What's New at the Library?!

New Policies!
New Services!
New Equipment!
New Books & Media!

We've been plenty busy getting ready for the 2012-2013 school year. So busy, in fact, that we had to create a What's New! library guide to tell you about all the changes. We'll be updating the guide periodically (and tell you about those updates here), so check back often!

A Year of Creativity

The University of Utah is embracing a "Year of Creativity" in 2012-2013, which is being promoted by The MUSE Project, the Creative Campus Initiative (headed by the Dean of the College of Fine Arts), and the Undergraduate School.  Everyone's being encouraged to read "Imagine: How Creativity Works."  The book's a fun, quick read, despite the author, Jonah Lehrer admitting to fabricating some quotes. As a result of his confession, the publisher has pulled access to print and electronic copies of the book (for now, at least). You can still read it, though, by checking out a Marriott Library copy at the Reserve Desk on Level 2 (call number: BF408 .L455 2012)

Information Overload

When Marriott Library first subscribed to the SFX service five, perhaps six, years ago, I remember thinking we’d finally eliminated our patrons' frustration with discovering an article citation in a database that didn’t provide access to the corresponding article. Now, by clicking on the "Check SFX for Full Text" link in an article database, one can quickly determine if an article is available electronically through one of the other databases we subscribe to or if it's in a print edition owned by the library.

But thanks to 2011 changes to the library catalog, now called USearch, we’re once again pointing patrons to a broader range of information objects that exist--books, articles, images, streaming media, and more--but which may not be available (or we may not be allowed to provide, due to copyright restrictions) at the University of Utah. And there are evermore options for this type of discovery: WorldCat, GoogleScholar, GoogleBooks, HathiTrust Digital Library, and even Pinterest!

To paraphrase the song, I think we need to start accentuating the positive and minimizing the negative. One way we can do this is to teach library patrons about all those discovery tools while simultaneously promoting the various points of access the University of Utah offers to them: off-campus access (for article databases, e-books, e-journals, and electronic reserves), Pull Service for ARC and General Collection materials, ILL and Document Delivery, UALC reciprocal borrowing, Suggest-a-purchase, Media Streaming, (and many more) in addition to the old-fashioned finding materials physically on the shelf! 

The challenge, though, is how to communicate all the possible combinations of these options in a way that helps patrons' find what they're looking for without overwhelming them.  My initial thought is to create an infographic like this Venn diagram or this flowchart or this decision tree that compares the types of information and content each tool provides and how they interface with those points of access.

What do you think? Are you nostagically longing for the dark ages when you only knew what was available through the library's card catalog and print indexes? Do you pull your hair out trying to figure out how to get your hands on a limited-edition book owned by a small library in Bangalore? Or do you blissfully click link-after-link-after-link, simply rejoicing in the vast quantities of information at your fingertips?

SLC Mini Maker Faire

The publisher of Make magazine has been sponsoring Make Faires at a few locations around the country since 2006. Apparently they've been popular enough to start offering Mini Make Faires, and one is coming to Salt Lake City on October 6, 2012. Early-bird deadline for tickets is July 31 (but don't worry if you're late, tickets are on sale all the way up to the event). Before you go, be sure to check out the latest issue of Make magazine in the Fine Arts and Architecture Library's periodicals collection.

Monkeysuit Press and Other Mayhem

     I think it is safe to say that we can officially call these the dog days of summer (well, as official as googling the phrase anyway). Summer semester is about to end and the temperatures are going to do nothing but rise, so as we all prepare to crawl under a rock for a few weeks,  let me recommend some reading. 

 

    First of all, I have to say, when talking about the Fine Arts Library Collection I am a pretty proud parent.  So, just a warning, if you hurt this mama bears books she is libel to maul you. Now, with that out of the way, that doesn’t mean I don’t want you to love, adore, skim, peruse, ogle, analyze, and enjoy the Fine Arts Collection.

    Grab an ice cold Arnold Palmer (the drink not the golfer) with a straw (and nice tight fitting lid…we don’t want any spills) and get ready to read Monkeysuit: Comics for the People Vol. 1-5.  Featuring the work of Mo Willems, Doc Hammer, Chris McCulloch aka Jackson Publick, Stephen DeStefano, and more. Primarily based out of the New York City animation scene these volumes are a quick read ripe with eye candy by artists known for work on MTV’s Daria, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, and The Venture Brothers to name only a few.

               And like all the best things this post comes with a BONUS FEATURE: The Fine Arts Collections includes Survival machine:stories by Prentis Rollins and Thebig problem with Marshall by Pat Giles also published by Monkeysuit Press. Not enough, you need even MORE? Try checking out the July 2012 Juxtapoz: SpecialAdult Swim Issue in the Fine Arts Library Browsing Periodicals for art and articles about The Venture Brothers!

New Documentary Films From Spy Hop Students

Take a look at this article from the Utah Cultural Alliance and mark your calendars for 6:30pm, Monday, July 9th at the City Library downtown. Spy Hop will be screening it's latest batch of documentary films created by local teens over the course of the last year. Reception with the talented teen filmmakers to follow!

Utah Architects and Sanborn Maps

When was the last time you visited the Special Collections Gallery on Level 4 of Marriott Library? If you haven't been up there recently, now is the time!

The current exhibit on view at the Special Collections Gallery is titled "Utah Architects and Sanborn Maps." It features the drawings of two important Utah architects, Richard Kletting (1858-1943), designer of Saltair and the Capitol Building, and Lloyd Snedaker (1905-1989), the architect for the renovation of the interior of the Capitol Building and designer of several buildings on campus.

Also on display are several examples of Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, large scale maps ranging in date from 1867 to 1969. The maps were designed to help fire insurance agents determine the risk associated with insuring a property. Each map has information on the building materials (brick, wood, etc.), width between buildings, use of the building, location of water mains, and much more.

If you can't make it to campus to view this fantastic exhibit, visit Digital Collections online. Get started by browsing the Sanborn Maps, then try looking for photographs, images, and other primary source documents related to Richard Kletting and Lloyd Snedaker.

Do We Have What You Need?

What are your research needs? Looking for images created by an obscure dance photographer? Stage directions for a play written by a European playwright and rarely produced in the United States? If the Fine Arts & Architecture Library does not have what you need, we want to know!

Our library supports the research interests and needs of the College of Fine Arts and the College of Architecture + Planning. This means that we want to purchase books and other materials that will facilitate your studies. Stop by the service desk in the Fine Arts & Architecture Library, fill out a 'Suggest a Purchase' form online, or e-mail Greg Hatch or Erika Church with your requests. We are happy to help, and will do everything we can to assist you with your studies!

“Data are the new raw material.”

Look what’s new in the Fine Arts showcase!

The Fine Arts Collection, located here, has new items coming in every week. This week, we added Information Graphics by Sandra Rendgen (edited by Julius Wiedemann), published by Taschen. 

The opening essays in this oversize volume explore the history and use of charts, diagrams, and infographics, to communicate visually the massive quantities of data usually found in reports and news articles. Click on the examples below to see full-size images from the book, or stop by the Fine Arts Reference Desk on Level 2 to dive headfirst into "Information Graphics"!

If you like this book, you will probably enjoy the Marriott Library guide on Information Aesthetics  and other items in the Fine Arts showcase, like the Visual Miscellaneum.

Feeling Manipulated by the Media?

Manipulate back! The Fine Arts & Architecture Library has many tools you can use to warp, distort, and transform your multimedia projects, including:

• A media editing station which features Final Cut Pro, and can take your old VHS tapes and turn them into DVDs, or burn Blu-ray discs
• An oversize (11" x 17") scanner so you can upload and remix your images using Photoshop
• A music composition station 
• A weighted key electric piano
• A color printer
• Plus several Macs scattered throughout the Fine Arts & Architecture Library space

Note: We are not a quiet study space. Looking for a place with minimal noise? Locate quiet areas on the Marriott Library maps; also, find more media editing stations, scanners, PCs, and Macs in the Knowledge Commons. Schedule a room if your study group needs a place to discuss projects.

"Originality is nothing but judicious imitation."

Interested in architecture? Looking for inspiration? Find it at the Katherine W. Dumke Fine Arts & Architecture Library!

Browse our periodicals collection for design inspiration (or imitation, as the above quote by Voltaire tells us!). The Fine Arts & Architecture Library has current issues of architecture and design periodicals in our reference area and they are available for a 7-day check out.

Try these!