I’d like to take a moment to address concerns from our academic community regarding the sudden unavailability and inaccessibility of federal data sets and web platforms. These data sources are commonly used in classrooms and research, and it has similarly raised concerns with librarians and researchers around the country. Many in the library community are actively monitoring efforts to preserve and host this information with the goal of providing continued access. The Wesleyan University Library is maintaining a guide dedicated to both explaining and tracking this issue.

The HWS librarians have been monitoring these developments. Warren Hunting Smith Library has a longstanding policy, posted on our website, affirming intellectual freedom and privacy. Library staff follow the guiding principles established by the Association of College & Research Libraries in interpreting the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights for academic libraries.

Please contact the librarians if you have questions or concerns, and if you need locating alternative data sets.

Email Form
Phone: 315-781-3550

Sincerely,

Chuck Vesei
Library Director and Librarian of the Colleges

We want to give you all a chance to get to know the people who keep the Library running and the knowledge flowing! This month, we're highlighting Lisa Gibson, Access Services Coordinator (evenings).

Lisa has been with the Library for 10 (count 'em—10!) years, and has been a part of the HWS community for 17 years, beginning in food service with Sodexo. Maybe you've even crossed paths with Lisa out in the Geneva community. Outside of her library work, Lisa plays piano for two local churches, the Geneva High School chorus, and often plays for other local events.

Like most people who work in libraries, Lisa is enthusiastic about all that libraries offer. "I'm grateful I get to come to work every day and be surrounded by knowledge," she says. "My favorite part of my work is customer service—helping staff, students and the public track down things they need for research."

Lisa Gibson, Access Services Coordinator (evenings), shifts the reference collection over winter break.

(Editor's note: Lisa is very good at tracking tricky resources down. She's the go-to for foreign language books!) Her favorite library service is Interlibrary Loan, because "I love that it's a free service* and we can borrow from another friendly campus or public library." How does she utilize the resource? "I love ordering obscure films for my own viewing."

Her favorite thing about being a part of the HWS community is "interacting with students and hearing about their interests and diverse backgrounds— it's helped to broaden my worldview and I'm constantly learning through them." Lisa does double duty as both staff and student, pursuing her BA in Music. "I'm grateful to call many faculty and staff here friends. It's such a supportive community— everyone really wants to see me graduate!"

Fun fact(s): Lisa used to skate for the Finger Lakes Lunachicks roller derby team— her skater name was Honey Mustard! Lisa and her son, Elijah, are aspiring Adirondack 46ers— they've completed 30 high peaks so far!

Want to read like Lisa? Pick up The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams (The library also has it on Libby/Overdrive).

*The Warren Hunting Smith Library does not pass along the fees to the HWS community for the interlibrary loan service.

Our New Books section is a constantly rotating selection of the latest releases in the Library's collection, and is a great place to browse and find something that piques your interest. Politics? Science? Fiction? There's something for every preference.

If you are in the mood for something new to read, we have a few suggestions. Click on any of the book covers below to be taken to the library's website, where you can place a hold or find the call number. 

In collaboration with the Adams Intercultural Center and with special thanks to René Guo, we are pleased to exhibit The New Negro Movement.

Visit the display on the second floor of the Library to learn about influential figures of this period, and be sure to check out the works of art in the Miniature Museum!

The New Negro Movement was a resurgence of African American pride after broken promises from the first world war, which promised equity and opportunity, as well as The Great Migration, during which Black Americans moved to the North and Westward, away from violence and toward educational and economic opportunity. 

March's display will highlight Disability Awareness Month, in collaboration with the Center for Teaching and Learning's Disability Services Team.

Or more accurately...
Guess how many?

Stop by the Circulation Desk to participate in the bi-weekly guessing game, and maybe you'll win a prize!

Our current guessing jar is Gummy Worms! We will have 5 more guessing jars throughout the semester for you to guess and win. Upcoming jars include: tea, coffee, Skittles and a mini library.

Previous guessing games included this jar of M&Ms (top), and a jar filled with shredded book pages (bottom).

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