. 12

Main Library 

    •  9:30 a.m. – Snacks available in the Service Commons on the first floor, while supplies last 
    • 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. – SEAM Brain Break available on second floor, offering activities to keep your mind engaged while offering a respite from work.

Hardin Library for the Health Sciences

    • The first student to find the plush dinosaur hidden in the building will win a prize from December 11-14

Tuesday, Dec. 13

Main Library 

    • 9:30 a.m. – Grab N Go Breakfast Bags available while supplies last 
    • 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. – SEAM Brain Break available on second floor 
    • 7 p.m. – Snacks available while supplies last 

Wednesday, Dec. 14

Main Library 

    • 9:30 a.m. – Fresh fruit available while supplies last
    • 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. – SEAM Brain Break available on second floor

Thursday, Dec. 15

Main Library  

    • 9:30 a.m. – Snacks available while supplies last 
    • 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. – SEAM Brain Break available on second floor 

Watch this space for a complete schedule of activities at the UI Libraries during finals week, as our programming continues to develop and expand. For more on-campus finals activities,  keep an eye on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.  

Extended hours to fit your schedule

The Main Library will be open until midnight on Friday, Dec. 9, and Saturday, Dec. 10. Then, around-the-clock access starts at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 11, and ends at 10 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 16. Make sure to bring your Iowa One card to enter the building between 1 to 7 a.m. The Food for Thought Café will be open until midnight from Saturday, Dec. 10, to Thursday, Dec. 14, and will close at 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 15.

Marvin A. Pomerantz Business Library and Lichtenberger Engineering Library will also have extended hours during Finals Week. Be sure to check here for hours at all our campus libraries.

Find a study space 

In the Learning Commons, study room walls can double as whiteboards.

Sometimes you need a corner all to yourself, a place to hum along to the song in your head while you grind out a bibliography or memorize a formula. Sometimes you have a group project that requires focused communication, and telepathy isn’t an option. Maybe you just know a whiteboard will keep your thoughts organized. Whatever the task, the UI Libraries has you covered with with variety of study spaces.

Group study spaces at the Lichtenberger Engineering Library, Marvin A. Pomerantz Business Library, Hardin Library for the Health Sciences, and the Main Library can be reserved online. Plus, reserving a room can put you in the running for Group MVP. 

And if the stress of finals is getting to you, feel free to check out the Reflection Room, Room 2060, in the Main Library and at Hardin in Room 407. Just make sure you keep your visit to 30 minutes or less; this time of year, it’s pretty likely that someone else will need it next.  

Borrow Accessibility Tools 

Calm strips are free at the service desk.

Great libraries (we count ourselves among them) adapt to the needs of the people who use them, rather than expecting visitors to compromise their needs to fit into an outdated model. UI’s libraries are constantly adjusting our approach based on new information.  

And the more researchers uncover about how our brains work, the clearer it becomes that there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all study environment. Some students work best with background noise; others prefer to cancel it with a pair of earmuffs or ear plugs. Sitting upright in a chair is effective for some, while others might benefit from a wobble pad or beanbag chair.  

The Main Library provides short-term rentals to accommodate as many of our visitors’ needs as possible. Game-changing tools like weighted lap pads, earplugs, noise-dampening earmuffs, and wobble cushions can be checked out for four hours at a time from the service desk at Main Library, and the textured calm strips that come with them are yours to keep.  

You can earn more about the accessibility resources here, which were generously funded by a Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Catalyst Seed Grant. 

Just ask!  

Not only are our staff uninterested in shushing visitors—they actually want you to speak up if you have questions. Whether you’re lost on your way to a study room, need help finding a particular volume, or want to rent an accessibility resource, they’re here to help. Don’t be afraid to pose a question or voice a concern; “Just Ask” is the unofficial motto of the UI Libraries.  

Our libraries contain an inexhaustible range of resources, and library staff have a wealth of expertise to help you take advantage of whichever ones are most useful to you. There’s an ideal study space, resource collection, and atmosphere for every student—so many options that they can be daunting at first. That’s why we’re here, during Finals Week and every week. 

 

 

Posted in Uncategorized

Categories

  • Anti-racism
  • Art Library
  • Business
  • Collection Connection
  • Cultural Center Liasions
  • Did You Know
  • Digital Scholarship & Publishing Studio
  • DVD Display
  • Employment
  • Engineering
  • Event
  • Faculty News
  • Hardin
  • History
  • ICBF
  • ICBF2010
  • Iowa Digital Library
  • IWA
  • Learning Commons
  • Main Library
  • Music
  • New Books
  • News
  • Preservation
  • Research Data
  • Scholarly Communication
  • Scholarly Impact
  • Sciences
  • Special Collections
  • Transitions
  • Uncategorized
  • University Librarian
  • What's new

Archives

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

Stories about the Libraries published in the University of Iowa's Iowa Now

Proudly powered by WordPress | Theme: Zoia by Automattic.
University of Iowa Libraries University of Iowa Libraries The University of Iowa The University of Iowa Libraries
  • Contact the Libraries
  • Library locations & hours
  • News & Events
  • Help using the Libraries
  • Assistance for people with disabilities
  • Our diversity statement
  • Thank a Librarian
  • Web site/page feedback OR general suggestions
  • UI Libraries other links UI Libraries in the Internet Archive Use and reuse of UI Libraries web content - Creative Commons Staff SharePoint (authentication required)
  • UI Libraries on social media UI Libraries on Instagram UI Libraries on Facebook UI Libraries on Twitter UI Libraries on Pinterest UI Libraries on Tumblr UI Libraries on YouTube UI Libraries on Flickr UI Libraries blogs
  • 100 Main Library (LIB)
  • 125 West Washington St.
  • Iowa City, IA 52242-1420
  • 319-335-5299 (Service Desk)
  • ©2019 The University of Iowa
  • Give a gift to the Libraries!