Library News @ Tulane

Library Closing Early Friday October 31

2014-10-29T08:59:00.000-05:00

Due to a University closure on Friday, October 31st, the upper floors of the library will close at 2 pm. All offices will also close at that time. The building and check out services will remain open for students and the public until 6 pm.

Fall Break Hours at Howard-Tilton

2014-10-07T12:59:00.003-05:00

Fall Break Hours at Howard-Tilton
Thursday October 9 and Friday October 10
8:00 am to 6:45 pm
Regular Fall Hours resume Saturday October 11

Library Awarded IMLS National Leadership Grant

2014-09-19T14:58:00.000-05:00

Library Awarded IMLS National Leadership Grant

The Institute for Museum and Library Services awarded Howard-Tilton Memorial Library $41,197 to fund the project “Strategic Planning for Collaborative Conservation.” The project will address the lack of preservation services in the New Orleans area, and across the country, through a project that includes a preservation assessment of New Orleans libraries, archives, and museums, followed by strategic planning for collaborative preservation services. The work will be conducted with the assistance of experts in various aspects of preservation, who will collaborate with a team of representatives from New Orleans cultural heritage institutions. The planning project will foster collaboration amongst libraries, archives, and museums and yield strategic planning documentation that can be used to pursue the goal of establishing a collaborative preservation facility that can serve as a model for others.

Contact Annie Peterson, Preservation Librarian, epeters5@tulane.edu, with any questions about the grant. See the press release here: http://www.imls.gov/news/2014_ols_nlg_and_sparks_annoucement.aspx#LA and more information about National Leadership Grants for libraries here: http://www.imls.gov/applicants/detail.aspx?GrantId=14

Interlibrary Loan (ILLiad) Upgrades Completed

2014-09-18T15:59:00.001-05:00

Now when you use interlibrary loan (https://illiad.tulane.edu/) you will be able to login with your Tulane username and password.

Regular Fall Hours at Howard-Tilton

2014-08-26T09:56:00.001-05:00

Howard-Tilton Memorial Library

Regular Fall Hours

Monday to Thursday - 7:30 am to 3:45 am
Friday - 7:30 am to 9:45 pm
Saturday - 9:00 am to 9:45 pm
Sunday - 9:00 am to 3:45 am

Change in Plans: Ceiling Work Will Progress to a Different Quadrant on the 3rd Floor

2014-07-23T12:50:00.000-05:00

There has been a quick change in plans in the phasing of the installation of the fire suppression (sprinkler) system over the book shelves on the library's 3rd floor. Rather than move to the Phase 2 area, which is in the southwest quadrant of the floor that houses music books and scores, the installation has been shifted to the Phase 4 area that is located in the northeast quadrant of the building and more directly adjacent to the Phase 1 stacks area where the book shelves were first covered. Workers are already putting up plastic sheeting in this new Phase 4 quadrant and removing the plastic sheeting that was put up yesterday in the Phase 2 area.

The abrupt switch was made early this morning because the subcontractor handling the sprinkler system installation lacks all the pipe necessary in the Phase 2 area where actual conditions above the ceiling including plumbing and ductwork differ significantly from the construction plans, which were based on the original 1960s era plans for the building. Conditions above the ceiling in the northeast quadrant of the building are much more standard and the pipe required there is onsite. The switch will help avoid delays in the work on the 3rd floor overall while the pipe with adjusted dimensions for Phase 2 can be obtained.

A new phasing schedule with the sequence adjustments described above is expected to issued soon, within the next day or so.

Library users will still be able to check out books from covered stacks areas by using the "Make a Request" feature in the online library catalog, with the standard 24-hour (weekdays) turnaround provided for access to materials in other restricted areas such as our off-site facility. These requests can also be made directly, in-person, at the Circulation Desk in the Learning Commons on the library's 1st floor. Access to the covered books will be restricted to library staff.

For more information about the work on the 3rd floor and the construction project overall see the library's construction blog.

Third Floor Phase 1 Stacks Area Ceiling Work Completed, Onward to Phase 2

2014-07-22T16:21:00.001-05:00

The contractor for the 5th and 6th floor construction project has completed the installation of the fire suppression (sprinkler) system over the book shelves in the northwest quadrant of the library's 3rd floor. Plastic sheeting in this Phase 1 area of the 3rd floor stacks has now been completely removed.

Crews today began to cover the books stacks in the Phase II area, which is the southwest quadrant and the area that houses music books and scores. Overall, the sprinkler installation project on the 3rd floor is proceeding roughly on schedule, with exceptions.

Library users will still be able to check out books from the covered stacks in the Phase 2 area on the 3rd floor by using the "Make a Request" feature in the online library catalog, with the standard 24-hour (weekdays) turnaround provided for access to materials in other restricted areas such as our off-site facility. These requests can also be made directly, in-person, at the Circulation Desk in the Learning Commons on the library's 1st floor. Access to the covered books will be restricted to library staff. After Phase 2 the project will proceed to Phase 3 in the southeast quadrant of the floor, probably sometime around Aug. 4.

For much more information on the work in this area and on the construction project overall see the library's construction blog.

Latin American Library Stacks are Open

2014-07-02T13:57:00.000-05:00

We are delighted to announce that, beginning Wednesday, July 2, the circulating collections in the Open Stacks of the Latin American Library will open again to the public. The paging system for the LAL’s circulating collections will operate through Thursday, July 3.

Please remember that the Howard-Tilton Memorial Library building will be closed on Friday July 4 for the Independence Day holiday. Thus, beginning on Saturday, July 5 the paging service will be discontinued.

Thank you for your continued patience, and please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns at 504-865-5681 or LAL@tulane.edu.

Third Floor Ceiling Work Schedule Revised

2014-07-01T16:43:00.002-05:00

The contractor for the 5th and 6th floor construction project has begun covering with plastic sheeting the book shelves on the 3rd floor in the northwest quadrant of the building and this is to accommodate the first of four quadrant phases of work required to install a fire suppression (sprinkler) system on the 3rd floor, a project that is starting about a week behind schedule.

Books are expected to be covered and access restricted in this Phase 1 area until July 21. Library users will still be able to check out books housed there by using the "Make a Request" feature in the online library catalog, with the standard 24-hour (weekdays) turnaround provided for access to materials in other restricted areas such as our off-site facility. These requests can also be made directly, in-person, at the Circulation Desk in the Learning Commons on the library's 1st floor. Access to the covered books will be restricted to library staff.

For the complete set of revised dates for the 3rd floor phasing schedule see the library's construction blog.

Restricted access to part of the 3rd floor stacks

2014-07-01T14:01:00.001-05:00

Currently restricted access: Part of the 3rd floor stacks
Restricted from: June 25th – July 11th
Call numbers: DB 1 .A31 – HC 106.8 .C67
Location in building: 3rd floor of Howard-Tilton Library, Dixon Hall side.

See http://library.tulane.edu/help/book_requests for instructions on making requests for items in these call number ranges.

Nordic Dogs exhibit in lobby

2014-06-19T16:47:00.000-05:00

NORDIC DOGS
Recent Comics from Northern Europe in Tulane’s Rare Books

This exhibit offers a snapshot of dogs as they are portrayed by contemporary illustrators from Scandinavia and neighboring countries. Folk traditions include dogs as faithful protectors but also forbidding omens, but many authors respond more to the influence of the alternative comics of the twentieth century, including R. Crumb and George Herriman. The selection includes volumes meant for children as well as literature that explores decidedly adult themes.

These books are part of the “Little Awful Annie” collection, which was endowed by Mona Mailhes, Newcomb ‘49, in memory of a beloved pet dog. For more information about Tulane’s rich variety of rare books, please contact Joshua Lupkin, Chief Bibliographer for the Humanities, at
jlupkin@tulane.edu or (504) 247-1825.

Intersession Hours at Howard-Tilton August 8-22

2014-06-09T09:40:00.000-05:00

Intersession Hours
Friday August 8-Friday August 22

Monday-Friday 8am-5pm
Saturday 10am-445pm
Sunday CLOSED (August 10 and 17)

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Orientation Hours
Saturday August 23 10am-645pm
Sunday August 24 12pm-645pm

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Regular Hours
begin Monday August 25

Monday-Thursday 730am-345am
Friday 730am-945pm
Saturday 9am-945pm
Sunday 9am-345am

Music & Media Center temporary home

2014-06-05T09:58:00.000-05:00

Beginning June 9, the doors of the Music & Media Center will be closed for construction but our services and collections are still open for use! Starting on Monday, you’ll see one of our staff at a new temporary desk in the first floor lobby near the PJ's coffee stand where you can place your request for media items. Here’s what you need to know:

Need to watch a reserve film? Give the call number or name of your instructor to us at our temporary desk in the first floor lobby near the PJ's coffee stand. All reserve media items will be stored in a nearby secure cabinet so we can retrieve them for you in just a few short minutes.

Want to check out a recording or film not on reserve? Give the call number to us at our temporary desk in the first floor lobby near the PJ's coffee stand. We’ll call up to the rest of the M&MC staff who will then retrieve the requested item(s) and bring it down so long as it’s not directly under or adjacent to any construction work. This should take 10-15 minutes.

Need to find the music & media librarian? I and our Music & Media Center a-v tech will be taking up temporary residence in room 420. You can ask for directions at our temporary service desk on the first floor near the PJ's coffee stand.

Have any questions or concerns? Stop by or send us a line at musiclib@tulane.edu.

Latin American Library stacks closed May 15 - July 31

2014-05-23T14:58:00.000-05:00

On May 15 construction workers will begin wrapping the LAL open stacks in plastic sheets as they prepare the area for work. The work is projected to last roughly until July 31. It is possible that they will be finished earlier, and I will keep you posted. Also, during those dates (May 15-July 31), materials in the LAL Closed Stacks will not be available.

During this period between May 15 and July 31, the Latin American Library Open Stacks will not be open for browsing but will be available through a paging system. Instructions for requesting Open Stacks materials can be found at http://library.tulane.edu/help/book_requests. Click on "Request a book from areas inaccessible due to construction" and you will find detailed instructions. You will then receive, within 24 hours, an email from Howard Tilton Circulation alerting you that your material is ready to be picked up at the main Circulation desk on the first floor of the building.

In addition, most of the Latin American Library staff will be working at the offsite facility during this period. The LAL offices on the 4th floor will be closed, although staff will be available for consultation via phone and email. The best way to reach us will be via e-mail, either to our general address at lal@tulane.edu or via our individual e-mail addresses http://lal.tulane.edu/about/contact. Phone calls to the general LAL phone number 504-865-5681 will be automatically redirected to the offsite facility, so you can still use this number to reach us.

Study areas, the seminar room, as well as graduate and faculty carrels will not be available for use through July 31.

This does not affect the LAL Special Collections, which will be available for consultation at the offsite facility. For more information on consulting Special Collections at offsite see http://lal.tulane.edu/offsite

Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time. As always, please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns.

Hortensia Calvo, Ph.D

Doris Stone Director

The Latin American Library

Tulane University

7001 Freret Street

New Orleans, LA 70118

Phone: 504-865-5681

http://lal.tulane.edu

Regular Summer Hours at Howard-Tilton

2014-05-19T13:44:00.002-05:00

Regular Summer Hours at Howard-Tilton Memorial Library

Monday - Thursday 8:00 AM – 9:45 PM
Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday 10:00 AM – 4:45 PM
Sunday 12:00 PM – 4:45 PM

Web of Science password vulnerability

2014-04-25T14:45:00.000-05:00

Web of Science password vulnerability

Thompson Reuters has notified us that that Web of Science uses a version of the OpenSSL web encryption program that may have been vulnerable to the widely reported ‘Heartbleed’ security defect. While there is no evidence that any customer information has been compromised, Thompson Reuters suggests changing your password for Web of Science as a precautionary measure. Please note: If you are also a subscriber to Thomson Innovation, Cortellis, EndNote or InCites, which have a shared password with Web of Science, then this shared password only needs changing once. Thompson Reuters indicates they have taken steps to secure the server.

Steel Deliveries Delayed to Accommodate the Library's Study/Exam Period

2014-04-21T13:12:00.002-05:00

Rather that begin today the concentrated sequence of steel deliveries for the frame of the library's two more floors, the contractor for the 5th and 6th floor construction project has decided to schedule just two deliveries for Thursday and Friday this week to lay down for temporary storage some initial pieces of steel on the construction site and then reschedule the longer period of deliveries uninterrupted after the library's study and exam period ends on May 10. The steel beams and other pieces for the frame will still arrive in sequence over a concentrated period lasting about eight weeks; this will just begin a couple of weeks later than planned. All deliveries are expected to come through the main construction zone gate next to the library building on Freret Street. During the delivery period for the steel, large trucks can be expected to enter and exit the construction site from and onto Freret Street, during work hours six days a week (Mondays through Saturdays). Crews will direct both pedestrian and vehicle traffic around the gate as each truck arrives and exits. Much of the frame for the 5th and 6th floor building addition will be erected as the steel arrives.

For more information about the construction project see the library's construction blog.

4th Floor Open Stacks Area Returning to Normal

2014-04-11T15:11:00.000-05:00

Most of the ceiling work in the northeast corner of the 4th floor is nearing completion and the contractor for the library's 5th and 6th floor construction project has now removed the plastic sheeting from about 3/4 of the book shelves in the 4th floor open stacks area. This uncovers books with call numbers BD241 through DAW1051.

In this area only books with call numbers A through BD241 remain covered. Books still covered are on the shelving ranges closest to wall separating the open general stacks from the Latin American Library (LAL) closed stacks on the other side.

User seating on the Dixon Hall side of the 4^thfloor open stacks area has been returned to use.

For much more information on this and other aspects of the project see the library's construction blog.

After a Roof Leak, the Construction Resumes

2014-02-27T14:56:00.000-06:00

Work on the the library's 5th and 6th floor construction project has been resuming this week after a construction-related roof leak poured water into a corner of the library's 4th floor early last Friday morning. Since then workers have been focused on drying out the carpeting and baseboard that had been wet—mostly on the northwest corner of the 4th floor. An area of the 3rd floor where some water had leaked through from the floor above was quickly dried with little damage since plastic sheeting had been draped over the book shelves there relatively quickly after the flooding was first noticed above. Several 4th floor offices also in the northwest corner of the building had water damages, for which repairs have begun. The water that poured directly onto some bookshelves produced about 2,500 wet books. Of those, about 2,200 were boxed, frozen, and shipped off to a restoration facility in Ft. Worth, TX, last Friday night and Saturday morning. We were able to separate out about 300 very wet books that had coated paper or obvious damages that made them better candidates for replacement rather than restoration. Books most affected were those with call numbers beginning with DA, which are applied to titles dealing with the history of Great Britain.

For more information see the library's construction blog.

H-TML Restroom Closure Schedule: 3rd and 4th Floors

2014-02-17T16:01:00.001-06:00

The contractor for the contractor for the library's 5th and 6th floor construction project will need to close, in two phases, the restrooms adjacent to the elevator lobbies on floors 3 and 4 as part of the work required to build shear wall supports in the center of the library building.

The scheduled dates for each closure phase are listed below:

Women’s restrooms on the 3rd and 4th floors will be shut down Feb. 19 through April 16

Men’s restrooms on the 3rd and 4th floors will be shut down March 17 through June 30

Restrooms on floors 1 and 2 should be unaffected. The smaller restrooms on the library's basement level at the foot of the former entrance stairs leading down to the staff and snack lounges will also still remain available.

For more information about the construction project see the library's construction blog.

Alternate Stairs Are on the North Side of the Library, the Side Closest to Dixon Hall

2014-02-07T16:43:00.001-06:00

The emergency stairwell on the north end of the library building, the side closest to Dixon Hall, will serve temporarily as the building’s main stairwell while the center stairwell adjacent to the elevator lobby is closed off due to construction.

To get to the alternate stairwell on the first floor just walk past the elevator lobby and the PJ’s coffee stand, through the glass double doors, and into the 1st floor Quiet Area. Then continue straight ahead for about 75 feet along the aisle in the book stacks with yellow arrow signs [to be placed in the area by workers on Monday]. The entrance to the stairwell is at the end of the aisle.

The stairs are in this same general location on each of the upper floors. For more information see the latest post on the library's construction blog.

Central Stairwell to be Temporarily Closed

2014-02-04T14:10:00.000-06:00

The contractor for the library's 5th and 6th floor construction project has finalized a plan to build a concrete supporting wall (shear wall) within the building’s central stairwell and the plan includes closing public access to the stairwell very soon. The stairwell closure is scheduled to begin as early as Feb. 10 and projected to last until Aug. 15. All existing floors in the library will be affected, but will still remain in use.

While the central stairwell is blocked off, the library will still have use of both of its emergency stairwells: on the Freret Street and Dixon Hall sides of the building. Library users will be able to use to at least one of these, on the Dixon Hall side of the building, as a temporary alternative to the center stairwell. Project managers will be preparing directional signage. The building’s elevators will still be operational.

For more information see the latest post on the library's construction blog.

Temporary Limited Access to 4th Floor Open Stacks Area

2014-02-03T12:12:00.000-06:00

The contractor for the library's 5th and 6th floor construction project has begun covering the book shelves in the 4th floor open stacks area with plastic sheeting in preparation for removing the ceiling tiles there to dismantle roof drains and perform other tasks in the space between the ceiling grid and the roof above. Removing the tiles will also make it easier to completely inspect the underside of the roof around the area where we experienced a major roof leak on February 21.

The books will be covered and access will be restricted in this area until March 28. Books affected are those with call numbers A-DA, on shelves located on the northeast side of the 4th floor.

Until then library users will be able to check out books housed there by using the "Make a Request" feature in the online library catalog, with the standard 24-hour (weekdays) turnaround provided for access to materials in other restricted areas such as our off-site facility. These requests can also be made directly, in-person, at the Circulation Desk in the Learning Commons on the library's 1st floor. Access to the covered books will be restricted to library staff.

The contractor is required to preserve an aisle though this area all times for both staff and library users to continue to have access to the stairway on the same side of the building. The stairway access aisle will be identified with caution tape.

For more information see the library's construction blog.

Intersession Hours at Howard-Tilton - May 11-16

2014-02-03T10:26:00.000-06:00

Howard-Tilton Memorial Libray

Sunday May 11 // 12 noon - 445 pm

Monday May 12 - Friday May 16 // 8 am - 5 pm // Intersession Hours

Saturday May 17 // 10 am - 445 pm // Regular Summer Hours

Sunday May 18 // 12 noon - 445 pm // Regular Summer Hours

Monday May 19 - Friday May 23 // 8am - 945 pm // Regular Summer Hours

Saturday May 24 // 10 am - 445 pm // Regular Summer Hours

Sunday May 25 // 12 noon - 445 pm // Regular Summer Hours

Monday May 26 // CLOSED // Memorial Day

Construction Steel Deliveries to Begin Monday, April 21

2014-02-02T09:36:00.000-06:00

Steel for the frame of the library's planned two more floors is scheduled to begin to arrive on the construction site this Monday, April 21. The steel beams and other pieces for the frame will arrive in sequence over a concentrated period lasting about eight weeks. All deliveries are expected to come through the main construction zone gate next to the library building on Freret Street. During the delivery period for the steel, large trucks can be expected to enter and exit the construction site from and onto Freret Street anytime between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., six days a week (Mondays through Saturdays). Crews will direct both pedestrian and vehicle traffic around the gate as each truck arrives and exits. The deliveries and work on the site generally will stop temporarily for the library's study and period of April 30 through May 10, and then resume immediately afterward.

For more information about the construction project see the library's construction blog.