The Ohio State University

Two special events are planned related to the exhibition, “Journeys: Treasures of The Ohio State University Libraries Special Collections,” which is on display through January 3, 2010 to celebrate the reopening of the newly-renovated Thompson Memorial Library.

The exhibition is a collaboration between all of the special collections at Ohio State. More than 100 of the Libraries’ most interesting, rare and unique treasures are on display, from letters to first editions of literature; set designs to scrapbooks; wedding clothes to works of art.

The objects selected for this exhibition symbolize journeys of every category and character–physical journeys, transformative journeys, journeys of the spirit, and journeys of the imagination. A journey is not only the physical movement of a person or object through time and space, but the metamorphosis that the person or object undergoes. Even an object’s creation is a journey, a process of movement and transformation over the course of many, sometimes countless hours.

At 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 12, curators representing each of the special collections in the exhibit will tell about the journey that brought a particular object to the display. The following special collections will be represented:

• Byrd Polar Archival Program
• Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum
• Charvat Collection of American Fiction
• Hilandar Research Library of Medieval Slavic Manuscripts
• Historic Costume & Textiles Collection
• Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee Theatre Research Institute
• Medical Heritage Center (part of OSU’s Prior Health Sciences Library)
• Ohio Congressional Archives (including the John Glenn Archives)
• University Archives
• Rare Books and Manuscripts Library

At 1 p.m. on Tuesday, December 1, Jenny Robb, who served as the coordinating curator for this exhibition, will present a gallery talk that explores the major themes of the exhibit.

Both events will be in the gallery, 125 Thompson Library, and are free and open to the public.

Public hours to view the exhibition are Monday through Wednesday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday, 12-5 p.m.

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University Libraries, the Office of Academic Affairs, and the Faculty Club will host the 7th annual Faculty Recognition Program reception 3:30-5:30 p.m., on Tuesday, November 10 at the Faculty Club Grand Lounge, 181 S. Oval Dr. The event is to honor all Ohio State University faculty granted tenure or promotion in 2009/10. The reception is open to the university community and guests of the honorees. Welcoming comments will be provided by Provost Joseph Alutto and Raimund Goerler, Interim Director of the Libraries.

The 165 honorees, including regular and clinical faculty from all OSU campuses, can select a book from the University Libraries’ collection to be book-plated in their name in recognition of their accomplishments. Books not owned will be purchased for inclusion into the Libraries. Honorees can also include a statement of why the book was significant to them. A commemorative program listing the honorees, books selected, and personal statements will be available at the reception and upon request and will become part of the University Libraries’ Knowledge Bank.

For details on the Faculty Recognition Program, contact Dana DeRose 614-247-8183 or derose.3@osu.edu

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The Thompson Library renovation and expansion is the 2009 James B. Recchie Design Award recipient.

“This is an exceptional project from an architectural and urban design standpoint, “said Nancy Recchie, sister of the late James Recchie for whom the award is named. “With its east/west access, the building is now truly the physical center of campus. The jury was also impressed by the exquisite detailing, including the Ohio white oak paneling and cantilevered staircase,” she added.

The renovation was designed by Acock Associates Architects, LLC, Gund Partnership and MSI Design.

The award is given to projects that promote historic preservation with quality design by the Columbus Landmarks Foundation. Finalists for this year’s award included Grange Insurance Audubon Center, Huntington Park, the Lincoln Theatre and the Buggyworks.

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Joseph A. Alutto, Executive Vice President and Provost, has recommended to President Gordon Gee the appointment of Carol Pitts Diedrichs as director of University Libraries. Subject to approval by the Board of Trustees, her appointment will be effective January 5, 2010.

Ms. Diedrichs is currently serving as Dean of Libraries and the William T. Young Endowed Chair at the University of Kentucky (UK). She has vast experience in library administration and at UK provides intellectual leadership for the educational and service programs of 12 libraries; administers a $21+ million budget; and serves as a member of the Provost’s Dean’s Council.

In addition, she served at Ohio State from 1987 to 2003, first as head, Acquisition Department and assistant professor; next, as assistant director for technical services and liaison to regional campuses and associate professor; and then as assistant director for technical services and collections and professor. Carol earned her B. A. in library science at Baylor University and her M.L.I.S. degree in library science at the University of Texas at Austin.

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September 15-December 31, 2009
Cartoon Library and Museum
Reading Room Gallery

Winsor McCay was an unusually prolific cartoonist. More than 30 comic strip titles and ten animated films are credited to him. The decade between 1903 and 1913 was his most creative period. His biographer, John Canemaker, states, “…when the American comic strip was in its infancy, McCay became the first master of the form with two unsurpassed works of genius: Dream of the Rarebit Fiend … and Little Nemo in Slumberland.” In addition, McCay was an important pioneer animator and a popular vaudeville performer.

The date and place of McCay’s birth are unknown. He grew up in Michigan and was self-taught. He created his first comic strip, A Tale of the Jungle Imps by Felix Fiddle, for the Cincinnati Enquirer in 1903. McCay soon left for New York City where he worked for James Gordon Bennett and later for William Randolph Hearst. Although his comic strips were formulaic, the sureness of his hand and the beauty of his drawings continue to delight. McCay’s interest in depicting movement is apparent throughout his comic strips, so it is not surprising that he found the new medium of animation intriguing.

In 1913 William Randolph Hearst ordered McCay to draw nothing but editorial illustrations. This constraint leaves contemporary students of McCay’s work puzzled. What might he have accomplished if he had devoted the last 20 years of his life to animation or comic strips? Winsor McCay: Legendary Cartoonist invites visitors to consider this question as they enjoy superb examples of McCay’s work that span his career.

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Journeys: Treasures of The Ohio State University Libraries Special Collections

A special exhibition, “Journeys: Treasures of The Ohio State University Libraries Special Collections,” will be on display through January 3, 2010 to help celebrate the reopening of the newly-renovated Thompson Memorial Library. The exhibition is a collaboration between all ten of the Special Collections at Ohio State. It will be free and open to the public.

More than 100 of the Libraries’ most interesting, rare and unique treasures will be on display, from letters to first editions of literature; set designs to scrapbooks; wedding clothes to works of art. The objects selected for this exhibition symbolize journeys of every category and character: physical journeys, transformative journeys, journeys of the spirit, and journeys of the imagination. A journey is not only the physical movement of a person or object through time and space, but the metamorphosis that the person or object undergoes. Even an object’s creation is a journey, a process of movement and transformation over the course of many, sometimes countless hours.

The unique and rare artifacts in the show have traveled from near and far to their present home at Ohio State, where they are preserved and where they will continue their individual and collective interactions with students and scholars, with Ohio State and the world.

The Special Collections participating in the exhibition are:
• Byrd Polar Archival Program
• Cartoon Library and Museum
• Charvat Collection of American Fiction
• Hilandar Research Library of medieval Slavic Manuscripts
• Historic Costume & Textiles Collection
• Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee Theatre Research Institute
• Medical Heritage Center (part of OSU’s Prior Health Sciences Library)
• Ohio Congressional Archives (including the John Glenn Archives)
• University Archives
• Rare Books and Manuscripts Library

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Current parking permits are valid through August 31; payroll deductions for the 2008-09 permits are effective September 1.

If you still haven’t gotten your permit for the coming academic year, check the Transportation and Parking web site for more information.

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Five new Citation Guide brochures are now available for you to hand out to your customers. They include: Chicago Manual of Style, Notes - Bibliography System, Chicago Manual of Style, Author - Date System, CSE (Council of Science Editors) style, MLA (Modern Language Association), and APA (American Psychological Association) style. Please make requests to Fred Roecker in the Instruction Office at roecker.1@osu.edu and he can send the brochures on to you.

In addition, two other new brochures are now available - one with information on how the use the Libraries’ Catalog and one on Circulation practices and services. Please let us know if you would like some for handing out at your location.

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