Congratulations to Stephen Sturgeon, who has been appointed adjunct assistant professor in the English Department! Needless to say, this is quite an honor, and an indication of the high esteem in which he is held by the faculty. Kudos, Stephen!
Learning Commons completed
UI Libraries opens new 24-hour, tech-filled study space as academic year begins
By Mary Geraghty Kenyon for Iowa Now
http://now.uiowa.edu/2013/08/learning-commons-completed
When the new academic year begins Monday, Aug. 26, the University of Iowa will open the new Learning Commons in the Main Library, a tech-infused, 24-hour, comfortable study space and one-stop academic help center…with good coffee.
The 37,000-square-foot space is the product of a partnership involving Information Technology Services (ITS), University Libraries, and the Office of the Provost.
Incoming students participating in On Iowa! will have a preview of the new space on Sunday, Aug. 25, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., including the opportunity to meet tech and research geniuses, test their UI and library trivia knowledge, and take on new University Librarian John Culshaw in a Wii challenge.
Features of the project include 18 group study spaces, 100 desktop and laptop computers, a 45-seat TILE (Transform, Interact, Learn, Engage) classroom with glass walls and sliding doors, printers and scanners, TVs and projectors, and multimedia resources.
In addition:
- A consolidated service desk will be at the hub of the learning commons. Library and technical staff will be able to answer common academic questions and quickly facilitate expert-level assistance for academic and research issues.
- Collaboration technology and high-speed wireless connectivity will be available through the commons. Commons staff will be at the ready to help with technology issues as well.
- The Food for Thought café will offer an expanded menu that includes made-to-order sandwiches, fruit smoothies, and other snacks, as well as espresso and gourmet coffees.
The space will be open all day and night with the exception of Friday and Saturday nights, in direct response to students’ ongoing requests for 24-hour study space on campus.
Construction on the new space included the addition of a new library entrance on Madison Street starting Aug. 26. This and the south entrance, which had been closed during construction, will both be open while the library’s north entrance will close to facilitate the next phase of library renovations. During phase 2 of the renovation, the north entrance will be transformed into a lobby space that leads directly into the Learning Commons.
Culshaw named University Librarian
John P. Culshaw, senior associate dean of libraries at the University of Colorado, Boulder, has been named university librarian for the University of Iowa, effective Aug. 1.
Culshaw joined the university libraries at CU-Boulder in 1991 as central reference librarian. From 1996 to 2008, he oversaw the libraries’ Systems Department, providing leadership and direction for information technology, media, and web services. In 2008 he was appointed associate director for administrative services. His position was renamed senior associate dean of libraries in 2011.
As senior associate dean, Culshaw provides administrative and budgetary leadership for libraries that have an annual budget of $20.9 million and staff in six physical locations. Responsible for all aspects of library facilities planning, he played a key role in the design and construction of a 16,000 square foot learning commons that opened in CU-Boulder’s Norlin Library in 2009.
Over the last year, he collaboratively led efforts to develop and implement a new organizational framework designed to help the university libraries move forward effectively while embracing the changing role of the research library nationally. He was a member of the 2011-12 cohort of the Association of Research Libraries’ Research Libraries Leadership Fellows program.
“I am excited about the future for research libraries,” Culshaw says. “The library must maintain its prominent place as the academic heart of the campus. Research libraries face multiple challenges in the coming years, particularly related to changing scholarly communication patterns, data management, and evolving instructional models. Libraries can turn these into opportunities by becoming more flexible service organizations. I am delighted that I will have the opportunity to contribute to that important, ongoing work at the University of Iowa.”
“John will be an excellent advocate for the university libraries at Iowa,” says UI Executive Vice President and Provost P. Barry Butler. “His collaborative leadership style, a strong vision for the future of the libraries, and a deep appreciation for and commitment to maintaining our unique, exceptional strengths make him a great fit for the position.”
Culshaw will succeed Nancy Baker, who has served as university librarian since 2000. Between July 5 and August 1, Paul Soderdahl, associate university librarian for information technology, will act as interim university librarian.
Culshaw’s appointment is subject to approval by the Board of Regents, State of Iowa. His salary will be $225,000.
Culshaw was one of four finalists interviewed on campus in April by a search committee co-chaired by Steve Fleagle, associate vice president and chief information officer, and Richard Fumerton, professor of philosophy and past president of the UI Faculty Senate.
“The search committee worked hard to identify candidates with a demonstrated commitment to scholarship and research, and to serving students and faculty,” says Fleagle. “Mr. Culshaw’s on-campus interviews confirmed how strongly he holds those commitments, and also showed his ability to connect well with a wide range of internal and external constituents.”
As university librarian, Culshaw will provide leadership for University Libraries, one of the largest libraries in the United States. Its Main Library, Hardin Library for the Health Sciences, five branch libraries, and off-site storage facilities offer access to more than five million volumes, extensive rare books and archives, time-based media collections, and digital content.
In fall 2013, a 37,000-square-foot Learning Commons—a unique partnership among Information Technology Services, University Libraries, and the Office of the Provost—will transform the first floor of the Main Library to provide flexible study spaces, a new TILE classroom, services and support, and more.
Finals To-Do List: Pet a Dog on Tue, May 7 and Mon, May 13 from 4-7p
Big dogs, small dogs and everything in between from the Therapy Dogs of Johnson County will be in the Main Library for a finals study break on Tuesday, May 7 and Monday, May 13 from 4-7 p.m. in the Main Library rm 2032 (conference room adjacent to large computer lab).
Therapy Dogs of Johnson County is a volunteer therapy dog group comprised of Delta Society registered Pet Partner teams. Their purpose is to bring the benefits of the human-animal bond to members of our community.
The last time the dogs visited the library, more than 80 people came to see them. One student commented, “this is one of the best study breaks I’ve ever had! It’s so relaxing to pet a dog and forget about the stress.”
Madison Street entrance construction to begin next week
Within the next week work will begin constructing the new entrance to the library and learning commons on Madison Street.
Because of this, Madison Street will be reduced to two lanes. At this time we are not sure how long Madison St. will be affected by this project.
When the Learning Commons opens there will be three entrances to the building: North and South as well as the new entrance on Madison St.
David McCartney selected to 2013 Archives Leadership Institute
In a competitive application process consisting of nearly 100 candidates, David McCartney has been selected as a participant in the 2013 Archives Leadership Institute.
David has been the University of Iowa Archivist in the Department of Special Collections and University Archives, University of Iowa Libraries, since January 2001. He currently serves as chair of the CIC University Archivists Group and is membership chair of the Midwest Archives Conference. Previous archival positions have included contracting with History Associates, Inc., a records management evaluation position with the International Monetary Fund, a processing position with the National Public Broadcasting Archives and Library of American Broadcasting, and an archives technician position in the Motion Picture, Sound, and Video Branch of the National Archives and Records Administration. David has a BA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (1979) and an MA in history and MLS in library science from the University of Maryland, College Park (1998).
Participants were selected for the program based on their leadership skills and potential, ability to influence policy and change within an organization and the archival field, commitment to the archival profession, career progress and history, organizational involvement, professional motivation and goals, a collaborative and innovative spirit and diversity and specialization within the profession.
ALI is a program funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission, a statutory body affiliated with the National Archives and Records Administration, and is being hosted at Luther College for the years 2013-15. The Archives Leadership Institute at Luther College (ALI@Luther) will provide advanced training for 25 emerging and innovative leaders, giving them the knowledge and tools to transform the archival profession in practice, theory and attitude. To learn more about ALI@Luther see www.archivesleadershipinstitute.org.
Learning Commons
These days anyone who comes to the library will be greeted with signs of construction…noise, hard hats and plywood. What!?!?!!, might you ask, is going on in the library? We are in the middle of constructing a new space for student success, interaction and learning! This fall the Main Library will be the home to the University of Iowa Learning Commons. Brought to you through the collaboration and support of ITS, the University of Iowa Libraries and the Provost’s office, the Learning Commons will support student success by providing collaborative study and work spaces, cutting edge technology, good coffee, even better social interaction and great service! To be kept in the know visit the Learning Commons website and don’t forget to LIKE the Learning Commons facebook page! Our Facebook page is up and running and we’ll not only provide you with updates on the construction of the Learning Commons but we’ll post fun and interesting articles, reviews, and websites that support your educational, personal and professional interests! See you there!
Celebrating Pi Day with…
Pie, of course. Before you head out for Spring Break, stop by the UI Libraries on Thursday, March 14 for the celebration. Grab an apple tartlet at:
| Art Library | 9:15am & 1:45pm |
| Hardin Library for the Health Sciences | 1:59pm until gone |
| Lichtenberger Engineering Library | 1:59pm – 4:00pm |
| Main Library | 1:59pm – 2:59pm |
| Pomerantz Business Library | 10:00am until gone |
| Sciences Library | 10:00am until gone |
Think back to your high school geometry class; Pi is the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. Pi is approximately 3.14159, but has been calculated to over two trillion digits, it goes on infinitely without repeating or becoming a pattern. Science would not exist without Pi. Mathematics, statistics, engineering, geography, geology, computer science, etc. all rely on Pi.
More information about Pi can be found at Wolfram MathWorld: http://mathworld.wolfram.com/Pi.html
National History Day at the University of Iowa Libraries, February 15, 2013
The University of Iowa Libraries welcomes students from Roosevelt, Wilson, and Franklin Middle Schools for a National History Day workshop.
Elevator B in Main Library Out of Service
The northwest elevator (B) in the Main Library is currently out of service for leveling problems. It is being adjusted and will be operational again soon.