F riendsNEWS university of wisconsin–madison libraries Spring 2014
Symposium on Rare Book Collections and History of Science Robin E. Rider Chinese astronomy in British libraries. made.”1 Even if you do not know about The afternoon session brings together the Thordarson collection, you may be n April 26, 2014, the Caxton Club Richard Lan (Martayan Lan Rare familiar with what Thordarson called his Oof Chicago and the Bibliographical Books), collectors Daniel Albert, M.D. “wild summer home” in Door County: Society of America, in conjunction with (UW–Madison and the Grolier Club) Rock Island, which he owned. the Department of Special Collections, and Ronald Smeltzer (the Caxton Club Building on the Thordarson collection, will host an all-day symposium entitled and Grolier Club), and Bruce Bradley the regents of the University of Bibliography, Collections, and History of (History of Science Collection, Linda Wisconsin acquired in 1951 the Denis Science. Hall Library). Duveen collection on alchemy and early Speaking in the morning session will be This event marks the first time that three historians of science: Nick Wilding the symposium on book history jointly of Georgia State University, about a sponsored by the Caxton Club and much publicized, forged copy of Galileo’s the Bibliographical Society of America Starry Messenger; Michael Shank of will take place outside Chicago. We are UW–Madison, about the twin careers of delighted to welcome their members to Regiomontanus, Renaissance astronomer the campus and the libraries. and printer/publisher; and Florence To complement the symposium, the Hsia, also of UW– Department of Special Collections will Madison, feature a large exhibit celebrating its own chemistry. Their decision, and the debate about collections for history of science. Indeed, surrounding it, made front-page news in the department itself owes its origin to the Capital Times for January 13, 1951, the university’s purchase in the mid- and brought several thousand more 1940s of a major collection for history rare titles in science and the occult. The of science, assembled by the inventor collection was full of high spots. Some are and entrepreneur Chester Thordarson. small but exceedingly uncommon books The Thordarson collection is perhaps of secrets; the collection also features best known for its magnificent set a rare hand-colored treatise (1595) by Birds of the double-elephant folio Continued on page 3 of America by Audubon. But its
strengths extend to other areas Above: of illustrated natural history and Mark Catesby. The Natural History of Carolina, sciences both pure and applied, as Florida, and the Bahama Islands. Rev. ed. 2 vols. London: Printed for Charles Marsh [et well as lavish Rivière bindings, long al.], 1754. Thordarson Collection, Special runs of English almanacs beginning Collections. Shown here: “The Blew-bird [sic].” in the early 17th century, and many 1 Icelandic titles. E. B. Fred, president Oral history interview with E. B. Fred (1976), quoted in Dennis A. Hill, “The Rare Book of the University of Wisconsin at Department of the University of Wisconsin– the time of its acquisition, said later Madison: Origins and early developments (1948–1960),” Transactions of the Wisconsin that the Thordarson collection “was Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters, 72 the best investment the University ever (1984), pp. 40–48, on p. 40.
Heinrich Khunrath. Amphitheatrum sapientiae aeternae. [Hamburg, 1595]. Duveen Collection, Special Collections. 2 | NEWS
F riendsNEWS University of Wisconsin–Madison Libraries From Maria Saffiotti Dale, President of the Friends Spring 2014
Board of Directors s we move into a new year, let’s look in libraries across Maria Saffiotti Dale, President back over 2013 and forward to 2014. campus as well Michael Chaim, Vice President A Yvonne Schofer, Secretary In particular, I would like to focus on as non-library M. Kathryn Jones, Treasurer Friends outreach on behalf of the campus locations. This past Eleanor Albert libraries and how increasingly important October we held a Patricia A. Bender James Dast it has become. successful “Treasures John Dillon Raising awareness was part of our of the Library” event at Der Rathskeller Kenneth L. Frazier Al Friedman original mission 65 years ago when the in Memorial Union. We expanded Beth Kubly Board of Regents created the Friends. We our partnerships to include campus Richard Leffler have amazing resources in the campus departments and programs as well as Annette Mahler William G. Reeder libraries and we have traditionally outside organizations and experts. We Mary Rouse spread the word to faculty, staff, and had visiting chefs at the cookbook event Jennifer Session students through our print publications, and German linguistics professors at Ex officio nonvoting members: our special events, and our members. the Deutscher Sprachatlas celebration. Ed Van Gemert Increasingly, we are reaching out to a The Friends are also moving beyond Elisabeth Owens Robin Rider much wider community of library lovers the traditional lecture to include Ben Strand through press releases, community demonstrations and hands-on activities calendars, and regular information sent such as the papermaking event that was Friends Administrator: Liz Nevers to the public libraries in the surrounding held last spring at the Arts Lofts Paper Publications Chair: Beth Kubly Graphic Design: Daniel L. Joe counties. We even went statewide this fall Mill. Next year we plan to add pre- and when Steenbock librarian, Karen Dunn, post-event videos and slideshows to our Friends News is published for the university appeared on Wisconsin Public Radio to website and would like to embark on community by the Friends of the University of Wisconsin–Madison Libraries. talk about the cookbook collection and electronic publishing through our website promote our joint cookbook event. as a way of providing you with longer For information about joining the Friends, Several years ago we added electronic informational articles than has been giving Friends memberships as gifts, becoming a library volunteer, or filing address changes, outreach through our webpage and this possible in our newsletters. contact the Friends at: past year we have increased our presence what can you do? It’s easy—share Friends of the UW–Madison Libraries 330H Memorial Library on Facebook and Twitter. We also created your love of the campus libraries with 728 State Street a Friends email group to communicate your friends by bringing a friend to one, Madison, WI 53706 more immediately with you. All this is or more, of our events, and to the spring Phone: 608-265-2505 [email protected] particularly important in a time of state Book Sale. There are some wonderful www.library.wisc.edu/friends budget cuts. Wisconsin citizens need events scheduled for the spring, which are
Comments and story ideas from readers to know that a world-class university described in this newsletter. I invite you may be sent to: requires a world-class library system. The to share our Facebook page, invite your Publications Chair campus libraries belong to the citizens of friends to follow our tweets, and check c/o Friends [email protected] the State of Wisconsin and it’s now easier out our website. We are counting on you than ever for people to access the campus to spread the word about the treasures Friends News is published with private funding and other gifts. libraries, especially using the new search of our great library collections and how capabilities. they enrich our daily lives and life-long Banner image: Geography Library We have made changes in our events interests. © 2014 to achieve wider visibility and reach i look forward to seeing you at our University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents new audiences and are holding events upcoming events and thank you for your support!
—Maria Saffiotti Dale NEWS | 3
Symposium Continued from page 1
Heinrich Khunrath about alchemical theory and practice, highlighted in the gold and silver so prized by alchemists. The Caxton Club of Chicago and the Special Collections and the UW Digital Bibliographical Society of America Collections produced an online digital facsimile2 of Khunrath’s work some years The Caxton Club of Chicago dates back to 1895 and ago. the interest of fifteen Chicago bibliophiles who The UW–Madison Libraries continued wanted to support the publication of “fine books to acquire, both by gift and by purchase, in the spirit of the Arts and Crafts Movement.” The rare book collections and noteworthy founders were collectors, publishers, designers, and individual titles in support of history of librarians whose primary goal was to publish high quality books science. Many of these acquisitions were primarily for their own libraries. The name of the organization cataloged in 1965 in Chemical, Medical, and Pharmaceutical Books Printed before honors the first English printer, William Caxton, who printed the 1800, In the Collections of the University first book in England in 1477 and published Chaucer’s Canterbury of Wisconsin Libraries, as edited by John Tales a year later. During its first 100 years the Caxton Club published sixty books and one print in limited editions for sale to members. These books are quite rare and difficult to find. The Club continues to support the publication of books bearing its device; they have plans to produce a small book at least every two or three years, and a major publication every five to ten years. The Caxton Club membership represents a wide group of people who share a love of books and are interested in promoting book arts and the history of the book. It also provides a forum for its members to learn about book history, production, and preservation, and to share in the joys of fine books. For more information on the Caxton Club go to http://www.caxtonclub.org
The Bibliographical Society of America (BSA), identifies itself as “the oldest scholarly society in North America dedicated to the study of books and manuscripts as 3 Neu, longtime bibliographer for history physical objects.” The Society was established in 1904 of science in the libraries and active and is dedicated to promoting bibliographical research for many years in the Friends as well. and issuing bibliographical publications. In addition to Through Neu’s work in bibliography and many important monographs such as Joseph Sabin’s Bibliotheca collection development for history of Americana (1936) and Frederick Goff’s Incunabula in American science, the collections continued to grow, Libraries (1940), it has published since 1907 the quarterly journal Continued on page 4 Papers of the Bibliographical Society of America. Other Society activities include meetings, conferences, lectures, and fellowship 2http://specialcollections.library.wisc.edu/ programs. For more information go to http://www.bibsocamer.org/ khunrath/index.html 3As compiled by Samuel Ives, Reese Jenkins, and John Neu, and published by the University of Wisconsin Press, 1965. 4 | NEWS
1. 2. Symposium Continued from page 3
and he forged connections with notable collectors like William Reeder, who remains an active member of the board of the Friends, and William Cole, much of whose impressive collection focused on chemistry in the 18th and 19th centuries and is now part of Special Collections. Building on such strong foundations, John Neu and I have been honored to secure other related collections for Special 3. Collections. These holdings anchor and enrich an active program of research and teaching in history of science on campus. Increasingly, course assignments and class sessions in Special Collections encourage undergraduates to engage with rare books of science, teaching them to tease out meaning from text, to be sure, but also from images and paratextual content. Student response to such a learning experience is heartening. Evaluations of a recent undergraduate course on 4. the Scientific Revolution included the 5. comment, “Absolutely loved the Special Collections aspect of the course.” With such riches to choose from as the George W. White collection on glaciers and glaciology, deep collections of works by Robert Boyle, Linnaeus, and Joseph Priestley, the Daniel M.
6. and Eleanor Albert collection of optics and ophthalmology, Ronald Numbers’ 1. Robert Boyle. New experiments physico-mechanicall. Oxford: Printed by H. Hall for Tho. collection on science and religion, the Robinson, 1660. Boyle Collection, from the library of Hugh MacDonald Sinclair, Special Collections. Schadewald collection on pseudo-science, and more, our task in curating the exhibit 2. Werner’s nomenclature of colours, with additions by Patrick Syme. Edinburgh: William for spring 2014 will be the difficult but Blackwood; London: T. Cadell, 1821. George W. White Collection, Special Collections. happy one of selecting among the many 3. Witelo. Peri optikes [Opticae libri decem]. Nuremberg: Johannes Petreius, 1535. Daniel and strengths in history of science in the Eleanor Albert Collection, Special Collections. holdings of Special Collections. We hope 4. Antoine Laurent Lavoisier. Traité élémentaire de chimie. 2. éd. Paris: Cuchet, 1793. Cole you can join us for both the symposium Collection, Special Collections. Shown here: the author’s bookplate, as preserved in both and the exhibit. volumes.
5. Winged figure holding map description (Pisa). Antonio Cocchi. Dei bagni di Pisa. Florence: Nella Stamperia imperiale, 1750. Thomas D. Brock Balneology Collection, Special Collections. Shown here: Detail from map of Pisa.
6. Incunable edition of Sacrobosco’s 13th-century treatise on the sphere. [Venice]: Erhard Ratdolt, 1482. W. Reeder Family Collection, Special Collections. NEWS | 5
Library of Amateur Journalism Collection in the Department of Special Collections
Robin E. Rider
he Library of Amateur Journalism T(or LAJ), the collection that Jessica Isaac used during her time as a grant- in-aid recipient (see article on page 6), weaves together themes of broad scholarly interest: alternative outlets for writers both young and otherwise, printing technology made affordable for amateurs, regional and national networks of like- minded individuals, and the value—and fragility—of large collections of printed ephemera. At the heart of the LAJ lies the large collection of amateur journals (sometimes called amateur newspapers) assembled by Edwin Hadley Smith beginning in the late 1880s and 1890s. After only Issues from 1873 in the Edwin Hadley Smith Collection, vol. 11, Library of Amateur Journalism, Department of Special Collections, Memorial Library. a few years of collecting, Smith had accumulated 7,000 papers; he then Thirties the Fossils moved the collection, had what was then called the Center for prevailed upon amateur journalists and not without acrimony, to the Franklin the History of Print Culture in Modern editors throughout the United States to Institute in Philadelphia. Eventually that America. After lengthy discussions, the turn their own collections over to him. He arrangement also proved unworkable, and Fossils resolved to donate the collection also bought British amateur journals from the collection moved first to private hands to the UW–Madison Libraries, and a London counterpart, and the collection in Wyoming and then to NYU, though the collection, daunting in size and soon numbered 20,000 papers, along its home in New York proved again to preservation challenges, arrived in with clippings, photographs, and related be insecure. By the 1980s, by means of Madison on a bitterly cold winter’s materials. For a time Smith quit his job in a complicated arrangement between the day some months thereafter. Work on order to sort and arrange his collection. American Private Press Association and processing the collection continues: Despite its size, or perhaps because the Fossils, the collection made its way to we began with the early materials from of it, the collection has had numerous Oregon, and grew some more. Edwin Hadley Smith and have moved on institutional homes and owners: in 1908, Discussions of a possible home for to sorting more recent packets of amateur at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn; a few the LAJ at Wisconsin began in 2004. journals. Indeed, Special Collections years later, at the Columbia School of Special Collections, with its British continues to receive current packets of Journalism; then acquired by the Fossils, Amateur Journalism Collection, amateur journals produced by members an organization devoted to the history assembled by Ralph Arthur Laurance of several organizations; and we greatly of amateur journalism. The collection, Breed and acquired for the Libraries value the dedication and generosity of the sometimes called the Fossil Library, by Yvonne Schofer, and the extensive Fossils organization and of the individual continued to grow through gifts of papers Little Magazines Collection, seemed members like Fossils historian Kenneth S. from individual members; an offer by like a good fit.W e enjoyed national Faig, Jr. the Library of Congress was considered recognition for collections promoting and ultimately rejected; and by the mid- lesser-known voices, and the campus also Continued on page 6 6 | NEWS
Library Continued from page 3
Jessica Isaac’s work with the collection Association. For Tracy, advertisements concentrated on amateur journals from and production values in amateur journals the latter decades of the 19th century, in of the 1880s spoke directly to her work order to explore writing practices of youth in restoring several hobby presses of the of the period and the development of a period and using them for teaching about youth culture. She also worked closely printing and print culture. with Tracy Honn of the Silver Buckle We invite you to come sample the Press to get a feel, literally, for the printing riches of the LAJ in Special Collections, practices involved. Tracy herself had explore changing practices in self- spent much time with the LAJ for her publishing, and get a sense for the presentation on “Desktop Publishing in collection’s research potential—and the 19th Century” at the annual meeting preservation and processing challenges. in 2010 of the American Printing History
A Grant-in-Aid Scholar Uses the Library of Amateur Journalism of Special Collections
Jessica Isaac called adolescence after the turn of the of the scope of that influence could be twentieth century. Thanks to the support much larger if researchers focused on Jessica Isaac is a doctoral candidate in of a Grant-in-Aid from the Friends of the periodicals created entirely by youths the English Department of the University UW Libraries, I spent a month working and circulated among an audience of of Pittsburgh and a 2013 Grants-in-Aid with the Library of Amateur Journalism their peers. “If the amateurs . . . were Scholar. Her dissertation investigates nineteenth-century children’s writing in (LAJ) this past April and May studying developing a shared youth identity by the United States and how it shaped the the amateur newspapers’ role in the creating editorial personae,” I wrote, writers’ own sense of identity. While many development of a youth identity for those “then that process must be visible in their of us took copious, handwritten notes on who partcipated in the hobby. I plan to networks of circulation as they develop our research readings, twenty-first-century use this archival research for a dissertation over time.” scholars use digital cameras and iPads to chapter as well as several conference This underlying thesis remains copy text and analyze it in new ways, as presentations and an article I was asked essentially the same after my month you will see in Jessica’s article. to submit for consideration in the journal at the archive, though the methods I Book History. am using to support that thesis have Before coming to the collection, changed significantly. It quickly became I planned to research the amateurs’ apparent that the amateurs’ exchange networks of exchange through their columns would not generate the kind of “exchange” columns and their references information about the amateurs’ networks to other papers. My goal was to expand on of “exchange” that I had hoped. At that current scholarship which argues that by mateur newspapers published and writing in to periodicals (like St. Nicholas 1See Anna M. Redcay, “‘Live to learn and circulated in the second half of the or the story papers), young people had learn to live’: The St. Nicholas League and the A Vocation of Childhood,” Children’s Literature nineteenth century provided a forum for a significant influence on the historical 39, no. 1 (2011): 58–84, and Sara Lindey, “Boys young people to debate and negotiate a development of youth culture and the Write Back: Self-Education and Periodical 1 Authorship in Late-Nineteenth-Century rising age-based identity, an identity that understanding of youth identity. I American Story Papers,” American Periodicals, would become part of what would be suggested that the scholarly understanding 21, no. 1 (2011): 72–88. NEWS | 7
to my graphs. My sampling methods paper. There was evidence that lower included photographs of the complete middle class amateurs took their papers runs of 299 titles for 1879, and about 70 more seriously as a foray into the world titles for each of the later years. My aim of publishing, whereas the middle and was to find a way to read a year’s worth upper middle class amateurs tended to of amateur papers deeply enough to be be younger (primarily 17–19 years old) able to speak accurately about the general and to publish more for amusement. This tendencies of amateur papers in that year, trend has been overlooked by previous but without having to read every single scholarship that has used other techniques paper from a particular year in order to to sample from the papers. make such claims. I am deeply grateful to the Friends and On returning home, I began working Liz Nevers, to Susan Stravinsky and the closely with the 1879 amateur papers, in staff at the UW Special Collections, and particular those published in Missouri to Tracy Honn at the Silver Buckle Press “Beware of edjectives! Consult the dictionary and Massachusetts. These states were for making my stay in Madison intensely whenever in doudt….” From “Advice to Young chosen for my initial analysis because the productive and very enjoyable. Working Writers by `An Old Boy,’ “ Our Pet, vol. 1, no. 1 (Reading, Penn., September 1874), Edwin Library of Amateur Journalism contains with the amateurs has opened many doors Hadley Smith Collection, vol. 17, Library of amateur directories from those states for for me intellectually and professionally, Amateur Journalism, Department of Special that year. They also provide an interesting and I am delighted to be able to give back Collections, Memorial Library. comparison of two states with major U.S. by making this rich archive more visible point I began to develop methods for cities that were culturally quite different, through my scholarship. identifying correlations between other thus allowing me to get a sense of how factors and the amateurs’ critical attitudes. “amateurdom” varied geographically. This You can read more read more about After returning home from the archive, process yielded very interesting insights Jessica’s research and her findings on the I began using census data to flesh out into the relationship between an amateur’s Friends webpage www.library.wisc.edu/ the identities of individual amateurs and demographics and their approach to their friends under “Grants-in-Aid.” began comparing that information to the type of critical attitude they took in their papers. This method has been remarkably successful, and it owes its success in part to the documenting processes I practiced at the archive. Using graphs made from catalog data (using the catalogs of the LAJ and the amateur newspaper collection at the American Antiquarian Society in Worcester, MA) I charted the rapid rise and fall of the number of amateur newspapers from year to year. While at the archive, I photographed every page of every paper contained in the 1879 volumes in order to have a baseline, and then developed sampling methods for creating three different cross-sections of 1881 and 1884. I chose 1879, 1881, “FOR SALE CHEAP! A Self-Inking Newbury Printing Press, “ advertising detail from The Boys’ and 1884 because they are either peak or Ledger, vol. 1, no. 2 (January 1873), Edwin Hadley Smith Collection, vol. 11, Library of Amateur valley years of amateur output, according Journalism, Department of Special Collections, Memorial Library. 8 | NEWS Calendar of Events Taking Care of Books The World at Your Fingertips: Geographic and With Andrea Rolich, Preservation Cartographic Treasures in Science Hall Librarian, Marta Gomez, Tuesday, March 4, 5:30–7:30 p.m. Conservation Specialist, and Robinson Map Library, Geography Library, and Room 180 Jim Dast, Conservator Emeritus Science Hall, 550 N. Park St. February 6, 5:00–7:00 p.m. To access Science Hall without stairs, please use the rear entrance. Parking is available at B134 Memorial Library Lake St. ramp, and under Helen C. White on North Park St. 728 State Street 5:30–6:30 p.m. Panel presentation Learn how (Room 180), Jaime Stoltenberg, Map and the libraries Geospatial Data Librarian, Tom Tews, maintain Geography Librarian, Jude Leimer, and repair Managing Editor, History of Cartography their books, Project, and Sandra Sáenz-López Pérez, maps, and Woodward Fellow. documents and get tips on how 6:30–6:45 p.m. Visit Geography The Arthur H. Robinson Map Library, to care for your Library, 2nd Floor own books the Geography Library, and the History of Cartography Project are three unique with preservation and conservation 6:45–7:30 p.m. Visit Arthur H. campus resources located in Science Hall. experts in Memorial Library. Visit the Robinson Map Library, 3rd Floor; The Map Library maintains a collection Conservation Lab, see the display of Reception “library book horrors,” and learn about of general maps (political, thematic, proper storage, basic care, and what not historical, urban) from all parts of the world, GIS and geospatial data, and aerial The Chazen Museum is to do, as a well-intentioned, but incorrect presenting a related exhibit titled repair can cause permanent damage. photographs; the Geography Library “Marginalia in cARTography,” You may bring one book for a quick is the primary collection of geographic February 28 through May 18, consultation about care and repairs with resources; the History of Cartography one of the experts. A reception will follow. project produces the award-winning 2014. A special lecture and book series on the history of mapping reception is scheduled for Attendance is limited to 25 people, please worldwide that has helped redefine the Thursday, February 27, way maps are studied and understood. RSVP to the Friends office at Friends@ 5:30–8:00 p.m. This exhibit is We will visit both libraries and get an library.wisc.edu or call 265-2505. based on the research of Sandra update on the History of Cartography Sáenz-López Pérez, David project. Woodward Memorial Fellow, and the Institute for Research in the Humanities. The exhibit Friends Celebrate Oktoberfest, October 9, 2013 focuses on map margins and Friends, students, faculty, and guests gathered for a includes nearly fifty maps special Oktoberfest celebration in Memorial Union’s Rathskeller to view the newly restored Deutscher drawn from thirteen libraries Sprachatlas and learn about its importance. Considered across the country, including a treasure of the UW–Madison Libraries, this German language atlas was on display along with the new UW’s Department of Special facsimile that is now available to scholars. Funding from Collections and the Robinson the Friends supported the restoration of the original atlas and the printing of the facsimile. Map Library. NEWS | 9 Calendar of Events Friends of the Libraries Friends Annual Dinner and 2014 Caxton Club Book Sale Annual Meeting Symposium Wednesday–Saturday, Guest speaker, Jim Fleming of Bibliography, Collections, and March 26–29, 2014 Wisconsin Public Radio History of Science 116 Memorial Library Wednesday, April 2, 2014 Saturday, April 26, 9:00 a.m.–noon, Madison Club 1:30–5:00 p.m. The largest semiannual used book sale 5 E. Wilson St. Pyle Center, 730 Langdon St. in Wisconsin includes literature, history, children’s books, science, art, philosophy, Public parking The Caxton Club of Chicago and the reference texts, foreign language books, available at the Bibliographic Society of America will and more. DVDs, ramp located on hold their 2014 CDs, and LPs are also the corner of S. annual symposium available. All sales are Pinckney and E. on the UW–Madison open to the public. Wilson Streets campus. As a Friends member, you have Note: The preview sale We are excited to have Jim Fleming of the rare opportunity on Wednesday evening Wisconsin Public Radio as the guest to attend this year’s will open one hour speaker this year at the annual dinner. symposium and mingle earlier. A short annual business meeting will with fellow book lovers, be followed by appetizers, a cash bar, collectors, and scholars. Hours: and dinner. After dinner Jim will share The focus this year Wednesday, March 26 his experiences at WPR including is on rare books and Preview sale: 4:00–8:00 p.m. Chapter a Day, the longest running the history of science. ($5 admission) program on the state radio network. Jim More details about the has been a longtime host, interviewer, symposium schedule Thursday and Friday, March 27–28 and producer of other WPR programs are forthcoming. This event is being Regular sale: 10:30 a.m.–7 p.m. including Prelude, Sunday Morning with cosponsored by the UW–Madison (No admission fee) Jim Fleming, and the Peabody Award Libraries’ Department of Special Winning program To the Best of Our Collections. Saturday, March 29 Knowledge. Bag sale: 10:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Read the companion article “Symposium ($4 per bag) 5:00–5:30 p.m. ~ Annual Meeting on Rare Book Collections and History Bring a grocery bag or buy one for $1 5:30–6:15 p.m. ~ Appetizers and Cash Bar of Science” on page 1. A large exhibit on 6:15 p.m. ~ Dinner followed by speaker history of science in Special Collections 1:05–2:00 p.m., remaining books are free will complement the symposium.
976 Memorial Library March 17–August 1 Food Fun at Steenbock Library, September 20, 2013 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Monday–Friday Just desserts? No! Friends also sampled spring rolls, Special exhibit hours on Saturday, April 26. baked cheese squares, and the Steenbock Spritzer, a delicious fruit punch created by local chef Kevin Appleton. Here Chef Kevin showed us how easy it is to make spring rolls from locally grown fall vegetables. Culinary historian Dr. Traci Nathans-Kelly taught us about the micro-history hidden in community cookbooks, and we also toured Steenbock’s impressive cookbook collection. 10 | NEWS
Meet the Friends Board
ELEANOR ALBERT the knowledge of the campus libraries for Humanity (HFH) deconstruction is a lifelong book lover. available to the scholarly community and crew and their west-side Restore. “The Libraries have been the general public. Michael states, “I also collections of the Libraries are an important throughout benefit from the Libraries because they almost incomprehensibly vast cultural, her life as a student, give me the opportunity to read long out- intellectual, and academic resource. teacher, and parent; of-print books, hear rare recordings, and Serving as a member and volunteer for the they have been a source experience many other treasures of the Friends gives me the opportunity, in some of inspiration, education, and support. Libraries.” He thoroughly enjoys working small way, to contribute to that resource.” Eleanor values the excellence of the with an organization that advocates for campus libraries. She became involved this incredible institution. JOHN DILLON, with the Friends to help the UW Libraries formerly European be “the best they can be for future MARIA SAFFIOTTI Humanities Biblio- generations of students.” DALE, the current grapher at Memorial board president, is Library, retired from PAT BENDER is a curator of paintings, the UW–Madison teacher and lifelong sculpture, and Libraries in August student, and the decorative arts at the 2012 as Distinguished Academic Libraries represent Chazen Museum of Art Librarian. He continues to have a to her a permanent at UW–Madison. She has been on the scholarly interest in aspects of medieval repository of know- Friends Board since 2005. Maria has an and early modern literary writing in Latin. ledge. Membership in expertise in medieval and Renaissance The campus libraries are important to the Friends is a way to help ensure that illuminated manuscripts and a passion him as a scholar because their collections this knowledge is preserved for future for old books. “Understanding how and services offer irreplaceable assistance generations. Pat values her membership in books were made—the archaeology of the in his scholarly work. And they are the Friends because it provides her with a book—can lead to a better understanding important to him as a citizen inasmuch community of thoughtful and dedicated of history and culture.” Maria believes as they constitute an extraordinary public readers, and provides a practical way to that the Libraries play a crucial role in resource supporting higher learning assist the development of the Libraries preserving that history and the Friends and discovery across a great multitude for the coming generation. “Working help support campus libraries in this of disciplines. John is involved with the together we can make a real contribution important mission. Friends of the Libraries because it provides to the advancement of knowledge.” him an opportunity to continue service JIM DAST is a gradu- on behalf of the remarkable libraries at MICHAEL CHAIM, ate of Michigan State UW–Madison. the current board University and has two vice president, was in master degrees from KEN FRAZIER is the the book business for the UW–Madison. He director emeritus of the almost 25 years and retired in 1997 after UW–Madison Libraries books continue to be serving for 20 years and continues to be an interest and passion as the conservator of the UW Libraries a strong supporter of for him. His involvement in the Friends general library collections. He has been Wisconsin’s academic provides him with an opportunity to significantly involved with the Friends and public libraries. support the Libraries’ goal of making Book Sale since its inception and has The Libraries, together with the been manager since about 2006. He is Wisconsin Historical Society Library, also an active volunteer with the Habitat are important to him because they serve NEWS | 11
as our state’s deepest resource for people KATHRYN JONES, it is often forgotten that receiving who have scholarly, historical, or scientific the current board information via the printed word is a interests. “I’m a member of the Friends treasurer, is the registrar different, but often richer, experience. She because I’ve seen what a difference it at the UW Zoological believes it is vital that students continue makes when a university community has Museum (UWZM). to be comfortable acquiring knowledge a great library and library services. At the She maintains and through this process, even if it is slower end of the day, we in the Friends are manages information and requires more focus. Beth joined the ‘book people’ and whatever technological concerning those collections and she Friends because “I want to help keep the format books may have in the future . . . prepares accession records for animals presence and breadth of the Libraries in we know that reading and the ‘printed which come to the Museum from research the public consciousness with events, word’ can transform a person’s world at all programs, Department of Natural lectures, and grants to libraries. I enjoy stages of life.” Resources, or local zoos. She also works working with a like-minded group and with the UWZM Galapagos Collection knowing exactly what is being supported. AL FRIEDMAN and makes regular trips to those islands. It is more fun and satisfying than worked in publishing Kathryn is an avid gardener and maintains contributing with a check.” and campus communi- a beautiful residence in Stoughton. She cation at UW–Madison has served on the Friends board since RICH LEFFLER is the for over thirty years 2009. Kathryn values the importance of editor emeritus of the until his retirement in accessible and comprehensive scholarly Documentary History 2010. He now serves on collections whether they are skeletons or of the Ratification of three volunteer boards (two on campus) books. the Constitution at and spends most of his free time on his UW–Madison, which farm near Spring Green. Libraries of all BETH KUBLY spent publishes all of the kinds are important to Al. “To me, every most of her working debates that took place over ratifying library is an archive of what we knew (or life in the field of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights thought we knew) and a starting place for continuing education in 1787–1791. The UW Libraries are what we can create, discover, and prove.” and as director for important to him because his academic Working with the Friends, he hopes college semester study- life has consisted of research that is to help secure those aspects of campus abroad programs. libraries that attract students and scholars The Libraries are very important to her as they collaborate and pursue new lines because in the age of digital technology, of thought. 12 | NEWS
BILL REEDER has YVONNE SCHOFER, had a long-standing the current board career in and love for secretary, was the zoology. He has worked humanities-English as a professor of zoology bibliographer at at UW–Madison Memorial Library and the University from 1980 until her of Texas–Austin and served as well as retirement in 2007. She maintained and director of the UW Zoological Museum developed several historically remarkable and the Texas Memorial Museum. He collections in literature, language, film grew up around books, as his father was a and theatre, which are housed both in the career-long teacher of bookbinding. Bill Memorial stacks and Special Collections. also has a lifelong interest in the history She became a Friend of the Libraries at made possible on this campus by the of printing and typography and has the start of her career and was invited to magnificent collections of theW isconsin donated volumes to the campus libraries join the Board shortly after retirement. Historical Society and Memorial Library. and Special Collections. He has been As a recipient of the Friends’ grants Rich became involved with the Friends involved with the Friends since 1989 in for special projects during her years at because, “It gives me an opportunity to part because they provide library outreach Memorial, she is particularly interested give back to the Libraries all they have as well as bringing support—monetary in promoting and supporting collection provided to me and to help during these and in-kind—to the campus libraries. development efforts, through the fiscally challenging times.” He currently is also volunteering at the awarding of acquisition grants to selectors, Zoological Museum, especially working especially in these times of inadequate ANNETTE MAHLER’s on continued development of the budgets. background is in History, Zoological Museum Library. Art History, and Studio Jennifer sessions, Art. Professionally she has MARY ROUSE has the student board been involved in various been an academic representative, is aspects of the visual arts, staff member at the currently a graduate including teaching art to UW–Madison and a student at the School middle school students, development and community servant for for Library and implementation of art programming for more than forty years. Information Studies. elementary students, critical writing, and She was the director of A Madison native, she became involved gallery show installations. As someone the Morgridge Center for Public Service with public service in libraries while doing with an interest in typography, paper, (MCPS) from 1999 to 2005, which she her undergraduate work at UW–Eau and books, Annette says, “The campus established in 1996 together with other Claire. She has worked in six different libraries are like the most magnificent campus leaders. Currently, she serves as UW campus libraries. Jennifer’s goal is candy store for book lovers, covering all a part-time consultant there. From 1998 to work as a reference and instruction subject matters and ages.” She values the to 2000 she held the position of Dean of librarian at an undergraduate library. The campus research libraries because Students/Chief Student Affairs Office. UW campus libraries are important to they are a seminal part of the university, Committed to education, lifelong public her because of the ways in which they though mostly under-funded and under- service and civic engagement on and provide such a wealth of knowledge to all appreciated. As a Friend of the Libraries, off campus, she is a member of several their users. Jennifer is grateful to find such Annette hopes to increase the appreciation organizations, including the Friends a dedicated and energized group as the and support for this amazing resource. Board, The Friends of the WSUM student Friends that support the UW Libraries. radio, the Wisconsin Campus Compact Executive Committee, and Downtown Rotary of Madison. NEWS | 13
New Library Staff Ben uses those experiences in his JENNA HILLMER current position working with librarians, has been the student BEN STRAND learning about the diverse projects they assistant in the is the new are working on, and working on ways Friends office since Development to support their needs. Speaking about April 2013. Jenna Director for librarians, Ben said, “Everyone is so is a junior at UW– Campus Libraries interested in and dedicated to the material Madison majoring at the University they work with and they really are experts in Communication Arts with a certificate of Wisconsin in their fields.T o be around them, in digital studies. Jenna is particularly Foundation. Ben is new to the position, witnessing the passion that they have, is interested in social media, social media but not to Madison as he received really inspiring.” He added that “Libraries marketing, and the effect that digital his undergraduate degree in English are really at the forefront of changes in technology has on communication in and Classical Humanities from UW– education and technology, and there are the workplace today. Jenna is originally Madison in 1996. Previously Ben some really exciting things going on.” from Appleton, WI where her older served as the Development Director Ben is also working with many UW– sister, Tessa, and parents still reside. She and Assistant Director for the Young Madison alumni who he has found have is a 2011 graduate of Appleton North Auditorium, a 1,300-seat performing a great affinity for their campus libraries. High School and a 2011 State Champion arts center at UW–Whitewater. He did He has also discovered that some of the in soccer. In her spare time she enjoys outreach and programming, on campus larger library donors are not alumni, but reading mystery novels, listening to music, and with the community. One of the individuals who have a special interest in hanging out with friends, and cheering notable initiatives he worked on was the a collection. on all the Badger sports teams. Jenna National Endowment for the Arts Big Ben went on to say, “I really enjoy is also employed by the UW–Madison Read program, which involved jointly the work I do, and every week I’m just Athletic Department as a guest services programmed events and outreach with so surprised with the new things I learn representative, which she has done since twenty-four libraries in southeastern about the Libraries—like last week I saw the summer of 2012. So look for her in Wisconsin. Ben said, “The more the five extinct passenger pigeons at the the Friends office and at Badger football creative the outreach to the community Zoological Museum Research Library! and basketball games! we proposed, the better. The whole And then there are all the other amazing premise of NEA’s Big Read program is things going on within the Libraries, like to reach non-readers, so involving K–12 Parallel Press and Silver Buckle Press. students as well as reaching parents and Every week there’s just more and more to grandparents in a way that highlighted discover.” what their kids were doing in school was Ben is married to Kari and they have really effective.” Not only did he write a son Leo who is nine, and a daughter the grants, but he was able to leverage Sadie who is three. They also have two their annual NEA funds by finding new cats, Poppy and Martha. The Strands live individual and business sponsors. in Milton, WI, and of course are frequent visitors to their local library. For more information about Ben and his work, go to the Library News & Events website: http://library.wisc.edu/news/ 14 | NEWS
Adventures of a Library Bibliographer
Todd Michelson-Ambelang, Scandinavian Humanities and Classics Librarian
This summer Friends grants helped five UW–Madison library bibliographers travel to acquire new items. Establishing personal relationships with publishers and booksellers is important to collection development. While it seems like purchasing a book is just a click away on the Internet, acquisition for academic collections often requires a lot of research and travel.
hanks to a generous grant from Denmark. This is because the University Tthe Friends, I was able to travel of Minnesota primarily collects Swedish to Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and and Finnish items, and the University of Germany during summer 2013. The Chicago focuses on Norway. Collecting Scandinavian leg of the trip lasted ten materials with an emphasis on Denmark days. I was based in Copenhagen and allows the UW Libraries to develop traveled to Lund, Sweden, for one day, unique collections. I also collect materials and Oslo, Norway, for two days. Then about Greenland which is part of the I went to Wiesbaden, Germany, for one Kingdom of Denmark. Each step toward day. These trips allowed me to visit with its independence from the government book distributors and introduce myself of Denmark provides more and more as the new librarian for Scandinavian insights into Greenland’s unique literary Humanities and Classics. Each leg of the and cultural traditions. The collection will journey had a different goal and proved to not be large but it will provide resources be very successful. on general literary trends in Greenland. In Copenhagen, I went to Arnold In Lund, Sweden, a university town Busck, one of its largest bookshops. I met over the Øresund Bridge and just under with point person Jesper Brøgger Larsen an hour’s train journey from Copenhagen, to find out if it would be possible to order I met with people at two local bookstores. books on Greenland and Greenlandic I wanted to institute a purchasing literature in Danish translation. Memorial relationship so that it will be easier for Library purchases items from all Nordic me to order books. Both bookstores were countries but tries to focus on Denmark very willing to help, although there are and Norway with an emphasis on a number of issues that we need to work through. First, there is no equivalent to Amazon.com in Scandinavia. Each NEWS | 15
Scandinavian Studies. Professor DuBois teaches North Sámi every few years; graduate students come from around the world to work with him. The Libraries have very few Sámi books, and even fewer written in North Sámi. The collection is modest but contains the essentials for a student taking the language or working on a Masters or Ph.D. needing general knowledge of the North Sámi language, literature, and culture. The final leg of my trip was in Wiesbaden, Germany, to visit Harrassowitz, a book and serials vendor based in Germany specializing in collecting books from around the world. At Harrassowitz, I met with Nadja Dorn- Lange and Friedemann Weigel, two of the managing partners. They gave me a tour of the facility and explained its history and services. They introduced me to the staff who would work with me to order books for Memorial Library. The staff interviewed me to see what my areas of interest are and arranged for emails to alert me to resources in the areas of Scandinavian Humanities and Classics. Four cities, four countries, four languages, and five meetings and tours later, I have moved forward in representing minority languages and cultures from two Nordic countries at Memorial Library. I renewed and created relationships with five vendors in Scandinavia and had an amazing time doing so. Many thanks to the Friends for the generous support allowing this trip to country has its own online shop. Second, In Oslo, Norway, I met with Ellen happen. Nordic countries are so small and sparsely Sandlie our point person at Norli, a large populated that Nordic residents don’t bookstore in the center of the city, to really understand why we would be obtain books written in North Sámi, a interested in their books. Third, there is a language prevalent in the northern parts significant amount of paperwork required of Norway, Sweden, and Finland. Before to send books to the U.S. and the staff the trip, I consulted with UW–Madison are not always interested in completing Professor Tom DuBois for suggestions it. I am hopeful that these issues can be on books written in North Sámi for overcome. our students in the Department of riends Nonprofit Organization F NEWS U.S. Postage University of Wisconsin–Madison Libraries PAID Madison, WI Friends of the Permit No. 658 University of Wisconsin–Madison Libraries 330H Memorial Library 728 State Street Madison, WI 53706
Become a Friend! Sustaining Membership, $200–$499 The Friends of the UW–Madison Libraries exists to support Benefits include all the above, plus: the Libraries’ mission and goals, with particular attention to • A special Tuesday night preview of the semiannual book sales maintaining, expanding, and preserving the Libraries’ collections. • A hand-printed keepsake from Silver Buckle Press The Friends host events to increase awareness of the Libraries, • A one-year gift membership for a friend or relative provide funds to help with resource and preservation needs, and fund visiting scholars through a Grants-in-Aid program. The Benefactor Membership, $500 & above Friends programs are funded through memberships, donations, Benefits include all the above, plus: and the semiannual book sales. • Custom library tour with Friends board member/s
Choose Your Giving Level Student Membership, $15 Contributing Individual Membership, $40–$199 Benefits include: Benefits at this level are: • Contributing Individual Friends Membership benefits • Borrowing privileges to campus libraries • Free admission to the Wednesday preview night of the • Invitations to receptions, the Friends Annual Dinner, and semiannual book sales other special events • Friends publications To become a Friends member, please send a check, payable to: Friends of the UW–Madison Libraries Contributing Household Membership, $75–$199 330H Memorial Library Benefits at this level include all the above plus: 728 State Street • Borrowing privileges for additional household members Madison, WI 53706