Your friendly neighborhood librarians and archivists are world travelers. Since Fall 2018, several of our library staff members ventured to exciting places in partnership with classes. Enjoy the footage of their excursions! https://vimeo.com/324298834 Part One We welcome you to share your journeys—both past and future—on our world map. https://vimeo.com/324983915 Ready to embark on your next adventure? We will have even more inspiration on the shelves. Students selected materials … [Read more...]
Browsing as Problem
I have long been fond of a 2010 article in American Libraries by Donald Barclay entitled “The Myth of Browsing.” Writing in reaction to faculty opposition to offsite storage of books and journals, Barclay pointed out that open stacks date back only to about 1940. He reminded readers that browsers are perusing whatever small segment of the information universe is owned by their library, that books can be shelved in only one place even if they cover many topics or perspectives, and that the most … [Read more...]
Fare Thee Well RefWorks, Hello Zotero
Let’s say you are over at Summit getting some coffee, and, as you are about to order, the barista announces a special offer: all light roast coffee is free, for the rest of the year, and for a matter of the fact, forever. Now, you happen to be a strictly dark roast enthusiast, and switching to a light-roast blend seems like it would be a bit of a transition. On the other hand, the potential of free coffee is appealing. Would you take the deal? In a sense, we at the library have found … [Read more...]
Frozen Streets and Broken Links: Musing on a Snow Day
Last Monday night a swirl of ice and snow swept through Davidson, threatening to shut streets down, take down power-lines, and perhaps cancel classes. Luckily, through all of it, the doors to the library remained open, thanks much to our essential staff and our student workers. And of course, had the library been closed, one could always access much of our resources online. Despite the weather ravaging our daily routines, the world of information has remained preserved. Or has it? With our … [Read more...]
Research Rescue at the Library and Beyond
As everyone at Davidson prepares for a little R & R over Fall Break, here at the library we are prepping for our own bit of ‘R’ & ‘R’—Research Rescue. Starting this Thursday 10/9, Research Rescue will be available in the Fishbowl every Thursday from 3-4pm. For those of you unfamiliar with Research Rescue, it is essentially a time at which research librarians will be available to answer any questions, discuss your research, and whatever else might fit your information needs, all at one … [Read more...]