The library sends all our students best wishes for successful finals and research papers! We know how hard you work and we are honored to be part of your academic experience. As always, The Ames Library offers coffee and cookies throughout finals week in the evening to keep you fueled up.
Good activity for our earlier opening hours this past weekend, with almost 200 people coming to the library on Saturday and Sunday morning.
The Ames Library participates each year in Day Without Art Day on December 1, the national day of action and mourning in response to the AIDS crisis. To make the public aware that AIDS can touch everyone, and inspire positive action, some 800 U.S. art and AIDS groups participated in the first Day Without Art, shutting down museums, sending staff to volunteer at AIDS services, or sponsoring special exhibitions of work about AIDS. Since then, Day With(out) Art has grown into a collaborative project in which an estimated 8,000 national and international museums, galleries, art centers, AIDS service organizations, libraries, high schools and colleges take part. We appreciate having our students assist us with making this important statement.
The Ames Library appeals to students of all ages. Tremont Illinois 4th graders visited the library on Friday, November 2. Among their favorites: the Sumo chairs, wall-writing in The Thorpe Center, and the incunable in our Archives. Many of the 75 students said they are now inspired to work hard and come to IWU when they graduate form high school!
The Library has Kindles available for check out, pre-loaded with best sellers and titles of interest to campus. These are great to take for trips, and you can download free titles or items from your own Kindle account – these personal items are removed when you return the Kindle. If you have titles to recommend, send them our way by clicking on the “Make A Suggestion” link on our library home page. Kindles are available at the library circulation desk.
Welcome back, Titans! The Library has a number of events to celebrate Homecoming and the 10th Anniversary of the Ames Library. For more information, please see our events schedule, and you can also check out our digital exhibit about the history of our lovely building.
Sumo chairs – found on the 3rd floor of the Library’s Thorpe Center – are becoming the favorite seats in the house for many. The choice of gamers, researchers and cat-nappers alike, Sumo chairs in Thorpe provide a good view of the Head of Aphrodite. More Sumo chairs are expected this year. Where would you like to see a Sumo?
Students asked, we delivered: students have asked for a Quiet Floor in the library, a place where they know they won’t be interrupted by groups talking. The library is trying out the 4th floor for its Quiet Floor this semester. Signs will be posted and the quiet will be self-policed. Any problems can be reported to the University Librarian’s office during week days (201 Library) or to the Building Aide (located at the Circulation Desk) at other times.
Aphrodite’s head – our campus “goddess of love” – has returned to the roof of the entryway to McPherson Hall. Vandalized in May, many of us missed seeing this surreal sculpture and we happily welcomed her back last week when she was hoisted to the roof once again. The Ames Library provides a perfect vantage point to enjoy her visage – a visit to The Thorpe Center on the third floor is a great place to contemplate the hows and whys of this Big Love theatre piece. Weighing in at over 200 pounds, Aphrodite sports a pale complexion, either from a stay indoors to read the classics or extensive use of SPF throughout the summer. Welcome back, Goddess!
Over the summer, The Ames Library has welcomed new services and consolidated service points. Highlights of these new services include:
IT HELP DESK – The IT Help Desk has merged with our library Information Desk and is now called the Help@Ames desk. In addition to getting quick informational support and connecting with librarians for personal research assistance, you will now find technology support all hours that the library is open. Assistance with wireless connections, software questions, repair for personally owned computers and more is available. The Help@Ames desk is located on the library entry level on the east side (to the right as you enter the front door).
EQUIPMENT CHECK-OUT – Media and technology equipment has been moved to our Circulation Desk. You will find Kindles, iPads, laptops, flip cameras and more at this desk (to the left as you enter the front door).
POSTER PRINTER – Requesting a poster has never been easier! Use our online form to submit your request. Pick your poster up at the Circulation Desk.
RESEARCH ASSISTANCE – You can connect with a librarian to assist with research questions several ways: in person, by phone or e-mail, texting, and chat. Click on the Help@Ames logo on our home page to connect and learn more.
Your feedback and ideas are always welcome. Contact me (kschmidt@iwu.edu or call x3834) or comment online.
