March 2006

Volume 45
Back Issues: Past Library Links Articles

In this Issue

New Library Staff

Susan Whitehead

Jordan Brown
Lillian Goldman Law Library, Library Services Assistant, Foreign and International Collections
I began work on Monday February 20, 2006. I am from Mississippi and Florida, in that order. I attended Yale School of Music, Florida State University, and the Salzburg Mozarteum (Austria). I have studied music, and have worked as a cellist and conductor. I've lived in Paris and Vienna and I enjoy reading, traveling, and eating.

Linda Hussey
Collection Development, Administrative Assistant
I began work on March 1st. I am from Ridgefield, CT, and I attended Iona College, New Rochelle, NY. I enjoy cooking, traveling, running but mostly spending time with my family.

Departures

Mei-Fong Fong
East Asia Library
2/28/2006

Transfers

Benjamin Bernard
Research Services & Collections
Library Service Assistant II
02/13/2006

Staff In Focus

Fred Martz: A Look Back at 35 Years of Library Service
~ George Stranz

In the last 35 years, the Yale University Library has seen many changes. One person uniquely qualified to remark on these changes is Fred Martz. He has been with the library since 1970, and he is a second-generation library worker.

Fred’s father, Louis L. Martz, joined the Yale faculty as an English professor in 1939. It was a position he would hold for 62 wonderful years. Louis also served as the director of the Beinecke Library from 1972 to 1978.

However, he was not the first Martz to work in the Yale library system.

Fred, who recently retired as the Director of Integrated Library Technology Services, jokes that his father followed him into the library profession.

Fred actually worked at the library while he was a student at Yale in 1965. He later returned to Sterling as a stack manager in 1970, after spending three years in graduate school at the University of Virginia.

During the Fall semesters of 1971 and 1972, Fred commuted to Columbia University in New York in pursuit of a MLS.

During his early years as the Stack Manager, Fred was kept busy with the many challenging projects that were facing the Circulation Department. Some notable projects include:

• Preparations for the opening of the Cross Campus Library in 1971.

• Automation of circulation processes between 1976-1981.

• The reorganization of the entire collection in conjunction with the building of the Seeley Mudd Library (1981-83)

Fred says, “Then, as now, the library was a complex organization with many competing interests. It has always been a challenge to forge the agreements and gain the approvals necessary to make major changes and complete large-scale projects.”

And certainly, there was some significant opposition when the library was planning to rollout its first online computer, the Geac Circulation System, in 1980.

At the time, library staff used manual typewriters and patrons filled out paper charge slips.

“The most sophisticated technology in the library was the pneumatic tube system which enabled staff to send paper messages in tubular carriers through a network of brass pipes to all floors of the stacks and most departments, including CCL and Beinecke,” remarks Fred.

Despite the concerns over the new computer’s reliability, and the potential for job losses, technology and progress won out.

This was fine with Fred.

“For me it was a fortunate situation since I had a strong interest in computing and was eager to experiment with new systems,” says Fred.

His open-mindedness and curious nature would serve himself and the library well over the next decade two decades. During this time the library would rollout NOTIS, the initial Orbis system, and Windows workstations to staff desktops and public service areas.

Fred is now working part time with Associate University Librarian Meg Bellinger on the Digital Production and Integration Program (DPIP), an Integrated Access initiative. A newly formed DPIP committee, the Production and Content Integration Working Group, has begun investigating the library’s needs for digitization services.

Fred explains, “The primary reason that I wish to continue on the staff as a part-time consultant is that Yale is an integral part of my nature. I consider it an honor to be part of Yale’s long tradition of excellence and contribution to the world’s store of knowledge.”

Once Fred decides to leave for good, the Martz name will still be represented in the library. His daughter, Rebecca, currently works as a Senior Administrative
Assistant at Beinecke.

When asked if she could work at the library for 35 years like her father, Rebecca said, “It certainly is possible.”

“I love working at the library,” says Rebecca. It is a sentiment her father evidently shares.

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Library In Focus

The Law Library's “Love” Bunny

I saw in the whole Christian world a license of fighting at which even barbarous nations might blush. Wars were begun on trifling pretexts or none at all, and carried on without any reference of law, divine or human. - Hugo Grotius (Prolegomena to the Law of War and Peace, 1625)

Hugo Grotius, the reputed Father of International Law, was describing the world as he saw it in the early 17th century. But, he could just as easily be describing it today. A little more love in this world would go far to ameliorate the seemingly endless hostility, and that is why our dappled bunny sitting at the foot of the stairs going into L 1, the lower level of the Law Library, welcomes all who visit the Foreign and International Law collection with a message of “love,” which he bears on his sign.

Pufendorf, our bunny, was carved in the Philippines and acquired in the Kutztown, Pennsylvania Folk Arts Festival in the early 1990’s to beautify (or cutify?) the rather dismal Annex where prior to the Law Library renovation the Foreign and International Law collection resided (now located under High Street and Beinecke Plaza). At that time all the Law students had carrels in the Annex, and we had a contest to give the bunny a name. “Pufendorf,” was the unanimous choice, as so we named him after the famous 17th century German natural law jurist. He became known “Puf” the magic bunny. He sure must be imbued with a lot of magical power, because shortly after his arrival, he received totally new surroundings in the newly renovated library.

At the turn of the new millennium Puf suffered some difficult days. One fine spring, some graduating seniors kidnapped him. They would only return him for a ransom of a keg of beer to be consumed at a graduation party. The curator readily complied with their demands, and Puf reappeared the next day.

Then, on that fateful day in May of 2003 (the 21st), the sky, that is the ceiling and the adjacent wall above him, literally fell in. The violence of this world came to Yale Law School, but luckily Puf was the only one injured as a bomb exploded above him. For a while the FBI sequestered his ears for evidence, and sadly his faithful companion the overly stuffed Bugs Bunny, was never to be seen again. We have left Puf marred and scarred as the bomb left him, a symbol of endurance in face of the world’s hatred.

Please come and visit Puf! Rub his nose for good luck and more love in your life. While you are here browse the collection for signs of hope in the books on the law of war and peace and human rights!

Written on Valentine’s Day by Dan Wade, the Curator of the “Love Bunny”

From the Preservation website, click "Care and Handling" under "Quick Links" on the right hand side of the page. The document is listed there.

You can print it out and place it in circulation areas as a little reminder to be on the look out for things that need preservation attention.

If you have any questions about this document, or any other preservation issues, feel free to contact me.

Thanks again for all of your continuing preservation efforts!

~ Tara D. Kennedy
Preservation Field Services Librarian

Samuel Beckett: "A Mystery Wrapped in an Enigma"

These words (a variation on a phrase first used by Winston Churchill to describe Russia) were used by Brooks Atkinson in his review of Waiting For Godot in the New York Times in 1956. They are also an equally apt description of a playwright who avoided interviews, public appearances, and questions about the meaning of his work. 2006 marks the 50th anniversary of this play and the 100th anniversary of the birth of the playwright Samuel Beckett.

Pamela Jordan curated this exhibit of Beckett material from the Drama Library which will be on display at the Art+Architecture Library through May 2006.

Event Highlights

International Party

The Library International Party held throughout Sterling Memorial library on Friday Feb 10th turned out to be a fantastic success! The L&B room, Nave, Memorabilia room and Lecture Hall were all transformed with flags, balloons and ethnic artefacts into the continents of the world. Even Antarctica was transformed into the bar, where wine, beer and soft drinks were served, as the dry ice added special atmospheric ambience to the frozen continent. Food from all parts of the globe filled the tables, everything from authentic Syrian tabouli to New Orleans gumbo, Indian samosas and English scones. Two bands added to the lively musical atmosphere in the Nave and Lecture Hall, where there was also line dancing. However, the Karaoke in the L&B room was by far the attraction of the evening with some surprising choral renditions by library staff members!

HR in Focus

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Announcements

Nominations sought for 2006 JCLC awards, scholarships

SAN ANTONIO – The Joint Conference of Librarians of Color (JCLC) 2006 invites nominations for its awards and scholarships, which will be presented during its conference, “Gathering at the Waters: Embracing Our Spirits; Telling Our Stories,” to be held in Dallas October 11 - 15, 2006. The deadline for submissions is June 30, 2006.

“I am excited that we are acknowledging the integration of professional efforts, intellectual creativity and community advocates (trustees, philanthropists, volunteers) who contribute to the essential elements of librarianship in our multicultural society,” said Liana Zhou, chair of JCLC Awards Committee.

JCLC scholarships are made possible by funding from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), and will fund minority librarians, students or library staff, or those who serve minority communities to attend the conference in Dallas.

Each of the five JCLC organizing caucus associations will present five $1,000 JCLC scholarships and an award in one of three categories:

* JCLC Advocacy Awards
* JCLC Author Awards
* JCLC Distinguished Services Awards

The conference is the first-ever national conference to be held and sponsored by the five ethnic caucus associations affiliated with the American Library Association (ALA). The five caucus associations are the American Indian Library Association (AILA); the Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA); the Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA); the Chinese American Librarians Association (CALA), and REFORMA, the National Association to Provide Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking.

“Ken Yamashita, co-chair, and I are pleased that JCLC provides the platform for recognizing the movers and shakers of our diverse professional communities and beyond,” said Gladys Smiley Bell, co-chair of the Steering Committee.

For additional information and submission guidelines, please contact JCLC Award Committee Chair Liana Zhou at 812-855-3060 or zhoul@indiana.edu.

Upcoming Events

Yale Holiday Calendar

HR Updates

Goal Setting for the Performance Appraisal

Registration is now open for three goal setting sessions in support of the Performance Appraisal and Development system. These "Goal Setting for the Performance Appraisal" sessions are for new staff and existing staff who wish to attend a refresher session. The dates are Monday, March 13th from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 14th from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, March 15th from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the Lecture Hall. You may register at the URL listed below:

https://medapps13.med.yale.edu/tms/tmscourses.get_course_details?p_crs_id=717

Please bring a draft of a goal or an idea for a goal to the session. We will work on these in the class.

For a full overview of the performance appraisal process, please visit our web site at:

http://www.library.yale.edu/lhr/pp/perfappraisal.html

This web site also includes a "Goal Setting Resource Kit", which we believe you will find helpful in developing SMART Goals and in assessing job behaviors/competencies for your performance appraisal.

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IMLS OFFERS SCHOLARSHIPS TO ATTEND ACRL/RBMS CONFERENCE ON LIBRARIES, ARCHIVES, AND MUSEUMS

The Institute for Library and Museum Services (IMLS) has provided funding for thirty new and aspiring professionals to attend a major national conference organized by the Rare Books and Manuscripts Section (RBMS) of the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL), a division of the American Library Association (ALA). Entitled, "Libraries, Archives, and Museums in the 21st Century: Intersecting Missions, Converging Futures?," the conference will explore issues of mutual interest to libraries, archives, and museums. It will be held on 20-23 June 2006 in Austin, Texas, with the Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center at The University of Texas at Austin serving as the primary host for the expected 300 attendees.

Students currently enrolled in graduate program of library and information science or archival or museums studies, or graduates from such programs with less than five years of professional experience are eligible to apply for the IMLS-funded scholarships, which are designed to cover all costs associated with attending the conference, including registration, airfare, lodging and meals. At least ten scholarships will be reserved for applicants from professionally underrepresented backgrounds. Further information and an online application form are available from the conference web site at <http://www.hrc.utexas.edu/rbms2006>. The deadline for applications has been extended to March 30, 2006.

The two-and-a-half-day conference program will include a series of plenary sessions that will address a broad range of topics from comparative viewpoints, including collecting purposes and strategies, audiences and access, legal issues, and professional education and development. A variety of seminar sessions and facilitated discussions will complement the conference theme. Participants will also be able to take advantage of special tours of the recently renovated Ransom Center and Jack S. Blanton Museum of Art, the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum, and other local cultural facilities.

General registration will begin in February 2006, with an early-bird rate of $195. Lodging at the conference hotel, the Stephen F. Austin InterContinental in downtown Austin, will include rates from $99 to $129 per night. Additional hotel and dormitory lodging options will also be available.

Questions about the IMLS scholarships may be addressed to Tory Ondrla, Meeting and Special Events Planner (tondrla@ala.org).

LIBRARY LINKS HAIKU CONTEST WINNERS

First Place:
appointed to the
committee on committees
my task force weakens
-Derek Merleaux

Second Place:
Clay, bamboo, paper
Ink on tattered papyrus
Leaves glorious stains.
-Charles Riley

Third Place:
Necessary books
are the ones that are not where
you want them to be.
-Pam Jordan

Honorable Mentions:
Libraries are best
when you need information
or contemplation.
-Pam Jordan

In dreams, the bibs chase me.
The world is bright green and black.
I'm working too hard.
-Jennifer Nolte

A Reader's Prayer

May the library
Have all that I need, but not,
Lord, on microfilm.
-Julie Linden

Judges:

Marybeth Bean
Diane Ducharme
Claire Halloran

First, second, and third place winners will be awarded gift certificates to
Barnes and Noble, to be presented at Alice's tea in March.

Thank you to everyone who submitted haiku! Choosing the winners was an
extremely difficult decision, as there were so many excellent, funny entries.
Library Links will publish several of these haiku during the next few months.

"Did you know..."

~ Cesar Zapata

That the Yale Law Library has a wonderful (and growing) DVD/VHS collection of movies and recent TV series,
* Topics mostly relate to law, politics and current events.
* Free 2 week rentals with your Yale ID
* The collection is located on the main floor of the library (Level 3)
* The Law library is open 7 days a week
* Some titles include "The Sopranos, West Wing, Carlito's Way, Hotel Rwanda and more..."
* Check our Morris online catalog for a full list of available titles. ( http://morris.law.yale.edu/search/)

Recipes

Irish Soda Bread
~Megan Gaffney

Preheat oven to 350ºF.

Combine:
3 cups unsifted flour
2 tablespoons baking powder
Pinch salt

Work 1 stick butter or margarine, cut into small pieces, into the flour mixture.

Add:
½ cup sugar
2 large eggs, beaten
2 tablespoons caraway seed
1 ¼ cup raisins
2/3 cup buttermilk

Knead the dough until it forms a ball then put into a greased loaf pan. Pinch the top of the dough to get a “craggy” look and brush with buttermilk. Bake for 1 hour.

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