Library Marks 65th Anniversary & Plans for Renovations
On April 5, 1959, Einstein celebrated the opening of its D. Samuel Gottesman Library, made possible thanks to a $500,000 donation from the D.H. and R.H. Gottesman Foundation in memory of D. Samuel Gottesman. On Thursday, April 4, 2024—65 years later—library staff invite members of the campus community to mark this special milestone.
Come to the library for treats and good fun as its staff marks the 65th anniversary of its opening at Einstein.
From 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., they will welcome students, postdocs, faculty, and staff to enjoy ice cream and cookies while viewing the special exhibit in the glass cases outside the library, titled “The Library at 65: Then & Now.” Showcasing the library and its staff members throughout the decades, the display features photographs and artifacts detailing the evolution of the library.
“It’s a look at how the technologies of past eras, combined with the ingenuity and expertise of our staff throughout the years, helped us become the library that we are today,” said Nancy Glassman, assistant director of the library. “We’re also excited to share our newest resources and services that make research and studying most effective.”
Changes Coming
Starting in May, the library space will undergo a transformative renovation that will last several months. The reading room and service desk area will close on April 22 and is scheduled to reopen in early August.
While the physical library space will be closed, the dedicated library staff will still be available to help you in person and virtually. “Whether you need research assistance, access to electronic resources, or a friendly chat, we’ll remain at your service,” said Racheline Habousha, director of the library. “Watch for information concerning our upcoming office hours and more specifics about where and when our ‘Pop-up Libraries’ will be around campus.”
During the renovation period, print books will be housed at an off-site storage facility and will be accessible upon request, and the digital collections will remain available. The Beren Study Center will also remain open 24/7.
Staff will be reachable through phone, email, and Ask a Librarian Chat—with expanded chat hours—in addition to weekly Pop-up Library and office hours.
While change can pose challenges, the library staff are preparing so that they can provide seamless services and be of assistance throughout the renovation. “Access to some of our materials will require advance planning,” said Nancy. “For example, it will take two to three days to have books located within storage and sent to us. But other resources will remain at your fingertips. And we invite you to learn about some of our newer offerings, including LibKey Nomad++ and Einstein Discover.”
The current plans anticipate completion in time for student orientation in early August. “We’ll provide updates in our newsletter, Biblioblast,” said Racheline. “If you don’t receive it, there is a way to subscribe.”
Trivial Matters
While enjoying the celebration this Thursday, have some fun with library-related trivia! By viewing the exhibit assembled by head of research and education, Aurelia Minuti; research and education librarian, Caroline Delbourgo Patton; and digital initiatives librarian, Winifred King, see if you can answer these questions:
- Name three forms of document/data storage used before “the Cloud.”
- Who are the previous directors of our library?
- What was the amount of the donation given to establish the D. Samuel Gottesman Library?
- What was a precursor to PubMed?
- What is the name of the library’s newsletter, through which you can learn about workshops, newest resources, and more?
Editor’s Note: Also plan to stop by the library in the mid-afternoon on Monday, April 8, to safely view the near-full solar eclipse of the sun, using solar eclipse viewing glasses that staff will have available to share. New York City is expected to have 85% coverage during the eclipse.
Posted on: Thursday, April 04, 2024