Grinnell College Libraries Website Improvements

One of the things we learned from the LibQUAL survey (http://www.lib.grinnell.edu/general/LibQUAL/index.html) that the libraries administered in Spring of 2007 is that the Libraries’ website is not as easy to navigate as we would like it to be. The website provides a central interface and delivery platform for the Libraries’ services and collections. During the Fall of 2007, the Libraries held a series of feedback sessions with students, faculty, and staff to gather opinions on how to improve the usefulness of the Libraries’ home page. We asked each group what they are trying to do when they visit the Libraries’ website, and what would make it easier to accomplish these things. The changes made to the Libraries’ home page are a response to what we learned in the feedback sessions and from other comments about the website. Our goals are to make the links for the most needed items more visible, to group links more logically, and to use more familiar terminology. Because the Libraries’ website is constantly evolving to better meet the needs of students, faculty, and staff, we always welcome your input. Please send feedback and further suggestions to Cecilia Knight [knight@grinnell.edu] and/or Sharon Clayton [clayton@grinnell.edu].

Checking Out Books Over Winter Break

Students may check books out over break. Books will be due the first day of spring semester (Jan. 21, 2008).

You may renew books you currently have checked out through your patron record in the library catalog: https://cat.lib.grinnell.edu/patroninfo/

Burling Study Breaks

The libraries will be hosting study breaks featuring entertainment, homemade cookies (made by the library staff!) and milk at 9:00 P.M, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of finals week.

Monday night come hear Con Brio and The G-Tones acappella groups.
Tuesday night enjoy the Improv comedy troupe Wednesday night take a break with Buckthorn blue grass band.

Library Exhibit of 18th Century Works

"A Glimpse into the World of the Eighteenth Century" highlights some of the 18th-century editions in the Libraries¹ Special Collections Department, showing the wide range of information available to 18th-century readers ­ and to 21st-century Grinnell students and teachers. The exhibit features books on the exploration of North America, tracts proclaiming the danger of attending the theater, and works that chronicle the experiences of travelers to China, Surinam, and Patagonia. The exhibit is currently on view in Burling Gallery.