A Note from the Dean

There has been a heightened sense of anticipation throughout University Libraries in the past several weeks as we prepared for the Fall Quarter return of the entire faculty and student body, including the large influx of first-year students. We had the privilege and pleasure of connecting with 3,500 of those new students in July when they spent two hours of their orientation sessions in Langsam Library learning about computing and library resources and services. Later, as we put the finishing touches on our expanded “Chat with a Librarian,” our library-wide implementation of “E-Reserves,” and the installation of the must-see “What UC Deans are Reading” exhibit, our thoughts turned to an historic moment we will be commemorating this fall – the 25th anniversary of the opening of the Walter C. Langsam Library!

We invite you to join us on Wednesday afternoon, October 22, for our Langsam anniversary party. We will begin the celebration with a program featuring the two people most responsible for the vision, planning, and realization of what would be the new “Central Library,” now known as the Langsam Library: Dr. Henry R. Winkler, President Emeritus and University Professor Emeritus, and Mr. Hal B. Schell, former Vice Provost for University Libraries and Professor Emeritus of Library Administration. A reception will follow on the Langsam Patio, which now is graced by 10 maple trees thanks to the generosity of James Tucker, Business Services and Administration, and his staff. In the near future, the patio will provide permanent outdoor tables and seating for 90 people. We appreciate the efforts of Pamela Porter, Campus Planning, and the contributions of our Friends of University Libraries in creating this new outdoor library space (it provides wireless access too) for library users.

The next time you visit Langsam Library, please pause to consider just how well this building still serves as the hub of our UC library system 25 years later. Its forward-thinking design now readily accommodates technology – there were no computer workstations when the building opened in 1978 – yet Langsam still provides open-shelf access to 1,000,000 volumes and comfortable study space throughout its three floors. The opening of Langsam Library was clearly a milestone in the history of UC’s libraries. On page 6 in this issue of Source, Don Heinrich Tolzmann presents the first of a three-part series that tells the whole story: “A Look Back: The History of University of Cincinnati Libraries.”

We look forward to seeing you on October 22!

Source Index