~ LIB=RARY HORIZONS A Newslet ter o f The University o f A l aba ma Libra ries SPRING/SUMMER 2015, VOL. 30, NO. 1 1831 Campus Celebrated: Kapp Lecture and Models of the Rotunda and the Lyceum Unveiled Faculty, staf, stu- dents, and members of the public gath- ered April 3 to hear a lecture by Paul Kapp to discuss the work of William Nichols, the designer President Judy Bonner, left, and Dean of Libraries Louis A. Pitschmann unveil a model of the Rotunda. Te building served of the original 1831 as the centerpiece for the 1831 campus. Housing the library, the University of Ala- Rotunda was destroyed during the Civil War when Union forces bama campus. burned the campus on April 4, 1865. Te lecture was held one day prior to the sesquicentennial of Left, Dean Louis A. Pitschmann and visiting the burning of the lecturer Paul Kapp, associate professor of architecture campus by the Union at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign cavalry during the and historic preservation architect. Civil War. Kapp is an associate professor of architecture at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a historic preservation architect. Kapp’s recent book, Te Architecture of William Nichols: Building the Interior design students, from left, Amber McKinley, Danielle Antebellum South in North Carolina, Alabama, and Mississippi chron- Maros and Jade Scherb unveil a model of the Lyceum. icles Nichols’ work across the Southeast. Nichols served as the state Serving as a multipurpose building housing classrooms and See “1831 Campus” on page 4 laboratories, the Lyceum was located north of the Rotunda. From left, Dean Louis A. Pitschmann, the Rev. A North Alabama’s Wyleme H. Ragland Clergyman’s Passion and his son, Frederick Kennedy, hold a portrait for History of an unknown mid-19th century African-American The Rev. Wylheme H. Ragland frst found his way woman. Te portrait to University Libraries through an article on sweet was presented to the potato pies written by a former faculty member of Libraries’ Division of Hoole Special Collections Library. Special Collection and will be added to the Schaudies-Banks-Ragland Collection. See “Passion” on page 5 LIB A Y HO IZONS • 1 Message From the Dean – LIBRARY HORIZONS A NEWSLETTER OF THE Over the years much space in this column UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA LIBRARIES has been devoted to describing the various SPRING/SUMMER 2015 technology-driven services librarians and VOL. 30, NO. 1 staf have introduced in the University Libraries. Although the number of books Editor: Donna Adcock students borrow from our collections each Content for articles in this issue year continues to decrease, our libraries was provided by: Donna Adcock, remain popular destinations, with the Lee Pike, Robert Pucko, number of visitors increasing at rates greater Margaret Wilbourne than annual increases in enrollment. Photography credits: Donna Adcock, University Photography More than at any time in the past, students and faculty members alike look to the Proofreader: Gina Dykeman Libraries for individual study space, as well Library Leadership Board as for group space where they can collabo- *Linda Hinson Bachus rate with other students and faculty Dr. Louis A. Pitschmann, Carolyn F. Boone colleagues. But it is not traditionally de- *Rick Bragg Dean of Libraries signed spaces they are seeking. Te majority F. Dixon Brooke Jr designed and equipped for learning and Julian D. Butler of our users turn to the University Libraries in search of spaces equipped with the latest research commensurate with today’s Sully G. Cochrane needs and expectations. Jennie C. Cowart technology and stafed with librarians who Julie Hall Friedman provide an array of support services. Tanks to University administrators’ Dedie Russell Hendrix Unfortunately, space in the University longstanding commitment to funding Tonjanita Johnson the Libraries’ collections and electronic Dorothy Converse King Libraries remains limited. Library space Harold B. Kushner has not grown in response to increased resources, librarians have acquired in- Amy Rankin Lofin enrollments, which have nearly doubled formation resources that are now among Shirley Dowling McCrary since an of-site library facility was built in the best in the Southeast. Ironically, James Hill McLemore 2003 to store volumes with low circulation while providing access to exceptional John T. Murdock rates. Collections there cannot be browsed, 21st-century collections and services, Charles R. Paler and there is no space for users. the University Libraries’ 20th-century Mary Bess Paluzzi facilities are inadequate and no longer J. Wray Pearce Repurposing existing library space by trans- commensurate with current teaching, Voncile Roberts Pearce ferring low-use materials to the Library learning, and research priorities at Te David S. Puckett Storage Annex is no longer viable. Indeed, University of Alabama. Lois M. Robertson William Rodrigues some faculty members, especially those in the humanities and history, are asking Our print and electronic collections, as Joshua D. Rothman well as our librarians, are recognized for R. Timothy Russell that our transfer policies be reversed. Tey their excellence. Indeed, some campus *Terry L. Saban would like to see many stored volumes Margaret Burdick Smith returned to our open stacks. librarians are honored nationally and internationally for their contributions Rhoda Graves Smith *Gay Joseph Talese Additional library space is long overdue. to reshaping library services for the 21st Phyllis Jackson Todd Students and faculty members at the Cap- century. Yet, continued delays in ex- Susan S. Tolbert stone need not merely more space for study panding the University Libraries’ public Carla McCallum Ventress and research; they need space that is spe- spaces seriously hampers our students William W. Walker Jr cifcally designed to provide contemporary from experiencing the learning oppor- Sarah Woolfolk Wiggins library services. Tey need library facilities tunities increasingly being ofered at James S. Williams like those at peer institutions that are peer institutions. *Honorary Members 2 • THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA LIBRARIES [] urrent ews and vents In January the Ofce of Library Technology assisted Professor Heather Kopelson, history department, in demonstrating the Oculus Rift, a new virtual reality headset, to members of their department. Professor Michael Jarvis, guest presenter from the University of Rochester, was on campus to demonstrate the latest teaching technology. Te Rift uses custom tracking technology to provide ultra-low latency 360° head tracking, allowing the wearer to seamlessly look around a virtual world. Due to the reaction of both departments and the potential for unlimited applications and learning possibilities, the Libraries has purchased two headsets for faculty and students to use. STEM Path to the MBA Business Research Academy Angelo Bruno Business Library In Fall Semester 2014, the Angelo Bruno Business Library basic business information sources, such as articles from ac- began supporting the STEM Path to the MBA (STEM-MBA) ademic and professional journals and company and industry program through an innovative new initiative, the Business reports, as well as more advanced data types, such as market Research Academy. The purpose of the initiative is to and demographic data, international country intelligence, develop a high level of business information competency in consumer use data, analyst reports, and macroeconomic data. STEM-MBA students. STEM-MBA is a program of the Culverhouse College of Commerce for undergraduates Business librarians provide incoming freshman STEM-MBA majoring in STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, students with a Business Research Unveiled presentation or mathematics), in which they take one-hour Business followed by online training tutorials embedded in the Honors courses throughout their undergraduate years, Blackboard Learn course-management shell for their potentially culminating in completing their MBA in the Business Honors course. Each semester, as the students ffth year. Trough the Business Research Academy, these move to the next Business Honors course, a new series of high-achieving students will be exposed to a range of online modules will be offered following the sequence of premium digital business databases and information sources not freely available over the Internet. Tey will learn about See “STEM” on page 4 LIBRARY HORIZONS • 3 D “1831 Campus” continued from page 1 ••••••••••••••••••••••• architect in North Carolina, Alabama, and Mississippi and designed three campuses including the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, the University of Alabama, and the University of Mississippi as well the capitol buildings in the same states. Nichols’ original UA plan Closeup of the model of incorporated 11 buildings, the Rotunda including residences for unveiled in honor of professors, dormitories, President Judy Bonner. academic buildings, the Gorgas House, the Rotunda and the Lyceum. Te campus was designed and built for $56,000, Kapp said. Te Gorgas House was the only Nichols-designed building to survive. Following Kapp’s lecture, scale models of the Rotunda and the Lyceum created by artist Creighton “STEM” continued from page 3 C. “Peco” Forsman were unveiled in the J. Wray and Joan business disciplines used in the STEM-MBA program, i.e., Billingsley Pearce Foyer in Gorgas Library. Te models leadership and organizational behavior, marketing, accounting, were made as part of a project to document the original