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Library News from Snowy Northwestern Michigan

Lately for us Northerners, it seems a good day is determined by whether or not NOAA has issued a Winter Snow Advisory (good) or a Winter Storm Watch (bad)! Even the snowdrifts are too thick to shovel! The city of Gaylord has broken a one hundred year record for snow accumulation in January. One library reported that currently their thermometer read minus 30 degrees, another reported that patrons now arrive in snowmobiles! This glacial weather truly separates the proverbial men from the boys.

Although several libraries were understandably closed, the other hardy librarians of Northwestern Michigan reported the following activities.

Munson Medical Center Department of Library Services reports that the Community Health Library and the Health Sciences Library has just received a 2003 Citation of Excellence from the Library of Michigan Foundation in recognition of the department’s outstanding community outreach and collaboration.

Petoskey Public Library reports that, thanks to a passed mileage increase in 2000 and a 4 million-dollar bond issue, they are in the process of building a new library. Their plans call for an expansion and the renovation of the old Bell Telephone building, which will give them four times the square footage. The Carnegie Building, which has housed the library since 1908, will be renovated and, in conjunction with the Art Center and the Museum, will be transformed into a Michigan History Library.

Northwestern Michigan College. This May, the Osterlin Library will be undertaking a huge renovation project. In addition to an improved heating and cooling system, they will be expanding the library-learning center. A new computer classroom will be designated for information literacy instruction. Also, in order to increase student access to computing resources, Osterlin Library is testing a wireless laptop checkout program.

Lake Superior State University. The Kenneth J. Shouldice Library reports that it was the first facility on campus to offer their students wireless capability. In addition to a new and improved Library Webpage revealed last fall, the library reports that they are lending a librarian to the Hiawathaland Library Cooperative and Bayliss Public Library to fill in as acting director as they undertake a search for a new permanent director. Lastly, the Shouldice Library would like to extend their appreciation for the wonderful interlibrary loan services provided by Michigan libraries.

Gogebic Community College. The Learning Resource Center reports that that have just celebrated Martin Luther King Day within the library. They also report that they have been inundated with bibliographic instruction using hands-on teaching methods to assist students with locating journal articles. The Media Center currently has a production station where instructors can create interactive teaching presentation units for the students to access through computers. The library also provides a CD-ROM Video; a classroom with satellite downlinks; PTK video teleconferencing; C-band disk; Virtual Room Videoconferencing System and they provide local access for the GOISD Special Education Programs.

By Yvonne N. Boudreau, Senior Information Research Specialist, Munson Medical Center - Health Sciences Library, yboudreau@mhc.net

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