Seattle Public Library and K&L Gates Law Firm Library Tours

By Katy DiVittorio

On Friday February 19, 2010 LISSTEN hosted a luncheon and tours of the Seattle Public Library (SPL) and the K&L Gates Law Firm Library. The majority of the students who attended the event were from the Seattle area, but students attended from Portland and one student came from California! The tours and lunch were a great opportunity to meet classmates and learn from professionals in the field.

The students first met for lunch at the restaurant Wild Ginger and discussed their experiences in the program and why they chose to attend SJSU-SLIS. Student Melanie Bottari said “It was great to meet other SJSU-SLIS students face to face. Since the University of Washington (UW) has a MLIS program, I wasn't expecting so many SJSU-SLIS students and it was very gratifying to meet them and hear about their experiences.”

After lunch the group went over to the SPL for the first tour. The tour started with a presentation by Jeff Christensen, Event Services Tour Coordinator, who discussed the history of the library. The 11-floor library was built in 2004 by the architect firm Rem Koolhaas. Building materials from the previous library were recycled and used in the new building. The library has Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) certification and was designed with growth in mind. LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system. A building designed and built using strategies aimed at improving performance in energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts can earn LEED certification.

The library has a capacity for more than 1.45 million books and materials. There are approximately 5-7 thousand visitors a day and 20,000 items are checked out daily. Currently there are 1 million items in the collection and 9,906 shelves devoted to books. All of those books move around the library in a high-tech book-handling system that operates for the most part out of public view.

The tour group went behind the scenes with Tim Morrison, Operations Analysis and Enterprise Manager at SPL, to see the library’s automated materials handling system (AMHS), which uses radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags to sort the books as they are returned to the library. RFID is being used in libraries to replace traditional barcodes on items. The tag contains identifying information, such as a book’s title. RFID saves time for patrons and staff, since multiple items can be checked in/out at once instead of scanning each item's barcode. It also works as a security device. Once the items are checked out the tag is deactivated, so that it will not set the alarm off.

The library has more than 400 computers for public use and wifi access. Just a few of the features the tour covered included: the Mixing Chamber where staff assist patrons; the Seattle Room, which contains the special collection of materials related specifically to Seattle; and the meeting room floor. The importance of clear signage and building design were emphasized by our guide. Mr. Christensen explained that the library was originally designed and built with very little directional signage. The escalators were also designed so that they skip floors. These design factors resulted in many patrons finding the library difficult to navigate. The library has since added more signs, but some patrons are still confused by the escalators skipping floors.

One of the highlights of the tour was talking with Jodee Fenton, Managing Special Collections Librarian of the Seattle Room. The group learned about some of the challenges of managing a special collection, including digitization, cataloging, and the damage call number labels and RFID tags can have on materials. This special collection differs from many other library special collections in that the public is allowed into its stacks.

After visiting the Seattle Room, the group went to the meeting room floor and was pleased by its unique design. Dark red curving walls met the students as they entered the level.

The group then headed across the street to the K&L Gates Law firm library to learn about law librarianship. K&L Gates is a large international law firm; most of the librarians provide legal and business reference services. Librarians who work in a law firm library have a specific clientèle consisting mostly of the firm's lawyers. This atmosphere is different from a public or academic library where reference librarians will often be assisting a wide variety of patrons. The subject areas are also very specialized, mostly in law or business.

LISSTEN tours provide a great opportunity to meet classmates in person, talk to professionals in the field, and get behind the scenes experiences of various libraries. To learn more about upcoming tours and networking opportunities visit LISSTEN.

Katy DiVittorio is the Reader Services Assistant at Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland, OR. She has completed her second semester in the SJSU-SLIS program. She is a LISSTEN Board Member and hopes to offer opportunities for students to network.

Photos by PJ Bentley.

"The Bible Illuminated: R. Crumb's Book of Genesis" Tour at the Hammer Museum

By Alison Leonard

Do you recognize the name Robert Crumb? No? Crumb is famous as a subversive comic strip artist whose work was mostly in the public eye during the late 1960's and early 70's. Crumb is perhaps most famous for his artwork and associated slogan, "Keep on Truckin'!," originally published in underground Zap Comics in 1968.

ALASC Co-Chair Susie Quinn helped organize a tour at the Hammer Museum of the exhibit, "The Bible Illuminated: R. Crumb's Book of Genesis." The exhibit featured all 207 original panels from Crumb’s new graphic novel entitled, "The Book of Genesis Illustrated." The exhibit was displayed in a circular room that contained a smaller circle within it. The black and white comic panels covered all the walls. The tour was led by Danica Gomes, UCLA Art History major and Student Educator at the Hammer Museum. After the tour, the group gathered in the museum's courtyard for lunch at the Hammer Cafe.

Crumb stayed true to the story of the Book of Genesis using several sources, including the King James Version of the Bible, but mostly Robert Alter’s recent 2004 translation of "The Five Books of Moses." Crumb concludes his colossal project with an eight-page commentary in which he states, "In setting out to illustrate the Book of Genesis, I quickly learned that I had to read the text very carefully and closely in order to render as accurately as possible the words that were actually written there."

He goes on to say, "If my visual, literal interpretation of the Book of Genesis offends or outrages some readers, which seems inevitable considering that the text is revered by many people, all I can say in my defense is that I approached this as a straight illustration job, with no intention to ridicule or make visual jokes. That said, I know that you can't please everybody."

Pleasing everyone, or anybody for that matter, was never what Crumb was about. He is frequently criticized for his obsession of overly sexual images of women often portrayed in submissive roles.

This project is not a departure from the raunchy material followers of Crumb are used to seeing. The biblical storyline in the Book of Genesis lends itself to Crumb’s appreciation of sex and violence. In an NPR interview he said he focused on the illustrations because, "...the stories are so strange it doesn’t need satirizing…it stands up on its own as a comic book."

Crumb drew in black and white ink, complete with the use of plenty of White-Out®. The project took four years to complete, and on average, Crumb did one page every three days with about six to eight vignettes per page. His wife, Aline Kominsky-Crumb, remarked that the project required him to go into “monastic isolation” to complete. However, the end result of his efforts was the completion of all 50 chapters of Genesis in just 224 pages, in what may go on to become the most definitive version of the illustrated book of Genesis.

During the project, Crumb pondered his rendition of God. He considered varied images including a woman and the patriarchal Charlton Heston-like version. His decision to settle on the latter came to him in a dream. Crumb is fuzzy when it comes to reasons about why he embarked on the project. He started by drawing a satirical version of Adam and Eve and apparently at some point, the project evolved from there. A neighbor may have pushed him to do more, as he recalls. But before the project was even completed, Crumb said, "I am completely sick of the Bible. I began to hate it when I started working on it. I’ve had my fill. The idea that millions of people have taken it so seriously – is totally nuts. The human race is crazy." That definitely sounds like something Crumb would say.

Hollywood and the art world have tried again and again to embrace Crumb in various ways. But Crumb does not always answer the art world’s call. However, it seems his work has made it to the Hammer Museum one way or another. I also discovered that the founder of the underground comic movement somehow decided that the Internet is good enough for him. You can check out his site and items he has for sale there at http://www.crumbproducts.com/index.html.

Alison has a background in fundraising with Haiti Democracy Project, Meridian International Center-a contractor for the U.S. Department of State and WNVC International Public Television. Alison holds an undergraduate degree in history from Virginia Tech, and a Masters in International Transactions from George Mason, which included study abroad at Oxford in England. She enjoys swimming laps, biking and hiking.

Zoological Society of San Diego Library Tour

by Holly Langdon and Kate Vigderson

A group of approximately 30 SJSU-SLIS students had the opportunity to tour the Zoological Society of San Diego Library in Escondido, CA, on Monday, November 16, 2009. A notice about the tour was posted on the “SoCal SJSU MLIS” Facebook page and also sent out on the SLISadmin listserv. The response was so overwhelming that Linda Coates, the Director of Library Services, agreed to accommodate more students, so the many students on the waiting list could attend.

On the day of the event, Ms. Coates gave a wonderfully organized and informative tour and presentation of this very unique library. The morning began with a tour of the Zoo’s Beckman Center for Conservation Research, which is located next to the Wild Animal Park. Ms. Coates pointed out many of the components, including the use of recycled materials in the construction, which earned the center a Silver Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. She explained that everyone who works in the building has a similar philosophy and a common purpose regarding conservation. Another highlight of the center tour included seeing the “Frozen Zoo,” a collection of frozen DNA samples from various endangered species. The "Frozen Zoo" provided the DNA used to map the elephant genome and the rare opportunity to see the California Mountain Yellow Legged Frog, an endangered species the center has been working to save.

Following the building tour, Ms. Coates gave an excellent PowerPoint presentation about what it’s like to be a special librarian. She regaled the group with stories of the unusual requests for information she has received in her time at the library and the extraordinary lengths she goes to fill them. Describing the vets that care for the animals as not particularly “techie," she finds her help is invaluable to them. One example she gave was of a researcher looking for a book about the Goliath frog. She was surprised that there had been almost no information written about this mammoth animal that weighs up to 8 pounds and stretches up to 13 inches long. Animals such as this frog are not classified as charismatic mega organisms like lions and giraffes, so there was a dearth of information. Since there were no articles available in any databases, she called a colleague at a library across the country who was able to track down an article that had been published in a book, scan and send the PDF to her; she was then able to give that information to the researcher who used it in her paper.

As Library Director, Ms. Coates realizes that it’s the strong network of friends and colleagues she has developed that helps her find the information she’s after. One of the topics she touched on was that people in the library community tend to say things like “Everything’s online now anyway, so we’ll be able to find everything we need on the Internet.” This is not the case for her, as much of the information she and the vets at the Zoo and Wild Animal Park refer to is published in hard copy books and newsletters. It would take months, if not years, to convert it to a medium that could be posted online, and in the meantime people need her help finding information immediately, such as the researcher looking for the coloration of the Goliath frog. Ms. Coates also discussed her work in compiling and distributing a digest called "Latest Zoo and Conservation News". Although this task takes up about 50% of her time, she considers it to be well worth it because staff appreciates having the information and the digest helps demonstrate the value of the library. Ms. Coates' presentation illustrated the joys and challenges that come with being a special librarian, a dream to which many of us aspire.

After the presentation, Ms. Coates gave a tour of the library’s collection which is made up of over 11,000 books, and over 400 print journal titles. The group got a chance to browse the shelves and see that in addition to current literature, rare and out-of-print books are what makes this collection so unique.

A short survey was sent out via email after the tour to get participants' thoughts about what they enjoyed about the tour and what they took away from the experience. Of the sixteen responses received, many commented that they appreciated the opportunity to get a “behind the scenes” look at what a special librarian really does and the constant vigilance and effort needed to keep the parent organization aware of the value and relevance of the library. Many also appreciated learning about all of the great resources the library website has to offer as well as the many resources Ms. Coates uses to answer the variety of reference questions she gets. One participant via SurveyMonkey summed it up this way, “Understand your users. Satisfy their information needs even if you have to search the globe.” Some students commented that seeing how much Ms. Coates enjoys her job opened up new career possibilities to them.

There are several internship opportunities available at the Library for Spring and Fall 2010, including both library and archival projects, so consult the SLIS Internship Database and/or contact Linda Coates if you’re interested!

Holly Langdon is currently a student in her third term at SJSU-SLIS; she plans to graduate in Spring, 2011.

Kate Vigderson, a LISSTEN member-at-large, organized the Zoo Library tour. She is currently in her final year of the SJSU-SLIS program and she plans to graduate in May 2010.

Photos taken by Kate Vigderson.

CSULB University Library Tour

by Marisa Reyes

On Friday, May 22, 2009, twenty SJSU-SLIS students participated in the California State University, Long Beach University Library (CSULB) tour which took place from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The engineering librarian, Hema Ramachandran, did an excellent job at organizing the tour. The presentation began with a welcome by Dean Roman Kochan. Following, Hema gave an informative presentation about the CSULB Library’s statistics, collection, organizational structure, and library program committees.

Following the presentation, students were provided a complimentary drink from Dean Kochan at the new library Starbucks. Vicky Munda, Access Services Coordinator, then led half of the group onto the ORCA tour. ORCA, the robotic storage system, is an innovative system that stores a large portion of the collection that could be accessed by submitting an online request. ORCA is primarily used for less frequently circulated materials, such as monographs and bound journals. After the second group completed their ORCA tour, Catherine Lewis Ida, Director of Outreach for the Children's Collection, led the group through the Children’s collection. Students had the opportunity to learn about the functions of the children’s collection in an academic library setting.

The tour continued into the Special Collections Department. Archivist Kristie French gave a wonderful explanation of the mission of the Special Collection and its users. Visit CSULB's Special Collection to view a full descriptive listing of the materials held. The collection included pieces by Ansel Adams, Edward Weston, Daumier, Virginia Woolf, and several more. One of the highlights of the tour was the rare fore-edge book. Kristie brought out a fore-edge book which had an incredible painting on the edge of the book which could only be seen when the pages are fanned. When turned around and fanned the opposite way, another painting could be seen. For a demonstration of what a fore-edge book looks like, click here.

The tour was concluded with lunch at the Nugget Grill and Pub on the CSULB campus. Participants had the opportunity to socialize and discuss classes, experiences, and future goals. Hema answered questions and provided students with helpful tips and advice. The tour was a great success and provided participants the opportunity to become familiar with the academic library system. A special thanks goes out to Hema Ramachandran for organizing the tour and to Dean Roman Kochan who provided complimentary Starbucks and lunch to all of the participants. Visit CSULB University Library for more information.

Organizing a LISSTEN library tour was an awesome opportunity to build connections with librarians and students. Anyone who is interested in planning a library tour can contact LISSTEN co-President Matthew T. Davis. If interested in attending the next library tour, keep an eye out on the SLIS ADMIN emails. Tours fill up quicky so respond ASAP.

Marisa Reyes, LISSTEN co-treasurer for the L.A. hub, worked with Hema Ramachandran to organize the CSULB tour. Currently, she is a children’s librarian at South Pasadena Public Library and a college assistant at Pasadena City College Library. She plans to graduate from the SJSU-SLIS program in December of 2009.

Pictures were taken by Susie Quinn, one of the participants on the tour.