The Oregon StateMessenger University Libraries and Press Summer 2021
Library services continue during COVID-19, but it’s definitely not business as usual
“I have always been impressed with our library at OSU — and have come to appreciate it even more during the pandemic. I know you are all slammed with work and requests, but count me as one of your many grateful patrons.” — Oregon State instructor, Feb. 1, 2021 FROM THE INTERIM UNIVERSITY LIBRARIAN IN THIS ISSUE
DEPARTMENTS Page 4 — Postcards to Campus 3 From the Interim University Librarian community art project inspires 4 What’s New creativity and connection Meeting the challenges 7 Student Focus of challenging times 13 Donor News 15 OSU Press 18 New Employees and Retirements 19 From the Archives
As I write this, there are reminders that we have been meeting the departments worked together to create safe and effective challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic for more than a workspaces in the Valley Library for everyone who uses it. Page 10 — Messages from a pandemic: students and year. I do not think anyone fully understood a year ago what was This was a team effort, made possible by the commitment and faculty tell us how important our libraries really are in store for us. It has been exhausting and stressful, but we have resilience of library workers. seen over and over how important the Libraries and Press are to I cannot imagine a better tribute to our commitment to building student success and research excellence at Oregon State. connections than the Postcards to Campus project, which Robin I am thankful every day for the people who make OSU Libraries Weis and Dan Moret describe in this issue. In the spring of and Press the amazing organization that it is. I think Isaiah 2021, OSU Today, the university’s daily email newsletter, McGuire, one of our student workers featured in this issue, started highlighting submissions to Postcards to Campus in said it best: some of our work changed in the last year, but our every issue. Even on my most stressful days, seeing those commitments and our values did not. postcards from the OSU community is a bright spot. This There is a section in our strategic plan that I think about a lot. project is still active, so check it out. I can assure you that we see It says our contributions are rooted in the relationships that and appreciate every one of these little points of connection! To make a gift to the Oregon State University Libraries and Press, go to library.oregonstate.edu/giving. we build. At OSU, the libraries are uniquely positioned to This issue also highlights the 60th anniversary of the OSU create connections across colleges, disciplines and programs Press. I was especially struck by the conversation between in Corvallis and around the state. Our services and spaces Richard Brown and Brian Benson, authors of the recently Summer 2021 are intended for everyone, and we invest time, energy and released This is Not for You: An Activist’s Journey of Resistance The Messenger Vol. 35, No. 1 resources to make them as accessible and equitable as we can. and Resilience. Their conversation shows the deep relationship The pandemic tested us: Making our resources and services that the Press has with its community, and the ways that available to researchers and students working around the state writing, frequently understood as a solitary act, is also rooted Oregon State University and the world was a big job. We did it, though, and we were able in relationships and connections. I’ve been thinking a lot about Libraries and Press Daniel Moret Project Management Assistance to do it because we worked together. what Tom Booth says about the Press in this issue — that the 121 Valley Library Messenger Editor, Lead Writer and Erika Pierce, University Marketing Corvallis, OR 97331-4501 Photo Editor We all know that libraries are great at connecting people with books that we publish provide “readers with new ways to 541-737-4633 OSU Libraries Marketing and On the Cover resources. We teamed up with campus partners like University understand what it means to be an Oregonian.” Communications Manager The statue on the east side of the Valley Information and Technology and the Human Services Resource Of course, some of the most important relationships that we Anne-Marie Deitering [email protected] Library was recently seen sporting a Center to get our laptops and wireless hotspots into the hands have are with our library supporters. We could not do any The Interim Donald and Delpha new mask and umbrella. The statue of of the students and researchers who needed them. Working of the things we do without all of the people around the Graphic Design Campbell University Librarian Slovak author Martin Kukucin reading a together, we were able to extend the reach of our services country who are deeply invested in our work and in helping [email protected] Christian Jimenez, University Marketing book was created by Ivan Mestrovic. further than any of us would have been able to accomplish us support Oregon State University. Thank you again for your Copy Editing alone. In these pages, you’ll hear from the OSU community in support and generosity. Gary Dulude, Ashley Locke, their own voices about the different ways that OSU Libraries University Marketing and Press helped them navigate these challenging times. All the best, Library departments teamed up to digitize essential The Messenger magazine is published twice annually by the Oregon State University Libraries and Press. materials so that students and researchers could access them Anne-Marie Deitering Issues are also available online at library.oregonstate.edu/the-messenger-recent-issue. anywhere. As Margaret Mellinger and Lucinda Amerman explain Interim Delpha and Donald Campbell University Librarian Have a change for our mailing list? Contact Megan Lawrence at [email protected]. in this issue, staff from public, building and technology services
library.oregonstate.edu facebook.com/TheValleyLibrary twitter.com/OSUValleyLib THE MESSENGER SUMMER 2021 3 WHAT’S NEW WHAT’S NEW
Postcards to Campus community art project “These postcards are glimpses into the soul of the community, and this inspires creativity and connection community is beautiful.” — Robin Weis By Daniel Moret
Who doesn’t like postcards? They arrive Besides being fun, the postcard project say ‘hello’ always warm my heart. This archived through the OSU Libraries from friends and family as personalized accomplishes worthwhile goals by project has been a joy to work on, and Special Collections and Archives and visual correspondence that lets us increasing a sense of community despite I hope it opens up a dialogue about Research Center and featured on know that others are thinking fondly of us distanced learning and engagement, how and where we showcase elements SCARC’s COVID-19 Collecting Project at while they’re having a blast in Italy, New and it’s an inclusive, intersectional of community art. These postcards are beav.es/3qe. York or Yosemite. And they’ve been extra space for student creativity and voices. glimpses into the soul of the community, “Some postcards have made their way special this spring after being sheltered in It beautifies the windows of the Valley and this community is beautiful.” from Eugene, Portland, Cleveland and our homes for a year. Library and inspires interest in the virtual Inspired in part by postsecret.com, this even the United Kingdom,” Weis says. With the happy magic of postcards in mind, and physical resources at the library. project asks students, staff and faculty to “Seeing cards make their way back home OSU Libraries launched the Postcards “To me, this project embraces so many write a postcard with an anonymous note to to campus is a very rewarding process and to Campus community art project — of the things I absolutely love about campus. Postcards could be mailed, dropped a testament to how much the community encouraging students, staff and faculty OSU,” says student employee Robin off or uploaded online. The Postcards connects to OSU.” to write a postcard and send it to campus. Weis, an art major who is student to Campus project was accepting Some of the postcards received so far are outreach coordinator in the library’s submissions through June 11. little works of art with wistful or comical Teaching and Engagement Department. Postcards submitted are on display in feelings about life during COVID-19. “Since OSU is nestled in Corvallis, the Valley Library’s rotunda windows, the public murals, sculptures and on the Postcards to Campus website at willingness of everyone to stop and beav.es/JR7 (the caps are necessary),
4 OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES AND PRESS THE MESSENGER SUMMER 2021 5 WHAT’S NEW STUDENT FOCUS
‘While our roles as student workers have changed, the library’s mission has not’ A student employee talks about working during the COVID-19 pandemic and creating masks for health care workers By Isaiah McGuire, Political Science and Philosophy major
The role of student workers at the Valley The library’s efforts to provide 3D-printed Library has changed drastically during masks for health care workers underwent COVID-19. As the library has worked to a lot of changes throughout the process. ensure that it can still provide students While we produced more than 100 masks The Valley Library is going solar with resources, our jobs and practices have of the final design for the hospital, in changed as well. We’re now quarantining addition to around 30 masks for the — thanks to a major grant borrowed items, cleaning workstations Corvallis Clinic, the design of the masks New solar array will reduce operating costs and serve as a model after they’re used and monitoring social changed several times over the period distancing and mask wearing. that we printed them. The efforts of people across the world to design an Photo by Hannah O’Leary. All of these practices are on display for patrons visiting the library, and there’s effective 3D-printed mask to support health care workers during the mask Cost savings Other funding been a lot that’s gone into making sure By Rachel Burgess shortage meant that designs were quickly The solar system should reduce the electrical After Oregon State was awarded the EBSCO solar that students can access the resources OSU Libraries and Press has been awarded a made available, improved upon and $75,000 grant for the installation of solar panels at consumption of the building by an estimated $15,000 grant in the summer of 2020, Trelstad worked that they need throughout the school year. the Valley Library. This will be a key step toward the in the first full year of operations and by approximately with the university, library and the Oregon Clean The library has worked with professors replaced by even better versions. long-term vision of eliminating carbon emissions at $700,000 over the expected life of the system. Power Cooperative on funding the rest of the project. Through the funding partnership with to scan the chapters of book materials The final design that the hospital Oregon State, and the library will be one of the first Education OSU buildings to have solar panels. OCPC, OSU is matched with a tax equity investor that they use in their classes so that requested, while slower to print and Through our digital screens in the library, slides to access federal tax credits that will finance students can access them online. From requiring more PLA filament, was far This grant from EBSCO will provide a funding will inform and educate library visitors about the around 26% of the system. The investor owns the match to install an approximately 211-kilowatt, rooftop solar array by displaying real-time data system, and the university buys the power from the beginning of Oregon State’s response sturdier and more effective than the initial Some of the colorful masks that grid-tied, photovoltaic solar array on the library’s related to energy consumption and savings. it at a rate cheaper than the local electric utility, to COVID-19 and now, library student design. PLA filament is a vegetable-based were printed and the 3D printers roof. The solar installation will follow a reroofing of Campus support and leadership reducing the upfront cost to the university. At workers have scanned more than 875 plastic material used in 3D printing. Since that were used to create them. the Valley Library. year 10, OSU will buy the system at a depreciated By sharing our story campus-wide, we show our course materials that students can use it is made from renewable resources such “When we pair a reroofing project with solar, it’s value (estimated at under $15,000), or OCPC will support of the many students and organizations ideal!” says Brandon Trelstad, sustainability officer donate the system to Oregon State. without needing to request a physical copy as corn starch, tapioca roots or sugar cane, who have advocated for sustainability initiatives in Oregon State’s Sustainability Office. “Having of the book. it is more environmentally friendly than 3D and can now see results of their work. The solar Going forward grant funding from EBSCO for this project also array on the Valley Library will be an example for printing materials made from petroleum. helps tremendously. Solar electrical systems have The goal to install solar panels accelerated the need Between March and April 2020 — during other OSU units, and the library solar project is The whole of the mask being printed to become much more affordable in the last 10 years, to replace the 25-year-old roof on the Valley Library. the mask shortage that occurred at the already sparking interest from campus leaders and I expect to see Oregon State expand our solar That project is currently being planned, and the solar shape also meant that this design required working on other solar installations. beginning of the pandemic — the library resources substantially in 2021. The solar electric panel installation will follow in 2022. less prep time to be system at the Valley Library, targeting about also repurposed its Sustainability The solar initiative is a positive one to work on at a “We received your made usable. Instead of 200,000 watts of power, will help move OSU time when so much human energy at Oregon State 3D printers to make The solar panels are just one of the university’s needing to mold masks toward our goal of carbon neutrality.” is focused on the pandemic. This is a project that reusable plastic masks donation of masks made moves toward energy efficiency. In partnership with before fitting, they could The installation of a solar array expands the Oregon State’s facilities department, the library is the library is proud to be involved in and will provide for use by staff at Good many long-term benefits. Especially on the sunnier by the 3D printers at the library’s existing sustainability practices and will currently converting to LED lighting (see below), Samaritan Regional quickly be put together. provide multiple benefits. and future plans will include upgrades to building days ahead. OSU Library — thank you and lighting controls as well as heating, ventilation Medical Center in Throughout this difficult and air conditioning systems. Corvallis and the so very much for your time, the library has Corvallis Clinic. I was kindness shown to our continued to support so excited when we clinical community.” our community and our first started printing students. While our Valley Library switches to LED bulbs, electricity savings should be 50% or more masks, since there had been a fair bit of roles as student workers have changed, The Valley Library is partnering with Oregon State’s campus facilities and electrical shop to update the lighting in the building from fluorescent coverage in the news in March and April the library’s mission has not, and we will A mask with the changeable bulbs to LEDs during spring term. that, in facing the global mask shortage, continue to look for ways to safely and filter yet to be inserted. The six-floor library has more than 330,000 square feet of space, and most of it is lit throughout the day and evening. With LEDs, the library could people had begun designing masks for effectively provide resources like research cut the amount of electricity used for lighting by more than half. These savings on electricity can then provide funding for other worthy projects. 3D printers. materials and study spaces. And, along the way, try to help our community.
6 OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES AND PRESS THE MESSENGER SUMMER 2021 7 WHAT’S NEW
Using technology and resilience to create safe study spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic
By Lucinda Amerman and Margaret Mellinger
The Valley Library is truly the heart of Oregon State University. To manage occupancy and encourage students to follow It is the most visited building on campus, and library spaces are health guidelines like physical distancing and mask wearing, used in a multitude of ways. The library is usually a busy place we instituted LibCal Seats, an online reservation system. This for studying, tutoring, picking up materials and much more. platform allows us to monitor occupancy and provide time for
Community members also depend on the library for access to cleaning spaces in between reservations. Student Hannah Sims, wearing a mask and practicing computers and the internet. As we planned for reopening, we were specifically thinking about physical distancing, works on her laptop at the Valley In March 2020, we suddenly shifted from being open and busy to students who would be living on campus where few buildings Library. Photo by Emma Pattee. being closed to the public — like many other academic libraries. would be open for studying, students who had limited access When the university moved to remote operations, most library to Wi-Fi and remote class equipment, along with community staff did too. Materials already checked out to library users were patrons with fewer computer options since the Corvallis-Benton renewed indefinitely. We shifted to electronic delivery of library County Public Library was also limiting hours. LibCal Seats The information desk is a vital part of the reservation process of the spaces, create detailed reports and export booking resources as much as we could, and we mailed materials to allowed library users to reserve quiet study spaces in the in two different ways. First, because an OSU login is needed to information out of the system for analysis. One decision that we library users when we couldn’t make them available digitally. library’s rotunda and computers in the Learning Commons. make a reservation, our community members who are not OSU made with this data was to extend the reservation time from two students or employees cannot make reservations for themselves. hours to four. While preparing to close the building, we determined which Keeping spaces safe and accessible was the driving force behind Information desk staff make these reservations for community As we’d hoped, the reservation model improved safety guideline library services we could still offer and which staff were essential every decision that we made. Patrons would need to be able patrons, either in person or over the phone. to offering those services. Guidance from the university was to easily make an online reservation, and then comfortably compliance among students using our building. Midway changing frequently as new information came out about navigate a limited-access building to find their reserved seat. Patrons seldom come to the library for a single purpose, and this through the term, we learned that mask-wearing compliance at COVID-19. Once the library building was closed, essential staff Staff would need to be able to assist with creating and confirming is the second way that the information desk helps out. A student the library was significantly better than any other building on worked on-site to support an all-remote term — much of the reservations, track when spaces had been used, clean seats in a may need to use a scanner, a computer and a printer all in the campus. Students repeatedly told us that they felt the library work involved moving all the course reserves to digital delivery. timely manner and enforce safety protocols. same visit — so having a student move from a computer to a was the safest space. scanner and back to a computer requires multiple reservations. While we employed technology to create the reservation We knew that we’d be reopening in some fashion as the A new reservation system meant developing a new workflow for Information desk staff set up the necessary reservations so a pandemic got more under control, and we wanted to be more staff. One adjustment was the role of our concierge station. At system, LibCal Seats was only one aspect of the larger reopening patron can move from one place to the next while still allowing project. Our success is largely attributable to the sustained and prepared for reopening the libraries than we were for our abrupt the beginning of each term, we have a concierge in our library us to track usage and ensure that our spaces are safe and clean. closures. To plan for that, library administration formed four lobby to greet users and answer questions, especially in the significant efforts of a number of essential staff who reorganized working groups: support for remote work, communications, fall when many students are new to the campus and the Valley The circulation desk is currently separated from the public so the space, developed new service models and workflows, and phasing in services and safe workplace. Library. We repurposed this idea to create a welcoming and safe that face-to-face interactions are limited to the service window trained staff and students. In September, one of our staff said and the host station. Materials are picked up and dropped off that reopening with the reservation model and COVID-19 In June, we learned that the Valley Library would reopen in environment. Now the concierge greets patrons at the door to confirm reservations and remind them about safety requirements at the service window, while the host station handles most protocols was like learning an entirely new job. September after having the building closed to the public for five navigational questions. months. Library administration worked with university planners such as face coverings. If the patron doesn’t have a reservation, Library staff and student workers showed perseverance and to open some library spaces while keeping the building clean and the concierge creates one after a few quick questions. Once LibCal Seats was set up and employees were trained in resilience in implementing the new service model, which is safe. We wanted to balance the need to provide study spaces, Once the concierge has confirmed a reservation, the host guides using it, it was easy to add other categories of services including running smoothly as all have adjusted to the new workflows. It’s printing, Wi-Fi access and research help with the need to keep our patron to their reserved seat while explaining the changes express printing, scanners and microform machines. Setting up never all about the technology. Our staff and student workers are students and staff as safe as possible. that have been made to our interior spaces. The host goes the Special Collections and Archives Research Center, which our most valuable resource, and since reopening last September, over policies and procedures, points out available services and is located on the library’s fifth floor, in the reservation system they’ve been interacting with every visitor to the Valley Library. When the Valley Library building did reopen on Sept. 8, only the allowed their staff to hold in-person consultations on the main main (second) floor and Java II coffee shop spaces were open to where the patron can go for help. The host can also answer any questions that patrons may have. (second) floor. Student Multimedia Services, which has a service patrons. Hours of operation were limited to Monday through center in the library, was also set up with its own categories and Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. In preparation, our Wi-Fi was extended The host also handles the transition of a seat from one patron spaces to meet their unique needs. out in front of the building for tent seating, and essential library to the next by tracking reservations on an iPad and gently staff rearranged the main floor of the library to conform to reminding patrons when their reserved time is close to ending. The statistics and reports that LibCal Seats provides are valuable distancing guidelines and set up cleaning protocols. The host cleans the seat after they have left and flips over a sign in guiding policy decisions. We can see real-time occupancy indicating that this seat is ready for the next patron.
8 OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES AND PRESS THE MESSENGER SUMMER 2021 9 WHAT’S NEW WHAT’S NEW
Messages from a pandemic: Students and faculty tell us how important our libraries really are
During the challenging pandemic over the “Thank you so much! I am so thankful “I walked out of the building, and there last year, we at OSU Libraries certainly FROM OSU STAFF “Y’all are amazing, really! I am just amazed and impressed by all of the hard work and was a grad student sitting out front. She missed seeing students, faculty and at what you all are doing to support thoughtfulness that you provide to the asked me if the library was ever going to co-workers. But working remotely hasn’t students during this time! ♥ Valley Ecampus students! So amazing!” open again. I told her that it would, but stopped us from striving to provide Library and Student Multimedia Studio!” — ECAMPUS STUDENT, OCT. 9, 2020 we didn’t know when. She proceeded to excellent resources and compassionate tell me that she did her undergrad and — HUMAN SERVICES RESOURCE “I am a new freshman at OSU. I am service. In return, we’ve been hearing from grad work and has been studying in here CENTER STAFFER, JUNE 23, 2020 sending this email to commend one of a lot of library users, and their messages for the last six years and is sad that she is the employees at the Valley Library for make our day. Here’s a sampling. graduating this term and can’t be in here. FROM OSU STUDENTS their excellent service. She was very She said, ‘I mean, if I don’t study in the FROM OSU FACULTY “I just wanted to thank everyone at professional and caring. In addition, the Valley Library for sticking with me library this term, did I even graduate?’” “I’m sitting out here on my patio in the she was very patient with my many through my research process and being — REPORTED BY A VALLEY LIBRARY EMPLOYEE, shade (laptop in a cardboard box so I can questions and answered them quickly so gracious with the library’s resources. I MAY 6, 2020 read the screen) pulling out full versions and completely. I also wanted to take this know you are all just doing your jobs, but I of journal articles to inform an Extension opportunity to thank the Valley Library FROM A STUDENT EMPLOYEE think the way you helped me went beyond publication I’m going to write. And I’m for working with the HSRC [Human AT THE VALLEY LIBRARY that. You have helped expand my access Services Resource Center] to help provide feeling grateful for that, so I wanted to “I’ve been extremely fortunate over the to knowledge, not restrict it.” textbooks for students. It is a very say THANKS to everybody in the library past few years to have gotten to work — OREGON STATE STUDENT, SEPT. 9, 2020 beneficial program.” for keeping the information flowing. In at SCARC [the Special Collections and the College of Ag, when we’re being really “In the 21st century as a college student, — FIRST-YEAR STUDENT, SEPT. 24, 2020 Archives Research Center, a department sincere with our thanks, we write it in all not having a laptop is like not having “I would say school feels significantly within OSU Libraries]. Up until I took this caps like that.” gloves, masks or soap and still trying to more stressful and difficult since we’ve job, I never understood what it felt like to — COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES navigate this COVID-19 pandemic. There switched to remote learning. For me be motivated to go into work and to be truly PROFESSOR, APRIL 8, 2020 is a very slight chance that I will succeed. personally, I don’t have the most stable excited about the work that I’m doing.” “Thank you! I see all my books have been By providing me with a laptop, especially laptop — it consistently freezes, shuts — SCARC STUDENT ARCHIVIST, OCT. 9, 2020 renewed to January. I will hope that by during this era of taking classes remotely, down out of nowhere, can’t run basic the new year sometime, I can enjoy at you continue to pave the way for success. programs necessary for my engineering FROM A PATRON OF THE least seeing the campus and lovely library I can only be grateful.” courses and can’t even have more than 3+ SPECIAL COLLECTIONS AND again. In the meantime, I’m still studying — OREGON STATE STUDENT, APRIL 24, 2020 tabs open simultaneously. A stable laptop, ARCHIVES RESEARCH CENTER all those books!” “I know this is no small feat for anyone which was provided by HSRC/Library, has “You are a miracle worker. I can’t thank — “A MEDICALLY VULNERABLE PROFESSOR,” involved, but it brings me a little bit of simply made my experiences much better. you enough for your assistance. It is my SEPT. 17, 2020 joy to have a place where I am allowed to I’m able to take notes easier and run hope when the library is open to the “Thank you so much and for all you safely exist outside of my home. Please programs much more smoothly. A lot of public, I can thank you personally!” my assignments are computer-based, so are doing to support the students and know I have been and will continue to be — LIBRARY PATRON, JUNE 25, 2020 instructional staff. You are amazing!” safe, cautious and responsible. We are all without a laptop, I can’t imagine how I can succeed this term.” — COLLEGE OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN depending on each other, and I am truly SCIENCES INSTRUCTOR, APRIL 23, 2020 grateful for your efforts.” — ENGINEERING STUDENT, APRIL 20, 2020 “I am continuously impressed with the — HATFIELD MARINE SCIENCE CENTER STUDENT, scope and speed at which you all adapt SENT AFTER THE RE-OPENING OF THE GUIN LIBRARY BUILDING, SEPT. 30, 2020 and provide for our campus. I thought this “Librarians are lifesavers. You guys was true in the best of times, but now the are absolutely essential workers. tasks you all are undertaking are kind of Have a great weekend.” mind blowing. So, thank you!” — VALLEY LIBRARY CHAT LINE, — OREGON STATE INSTRUCTOR, JAN. 7, 2021 JULY 17, 2020
10 OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES AND PRESS THE MESSENGER SUMMER 2021 11 WHAT’S NEW: NEWS IN BRIEF WHAT’S NEW / DONOR NEWS
Wikipedia edit-a-thons continue to add Lundeen award winners announced New publications by library faculty and staff diversity to history The Lundeen Award Committee of OSU Libraries is pleased Natalia Fernández, interim director of the Special Collections So what’s a Wikipedia edit-a-thon? Wikipedia defines these as to announce the winners of the spring 2021 Lundeen Awards. and Archives Research Center within OSU Libraries, has written “an organized event where editors for online communities such The Robert Lundeen Library Faculty Development Award is an a chapter for a new book, Transformative Approaches to Social as Wikipedia edit and improve a specific topic or type of content, important gift to OSU Libraries that has supported innovative Justice Education: Equity and Access in the College Classroom. and edit-a-thons typically include basic editing training for new and exemplary library faculty project work for many years. The Her chapter is entitled Collaborations between Professors and editors. An edit-a-thon can be: a scheduled time where people Lundeen Award was established in 2003 by Bob Lundeen, former Archivists: Engaging Students with their Local Community edit Wikipedia together, whether offline, online or a mix of both; member of the Libraries’ Advisory Council. History. The book, edited by OSU’s Nana Osei-Kofi, Bradley typically focused on a specific topic, such as science or women’s Here are the most recent award winners: Boovy and Kali Furman, is a wonderful overview of some work history; and a way to give newcomers an insight into how being done at Oregon State and is for anyone with an interest in • Michael Boock and Zach Welhouse: $400 to hire a graduate Libraries and Press Wikipedia works.” teaching and learning in higher education from a social justice Oregon State University student to conduct a survey of OSU faculty about the open perspective and with a commitment to teaching all students. This year’s Writing Black History edit-a-thon that OSU Libraries access landscape at OSU. This is part of the work of the Open More info is at beav.es/35D. held in February was done remotely. Another edit-a-thon on and Sustainable Scholarship Committee, and survey results will Tiah Edmunson-Morton, curator of the Oregon Hops and “Lifes most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?”’ March 19 focused on women scientists and was sponsored by contribute to the committee’s efforts to establish principles — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. OSU Libraries and Press, Stanford Libraries and AfroCROWD. that articulate what OSU scholars seek from scholarly Brewing Archives that are housed in the Valley Library, had her digital press essay, Brewing industry in Oregon, published in “Librarians are lifesavers. You guys are absolutely essential workers. Have a great weekend.” The edit-a-thon team from the Valley Library who organized and communication. — from a library user via the Valley Library’s online chat messaging, July 2020 ran these two events are Laurie Bridges, Tiah Edmunson-Morton, The Oregon Encyclopedia. The essay covers the history of the • Jane Nichols: $1,500 to cover the registration fees for the Diana Park and Ally Fripp. industry from the 1850s to the present day and is packed with an Public Voices Fellowship program at Oregon State, a training incredible amount of information about this fascinating aspect of Our new diversity scholar intern is and mentorship program. our state’s history. Read the online essay at beav.es/35K. Amir Rabiyah El-Chidiac • Hui Zhang: $120 for his AWS Cloud Practitioner Certification Clara Llebot and Hannah Gascho Rempel had an article New Impact Report for OSU Libraries and Press For the first time, the Diversity Scholar Program is hosting an Exam registration fee and practice exam. published in the Journal of Librarianship and Scholarly offers a picture of the previous year intern in addition to its diversity scholars. The Diversity Scholar Communication. Their article is entitled Why Won’t They committee was so impressed with Amir Rabiyah El-Chidiac’s Just Adopt Good Research Data Management Practices? An OSU Libraries and Press do a wide array of amazing stuff, and application and interview that a way was found for them to come Exploration of Research Teams and Librarians’ Role in Facilitating our annual Impact Report highlights the challenges and the work at OSU Libraries. El-Chidiac started working remotely in RDM Adoption, and it’s available at beav.es/3qP. accomplishments of the previous year. Read the latest Impact January and will be working with us for six months. Similar to Report at beav.es/3Sk. The Impact Report was written by a diversity scholar, El-Chidiac’s internship will include a semi- Daniel Moret, Marketing and Communications Manager for rotation through the library departments to get a feel for how an OSU Libraries, using information provided by OSU Libraries and academic library works. El-Chidiac is currently working toward Press administrators and department heads. a master’s in library and information science from North Contribute your pandemic experience Carolina Central University and earned a bachelor’s in women’s DONOR NEWS to OSU Libraries archives project studies from Portland State University. New gift from Albert and Ruth Parr supports the Special Collections and Archives Research Center The OSU Libraries Special Collections and Archives Research Jane Nichols selected for a Public Voices Fellowship Center invites contributions from the Oregon State community to Jane Nichols, who heads the Teaching and Engagement Their earlier gift of rare books is well-used by undergraduate and graduate students its archival collection that is documenting personal experiences Department of OSU Libraries, has been chosen in a competitive during the COVID-19 pandemic. Submit your text documents or process for a 2021 OSU Public Voices Fellowship. The Public Albert and Ruth Parr, past supporters books collection,” says Rare Books and According to Albert Parr, “As rare book digital images using an online form at beav.es/o8t. Oral history Voices Fellowship program is a prestigious national initiative of OSU Libraries, have established History of Science Librarian Anne Bahde. collectors, we want to support the use of interviews are also being collected. For more info, see launched by the OpEd Project to change who writes history. It the Albert and Ruth Parr Endowment “It has always been a pleasure to talk these valuable materials in research and beav.es/3qe. has been piloted at top universities across the country with the Fund. This fund, according to the official with Al and Ruth about their collecting teaching and their ongoing preservation.” Jane Nichols receives a Volunteer of the Year Award goal of enabling a more diverse set of thinkers to contribute to paperwork, “is to be used to support passions. The collection does hard work “The Parrs’ passion for the history important public discourse. the needs of OSU Libraries’ Special The Young Adult Library Services Association has named for us every quarter. Selections from of books and printing has already The fellowship offers a great opportunity for mid-career and Collections and Archives Research the Parr collection are often included substantially supported research and Jane Nichols of OSU Libraries as one of the winners in its Center, including but not limited to the 2021 Volunteer of the Year Awards. These awards recognize senior faculty members and administrators to receive training, in undergraduate and graduate class teaching at OSU,” says Bahde. “This engage with a network of high-level journalists, and be part of a acquisition of new materials and ongoing sessions in SCARC, and collection items endowment will enable us to continue individuals and groups who demonstrate “outstanding service to maintenance of collections.” the mission, goals and work of YALSA.” Nichols was honored for professional development cohort centering around public impact are used by students in diverse disciplines, that legacy in SCARC for years to come.” her work on a committee selecting the 2019 list of Outstanding and media communications. Nichols will be one of a cohort of “It has been my pleasure to know Al for diverse reasons.” Books for the College Bound and Lifelong Learners. Nichols heads 20 Oregon State faculty members who will receive this training and Ruth since I arrived at OSU in 2012, the Teaching and Engagement Department at OSU Libraries. and mentorship. More info about the Public Voices Fellowship shortly after they donated their rare project is at beav.es/3qs.
12 OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES AND PRESS THE MESSENGER SUMMER 2021 13 RETROSPECTIVE OSU PRESS
Reflections on OSU Press celebrates 60 years with a 60% 29 years in OSU discount on selected books all year long archives, part 2 The retired director of the Special Check out the sale — and our other books — on the redesigned website Collections and Archives Research Center looks back at the major highlights and challenges over three decades
Landis’ book, available from OSU Press, is By Larry Landis called A School for the People: A Photographic Larry Landis in the radiant Douglas Strain Reading History of Oregon State University. The book Room in the Special Collections and Archives Research is drawn from SCARC’s archive of hundreds Center on the Valley Library’s fifth floor. of thousands of images.
This is the second part of an article that began in the previous issue of The Messenger. To read part one, go to library.oregonstate.edu/the- University Archives, and a consultant brought in to of 2015. The large-format book was released that messenger-recent-issue. assess a merger concluded that there were many October and is called A School for the People: potential benefits and that the OSU Libraries should A Photographic History of Oregon State University. During my first decade at Oregon State, I was proceed with the merger. My personal take was that The book is available from OSU Press. struck by the significant collections at OSU and the rich collections and broad-ranging talents of other archives pertaining to underrepresented Several book-related events followed, including a the faculty and staff of the combined units would groups in Oregon. I was also frustrated that talk at Grass Roots Books and Music in Corvallis result in one of the strongest and largest archives none of us were doing a particularly good job of in March 2016 — the same evening that OSU’s programs in the state. Isaiah Holbrook, the promoting those collections and revealing the women’s basketball team defeated Baylor University 2019-20 George P. stories that they held. In October 2011, the Special Collections and Archives to secure their first NCAA Final Four tournament Griffis Publishing Research Center was created — coincidentally the appearance. My presentation was interspersed with In 2005, University Archives faculty member Intern for OSU Press. 50th anniversary of University Archives and the updates on the game. It was a double win for me, as Erika Castaño and I developed a proposal to 25th anniversary of Special Collections. I was made I’m an avid fan of OSU women’s basketball. Photo by Ashley Hay. library administration to create the Oregon director of the new department. Multicultural Archives to improve access to The apex of my career was the OSU150 celebration and promote OSU’s collections and similar One of the first endeavors undertaken by SCARC in 2017-18. In addition to the pictorial history book, I By Tom Booth collections at other institutions. The project was was the reemergence of an oral history program was part of the team that developed the major OSU approved, and Erika began devoting half of her at Oregon State, which had gone by the wayside exhibit displayed at the Oregon Historical Society in How would you describe living, working From the unprecedented challenges • The Press has launched its new website, time to the Oregon Multicultural Archives. with the closure of OSU’s Horner Museum in 1995. Portland from February to September 2018. and playing in Oregon? of the past year, the Press has featuring a more intuitive and user- In 2012, Chris Petersen completed oral history Two cornerstone collections acquired by the Oregon Public Broadcasting also created a emerged stronger and more focused friendly home for its full catalog of training and began interviewing many of the For 60 years, the Oregon State Oregon Multicultural Archives within its first documentary on Oregon State as part of its remaining associates of Linus Pauling, including on its mission than ever. To serve the books, author information, event listings two years were the personal papers of Annabelle “Oregon Experience” series. I coordinated the use University Press has been answering Linus Jr. Other interviews followed. Jaramillo, a Benton County commissioner and of historic photos from the Special Collections and that question by publishing exceptional university and the larger community of and in-depth blog posts. Check it out at former head of the Oregon Commission on This initial success led to SCARC undertaking a Archives Research Center and also appeared on books from diverse voices about the readers, the Press will strive to publish osupress.oregonstate.edu. Hispanic Affairs, and the historical records of the project in 2013 on behalf of OSU administration to camera. Chris Petersen facilitated the use of audio diverse topics and underrepresented Urban League of Portland. After Erika left OSU in complete 50 interviews of prominent faculty, staff, and video, including a large number of clips from the Pacific Northwest — its peoples and • The Press is retiring its longtime voices while seeking ways to engage new 2008, Natalia Fernández was hired as the Oregon students and alumni. This project, intended as a sesquicentennial oral history project. The result was landscapes, its flora and fauna, its publisher colophon — the publisher’s Multicultural Librarian in 2010. resource for the 150th anniversary of the university, a superb documentary that debuted at live events history and cultural heritage. The Press audiences. emblem on the spine and title page morphed into a major undertaking that resulted in in Corvallis, Portland and Bend to large audiences. In 2007, University Archives acquired the personal more than 240 interviews by 2017. The episode is available online at beav.es/3JA. has played a vital role in the region’s Here are some ways that the Press is of a book — that was a Beaver totem papers, collected photographs, library and historic literary life by providing readers with celebrating its 60th anniversary. designed in 1962 by then-OSU Press maps of Gerald Williams, who retired in 2005 Parallel to the oral history project was my work on a In August 2019, I made the decision to retire on July as the chief historian for the U.S. Forest Service pictorial history of the university, another component 1, 2020. Unfortunately, the pandemic put a hold on new ways to understand what it means • Throughout 2021, the Press is offering Art Director Virginia Taylor. To craft after spending much of his career in the Pacific of Oregon State’s sesquicentennial celebration in the search for a new SCARC director, though the to be an Oregonian. a 60% discount on a rotating selection a new colophon, the Press hired Asa Northwest. This collection became a cornerstone 2017-18. I’d discussed this idea for a book with the department is in good hands with Natalia Fernández Wright, a Klamath/Modoc artist and of the archives’ natural resources materials. It took OSU Press as early as 2004, and then it took nine serving as interim director. Founded in 1961 to extend Oregon of books — with a new selection of more than 10 years to fully arrange, describe and years before it became a reality. designer who has worked on projects The final four months of my time at Oregon State State’s mission as a land grant sale titles each month. To see the catalog this massive collection, which resulted in for Oregon State’s Native American I began the book project in early 2013 and spent were somewhat surreal — winding down my career institution, OSU Press publishes works featured books and learn about new more than 20 subcollections. most of that summer poring over thousands of while helping to guide SCARC and OSU Libraries of regional significance and lasting releases and upcoming author events, Longhouse. Look for the new Beaver Cliff Mead, hired in 1986 as the Libraries’ first photographs in our collections. I assigned potential through the challenges posed by the COVID-19 cultural value. As it begins its seventh subscribe to the Press’s monthly colophon — shown above — on the head of Special Collections, retired in 2010. I images to appropriate chapters, and then began pandemic. But I was blessed to have worked with spine of all new books from OSU Press. was designated as the interim head of Special writing the chapter narratives and captions. great colleagues and great collections at Oregon decade, the Press will continue to newsletter at osupress.oregonstate. Collections, in addition to my university archivist After several drafts, multiple rounds of editing State for 29 years. cultivate scholarship, promote creativity edu/subscribe. position. The library’s administration was and (unfortunately) eliminating dozens of superb and disseminate knowledge. considering merging Special Collections with photos, the manuscript went to press in the summer
14 OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES AND PRESS THE MESSENGER SUMMER 2021 15 OSU PRESS OSU PRESS
“I was thinking maybe I’d just make a pamphlet. And then I met Brian, and we got to talking, a lot, and somewhere in there, my little pamphlet turned into this book.” Brian Benson: “In January of 2017, I, like many white people in this country, was Richard Brown feeling ashamed of my country, and ashamed of myself, for not is 81 years old — being an engaged enough citizen. I had been thinking, a lot, about and he has some how I could use my writing as a form of activism, and I’d been exploring how I might use my skills to help amplify voices that lessons for us weren’t getting heard. “Then a friend introduced me to Richard Brown. All I knew about him, when we sat down for lunch, was that he was an activist, and he was trying to write something and was looking for help. That lunch lasted about three hours. I was just blown away by Mr. Brown — by who he was, and what he’d done, and how he’d spoken about it. “By the end of our lunch, I knew I wanted to help him with his book.” This Is Not for You is about how and why to become an engaged, activist citizen — and about how activists can stay grounded, no Black activist in Portland recounts his history and When we asked the authors about what compelled them to matter how deeply they immerse themselves in the work. It also collaborate on This Is Not For You, this is what they told us. offers his advice in a new memoir from OSU Press offers an intimate, firsthand look at policing: about what policing Richard Brown: By Marty Brown is and could be, about how civilians can have a say, and how “I’ve been an activist around police issues for years. I’ve done it police can and should be responsive to and inclusive of those In February 2021, just in time for Black History Month, OSU all: been in the streets with fellow activists, in squad cars with civilians’ voices. Press was proud to publish This is Not for You: An Activist’s the rank-and-file, in regular meetings with chiefs and mayors. The book speaks on every page about being Black in America: Journey of Resistance and Resilience. It’s the memoir of activist I have a lot to say about policing, and I don’t feel like people about Black pride, Black history and art and culture, and the and photographer Richard Brown, an 81-year-old Black Portlander always want to hear it, because I don’t have a badge or a Ph.D., experience of resisting white supremacy. And it stands as a who has worked to bridge the divide between police and the or maybe because I do have black skin. much-needed counter-narrative to the Portlandia TV show by Black community. For 16 years, he facilitated a weekly meeting “Well, in October of 2016, I was at a national community telling a different story about the city and who has shaped it. called Hope and Hard Work that brought police officers and policing conference, and after listening to the keynote speech, To order your copy, or to view a recorded event featuring Brown community members into the same room. which I just didn’t agree with at all, I went to try and bring my and Benson in conversation, visit our website at Originally from Harlem, Brown served in the U.S. Air Force for concerns up to the speaker. He didn’t want to hear me. Again, osupress.oregonstate.edu. 20 years before landing in Portland. As he recalls his childhood in this was nothing new, but it really upset me. I was getting so the 1940s, his radicalization in the newly desegregated Air Force, tired of asking good questions and getting bad answers, or no and his decades of activism in one of America’s whitest cities, he answers at all. Also, I was never more aware that there weren’t questions whether he’s got the strength to continue doing this many — maybe any — other people out there doing what I’d been Photos: Richard Brown, photo by work, and he wonders who, if anyone, will take his place. doing: acting as a bridge between police and the Black community. Antonio Harris; Brian Benson, photo by Casey Carpenter. Brown’s memoir was written in collaboration with Brian Benson, “And so I decided, in the weeks after that conference, that Illustration of Richard Brown by the author of Going Somewhere: A Bicycle Journey Across America, I needed to write something down, something about my Charlotte Lewis. published in 2014 by Plume Books. Originally from Wisconsin, perspective and accomplishments, something that would let Benson teaches creative nonfiction at the Attic Institute in police know why they ought to listen to me, and would also Portland and facilitates free writing workshops in schools, maybe inspire other civilians to follow in my footsteps. treatment centers and affordable housing.
16 OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES AND PRESS THE MESSENGER SUMMER 2021 17 NEW EMPLOYEES AND RETIREMENTS FROM THE ARCHIVES
NEW EMPLOYEES
Megan Lawrence Amris Allemand Prior to joining OSU Libraries, he led the began her role as joined the marketing efforts for the Eugene Water executive assistant Valley Library and Electric Board, the state’s largest to the university in December public utility, and for Lane Community librarian in 2020. Her library College, where he won national awards November 2020. She technician 3 role for print advertising campaigns and other previously served for the Library marketing efforts. as administrative Experience and assistant for Oregon Access Department According to Moret, “I did what I could State Athletics. Prior to that, Lawrence involves outreach and promotions and to increase the quality, branding and worked for University of Oklahoma assisting at the circulation and info desks. effectiveness of the marketing and Athletics as the coordinator of special communication efforts for OSU Libraries, events and the Varsity O Association. Allemand began working at libraries as a and I’ve always been a big believer in She earned a master’s in adult and page at Jackson County Library Services libraries, books and education. The most higher education as well as a bachelor’s in Medford, Oregon. Her most recent job satisfying elements of my job have been in business administration from the was associate librarian at the Mandel creating each issue of The Messenger University of Oklahoma. Public Library in West Palm Beach, — which I’ve compared to wrestling Florida, where she trained employees in an octopus — and working with and Sara Trott joined customer service, worked on the social mentoring student interns from OSU’s the Valley Library media committee and taught computer graphic design program.” in February as a classes. She also created the library’s After a half century of having a job, he’s library technician Binge Bundle collection, which was really looking forward to the freedom of 2 in the Library featured in American Libraries magazine not having one. And being free to travel TALONS AND THANES MEMBERS, 1969 Experience and in January 2020. She has a bachelor’s in and to choose what to do for fun and how Access Department. English from Southern Oregon University. to be creative each day. Trott previously worked in the Here’s what Phoenix Dawn Thomas, a From the Archives at OSU Libraries Lyons Public Library and the Mari-Linn graphic design intern who he supervised RETIREMENTS and mentored for two years, had to say School, both in Lyons, Oregon. She has a The Talons and Thanes were honorary societies for sophomores about Moret: master’s in library science from Emporia Daniel Moret — Talons for women and Thanes for men. The organizations were State University and a bachelor’s in is retiring in July “His many strengths have made my created in the 1930s, and their original focus was to ensure that communications and political science from after six years as experience working at the Valley Library by first-year students upheld what were then Oregon State College’s Milligan University. the marketing and far the best work experience I have had to strict rules for behavior. Over time, both organizations came to communications date. If my job could go beyond a student be more focused on service. This photo was taken for the Beaver Umaima Afzal is a library technician 2 manager for OSU position, I would want to continue working Yearbook. (P003:Talons) for the Library Experience and Access Libraries. He was under his guidance and expertise because Department who started in October 2020. It’s amazing to see this level of conformity in dress in 1969. Within responsible for a he offers the eye of a designer, the mind She began as a student employee at the a few wild years, hairstyles would change considerably and so range of marketing of a writer, the principles of a leader and Valley Library in 2017 and was a winner of would clothing. And what’s the deal with the two guys standing in and communications projects — including the heart of a friend. He is the best sort of the 2019 Kathryn Kenyon Library Student the bushes? being the editor of The Messenger. The person to have on a team because he brings Employee Scholarship. Afzal earned a issues of The Messenger in recent years are out the best work in those around him.” bachelor’s in business information systems evidence of his vision, skills and dedication. from Oregon State.
18 OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES AND PRESS THE MESSENGER SUMMER 2021 19 Friends of the OSU Libraries and Press 121 Valley Library Oregon State University Corvallis, OR 97331-4501
This is one of the postcards that have poured in during the Postcards to Campus community art project at the Valley Library. To discover more about this fun and colorful project — and see more of the delightful postcards — see the article in this issue.
Printed on recycled and recyclable paper. Oregon State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.