Learned, Betsy

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Connections, Spring, 2005; Issue Six

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Roger Williams UniversityDOCS@RWUConnections University Libraries5-1-2005Connections, Spring, 2005; Issue SixBetsy Learnedelearned@rwu.eduFollow this and additional works at: http://docs.rwu.edu/libnewsThis Article is brought to you for free and open access by the University Libraries at DOCS@RWU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Connectionsby an authorized administrator of DOCS@RWU. For more information, please contact mwu@rwu.edu.Recommended CitationLearned, Betsy, "Connections, Spring, 2005; Issue Six" (2005). Connections. Paper 6.http://docs.rwu.edu/libnews/6CONNECTIONSroger williams university LibrariesMAY, 2005           ISSUE SIXDIGITAL IMAGES:The Library’s Newest Collectionby John Schlinke     Twenty years ago at RWU a collection of art and architecture slideswas started as part of the University’s Architecture Library.  Thecollection has grown over time and now numbers approximately100,000 slides.  At about the same time the RWU slide collection wasbegun, the first academic collections of digital art and architectureimages were also beginning.  Owing to the large financial resourcesthen necessary to create a digital image collection from scratch, earlycollections were limited to major research institutions.  The interven-ing years, however, have seen the creation of numerous solutions fordigital collections along with steep reductions in associated costs.  As aresult, the RWU Library is now launching its own digital imagecollection.The heart of RWU’s collection is open-access software called MDIDwhich stands for Madison Digital Image Database.  The software wasdeveloped at James Madison University and first made available in2001.  Working in conjunction with SQL, the MDID software is ableto store and retrieve the images and cataloging data that are part of thecollection.  Three sizes of images (thumbnail, postcard, and full-size)are available for each item in the collection.  At present, over 1,800images have been cataloged into the collection and this number willgrow over time.Using the presentation software that is part of MDID, facultymembers can project the images in their classes, or they can downloadthe images into another presentation tool such as PowerPoint.  UsingMDID, they can also make groups of postcard size images available tostudents via the web for review before examinations.  The reviewimages can include the cataloging data, such as creator name, workname, dates, location, etc.To supplement RWU’s homegrown digital image collection, theUniversity also plans to subscribe to the ARTstor digital imagecollection.  ARTstor is a non-profit organization initially funded by theAndrew W. Mellon Foundation.  The charter image collection createdby the organization was first made available in July 2004.  Thecollection, also know as ARTstor, currently contains approximately300,000 images.  This charter collection is scheduled to grow to500,000 images by June 2006.ARTstor will allow users to search the collection, select images, andcreate a presentation with those images, either within ARTstor itself orusing a separate software program called the Offline Image Viewer(OIV).  Like MDID, ARTstor images are available in three sizes(thumbnail, postcard, and full-size).  ARTstor also contains someQuickTime VR files that allow a user to see an object from multiplevantage points.  Both the ARTstor viewer and the OIV have the abilityto zoom or pan on an image.  The images contained in ARTstor aretypically licensed from the repositories that hold the original works.ARTstor has negotiated agreements with numerous museums, libraries,and archives to make images available in the collection.Alongside ARTstor, RWU will continue to subscribe to Grove’sDictionary of Art which includes access to a collection of 90,000images of art and architecture and a searchable portal site that links todigital images available through museum websites around the world.Training for faculty members interested in using these collections willbegin this summer.Three people have played key roles in beginning RWU’s digital imagecollections.  Betsy Peck Learned, former Architecture Librarian andnow Associate Dean of University Library Services, was responsible forconstantly assessing the state of digital image technology and decidingwhen to initiate the homegrown collection at RWU.  Tim Kindle, DataSystems Administrator, set up the computer server and software thathosts the collection, and has responsibility for maintaining thattechnology.  And Marci Hahn, Assistant Curator of Visual Resources,created the MDID cataloging fields, and worked through the oftenfrustrating task of getting MDID to import images and cataloging datacorrectly.  When you see them, please tell them thank you for theirvision and persistence in bringing digital image collections to RWU.By Betsy Peck Learned     As the academic year comes to a close, we’d like to note the greatsuccess of the first year of programming in the library’s Mary TefftWhite Cultural Center.  This active space, located on the east side ofthe Main Library’s first floor, was made possible by a generousdonation from Mary Tefft “Happy” White, class of 1976 and an RWUhonorary degree recipient in 2002.  Dedicated on September 16,2004, the Center featured a wide variety of academic lectures anddiscussion groups including eight Socrates Café sessions, the ForeignPolicy Association’s Great Decisions discussion series sponsored by theFriends of the Library, the Academic Showcase featuring senior honorsresearch, and the UN Pathways video conferences.In the words of Mrs. White, “The Center serves as the University’sprimary gathering place for students, faculty, and the community toLIBRARY NEASC UPDATEBy Betsy Peck Learned     As the University prepares to undergo regional accreditation by theNew England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), manyfaculty and administrators on campus have been appointed to lead thework associated with specific standards.  Betsy Peck Learned, AssociateDean of Libraries and June Speakman, Wilf Professor of PoliticalScience, have been appointed co-chairs for Standard Seven: Libraryand Other Information Resources and their work is well underway.With the recently approved revision of the NEASC Standards forAccreditation, Standard Seven has been largely rewritten to addressinformation technology resources and services in conjunction withlibrary resources and services.  This is a departure from previousaccreditation requirements and will require some careful collaborationbetween the Library and Information Technology.The Library and Information Resources Committee has been dividedinto two work groups—library and information technology—to collectdata and address questions related to the specific sub-standards.  TheTHEMARYTEFFTWHITECULTURALCENTERlibrary group, chaired by Betsy, includes Will Ayton, Susan McMullen,and Brett McKenzie.  The I.T. group, chaired by June, includes BonnieHatch, Joe Pangborn, and Madge Thombs.  The groups are busilycollecting evidence in support of the standard such as strategic plans,budgets, annual reports, faculty and staff CVs, instruction and trainingdata, etc.  Simultaneously the groups are working to prepare an outlineof the most important issues related to the standard for the Juneplanning meeting with the President.Focus groups will be held in the fall with students, faculty, and staff toaddress issues that were identified through the library’s LibQual surveyof user satisfaction completed last Spring.  Methods of assessment offaculty and students’ information technology needs will be determinedwithin the next academic year. Anyone wishing to participate in libraryfocus groups should contact Betsy (elearned@rwu.edu) or June(jspeakman@rwu.edu).By Elizabeth Arnold     The membership of the Friends of the Library is made up ofcongenial bibliophiles and library supporters; the Steering Committeehas been guided by this fact to arrange programs and field trips toappeal to their interests.  A pattern has been established of presentingtwo programs at the University in the Fall and the Spring, andarranging field trips of interest in the Winter and Summer.This Spring we have introduced and sponsored a Great DecisionsDiscussion Group using materials prepared by the Foreign PolicyAssociation.  The FPA, based in New York City, is an independentnonprofit association dedicated to encouraging study and discussionon solutions to the world’s greatest challenges affecting the UnitedStates.interact with visiting scholarsand chosen local, national, andinternational leaders for themeaningful exchange ofthoughts and ideas.”Among the many diverseprograms this year the mostwidely attended were those inthe Mary Tefft White ProgramSeries which featured Oskar Eustis, former Artistic Director of TrinityRepertory Theater and the new Director of the American RepertoryTheater in New York; David Macaulay, award-winning author andillustrator of books such as Cathedral, Mill, and The Way ThingsWork; and Robert Ballard, URI Oceanographer and discoverer of theremains of the Titanic.The final program this academic year featured a reception sponsoredby the Friends of the Library for the statewide program “ReadingAcross Rhode Island” preceding a public appearance by KhaledHosseini, author of the highly acclaimed The Kite Runner.  Please joinus again in the fall for the second year of exciting and enlighteningevents in the library’s Mary Tefft White Cultural Center.Roger Williams UniversityFRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY2004 - 2005 ACTIVITIESFor this year’s programs, we have had as speakers; authors, publishers,faculty members, book collectors, and sellers.  In the Spring of 2004,Ambassador Chas. W. Freeman, Jr. spoke to a full house on” What’s toCome in the Arab Gulf ”.  After the September dedication of the MaryTefft White Cultural Center, we opened there in October with StephanBrigidi presenting “On Being a Citizen of the Planet”.  For this season’sfinale, we welcome Sarina Wyant , President of the Rhode IslandCenter for the Book, and Peter V. Deekle, Dean of University LibraryServices, speaking on “Reading Across Rhode Island.”Field trips have taken us to libraries within a radius of an hour and ahalf travel time from Bristol. We have visited ten of the fourteenSpecial Collections in Rhode Island and reached into Massachusetts tovisit the American Antiquarian Society in Worcester, the Kennedy andPublic Libraries in Boston and the Kendall Library at the New BedfordWhaling Museum.  The staffs of these libraries have done an outstand-ing job of arranging really special material for us to see “up close andpersonal”.  The Summer field trip took us to the historic RISD Librarywhere Carol Terry, the Director, presented the extensive array ofmaterials there for the students as well as some precious historicdocuments.  As a special treat, we were shown the plans for their newLibrary.  The Winter trip this year was to the Haffenreffer Museum ofAnthropology for an in depth presentation of their history, programs,publications, and exhibits and a look at some very special artifacts inthe vaults.Plans are underway for next season.  In the works for the July field tripare arrangements for a trip to the Mashantucket – Pequot Museum andResearch Center.  Starting in September, we look forward to co-sponsoring with the RWU Department of Arts and Letters certainpublic receptions for authors and their books during a 4 to 5pm “Meetthe Author” for the RWU students in the M. T. White Center.The Friends will continue to encourage donations to the Library“Endowed Book Fund”.  The programs are open to the public, butonly members of the Friends of the Library are invited to go on thefield trips.  We cordially encourage all book and library enthusiasts totake advantage of this opportunity to join us as we look forward to thenext season with excitement.  Membership information will be onhand at each of our events.Mrs. Mary Tefft White greets Robert BallardOne Old Ferry RoadBristol, RI 02809-2921401-254-3375 or 401-254-3031http://library.rwu.eduEditorBetsy Peck LearnedAssociate Dean, University LibraryINVESTIGATING DIGITAL REPOSITORIESBy Peter DeekleAlthough the University is a treasure house of scientific, technological, cultural, artistic, andhistorical material, these resources are generally inaccessible to searchers and the public. Further-more, there is increasing awareness that universities and research institutions are losing valuabledigital and print materials. Like a growing number of academic libraries across the nation,the University Library is investigating its emerging role as the host of an institutional repository.The creation of institutional repositories is addressing the changes in scholarly communication thatremove barriers to access. In collaboration with librarians from other academic libraries we arestudying models and preparing for a future of digital repositories.  This future will enhancelibrarians’ roles as experts in collecting, describing, preserving, and providing stewardship fordocuments and digital information. Digital repositories provide services to faculty, researchers, and administrators who want to archive research,historic, and creative materials. We look forward to sharing information with our readers about this project in the coming months.

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Connections, Spring, 2005; Issue Six

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