Library Matters A Newsletter for Staff of the University of Manitoba Libraries

Elizabeth Dafoe Library Celebrates 50 Years

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n March 27, 2003, Elizabeth Dafoe Library celebrated 50 years of service to the university community. It was a time to reminisce about people and events of the past, to look to the future, and to examine the changes wrought over the years. On October 28, 1952, His Excellency the Right Honourable Vincent Massey, Governor General of Canada, laid the cornerstone for a new Arts Library which was officially opened on September 26, 1953. The Arts and Junior Libraries were amalgamated into the new facility, along with five additional collections: architecture and interior design, science, agriculture, education, and engineering bound periodicals. In 1961, the library was named in honour of Elizabeth Dafoe in recognition of her service as the University Librarian from 1937 to 1960 and her professional influence in the Canadian library community.

Volume 10, Number 4 March/April 2003 media are available online and accessible by libraries regardless of size. The Canadian National Site Licencing Project was an example of such achievement. President Szathmáry reflected on her early experiences in the library and, with humour, recalled how intimidating that experience could be. She finds the Elizabeth Dafoe Library a welcoming place that she enjoys visiting. It is a successful mix of the traditional library space blended with technology that links to world-wide resources. A panel of three professors entertained with stories of their experiences in coping with ever-changing methods of accessing information–from card catalogues, to microfiche, to CD databases, to online catalogues. It was a pleasure to have Dean Emeritus Ruth Berry, Department of Family Studies, Professor Gerald Friesen, Department of History, and Professor Paul Thomas, Department of Political Studies, share in the memories and celebrations of the Elizabeth Dafoe Library.

In her remarks to over 130 people in the audience, Nicole Michaud-Oystryk, Head of Elizabeth Dafoe Library, gave some history about the library and talked about its namesake, Elizabeth Dafoe, who, as a strong advocate for the University of Manitoba Library, brought it to the forefront of Canadian university libraries. She played a significant role in the establishment of the National Library of Canada in 1953. Keynote speaker Shirley Baker, Vice-Chancellor for Information Technology and Dean of University Libraries at the Washington University in St. Louis, talked about the libraries of the past and the importance of librarianship in establishing methods of storage and retrieval of materials. She traced the evolution from card catalogues written in “library hand” to technologically advanced retrieval systems accessible from computers in libraries, offices and homes. She talked of collaborative efforts among librarians in Canada and the United States to ensure that journals and other print

A highlight of the event was having among the guests, former library staff who were there in the early days when the library was new and Elizabeth Dafoe was the University Librarian. The Director, Carolynne Presser (right), introduced Dorothy Segal, Geertrui Oliver, Dr. Arthur Millward and Zita Bernstein. Nicole Michaud-Oystryk is on the left.

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Launch of the Archives of the Ukrainian Canadian Experience

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he Archives of the Ukrainian Canadian Experience was officially launched on April 9, 2003, at an event co-sponsored by Archives & Special Collections, the Department of German and Slavic Studies, and the Centre for Ukrainian Canadian Studies, and held in the Icelandic Reading Room. Over 100 people from the University and the Slavic communities attended. Featured speaker, Orysia Tracz, Collections Management, well known for her knowledge of all things Ukrainian, first presented a film demonstrating the technique used to create Ukrainian Easter eggs. She followed with a stimulating lecture entitled “Pysanka: More Than Just an Egg - Symbolism of the Ukrainian Easter Egg.”

Vol. 10 No. 4, March/April 2003 Collections, noted the timeliness of this archives by saying, “The people that immigrated to Canada as children are now in their senior years and looking for somewhere to place their papers and personal effects. This time represents both a potential for the material to be transferred to an archives, and a risk that it might be thrown out.” Touches of the culture at the event included a woman who demonstrated decorating Ukrainian Easter eggs, along with a beautiful collection on display; a musician playing the bandura, which is a traditional Ukrainian musical instrument; and refreshments that included Ukrainian favourite foods. The Libraries Exhibit Committee put together a large and excellent display all about Ukrainian Easter Eggs which is well worth a visit. It can be seen at the entrance of Elizabeth Dafoe Library until May 2. A display of archival items mounted by James Kominowski and Vladimira Zvonik was exhibited April 9-15, also on the main floor.

Semi-Annual Libraries Staff Meeting

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lease mark your calendars to attend the Semi-Annual Libraries Staff Meeting on Wednesday, May 21, 2:00-4:30 p.m., in the Beausejour Room, UMSU. Staff will be contacted by e-mail with more information about the meeting.

Staff Activities

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Photo reproduced by permission from:Vira Man’ko. Ukrains’ki narodni pysankuy. L’viv: Svichado, 2001.

The Archives of the Ukrainian Canadian Experience will preserve the Ukrainian cultural identity as it is reflected in papers, documents, photographs and other materials donated by individuals and organizations to the Archives. They tell the story of the Ukrainian experience in Canada. In her comments, Shelley Sweeney, Head, Archives & Special

im Blanchard, Head of Reference Services, Elizabeth Dafoe Library, has won the 2003 Margaret McWilliams Award for popular history for his book A Thousand Miles of Prairie. The awards were presented at the Brave New Words Ceremony held at the Fort Garry Hotel on Saturday, April 23. Jim’s book was one of five University of Manitoba Press books nominated for awards this year. Congratulations! Lesley McKenzie of Microforms in Elizabeth Dafoe Library has just completed an art exhibit called Stand-Ins, which was on display during March 2003 at the University of Winnipeg. She and four colleagues used a variety of media to illustrate the place of

Page 3 - Library Matters women’s history, bodies, labour and value in contemporary culture. Lesley created objects of resin and gelatinous materials and then videotaped them to produce a film which gave voice to the internal. The Curator of this exhibit was Shawna Dempsey. Congratulations Lesley! Mora Gregg, Head of the William R. Newman Library, announced that the library has received $10,000 from the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences Endowment Fund to purchase materials for the collections.

Farewell Karen and the Product Catalogue Collection

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ffective May 1, 2003, the Product Catalogue Collection and, with it, Karen Wilson Baptist and her position as Technician 5 will be transferred from the Architecture/Fine Arts Library to the Faculty of Architecture. The decision to make this change was made because reduced space for the library in the planned Centre for Music, Art and Design (CMAD) meant that part of the library could not move to the new location. Since the Product Catalogue Collection is a self-sufficient unit and Karen’s responsibilities and the function of the Product Catalogue Collection have become more entrenched in the operations of the Faculty and Department of Interior Design, it made sense to have the Product Catalogue Collection become part of the Faculty.

Vol. 10 No. 4, March/April 2003 Karen has been with the Libraries since 1980 when she started as a part-time Library Assistant 1 in the Education Library. She transferred to full-time in 1981, then became a Library Assistant 2 in Dafoe Circulation in 1985. Her career shifted to its present course when she transferred to a sessional position as Library Assistant 4 in the Product Catalogue Collection in August 1992. The position became fulltime continuing on May 1, 1993, and was reclassified to Technician 5 in July 1999. In the meantime, Karen was busy working toward successful completion of her Bachelor of Fine Arts and Masters in Education degrees. In 2000, she was asked to teach a component of the Sensory Technologies course for the Department of Interior Design in the fall term, and has been teaching a component of the first year Design Studio course in both terms ever since. The Product Catalogue Collection has grown and gained international recognition thanks to Karen’s skills, dedication, commitment and enthusiasm for her work. Best wishes from the Libraries go with Karen as she continues to expand the Collection, its role as part of the curriculum, and her contributions as a teacher in the Faculty of Architecture.

A Moment with Fireside John by - John Rohs, Facilities Manager, Libraries Administration

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pring has Sprung.....need I say more? With spring comes the deadly mosquitoes. I read in the Free Press today that the West Nile Virus affects people in their 40s and 50s the hardest. This is not good news for us “elders.” Young people play catch with footballs; older people watch them and swat mosquitoes. Maybe old people should be throwing footballs–there must be a connection. Speaking of connections, I was on the job site of the extension that is being connected to the Law Library. I was a bit curious about how they expect to be finished by September. Right now, we have 5,000 square feet of rough concrete 60 feet in the air, with no walls or ceiling. It takes me two weeks to paint a hallway, but they say they can do it by September.

Karen Wilson Baptist (right) assists a student in the Product Catalogue Collection room.

Speaking about getting things done, we seem to be on the good side of Physical Plant and some of

Page 4 - Library Matters our repairs are being looked at. If you have any outstanding problems, let me know (e-mail). If you phone, I’ll forget, *note: see “elders” above. I’ll push for the big problems first. I’m still waiting for responses about furniture or equipment that may be surplus in your area that someone else could use (e-mail). Last but not least, the Libraries made a contribution of totally-not-required items to the Canadian Armed Forces for their drive to set up schools in Bosnia. That was a “feel good” moment.

The Student Library Worker Bursary 2002/2003 Winner by - June Dutka, Librarian Emeritus

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or the third year running, a full-time student at the University of Manitoba working parttime within the Libraries has received The Student Library Worker Bursary. For the 2002/2003 academic year, UM Financial Aid and Awards selected a Faculty of Arts student to receive a $950 bursary. This year the awarding office received seven applications. When librarians June Dutka, Earle Ferguson, Sharon Tully, and Patrick Wright retired in 1998, The Student Library Worker Bursary was established at their request in recognition of their longstanding affiliation with the University of Manitoba Libraries. The annual interest accrued on this fund will continue to support, in perpetuity, students who meet the application criteria. Since the bursary’s inception, three students have received substantial assistance from the fund.

Just Married...

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ndrea Hodgson married Dr. David Szwajcer on April 27, 2003 in Toronto, Ontario. Andrea is the Education Services Librarian at Neil John Maclean Health Sciences Library. She will retain her maiden name. Congratulations, newlyweds!

Vol. 10 No. 4, March/April 2003

Baby Talk

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yle Ford, Reference Librarian at the Donald W. Craik Engineering Library, and wife Lisa had their first child, a baby boy born March 10, 2003. Malcolm Ford weighed 8 lbs. 7 oz. and was 21 inches long. Everyone is doing fine. Patricia Yu, MHINET Librarian at the Neil John Maclean Health Sciences Library, and husband Brent Douglas had their first child, a baby girl named Lily. She was born on March 10, 2003, and weighed 6 lb. 10 oz. Congratulations to all! Karen Clay, former Head of the William R. Newman Library, has had another baby boy to keep company with Tony and Dominic. Born January 26, 2003, Terence John (TJ) weighed 7lbs. 13 oz.

Staff on the Move Appointments and Transfers

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ffective April 1, 2003, Analyn Cohen Baker assumed a full-time appointment as the Reference Librarian at Seven Oaks General Hospital Library. Previously, she had been in that position on a half-time basis. Lori Giles-Smith was appointed to a sessional position as Reference Librarian, Sciences and Technology Library, from April 1 to June 30, 2003. Patricia Yu’s position as MHINET Librarian at the Neil John Maclean Health Sciences Library has been renewed for another year, effective April 1, 2003. This appointment is contingent upon funding provided by a grant from the College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba (CRNM). Patricia has held the position since her initial appointment in August 2001. Lisa Demczuk will transfer from her position as Clinical Programs Librarian, Neil John Maclean Health Sciences Library, to become the Grace General Hospital Librarian effective November 24, 2003. She is currently on Maternity Leave.

Page 5 - Library Matters Research/Study Leave Carol Cooke, Resources Development Librarian, Neil John Maclean Health Sciences Library. Will be on a six-month research/study leave from May 1 to October 31, 2003.

Maternity Leave Patricia Yu, MHINET Librarian, Neil John Maclean Health Sciences Library, is on a maternity leave followed by parental leave from March 17 to October 26, 2003.

Keep Your Records Up to Date

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emember, whenever you move, change your phone number, or change your marital status, your records at the University need to be updated. A form for this purpose is available from Pat Darlington, Libraries Administration, phone 4749881. When you complete the form, forward it to the office at 156 Elizabeth Dafoe Library. After your file is updated, the form will be forwarded to the University Human Resources Department to update records located there.

Vol. 10 No. 4, March/April 2003

A Note of Thanks by - Louise Pelletier (Student)

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just wanted to send a note to thank the people in Document Delivery for the wonderful service I have received throughout my program at the University of Manitoba. Whenever I show up to pick up yet another request, the staff are always happy and friendly. My course work is winding down shortly and I didn’t want my appreciation for the great service to go unsaid. Please share this with the people who help the students and those behind the scenes as well. Let them know that their hard work doesn’t go unnoticed. Thanks again and take care. Louise Pelletier (Student)

Happy Spring!

©2003. Library Matters is a bi-monthly publication of the University of Manitoba Libraries. Submissions should be sent to Donna Odgers, Libraries Administration Office, 156 Elizabeth Dafoe Library, or e-mail [email protected].