Commemorative 9/11 exhibit in Mudd

An interactive, reflective exhibit, sponsored by the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life, is on view in the Mudd Academic Commons through Friday, Sept. 16. Materials are available to write and post thoughts, prayers, and reflections about 9/11 and its impact. Accompanying the exhibit is a display of both interfaith writings and reflective works.

Window to China - book exhibit at Mudd

In March 2011, Oberlin College Library received 70 new publications donated by National Library of China under their book donation program – Window to China. This program started in 2005 and aims to open “window” in overseas libraries for friends abroad to “see” China through these books. These 70 new books were published by highly ranked publishers in China and cover subjects on Chinese politics, economy, society, history, art, culture and science.

Displayed in Academic Commons are selected volumes that have been fully cataloged and available for check out. They will be on display till May 9th. If you have any questions about the donation program or these books, please feel free to contact Xi Chen, East Asian and Web Development Librarian at 440-775-5116 or xi.chen@oberlin.edu .

OC Choir impromptu concert in Mudd

On Friday afternoon, members of the Oberlin College Choir sang a selection from their upcoming concert (Wed. 4/20, 8 pm, Finney Chapel) in the Mudd Academic Commons.

Don't miss art installation in Mudd

Come view an installation by Jonathan Weisburst 'OC 12 in an Academic Commons group study room on the main level of Mudd. From Tues., Nov. 9 through noon on Thu. Nov. 11, Mudd 101C will be transformed into a 1950s living room, complete with its own nuclear family. "What happens to all that we throw away or discard?" writes Weisburst. "So much is tossed aside these days as we continue to ravenously consume. This art installation is a commentary on this social norm of waste. Through various collection methods, I was able to gather furniture, clothing, newspaper, sheets, and ink that was going to be thrown out, or given away. By re-appropriating these objects for art, I have been able to recycle what otherwise would have been wasted. The 1950s aesthetic is a commentary on both the age in which wasteful consumerism in America was born, as well as an homage to the past use and history of these forgotten THINGS."

Academic Commons just keeps getting better

Due to the high usage level the new Academic Commons in Mudd receives, this week the library added more seating capacity. Come check out the new comfy red sofas in the Azariah's café, additional tables in the collaborative work area, and more chairs everywhere! There's now also a big, fat dictionary in the current reading area for your definitional delight.

Mudd Closed on Monday the 27th

The Library will be closed all day on Monday, August 27th to allow library staff to move into the renovated space.

We'll re-open on Tuesday, August 28th and the ramp will once again be the main entrance. Furniture will still be arriving, and we'll be settling into the new digs, but come have a look at the Academic Commons!

Elsewhere in the Academic Commons ...

Pebbles!

We're looking forward to helping you from our new desk

Future home of the printers

The classroom

Compact shelving behind the circulation desk for reserves, videos, holds, etc.

Nice legs!

Power Tower

Cafe Taking Shape

Peek into Azariah's

Step right in!

Love that cork floor!

View from the east wall

Service counter

Imagine cafe seats on the near side of the curved wall
and current periodicals on the other

Periodicals shelving being installed

Progressing Nicely Indeed

New walls are up and the smell of paint is in the air! The cafe counter is being installed and we're expecting our new circulation and information desks to be delivered this week ... looks like the Academic Commons will be on schedule to open for Fall Orientation.

When it's not in use for library instruction, this classroom will be a computer lab:

Glass-fronted group study rooms will provide exterior views and bring natural light inside.

Double doors (on the left) will lead into the cafe, which will feature booths along the far wall; there will be a comfortable periodicals and current reading area on the right.

These are the tracks for the compact shelving that will hold course reserves and videos behind the Circulation desk.

Where’s Reference?

This summer the Main Library reference collection is temporarily housed on the 2nd Level, north side. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, please contact us. Although we don’t have a reference desk this summer, reference librarians are still available to answer questions and assist with research! We’re on call from 2-4 pm, Monday-Friday.

Use A-Level entrance to Mudd, 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

During the summer virtually all of the main level of Mudd (except for the photocopier area and library administrative offices) is closed to public access due to the Academic Commons renovation.

All library stacks and most other areas of Mudd are accessible to the public and most library services are provided. The upper levels of Mudd and the library administrative office area on the main level are accessible using either the main stairwell or the yellow elevator (which is just off of the main stairwell).

The CIT Help Desk and Production Services offer regular service, and CIT offices are open during normal working hours. Access to these spaces is available starting at 10 A.M., when the building opens, unless prior arrangements are made by contacting your designated CIT point-of-contact. Access is also possible via the loading dock entrance at the rear of Mudd, as stated below. The Computer Lab in Mudd 052 is closed for the summer.

Those who require handicapped access to the building should call either the library circulation desk (5-5016) or Bill Ruth (5-5041) in advance to arrange access up the ramp to the main level.

Those who need to meet with building staff before or after hours may call in advance to make arrangements for access. There are also phones at the back entrances to the building (go down the ramp to the loading dock).

CIT Help Desk: 5-8197
CIT Production Services: 5-8291
Main Library Reference Services: 5-5031

Academic Commons Here We Come!

We got right to work after exams clearing the main level in order to make way for the Academic Commons. Here are some snapshots of the changes so far:

Message received: NO BEIGE!

The furniture samples under consideration for the Academic Commons now found on the Main Level of Mudd have elicited many useful comments from students. Please keep in mind that the color of the samples is not representative of the color scheme that’s planned for the commons. We're aiming for a colorful decor that has various kinds of modern furniture, like the comfortable orange slice chair (pictured here!) which we plan to use in the cafe and current reading area. We'll be posting more information in the display area on the main level of Mudd to give everybody an idea of how the furniture selections are progressing

Apologies for the noise!

As part of our preparations for the new Academic Commons in Mudd, carpenters are currently dismantling the shelving that formerly housed our collection of U.S. government documents on the Main Level. This work will inevitably cause noise and disruption. We expect this work to be completed by early next week.

While you were out...

...some shape-shifting on the Main level occurred. The Gov Docs disappeared, and furniture being considered for use in the Academic Commons appeared.


After much preparatory work by our library staff (including student assistants!) a professional moving company specializing in libraries moved our U.S. government documents collection from the main level to the fourth floor where they joined our collection of Congressional publications.

The furniture samples sitting out in the central area across from the Circulation Desk are numbered, and each piece includes a marked floor plan showing where that piece would be used in the Academic Commons. There's a comments notebook set out in the area, so please let us know what you think!

Hey, Welcome Back!

We hope your Winter Term was productive. If you want to see what we were up to while your were gone, take a look at the list of new items added to our collections or catch up on the Academic Commons news.

What do YOU think about the Academic Commons?

All faculty and staff are cordially invited to an open meeting with the architects for the Academic Commons project on Tuesday, October 31, at noon in Room 443 in Mudd Center. Students are invited to attend at 4pm. Light refreshments will be provided.

Plans for the commons include centralized and coordinated research, information, technology, and learning assistance for Oberlin students as well as an adjacent café that provides academic community space.

For a description of the project, including preliminary designs, see:
http://www.oberlin.edu/library/ac/.

The latest design drawing is available at:
http://www.oberlin.edu/library/ac/SchemeC3_102506.pdf