March 2001 (Volume 3)
Ancestral Pursuit: 'old' workshop; new Friends venture
The popular Ancestral Pursuit genealogy
workshop is back on March 23 and 24 with a twist. For the first time, the Friends
of the Cofrin Library is cosponsoring the event with the Area Research Center.
The workshop is on Friday afternoon, March 23 in the Ecumenical Center on the
UW-Green Bay campus and all day on Saturday, March 24 in the University Union.
Friday afternoon registration begins at 12:30 p.m. Friday sessions focus on
beginning research strategies and basic records. After a buffet dinner, evening
speakers will share some of their research "surprises" and participants can
quiz panelists in an "Ask the Genealogists" session.
Saturday attendees will be able to choose from 16 different sessions focusing
on various ethnic groups, different kinds of records (including adoption records)
and archives, and Internet resources. An exhibit area will feature sales tables,
free literature, a free surname matching service and prize drawings. Saturday
registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the day's events end at 4:15 p.m.
Workshop proceeds will help support the Friends efforts for the Cofrin Library.
This is the fourth Ancestral Pursuit workshop at UW-Green Bay. Previous workshops
have attracted attendees from across Wisconsin and out of state.
If you haven't received an Ancestral Pursuit brochure and registration form
and would like to, call the Area Research Center/Special Collections at (920)
465-2539 or e-mail speccoll@uwgb.edu.
From the President, Chuck Matter
The Friends of the Cofrin has had
much to do over the months since the July issue of "A Chat with Friends," but
the event that holds my interest most is the Leadership Retreat.
In mid-January, a Baker's Dozen of members met to set the course of the Friends
for 2001 (though we neglected to play the sound track from Kubrick's film "2001").
In lively
discussions, the group identified a list of potential priorities for the year
and also generated a variety of possible slogans for the Friends organization.
If I were to attempt to capture the general theme of most of the priorities,
it would be "broadened engagement". The signature event for the Spring " Ancestral
Pursuit", the genealogy workshop is a model example of a highly engaging activity
that connects the Cofrin Library to the community.
Another example of engagement as a priority is the proposal to develop joint
programming with community organizations such as "Learning in Retirement",
The Botanical
Garden and the Neville Museum. To enhance the interconnection, it was suggested
we hold some activities off-campus. Several members noted that broadly distributing
the Friends' brochure enhances the Friends' visibility in the community, a vital
step to further engagement. A new Friends brochure being developed by Chris
Style and her students should enhance our visibility in the community.
Engagement was also the theme of priorities related to members. Several supported
a personal, warm and more engaging approach to recruiting new members. In the
same vein, the Friends was encouraged to more broadly involve its members in
activities.
I find these priorities and the discussions that spawned them insightful and
exciting. I am not surprised that the committees are well underway to implementing
many of them already. For example, there are plans for a joint activity with
"Learning in Retirement" and with the Botanical Garden and a new signature event
involving a trip to the State Historical Museum in the Fall.
It is clear that the members charted a path that is interesting , workable and
engaging. My hat is off to them.
"Books and Baskets"
Back by Popular Demand!
The Friends of the Cofrin Library
launches its major fund-raiser on Saturday, March 24 during the Ancestral Pursuit
genealogy workshop in the University Union on the UW-Green Bay campus.
With the help of members who pitched in to help sell tickets for the "Books
and Baskets" raffle, last year's effort raised nearly $1,900. It enabled the
Friends to present two handsome bookcases to the Library. They're installed
on fourth floor, opposite the circulation desk, and display new Library acquisitions.
We're asking Friends members to help make this year's raffle an even greater
success! If you can donate goods or services to "sweeten the pot" for the baskets,
or if you can refer us to someone who can, please call project coordinator Deb
Anderson at (920) 465-2539.
Basket themes are: Pamper Yourself, Automotive Care, Sports and Leisure;
Home Office, Made in Wisconsin and On and Off Broadway (Green Bay).
Already, there are commitments for four tires, a $100 savings bond, a stay at
the James Street Inn, paper products from Georgia Pacific and karate lessons.
The Weidner Center has offered a great opportunity by inviting the Friends to
sell "Books and Baskets" raffle tickets in the lobby before and during intermission
at six performances of the hit musical, Rent, March 27 - April 1. If you'd like
to help, see volunteer opportunities on page 3 in this newsletter.
Also, we'll again ask members to step up as individuals to sell raffle tickets.
Watch your mail for a list of basket contents and information on ticket sales.
We look forward to your help!
Volunteers needed for 'Ancestral Pursuit'
Ancestral Pursuit, the March 23 and
24 genealogy workshop cosponsored by the Friends and the Area Research Center,
needs volunteers to insure its success.
Success is doubly important, because the event is both the Friends spring program
and a fund-raiser. The Friends will realize the profits to use in their work
for the Cofrin Library.
Below is the schedule, description of tasks, location, and number of volunteers
needed. Please call the Area Research Center (920) 465-2539 if you can help.
Monday, March 12
(2 volunteers), time by arrangement
Prepare schedules for workshop attendees,
Cofrin Library, 7th floor
Monday and Tuesday, March 19 and 20
(2-3 volunteers), time by arrangement
Stuff workshop packets,
Cofrin Library, 7th floor
Friday, March 23, noon to 1 p.m.
(2 volunteers)
Help with workshop registration,
Ecumenical Center
Friday, March 23, 5 to 7 p.m.
(2 volunteers)
Replenish food during catered meal; clean up, Ecumenical Center
(Volunteers may have dinner if they wish.)
Saturday, March 24, 8 to 9:30 a.m.
(3 volunteers)
Help with workshop registration,
University Union
Saturday, March 24, 7 to 8 a.m.
(2 volunteers)
Help set up display tables,
University Union
Saturday, March 24
(1-2 volunteers), call for times
Staff "Root Stamps" table,
University Union
Saturday, March 24
(2 volunteers), call for times
Staff Friends "Books and Baskets" raffle*
sales table, University Union
*this is the raffle kickoff
Saturday, March 24
(1 volunteer), call for times
Restock free literature displays,
University Union
"Books & Baskets" ticket-sellers
needed for Weidner Center
Good news! The Weidner Center is allowing the Friends to sell tickets for their
"Books and Baskets" raffle before, and during intermission of six performances
of Rent in late March.
Results were excellent in 2000 when the Weidner Center invited the Friends to
sell tickets at two performances by the Guthrie Theater. The number of tickets
sold in relation to the amount of time invested was impressive.
Development Committee members are enthusiastic about the opportunity this year
to sell tickets at six performances of a popular Broadway hit.
Volunteer ticket sellers are needed in order to take maximum advantage of the
Weidner Center's generous offer.
The dates are: March 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31 and April 1. We need two volunteers
each evening. ¨
If you can help, please call (920)465-2539.
One more thing....
We would like to provide some baked goods for all those working the pre-conference
registration and for the morning breaks on both days of the conference. (Mar
23-24). So, if you would like to help us provide breads, muffins, cookies, bars
or other goodies, pick up that phone. Bake 'em or buy 'em, we would appreciate
the help
State of the Library Report by Kathy Pletcher, Library Director
At the beginning of the 21st Century
the state of the Cofrin Library is very good.
The final phase of the $7.3 million State funding initiative for UW libraries
was completed. The new funds were used to purchase statewide licenses for digital
content and to improve print acquisitions. The Cofrin Library received $100,000
of the new funds which represents an increase of 25% in the Library acquisitions
budget. With the new funds we have increased our print purchasing by 3 percent.
However, the real benefit has been our ability to acquire new digital resources
and make them available via the Library Web site. We increased our electronic
journal subscriptions by 27% and have added electronic books to our catalog.
A snapshot of our collections at the end of 2000 shows the following: 282,432
books; 350,000 government documents; 1,322 print periodical subscriptions; 3,300
E-journals; 5,870 E-book subscriptions; 57,000 maps; and 7,500 linear feet of
archives collections.
Improving service to our Library users was a major theme for 2000. On January
10 the Voyager Library System debuted. This web-based catalog allows users to
renew and request books, to do simultaneous searches across all the UW Library
catalogs, and to link directly to E-journals, E-books and Internet resources.
Other service milestones of 2000 include:
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Providing 24/7 Library services via the web, with more than 3 million hits in 2000
-
Providing 4000 hours of on-site access to more than 150,000 visitors
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Expanding the Library's computer lab
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Teaching Library research methods to 3,500 students
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Importing Wisconsin Historical Society records into our catalog
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Reorganizing reference materials for easier use
-
Remodeling the service desk on Plaza level
The Cofrin Library also provided support
for the following campus-wide initiatives: the Student Learning Experience,
Diversity 2008, Adaptive Technology and the Status of Women.
Cofrin librarians have a long tradition of service to the profession and 2000
was no exception. Especially notable was the technology and media support we
provided to the Wisconsin Library Association annual conference held in Green
Bay in November. In addition to technical support, several librarians gave presentations
at the conference.
On the horizon for 2001 are several initiatives: implementing an electronic
course reserve system, putting portions of the Belgian Collection on our web
site; implementing the end-user borrowing for Voyager and planning for a major
building renovation.
Let me take this opportunity to thank the Friends of the Cofrin Library for
their continued support. The future success of the Cofrin Library will depend
on quality staff and quality support from our constituents.
Mark your Calendars!
The Friends of the Cofrin Library are about to celebrate their five-year anniversary. Amazing! A special event is being planned for Thursday, Sept. 13, at the Ecumenical Center. We know how everyone's dates fill up fast so mark this one down now, and stay tuned for details.