Welcome to a New Year!

Posted on behalf of Andy Ashton, Director of the Libraries.

Welcome back — and for freshmen, welcome! The Library is a wonderful place to find the information you need for your research interests, a quiet area for study or contemplation, or a place to check out a good book or movie. We’re looking forward to a great new year.

Zines collection

VCL ZinesOver the summer, the library put the finishing touches on a project to make our zines collection available to you.  Zines are a DIY, self-published medium, incorporating voices and narratives frequently absent from more traditional publishing venues.  Our collection includes materials from a wide variety of voices and perspectives, including three Vassar student organization zines.  And we’re looking for more!  As curator Heidy Berthoud noted, [Misc. News 26 Feb 2015 – p7] “We would love to have students make zines and donate them to the collection, because we really want them to record what’s important to students on campus right now, and what their thoughts are.”

zine lounge

The new zines space — our zines lounge — is located next to the Periodical Room (Room 255) on the second floor of the Main Library.  We encourage you to visit, read, and contact us (zines@vassar.edu or @vassarzines) with any questions or zines you’d like to donate.

Kanopy – Streaming Video

Following our trial last spring, we are now using Kanopy to stream films. Kanopy works directly with filmmakers and film distribution companies to offer award-winning collections including titles from Kino Lorber, California Newsreel and the Criterion Collection.

La Habanera

La Habanera, Douglas Sirk, 1937

Access Kanopy through the Databases page on our website, or go directly to Vassar’s connection at http://vassar.kanopystreaming.com.libproxy.vassar.edu/.

Director’s Office

Andrew Ashton

Andrew Ashton, Director of Libraries

On a personal note, I am excited to begin our new semester as well.  I joined Vassar as Director of the Libraries in mid-August and I am enjoying getting to know the students and faculty.  Vassar’s innovative and dynamic curriculum provides lots of opportunities to explore how the library can continue to be a critical partner in the academic life of the college.  I look forward to our new academic year – and I hope to see you in the library!

Group reading: Guantánamo Diary (September 3)

Cover to Guantánamo Diary

Cover to Guantánamo Diary

The Libraries are proud to sponsor and host a set of group reading sessions on this year’s Freshman Common Reading text.

GROUP READING: “Guantánamo Diary” (9/3)

Location: Thompson Memorial Library (various locations within the building)

Time: 8:00pm

Please note: this event is restricted to members of the Vassar community.

Author Mohamedou Ould Slahi

Author Mohamedou Ould Slahi

Mohamedou Ould Slahi’s Guantánamo Diary was the Freshman Common Reading this year. This event is designed to give everyone on the Vassar campus, including many who have not read the book, an opportunity to hear Slahi’s powerful voice and to gain an understanding of his experiences, through readings of key passages from the book. Readers include students, administrators, and faculty.

Note: The readings will take place in several locations in the library; directions will be available in the lobby.

Editor Larry Siems

Editor Larry Siems

Related resource: a research guide is available at http://libguides.vassar.edu/commonreading2015, containing recommended resources such as books, articles, films, and documents.

Reunion 2015

Using the card catalog , ca 1975

Using the card catalog , ca 1975

We’re so excited to welcome back our alums this weekend. There are so many fabulous events planned it will be hard to choose among them, but don’t forget to stop by the Library! Come in and visit with the Lady Cornaro, sit in your favorite study spot, and see all the changes that have happened since you left.

To get revved up for the festivities, view our Facebook gallery to see if your class can party like its 1925!

Georgius Everhardus Rumphius, D‘Amboinsche Rariteitkamer, 1705

Georgius Everhardus Rumphius, D‘Amboinsche Rariteitkamer, 1705

ADOPT A BOOK – CONSERVING TREASURES IN THE VASSAR LIBRARY
Friday, June 12, 3-4, Main Library, Special Collections

Presentation by Ron Patkus, Head of Special Collections and Adjunct Associate Professor of History, on the Adopt-a-Book Program, which provides conservation treatment for fragile and damaged items in the Archives and Special Collections Library. Come to see some of our ailing treasures and hear more about how we plan to preserve them for Vassar’s current and future scholars.

GENERAL HOURS

Thompson Memorial Library / Archives & Special Collections

libcomp combo

Library computing – yesterday and today!

Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Saturday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday, 9:00 am – 12:00 noon

Art Library

art lib combo - Copy

Art library, pre- and post-renovations

Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Saturday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday, 9:00 am – 12 noon

Music Library

Music combo shorter

Music Library, including new classroom (right)

Friday, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Saturday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
CLOSED on Sunday