Category: Library Announcements

Spring 2021 Rare Book Room Exhibit Now Open

Posted on by Stacy Nowicki
Image of a rare book illustration

Interested in the history of books or printing? Or maybe you’re looking for something new to do in between classes? Come to the A.M. Todd Rare Book Room on the third floor of the library to view our Spring 2021 exhibit, Incunabula: An Exploration of Books from the Infancy of Printing.

The exhibit runs until June 11 and is available for viewing Tuesdays 10:00-12:00 PM, Friday 1:00-4:00 PM, or by appointment. We are open only to students, faculty, and staff who are participating in the college’s COVID-19 surveillance testing. Two people will be allowed to enter the room at a time. Masks are required.

Mallory Heslinger
Rare Book Room Curator
rarebookroom@kzoo.edu
(269) 337-5762

AntiRacism Reading Knook Discussion Event – April 2021

Posted on by Katrina Frank

AntiRacism Reading Knook

ARRK April 2021 Discussion with Laura Furge

Please join Laura Furge on Tuesday, April 20th from 4 – 5 p.m. for a facilitated discussion about moving from theoretical antiracist discussions to strategies to disrupt white supremacy. During the discussion we’ll look at the recent case of the Georgetown Professor Fired for Statements About Black Students as well as the article Are You Supporting White Supremacy?

For further details such as this month’s chapter of focus, time, and where to join the discussion, see the ARRK (AntiRacism Reading KnooK) – April 2021 Discussion post on the Inclusive Excellence website.

April 2021 ARRK Discussion Details

The AntiRacism Reading KnooK (ARRK) is a collaboration between the K College library staff and our Inclusive Excellence (KCIE) leadership team. This initiative is NOT a book club, but seeks to facilitate campus-wide engagement with the books in the KCIE Reading for Change book collection. This collection was created to encourage learning about and facilitate greater access to antiracism information to all members of the campus community.

ARRK aims to:

  1. reduce barrier to entry into reading antiracism books,
  2. identify and highlight campus facilitators with experience teaching and/or disciplinary expertise who can provide context and guide discussions of specific texts,
  3. foster broader relationships among faculty and staff, and thus
  4. build greater capacity for an inclusive campus through sustained and focused engagement with shared texts.
  5. help catalyze members of the campus to engage in small group discussions of entire books in the collection (self-organized book clubs, if you will).

For further information on #ARRK see the KCIE AntiRacism Reading Knook page. To volunteer to lead one of these sessions complete the ARRK Discussion Leader application.

Spring 2021 Library Hours and Services

Posted on by Ethan Cutler

The Library is here for you this Spring Quarter! Things may look different, but our services are available.

Masks and Distancing

Masks are required in the Library building.

Please remember to socially distance while you are in the Library building, especially on stairways, the elevator, and in seating areas. Six foot distances are marked at service points like the Circulation Desk.

For more information about expectations and College plans, see the Kalamazoo College COVID-19 Information website.

Spring Quarter 2021 Hours

The Library is CLOSED Week 1 (March 28 – April 4).

Starting Week 2 (April 5, 2021):
Monday – Thursday: 9am – 9pm
Friday: 9am – 5pm
Saturday: CLOSED
Sunday: 3pm – 9pm

Circulation Services

You may request Kalamazoo College Library items through Library OneSearch.

  • We will retrieve the books for you, and you will get an email when your materials are ready. 
  • You may pick up your items on a cart by the Reference Desk in the Library lobby during building open hours (expect a 24 hour processing delay).
  • Locate items by your name and take your books from the cart. They have already been checked out to you!
  • Please wear a face mask when picking up items to keep Information Services staff safe. Patrons are welcome to use the available hand sanitizer near the pick up cart when picking up items.
  • At this time, we cannot mail materials. If you are not in or near Kalamazoo, please contact reference@kzoo.edu and a Reference Librarian will help you identify libraries and services in your area.

If you have a concern about your requests or need assistance placing a hold, please email circulation@kzoo.edu.  

MeLCat and ILL

MeLCat and ILL will be available for faculty, staff, and students. You will receive an email when your materials are ready. Please follow the instructions above for pick up.

The MeLCat Visiting Patron service is temporarily suspended. Patrons from other MeLCat libraries are still able to request our books through MeLCat, but will not be able to check out materials in person at the Circulation Desk. Kalamazoo College students, faculty, and staff are temporarily unable to borrow materials in person from other MeLCat Visiting Patron participating libraries as well.

Returns

Please return all items (including MeLCat and ILL) in the Book Drop on Academy Street. They will be quarantined for 72 hours.

Reserves

Print reserves are suspended during Spring 2021. Your instructor may have materials for your course on Moodle, Teams, or another platform.

Study Space

We realize students need spaces for study, and are making some limited seating available. Study rooms and classrooms are not available for study during Spring 2021, but there is limited seating for study and at computers throughout the first, second, and third floors. Seating is first come, first served.

Please:

  • Do not move furniture
  • Stay six feet apart
  • Wear your mask correctly at all times
  • No eating or drinking
  • Wipe down your study area when you leave with the cleaning wipes provided

Reference Services

Reference services continue remotely. Make a Research Rescue appointment with us and we can meet with you on Zoom or Teams! You can also email us at reference@kzoo.edu.

Archives and Rare Book Room

You can make an appointment to use materials in person in the Archives or Rare Book Room, or we can answer your questions via email, Teams, or Zoom. Contact us at archives@kzoo.edu or rarebookroom@kzoo.edu.

Other Services

Other services in the building (Writing Center, ESL Help, Center for New Media Design, Media Services, Help Desk, etc.) have other hours and service changes. Please check their websites for details.
 

AntiRacism Reading Knook Discussion Event – March 2021

Posted on by Katrina Frank
A peak of a private, cozy, library from the view of a thin doorframe with a sign that says, "read."

Join us in the sixth AntiRacism Reading Knook (ARRK) event!

Note: Faculty and staff event

This month, members of the Advancement Division will share their experiences forming a division-wide antiracism book group. They’ll also lead a discussion from one of the books they read How to be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi.

For further details such as this month’s chapter of focus, time, and where to join the discussion, see the ARRK (AntiRacism Reading KnooK) – March 2021 Discussion post on the Inclusive Excellence website.

March 2021 ARRK Discussion Details

The AntiRacism Reading KnooK (ARRK) is a collaboration between the K College library staff and our Inclusive Excellence (KCIE) leadership team. This initiative is NOT a book club, but seeks to facilitate campus-wide engagement with the books in the KCIE Reading for Change book collection. This collection was created to encourage learning about and facilitate greater access to antiracism information to all members of the campus community.

ARRK aims to:

  1. reduce barrier to entry into reading antiracism books,
  2. identify and highlight campus facilitators with experience teaching and/or disciplinary expertise who can provide context and guide discussions of specific texts,
  3. foster broader relationships among faculty and staff, and thus
  4. build greater capacity for an inclusive campus through sustained and focused engagement with shared texts.
  5. help catalyze members of the campus to engage in small group discussions of entire books in the collection (self-organized book clubs, if you will).

For further information on #ARRK or to volunteer to lead one of these sessions, visit the KCIE AntiRacism Reading Knook page.

Women’s History Month Feature: Emancipated Spirits

Posted on by Stacy Nowicki
Book cover of Emancipated Spirits

In 1983, four authors captured the spirit of Kalamazoo College’s pioneer women who “found at Kalamazoo College enormous challenges, great work to be done, obstacles of tradition and prejudice which never fall easily and might have thwarted lesser spirits.” Celebrating the college’s sesquicentennial, Emancipated Spirits details the lives of four Kalamazoo College women who “had taken first steps and opened doors — or broken them down”:

  • Lucinda Hinsdale Stone: abolitionist, feminist, suffragist, and educator;
  • Frances Diebold: Professor of Biology who was “perhaps more responsible than anyone for its reputation in the sciences, that realm where women were supposed to tread so fearfully;”
  • Pauline Byrd Johnson: the College’s first black student, who became the first black teacher in the Kalamazoo Public Schools; and
  • Nelda Balch: Professor of Theatre, who was known for undertaking challenging and avant-garde plays and elevated theatre at the College.

Find Emancipated Spirits online or on our shelves. If you are interested in more pioneering women at Kalamazoo College, contact our College Archives!

Finals Hours and Spring Break Library Services

Posted on by Stacy Nowicki
Dog with glasses at laptop

Finals Week Hours

The Library’s hours for Winter Quarter Finals are:

Sunday, 3/14: 1 p.m. – 9 p.m.;
Monday, 3/15: 9 a.m. – 9 a.m.;
Tuesday, 3/16: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Good luck – you’ll do great!

Spring Break Services

The Upjohn Library Commons building will be closed during Spring Break and the first week of the Spring Term. However, we will provide the following services to students, staff, and faculty. Beginning March 17th:

  • Requested books from the Kalamazoo College Library will be available for pick up from 10am-2pm at the receiving doors on the Academy Street side of the library building (Monday – Friday, March 17 – April 2). Book pickup will NOT be available Friday, March 19.
  • MeLCat & Interlibrary Loan services will continue to be available.
  • Reference librarians will be still be available virtually​. 
  • Book returns will continue to be accepted in the outside book drop on the Academy Street side of the building.

The Library will return to adjusted open hours for Spring Term on Monday, April 5th. A future announcement of Spring Term library services will be made in late March.

Learn About Using Your Library

Posted on by Stacy Nowicki
Screen shot of Stream videos

Did you know the Kalamazoo College Library has a Stream channel? The short videos on this channel can help you become more familiar with our resources and databases.

See how librarians at K are using Teams to support your research with Research Rescue, learn strategies to find primary sources, and delve into searching with Library OneSearch and several popular databases.

Have a suggestion for a video? Email us at reference@kzoo.edu!

Reading for Change

Posted on by Stacy Nowicki
Photo with End Racism Now written on a street

K College students, faculty, and staff looking to engage with antiracist ideas and practices can find resources at the Library!

Kalamazoo College Inclusive Excellence (KCIE) has purchased and recommends the Reading for Change book collection. These materials are featured on the Reading for Change Guide. All are available through the Kalamazoo College Library!

These materials were purchased through the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Inclusive Excellence Grant. 

Celebrate Your Story – Reading Together 2021

Posted on by Katrina Frank
Award-winning Black author, Jaqueline Woodson.
Credit: John-D. and Catherine-T. MacArthur Foundation

Join the Kalamazoo Public Library (KPL) and award-winning author, Jacqueline Woodson for the 2021
Reading Together event!

“Every year, Kalamazoo residents gather together to read and discuss the themes of one book. This year, however, instead of focusing on one book, KPL has selected an award-winning author, Jacqueline Woodson, who has written dozens of books for children, teens, and adults alike. This way, people of all ages can come together as a community and celebrate story.”

Kalamazoo Public Library

Events and Opportunities

  • There will be two virtual events available for K College students, faculty, and staff to attend. Please note that these events require registration in advance.
  • Celebrating Story: Kalamazoo Reads Woodson – Would you like to participate through performance? Record yourself reciting or reading a passage from one of Jacqueline Woodson’s books.
  • Celebrating Story: What’s Yours? – Record yourself reading your own original story, poem, or song!