Samantha Schaffer joins UC Libraries as computer systems administrator

samantha schafferSamantha Schaffer joined the University of Cincinnati Library May 2 as a computer systems administrator in the Library IT Department. She will be responsible for the day-to-day management of on-premise and cloud-based servers, as well as the deployment and monitoring of software applications for UC Libraries.

Samantha comes to UC from Boise, Idaho, where she most recently worked as a systems engineer for Synoptek, supporting Windows, macOS and Linux systems, as well as VMware servers and Azure. Samantha has worked in the systems administration area since 2014 and will be a great addition to the team.

Welcome, Samantha.

Hello, Central!: Telephones in Illustrated Sheet Music

hello centralBy Theresa Leininger-Miller,

This two-part exhibition commemorates the 145th anniversary of the invention of the telephone (1876) that took place in 2021; COVID-19 slightly delayed the celebration. Displayed on the 4th floor lobby of the Walter C. Langsam Library are reproductions of 68 vibrant, chromolithographic covers of illustrated sheet music dating from 1877 to 1939.

The display outside and inside the Robert A. Deshon and Karl J. Schlachter Library for Design, Architecture, Art & Planning (DAAP) features two dozen original pieces of sheet music, along with ten vintage telephones. The name of the device, from the Greek, means “far speaking” a way of increasing human earshot. With it, people can make themselves heard and understood around the world with a whisper. Continue reading

Read Source for the news, events, people and happenings in UC Libraries

source image

Read Source, the online newsletter, to learn about the news, events, people and happenings in UC Libraries.

In this issue of Source, we announce our updated Strategic Framework – NEXT Directions. We celebrate Mikaila Corday receiving the 2022 Marian Spencer Ambassador Award for Staff and meet OhioLINK Luminaries intern Marvin Jones. We look back at three recent big events – the Oesper Musuem’s receipt of National Landmark designation, the six-part lecture series The Illustrated Human: The Impact of Andreas Vesalius and the ever-popular International Edible Books Festival. Finally, we look forward to Preservation Week with a sneak peek of The Preservation Lab.

Read these articles, as well as past issues, on the website. To receive Source via e-mail, contact melissa.norris@uc.edu to be added to the mailing list.

Celebrate Preservation Week with a Sneak Peek into the Preservation Lab

In celebration of the American Library Association’s Preservation Week, join Preservation Lab staff as they chat about preservation, conservation and what the Lab does for the libraries. There will be materials and models on hand.

Thursday, April 21, 10-11am & 2-3pm, Walter C. Langsam Library 4th floor, next to the Desk@Langsam.

preservation lab

And the winners are…Results of the 2022 UC Libraries International Edible Books Festival

Rebecca Tabaja – Fairy the Farting Unicorn – Best Overall

The University of Cincinnati Libraries celebrated the International Edible Books Festival on Friday, April 1, 2022.

Sixteen edible books were created by students, faculty, staff, librarians, friends and family. The entries ranged from children’s books to literary classics to popular fiction and nonfiction books. The edible books were made of cakes, cookies, Rice Krispie Treats, candy, Peeps, olives and even carrots. Each entry was judged by our esteemed judges Rachel Hoople and Imani Coleman and awarded a bookmark.

Created by librarian Judith A. Hoffberg and artist Béatrice Coron, the International Edible Books Festival is held worldwide annually on or around April 1st to mark the birthday of Jean Brillat-Savarin, author of The Physiology of Taste.  The global event has been celebrated since 2000 in various parts of the world, including in Australia, Brazil, India, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Morocco, The Netherlands and Hong Kong.

Milly Diaz Perez – To the Boy Who Lived – Best Student Entry

UC Libraries has participated in the International Edible Books Festival since 2001. The 2022 winners ares:

  • Luahna Winningham Carter – The Dark Tower – Most Checked Out
  • Holly Prochaska – One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest – Most Imaginative
  • Debbie Weinstein – The Girl Who Drew Butterflies – Most Whimsical
  • Olga Hart – The Vanishing Half – Most Literary
  • Melissa Cox Norris – A Cast of Literary Birds – Most Clever
  • Natalie Rogers – If You Give a Moose a Muffin – Most Delicious
  • Jessica Ebert – Crazy Plant Lady – Most Creative
  • Ben Kline and Aaron Libby – The Secret Lives of Color – Most Fun
  • Jenny Mackiewicz – Should I Share My Ice Cream? – Most Adorable
  • Debbie Tenofsky – Olive Kitteridge & Olive, Again – Most Taboo
  • Sam Norris – Batman: The Court of Owls -Scariest
  • Steve Norris – Death and the Penguin – Most Deadly
  • Jack Norris – Too Many Carrots – Silliest
  • Rebecca Tabaja – Fairy the Farting Unicorn – Best Overall
  • Milly Diaz Perez – To the Boy Who Lived – Best Student Entry
  • The Little Prince by Emma Duhamel and Eli Seidman-Deutsch

Congratulations to all the edible books creators! View the entries and the winners on the UC Libraries Facebook page. See you next year for Edible Books 2023!

Women’s History Month- Catherine Allen Latimer, First African-American librarian at the New York Public Library

Catherine Allen Latimer sitting in front of file cabinets at the New York Public Library

Catherine Allen Latimer sitting in front of file cabinets at the New York Public Library

Celebrating Catherine Allen Latimer, NYPL’s first African-American Librarian.

Catherine Allen Latimer was New York Public Library’s first African American librarian. She was hired as a substitute in 1920 after being an assistant at Tuskegee Institute’s library for a year from 1919-1920.[1] She stayed for her entire career until she retired in 1946. She founded the Division of Negro Literature, History and Prints at the 135th Street Branch of NYPL in 1925. This was a precursor to the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Later, she was promoted to a curator of the same by Arturo Alfonso Schomburg.

Catherine was born in Nashville, TN in 1896. Her family eventually moved to NYC. She was educated during her early life in Germany and France. She spoke French fluently and read German. For high school, she attended public schools in Brooklyn, NY. Her undergraduate work and library training took place at Howard University and she completed some graduate work at Columbia University.[2]

Over her career, she lectured to students of Wellesley College, Columbia University, Vassar College, Smith College, Hunter College and Pratt Institute. Continue reading

New Books in the Science Libraries

Check out the new science books that have been added to the Geology-Math-Physics Library.  There are 13 American Mathematical Society ebooks in the list.

Click here to access the January-February 2022 list.

If you have any questions about these books, contact Ted Baldwin, Director of Science and Engineering Libraries, at Ted.Baldwin@uc.edu.

 

Check out library Spring Break reduced hours, March 12-20

spring break vine with lemonsMost University of Cincinnati Libraries locations have reduced hours for Spring Break, March 12-20. Check the library website for a list of hours by location.

Have a safe and relaxing Spring Break, Bearcats!

UC Libraries seeks books good enough to eat for the International Edible Books Festival

Know of a good book to eat?! Create an Edible Book for UC Libraries International Edible Books Festival!

It’s time once again for the fan-favorite International Edible Books Festival scheduled for Friday, April 1, 2022, 11 a.m. on the 4th floor of the Walter C. Langsam Library. UC Libraries is seeking people interested in creating an edible book for the enjoyment of all in attendance. There are few restrictions – namely that your creation be edible and have something to do with a book – so you may let your creativity run wild.

t-shirtAs in previous years, entries will be judged according to such categories as “Most Delicious,” “Most Creative,” “Most Checked Out” and “Most Literary.” Those awarded “Best Student Entry” and “Best Overall” will win a limited-edition, much coveted UC Libraries t-shirt.

If you are interested in creating an edible book, e-mail melissa.norris@uc.edu by Friday, March 25 with your name and the title of your creation.

Looking for inspiration? Visit UC Libraries on Facebook to see photos from the previous festivals.

Upcoming changes to OhioLINK delivery provider

books on a shelfIn order to address ongoing delivery issues with OhioLINK materials, the University of Cincinnati Libraries, along with the other college, university and public libraries in Ohio, is changing the OhioLINK delivery provider.

There are three important points that impact OhioLINK borrowing immediately:

  • Between now and March 10, users should request any needed items from OhioLINK, SearchOhio and the SWORD/SW Depository as early as possible as delays are anticipated. University of Cincinnati librarians and staff are happy to discuss research needs and help locate alternate formats or other ways to secure materials such as using Interlibrary Loan, which does not rely on this intrastate delivery service.
  • From March 11 through the end of April, users will not be able to request materials through the OhioLINK Central Catalog, SearchOhio or SWORD/SW Depository. This is necessary to avoid a backlog of materials in the system during the transition.
  • Currently checked-out materials can still be renewed and returned during this time.

Beginning April 18, we will return to working with the company that provided delivery prior to July 2021 and are confident that they will be able to deliver your library materials efficiently once again. As we transition from one company to another, however, there will be slower than usual delivery times.

We ask for patience as we implement this long-term solution.

Questions? (513) 556-1424 or https://libraries.uc.edu/about/contact.html. In addition, OhioLINK has created a FAQ.