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Reunion 2018 @ Mann

Posted on
Mon Jun 4, 2018

Mann LibraryMann’s 2018 Reunion program features the fruits of some wonderful collaboration with different Cornell programs and departments and with the Biodiversity Heritage Library.Visiting us this weekend, you’ll be able to:

Explore how the olden (apple) golden is becoming all the new age fine dining rage—thanks to some important help from Cornell plant scientists and the knowledge captured in heritage life sciences literature

Learn how Cornell researchers at the Tata-Cornell Institute are working with community members in India to tackle problems of chronic malnutrition.

Get hands-on with some of the exciting ways you can design and create your own innovations in the new mannUfactory makerspace that recently opened at the Library.

See some fun and beautiful new life-sciences themed art and other displays created by Cornell students and visiting fellows during the past year.

Most of our program is family friendly—we warmly invite curious minds of all ages to drop in and explore. We hope to see you here!

For information about all Reunion events across the Cornell University Library system, please see Events.

Golden Olden for the Modern Age: New Online Apples & Cider Collection

Posted on
Tue Jun 5, 2018
Apple Poster
From the Herefordshire Pomona, by Robert Hogg and Henry Graves Bull; illustrated by Alice B. Ellis and Edith G. Bull, 1876.

Mann Library is pleased to announce the creation of a new collection, “Pomology: Apples and Cider” in the online Biodiversity Heritage Library. This collection features sixty-four titles (over ninety volumes) on a variety of cider and apple-related topics. Many of these titles (including Pomona Herefordiensis and the Herefordshire Pomona, two gorgeously illustrated classics from the heartland of British cider apple heritage) are new to the BHL library, just recently digitized in a collaboration between Mann Library, Cornell University Library’s Digital Consulting & Production Services, and BHL. Now part of the legacy life sciences literature in the BHL library, these selected titles make an invaluable record of agricultural history—and an important new tool in understanding and preserving agribiodiversity—widely available to scientists, breeders, apple growers, cider makers and historians worldwide.

To select titles for the collection, Mann librarians conferred with Dr. Greg Peck (Section of Horticulture, School of Integrative Plant Science), whose teaching and research at Cornell focuses on the challenges of sustainable tree fruit crop production to support growing New York State industries such as cider and perry. One particular target of Professor Peck’s recent work has been the assessment of large numbers of apple genotypes for their potential use in hard cider production. When genetic and chemical analyses of a tested cultivar raises question about its proper identification, historic literature of past centuries can help home in on the needed answer. And thanks to his collaboration with Mann Library on the “Pomology: Apples and Cider” collection, Professor Peck has discovered a powerful new tool for this research. As Dr. Peck shared on this week’s BHL user stories blog, “BHL is easy to use and I really like being able to share FREE resources with my students and commercial cider producers, Once I’m on the site, I’m there for hours. I guess time flies when you’re having fun!”

Dr. Peck will be presenting the talk, “The Modern Emergence of a Historic Drink” at Mann Library on Friday, June 8, 10 am. The talk will be livestreamed on Mann Library’s Facebook page.

Circ Desk & First Floor Improvements Ahead

Posted on
Thu Jun 14, 2018
Circ Desk improvements ahead!
Mann’s student assistants looking forward to improvements coming soon to Mann’s circ desk!

When the library gets a little emptier during the summer weeks, what do library staff do? They get busy making things better.

Over the next eight weeks, visitors coming through Mann Library’s front doors will see us working on some important upgrades to the first floor:

  • At our circulation desk, we are taking apart the existing service facilities and then re-building them into an improved configuration. While this (somewhat noisy) work is in progress, visitors will find all Mann’s usual reference assistance, book and equipment loan, and oversized printing services available at a temporary location by the information and research help desk just inside the front doors of the library.
  • On the rest of the first floor, starting some time in August, we’ll be removing the existing worn, stained carpeting and replacing it with new carpeting. This will result in some disruption to the study spaces and computer stations on the first floor during the month of August. But the final outcome will be a much improved working environment for our patrons.

We expect to be done with circulation desk changes by mid-August—meaning all new and returning students and faculty will find more accessible, efficient and streamlined services provided via a newly reconfigured circulation desk facility back at the usual spot. We expect the re-carpeting of the first floor to be done by September. For now, please pardon our noise and our mess—and stay tuned for some nice improvements ahead!

Have questions or comments about the project? Feel free to email us at mann_circ@cornell.edu

Views From the Trail

Posted on
Thu Jun 28, 2018
Adirondack Black Bear Painting
Adirondack Black Bear (Ursus americanus). Illustrated by Oliver Kemp. “Annual Report of the Forest, Fish and Game Commission of the state of New York,” Albany, N.Y., 1902.

Get out and hike, bird-watch, picnic, kayak or rock-climb to celebrate the 50th anniversary of our National Trails System!

In the summer of 1968, the United States Congress passed legislation to establish a system of nature, recreational, and historic trails for public use across the country. In October, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the National Trail Systems Act into law. Over the 50 years since, the law has given us 11 National Scenic Trails, 19 National Historic Trails, and over 1,200 National Recreation Trails. If you’ve ever found yourself taking in some gorgeous views in a national park or state forest somewhere between the Adirondack High Peaks and the Florida panhandle, or between the Connecticut shoreline and the Pacific Northwest, there’s a good chance that at one point you were standing on a trail that is part of this system.

The groundwork for America’s National Trails was laid in the late 1800’s, with a blossoming interest in preserving and appreciating the American wilderness. Reformers such as the naturalist John Muir brought attention the question of conservation by kindling a newfound interest in the American people for nature. Moved by the eloquence of Muir’s appeals as he exhorted his fellow American’s to “keep close to Nature’s heart… and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods…[and] wash your spirit clean,” the public was romanced by the great outdoors.

Public appreciation for the value of wilderness and green spaces was further inspired by the work of agencies like the New York Forest, Fish and Game Commission, which in the late 19th century began publishing an annual report series–the Annual Report of the Forest, Fish and Game Commission of the State of New York– to describe and explain the natural environment of the State of New York. The series represents a notable early attempt by the State government to document and raise awareness about New York’s natural treasures and the need to conserve them. The NYS government commissioned some of the finest environmental and landscape artists of the day to enrich the reports with illustrations that would convey some of the timeless beauty and high adventure to be found in New York’s wilderness. (Check out our recent Vaults of Mann blog for a closer peek at this remarkable series).

Thanks to the combined efforts of visionaries, local citizens, lawmakers, and agencies at all levels of government over the years, Americans today have some great options for getting a good taste of the great outdoors. Given the anniversary, this summer might be a great time to check out the wonders of the country’s national trails system–and for a guide that will help you #findyourway, be sure to check out Trails50. But don’t forget to also look close to home! Those of us here in the Finger Lakes can take advantage of beautiful trails in our area; such as the Watkins Glen Gorge Trail, the Rim and Gorge Trail at Robert H. Treman Park, the Gorge Trail to Bear trail to Lake Treman Loop in Buttermilk Falls, and the Taughannock Falls South Rim Trail:

Additionally, check out the new book display set up by the Mann reference desk, presenting titles from the Cornell Library collections that that offer a variety of perspectives–from practical how-to guidance and maps to story-telling, philosophy and history–on the experience of trails, hiking and the big outdoors in the United States. Listed below, select highlights from the display. Happy reading–and hiking!

Hiking Guides and Tales of Trails:

History and Formation of the Trails System:

Environmental Issues Concerning Trails:

Local, Upstate New York Trails:

New Doings at the mannUfactory Makerspace

Posted on

3D printer in the MakerspaceWorking on making something besides a paper or a presentation (whether left over from the summer or starting new for the fall)? As of August 23, the mannUfactory makerspace is open for longer hours with more staff (Mon – Thurs 10-9; Fri 10-6; closed Sat; Sun 12-9)! We’re also offering additional equipment and new opportunities to learn, supporting more classes and workshops (informal and formal), and soliciting community feedback.

New equipment
Two additional Ultimaker 3 3D printers will reduce wait times and allow us to take 3D printing on the road. We also now have a 1” button maker (and new button making pricing), and if you want to kick your sewing up a notch, you can use our new serger for more professional, finished seams.

Workshops
Want to learn something new? Tell us what workshops you’d like to see, whether you’d like to teach, and what topics you’d like to learn in ongoing special interest groups (SIGs)! Fill out this interest form by August 31st and we’ll try and tailor the workshop content, dates, and times to your needs.

Course-related and Group Sessions
Want a session tailored just for your credit class or special group? See our philosophy, and talk to us about what you’re interested in, what you’d like your group to be able to do after a session, and what dates and times work for you.

Give feedback
The makerspace is nothing without you! Tell us what you think, and if you’d like to be more involved, join our makerspace advisory board. Contact us at makerspace@cornell.edu for more information and to leave comments.

Textbook Reserve Requests: Now Open to Students

Posted on
Fri Aug 31, 2018

Did you know you can borrow textbooks for free? Many textbooks and other course materials can be requested by you and are available for short-term loan from the the library. Save your money!Cornell University Library is pleased to announce a pilot student-initiated textbook reserve program that will allow students to request any textbook for course reserve at any of our libraries. When the Library adds a book to current reserves holdings as part of this process, it will be available for short-term loan (typically 2 hours) for anyone with a current Cornell ID.

This new program has several goals

  • It will allow the Library to more quickly fill any requests that students make for course-related materials.
  • It will help the Library more efficiently identify new resources for the Cornell Library collection that students need and are likely to use right away.
  • It will allow the Library to help students save money on textbooks and course materials, with important potential positive impact on inclusivity and diversity in the Cornell student body.

How does the program work? Here are the steps involved:

  1. Students finding themselves in need of a textbook that they do not already own should visit the Library’s Reserves page.
  2. Using the search box offered on that page, they should first check if the needed textbook is already on reserve at one of the Cornell’s nineteen unit libraries on campus.
  3. If they find it is not already on reserve, students can then click on the “Textbook Request Form” to submit a reserve request. This submission will initiate a reserve request for the needed book. In the case of a book that Cornell University Library does not already own, the submission will also trigger a purchase request.
  4. Students will be notified when their requested item has been purchased and/or put on reserve, as well as what format (print or e-book).

Our new approach to reserve requests essentially expands the Library’s reserve request system beyond faculty-only, to include student requests as well. We anticipate that with this change in our system, Cornell University Library can better support students who wish or need to utilize library resources for their assigned course materials. A win for everybody! For any questions, please reach out to Wendy Wilcox (ww83) or Tobi Hines (eeh53).

New Mann Library Help Desk Open for Business

Posted on
Fri Sep 7, 2018
Library Help Desk
Get research help at the newly designed Library Help Desk

It’s been a busy summer of renovations at Mann Library, and we’re finally done! With our first floor now nicely put back together, we are back in full swing for the new school year.

What improvements did we make? We have beautiful new carpet throughout the first floor, including a fun new faux-cobblestone motif that complements the natural light of the central atrium and Beebe Lake Woods windows.

We also have a new and improved Library Help Desk, a re-configured “one-stop shop” for our visitors, featuring a clean, bright desk design and streamlined customer service. Here, students, faculty, and staff will be able to check out books, course materials, laptops, and whatever else they might need for a productive day at Cornell. At the same desk, visitors will also be able to get all the information and research help previously provided at the Information & Research Help Desk, once located between the library entrance and the atrium and now consolidated at this new service desk. So, if you come to Mann Library for help of any kind – from picking up a study room key to help getting started on a major research project – head straight over to the Library Help Desk. It’s the same great service in a new, more accessible and efficient location.

The Library Help Desk is open for book, course material, room and equipment loans anytime Mann Library is open (see Hours for hours of operation). Research help services at the Library Help Desk are available Monday – Thursday, 9:00am to 5:00pm, and Friday 9:00am to 4:00pm.

And just by way of reminder: Cornell students, faculty and staff can also book a one-on-one consultation with librarians who have expertise in specific fields buy using the “book a consultation” feature on the Mann Library Meet Our Experts page. Not sure who you should meet with? Fill out our Request a Research Consultation form and we will put you in touch with the appropriate contact.

We look forward to seeing you at our new Library Help Desk soon, and we wish you all a successful fall semester!

Science Immersion 2019: Applications Now Being Accepted

Posted on
Thu Nov 15, 2018

Science Immersion 3 day intensive program advertisementAre you an early career graduate student in the fields of Agriculture and Life Sciences? Would you like to get a leg up by learning the skills you need to succeed at each stage of the research lifecycle? Please consider applying for the Library’s Science Immersion Program, an intensive, three-day series of workshops on research skills for graduate students. The program will be held in Mann Library from January 9-11, with lunch provided. Can’t make those dates? Check out our recorded sessions from 2018.

The program aims to provide participants with practical technologies, tools and research skills to become more efficient scholars. Hands-on workshops will cover such topics as:

  •  advanced citation management 
  •  complex search strategies 
  •  author rights 
  •  data management 
  •  science communication
  •  research impact 

And much more…

A complete itinerary of the program will be available at the end of the Fall 2018 semester. The deadline for applications is December 1, 2018. Visit for the application.

If you have any questions, please send a message to cul-sci-immersion-l@cornell.edu

Greening Up the House

Posted on
Fri Nov 30, 2018
New Plant
Matt Siemon ’18 (bottom) and one of the plants—a thriving bromeliad—spotlighted in his interpretive display at Mann Library.
With the Cornell campus landscape settling quickly into a (rather early!) winter white during these late fall weeks, we find our thoughts turning to greenery— indoor greenery that is. When earlier this year we asked patrons to let us know what they like about Mann Library, among the most frequent responses we received were: Mann’s books & databases, our helpful staff, our labor-saving info tech, and . . . our plants. Yes, that’s right: Along with books and data, computers, printers and study nooks, Mann Library features an extensive plant collection. And apparently that leafy collection has a draw of its very own among library lovers on the Cornell campus.
There are a number of good reasons why our indoor greenery deserves its popularity. For one, potted plants not only lend an element of crisp outdoor freshness to any space they occupy, they also give a boost to the air we breathe by filtering out harmful chemicals, releasing water vapor, and enriching it with oxygen. And over recent years, there’s been quite a bit of research (some conducted right here at Cornell) that also suggests the mental health benefits of indoor plants in the way of reduced anxiety, greater sense of well-being, heightened attentiveness, and sharper focus. All particularly good things for a university crowd in need of thought-nurturing work space.
 
Visitors to Mann over the past several months will also have noticed another reason to appreciate our green collection: We’ve recently upped the ante on its intellectually stimulating effects through a new interpretive dimension that provides detail on the botany and history behind some of the collection’s specimens. This display is the work of a recent student intern, Matthew Siemon (SIPS 2018) who spent a year at Mann Library stewarding the health of the plant collection while also researching some of its natural history So, if you’ve ever found your study sessions in the library interrupted by wandering (and ultimately mind-refreshing) thoughts like: “What is an octopus plant?” or “Is this thing related to a pineapple?,” please know that Matt has provided you some answers. Look for the orange plaques attached to some of the charismatic greens around the library, and you’ll be impressed not only with the interesting information and very nice prose, but also by the lovely artwork—created by Matt’s own hand—that distinguishes each plaque.
 
None of the plants in Mann’s collection are native to libraries, of course, and it’s sometimes a bit of a challenge to make sure our indoor conditions meet the habitat requirements of the different species in our indoor line-up. But with the help of student interns like Matt and some dedicated plant care aficionados on the Mann staff, our aim is to keep a thriving plant collection that cultivates a sense of well-being along with some active curiosity about the intriguing bit of biodiversity to be found right here in the Library. And with that we also hope to give the hard-working students we see at Mann everyday yet one more way to get the most out of their library experience during their years at Cornell.

2018 Ans van Tienhoven Memorial Award

Posted on
Mon Dec 3, 2018
Mann staff and friends with award winner
Top (l to r): Doug Tepper, Mary Ochs (Mann Library Director), Jeff Piestrak, Arianne Tepper, Deborah Cooper; Bottom (l to r): Janet McCue (Mann Library Director, 1997 – 2008), A. Tepper, Howard Evans (Emeritus Professor of Biomedical Sciences), Erica Evans, M. Ochs, Marty Schlabach (Mann Librarian, 1987-2016)
A favorite Mann Library tradition continued last week when Mann staff and friends gathered to celebrate the presentation of the Ans van Tienhoven Memorial Award to this year’s winner, digital collections specialist Jeff Piestrak. Supporting Jeff’s participation in the Community Informatics Research Network (CIRN) in Prato, Italy, this award is helping Jeff to explore effective strategies for linking information resources across different Cornell programs to make their data and guidance more easily accessible to a wider audience.  Mann staff and friends
 
The late professor of animal science Ari van Tienhoven established the van Tienhoven Memorial Award at Mann Library in 1987. Named in honor of spouse Ans, who was a passionate promoter of literacy and education, the award funds travel by Mann library staff to explore new horizons with the potential to lead to further innovation at the Library. Last year’s winner, digital collections librarian Deborah Cooper, used her award to investigate issues of digital archiving at the 2018 Mid-Atlantic Regional Archives Conference in Hershey, Pennsylvania,  
 
Deborah formally presented this year’s Ans van Tienhoven award to Jeff at last week’s celebration, and Mann was honored to have special friends, including members of the van Tienhoven family and former colleagues of Ans and Ari in attendance as the award baton, embodied in a beautiful glass sculpture from the Corning Museum of Glass (also a gift from the van Tienhoven family) was officially passed along. In her remarks at the ceremony, Ans and Ari’s daughter, Arianne Tepper, noted the perfect match between the award and her father’s wish to honor Ans and her “love of learning new things.” The celebration marked the 31st year of the van Tienhoven Award, for a legacy in innovative librarianship that’s going strong at Mann Library–thanks to our good friends.