Smithsonian Libraries

Botanica Magnifica images at Smithsonian Libraries

In his large-format images, photographer Jonathan Singer captures the essence of plant form, color, and texture, thereby enhancing the viewer’s appreciation of the complexity of the botanical world.  Collaborating with scientists in the Smithsonian’s Department of Botany, the large-format photographs focus on the Smithsonian’s living plant collections.  Each photo was taken with a high-resolution digital camera and printed on hand-made paper with special inks. Jonathan Singer donated the first set of this monumental five-volume work to the Smithsonian Institution’s Department of Botany and the Smithsonian Institution Libraries.

Images from Botanica Magnifica will be on display in the Smithsonian Libraries exhibition case located in the National Museum of Natural History (10th St. and Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, DC), ground floor lobby, through October 2008.

Since the Smithsonian’s copy of the “Botanica magnifica” is held in a research library behind the scenes, visitors who wish to see it are requested to call several days in advance to arrange an appointment: (202) 633-1184.

 

 

Hard Hat Tour of Pennsy Drive facility

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Originally uploaded by martin_kalfatovic

Smithsonian Libraries' staff visited the new Pennsy Drive facility near Landover, Maryland on May 29.

The Pennsy Drive facility will house the Book Conservation Lab, the SIL Imaging Center, binding operations and also provide a reading room and shelf space for over 500,000 volumes.

The Libraries will begin moving into the new space sometime in the fall.

Pictured above: (left to right) Dave Bartlett, Lu Rossignol, Marcia Adams, Martin Kalfatovic, Nancy Gwinn, Laudine Creighton, David Holbert, and Eliza Gilligan

ALA President delivers Fortieth Anniversary Lecture

ALA President, Loriene Roy, Ashinabe, Professor at the University of Texas Austin, iSchool, delivered the first in the Smithsonian libraries 40^th anniversary lecture series on May 12, 2008. In covering the wide topic of America'€™s Libraries: Expanding Collections, Services, and Facilities,"€ Dr. Roy began by reminding her audience that 1968 was a very different place with the Beatles balanced by social turmoil. However, for  libraries, the issues were similar and included censorship, building public involvement, and preserving budgets.

 Based on her 320 days as ALA president, Dr. Roy used her media experience to identify what issues matter most.  Reporters consistently ask about the way libraries look now, the impact of the Web, gaming, and if we are a dying profession. Loriene was able to say that more young students are entering the profession, leveling the playing field and increasing the challenges of how to make libraries inclusive as employers and as a service. ALA will offer a gaming evening at Annual conference to recognize that people don'€™t divide their lives neatly into work and home.

 Asked if she was concerned that "€œpeople would not find us,"€ Dr. Roy responded that "€œif we stay where we are, they won't find us"€ and went on to give examples of creative ways to be where the patrons live. For an academic library this might include rethinking physical space, providing roving reference staff, and offering services that promote collaboration among researchers.   

 Perhaps the most amusing reminder was Loriene's urging "€œNo one should leave before the dance,"€ a reference to the many activities that SIL will have during its anniversary year, culminating in the Ruby Gala in late October.