NOTES FROM RAMSEY LIBRARY; 2009-11
“Where books are burnt, in the end people are also burnt.”
~ Heinrich Heine
Good News and a BIG Thank You!
Like the rest of the campus community, Ramsey Library faculty and staff have been holding their collective breaths as we hoped for the best possible budget outcomes and prepared as best we could for the worst. Given the complexities of differing renewal dates for periodicals and electronic resources, the library had to cancel some materials beginning last spring. And, like many areas of the University, the library has suffered significant personnel loses.
So far, our community is very fortunate and we are all greatly appreciative for the relatively low reduction in UNC Asheville’s recurring state funding. Chancellor Ponder, our Board of Trustees, and others have succeeded admirably in advocating the value of UNC Asheville’s mission while demonstrating both our efficiencies and our persisting lack of resources.
But in addition, I want to take advantage of this “bully pulpit” to personally and on behalf of the community to send a special thank you to Chancellor Ponder and all the members of the Chancellor’s Senior Staff. Recognizing the fundamental importance of books, journals, electronic databases, videos, and other library materials to the learning and research processes we so value, they worked diligently to provide a materials acquisition budget which is stronger than circumstances would lead to expect. And while we will continue careful stewardship of our funds by examining existing expenditures and seeking better ways to meet community needs, librarians have already begun the process of seeing what databases and products can and should be restored (e.g., an improved “Research Central is on the way) and will be working with faculty and students on those decisions. More later . . . .
Again, many thanks!
Jim Kuhlman
University Librarian
New Online Resource for Philosophers
The Chronicle of Higher Education recently announced a new online resource for philosophers “Billed as ‘a comprehensive directory of online philosophy articles and books by academic philosophers. . . .” Check it out at:
Archive Watch: Taking It Philosophically
What They’re Reading on College Campuses
If you haven’t seen it lately, you might want to check out the Chronicle of Higher Education’s best seller list, “What They’re Reading on College Campuses.” Top of the list this month and last? Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith. Now who said great literature was dead???
“What They’re Reading on College Campuses”
Recent News of Note
Copyright-Law Curricula Face Each Other in a Duel
Chemistry Journals Go Digital-Only
And NOTES FROM RAMSEY’S personal favorite:
If You Dance With No Pants, a Well-Defined Body (of Slang) Helps
Posted by Brandy on September 29, 2009 4:39 PM09
