Visit Journal for Denison University and West Chester Branch of Middletown Public.
June 9, 2008
Denison University, Granville
The Denison Libraries fit right in with the rest of Denison University’s beautiful campus. Bill Morris and I stopped in for an unexpected visit with Ann Watson on June 9th. We waited for Ann near the circulation desk where the current and best sellers collection is shelved under a series of READ posters of local Denison University celebrities. Ann told us that these titles are a new addition to the library’s collection and have proven to be quite popular with the students.
We visited behind the scenes – to the cataloging department – and also walked through the federal documents collection. While not a full depository, Denison Libraries has quite a large documents section. The display case held some of this collection: war posters from World War II.
We learned that Denison Libraries uses student workers extensively. While there are 23 library staff members, at any given time the library might employ up to 70 student workers.
The Denison Libraries has quiet study areas which includes a gorgeous wood paneled library room (lined with portraits of former University chancellors). It also has a bank of computers which Ann told us is often not enough during the school year. There are times when the lines for computer use is 2 deep – so like any other library, Denison Libraries finds that it could use more computers for student use.
The official name of the Denison Libraries includes the William Howard Doane Library and Seeley G. Mudd Learning Center. Even on a day in early June when most of the student body was on summer break, the library was being well-used. Thank you, Ann, for being such a gracious host and tour guide at such short notice!
June 11, 2008
West Chester Branch of Middletown Public
 |
 |
On June 11th, I attended the groundbreaking for new West Chester Public Library, a branch of the Middletown Public Library.
This library will be built on 8.2 acres. The site is complete with a clock tower and a bridge over a small lake. It will be part of a community replete with shopping opportunities and eateries. It was wonderful to be part of this exciting groundbreaking especially because of the excitement and enthusiasm of the children in attendance. I shared a spot with two young ladies with whom I dug enthusiastically. One of my companions was so taken with the “gold” shovel that she asked me if I thought we might get to keep the shovels once we were done digging. When I said no, I didn’t think so, I noticed that her t-shirt announced that she was a princess. I commented that I understood why she would want a “golden shovel” since she was a princess. She laughed and agreed – “That’s part of it!”
Doug Bean, his board, staff and the entire community are to be congratulated on this new addition to their community.