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Langenheim welcomes

new reference librarian

Tressa Snyder has accepted the position of Reference/Instruction Librarian at Langenheim Memorial Library.  She has previously served as the Library Director of the Corry Public Library in Corry, PA.  Tressa has also held positions at Rena M. Carlson Library at Clarion University of Pennsylvania, Greenville Public Library, and Southside Virginia Community College Library in Alberta, VA. 

Ms. Snyder received a B.A. in Environmental Studies and Geography from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and an M.L.S. from Clarion University of Pennsylvania’s School of Library and Information Science.

--October 2008

Book covers bring more color, interest to collection

Our collections are getting a little brighter.  For some of our books, we have been able to retain the bookcovers. 

This change is sparked in part to help Education students using our Juvenile Collection when working with children.  While everyone knows they shouldn't judge a book by its cover, the images on the Juvenile Collection book covers have important roles.  Not only might they help grab a reader's attention, book covers can help elementary students predict what a book is about, an important step in reading comprehension.

You'll find book covers popping up in our General Collection, as well.  Book jackets contain information about the book and its author.  So, the next time you're browsing the shelves, keep an eye out for some of our new book covers.  You might discover something exciting.

Poetry Reading April 3rd

On Thursday, April 3rd at 8:15 p.m., members of the Thiel community gathered to read their works published in The Phoenix, Thiel's literary magazine. 

Buster's First Day of School

2/20/08

Senior Art Show in Fine Arts Room

11/26/07

"Saved," a collection of nine pieces by Tara McNeish, was recently displayed in the Fine Arts Room gallery.

Kenyan student displays Maasai art, jewelry

New Director -- Allen S. Morrill

7/1/07

Allen Morrill, Director of the Langenheim Memorial Library, is a second generation librarian.  He has held director positions at The Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and The Kansas City Art Institute.  He also served as the librarian at the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution in Louisville, Kentucky.

For over twenty years, Mr. Morrill has been an active member of the American Library Association, the Association of College and Research Libraries, and the College Library Section.  While a member of CLS, Mr. Morrill served as secretary for the CLIP Note Committee.  In 2001 he was the co-compiler of Travel, Sabbatical, and Study Leave Policies in College Libraries: Clip Note #30.  

On the state level, Mr. Morrill has served as the President of the Massachusetts Conference of Chief Librarians of Public Higher Educational Institutions (MCCLPHEI) and as President of the Central/Western Massachusetts Automated Resource Sharing, Inc., consortia (C/WMARS).

In his communities Mr. Morrill has been an active volunteer.  He has served The First Congregational Church of North Adams, UCC, the United Way of Northern Berkshire, and as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Berkshire Arts and Technology Charter Public School.

When relaxing Mr. Morrill enjoys running, barbequing and fly fishing.  He sings with church and community choirs, and plays trumpet with community bands and with pick-up jazz groups.  Most of all he treasures the time he spends with his son, Tom, daughters, Madie, and Annabelle, and his wife, Susan.

Mr. Morrill received a B.A. in History from Hanover College and an M.L.S. from Indiana University School of Library and Information Science.

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Construction Photos

7/17/2007 update

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West African handicrafts

4/21/07

Dr. Fatimata Pale has on display in the library lobby handicrafts from Burkina Faso, West Africa. Stop in to see handmade jewelry, bronze figurines, baskets, shakers, a calabash, a 'bala fon,' a mask and a handwoven cloth throw. The display is a Global Heritage effort.

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Reference room thins down

4/11/07

In preparation for this summer's renovation to make room for the CLA (Center for Learning and Advising) offices and conference rooms, Librarian Jeanne Ball has been house cleaning. "We're looking at this as a chance to really focus our collection to meet the needs of our students. Some of the resources are available through online databases. Other items are simply outdated or no longer work with the courses being taught. By the time we're done, we hope to have a more responsive collection."

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Director Joyce Minor announces retirement

After helping two generations of students graduate from Thiel College, I’m off to spend more time with my family and indulge myself in some new experiences. Leaving friends behind is tough, but when you’ve watched five presidents and deans, hundreds of colleagues and thousands of students move on, you learn that friendships endure. I still communicate with co-workers and graduates, and with the internet, it’s easier than ever.

Since I’ve been here forever, I’ll share some memories. In 1969, my first year, while the new west wing of the Library was being completed, we approached the building via planks over mud holes, shivered all winter, and six people shared the office I’m working out of now.  I began working in periodicals, and moved around through documents, reference, cataloging and processing; there’s always been a new challenge ahead, something more to learn. Several of us team taught a research course during a January interim session, and were evaluated as “really tough” by the students. I’ve taken a few courses, too, in art, religion, education, and swimming – part of that something more to learn.

I took part in more committee work than I ever intended – Middle States, Institutional Planning, Curriculum Study, and others. It’s like getting your name on those subscription lists that just keep circulating. I served a term on the Media Board and I spent several years with the Thiel Players. After appearing as a wicked witch, an aging chorine and the Wife of Bath, I stopped the on-stage work and concentrated on providing make-up assistance. The change from card-to-electronic catalog occurred during my years, and it was only the beginning of the application of technology to library services.

Now to change tenses. I intend to join family just west of Chicago and in addition to reestablishing a household --- we’ll ride the train in and visit Shedd Aquarium and Field Museum, play at Navy Pier, explore art galleries and zoos, hunt down architectural gems, window shop on the Magnificent Mile, or attend theatrical and musical events and festivals. On a warm summer day, we can see either an Indians/White Sox or a Pirates/Cubs game. We can discover and examine local libraries and small town treasures, community colleges and specialty shopping, ethnic foods and a Medieval Times Castle. That ought to hold us for a while. Oh, I forgot; I also plan to be busy keeping in touch with many of the friends I’ve gained over the years here.              

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Library gets spruced up for Middle States committee

3/19/07

     "You mean the library has a "back" staircase?" was the most frequent student question during the days leading up to the visit of the Middle States Evaluation Committee. Maintenance had closed the library's main stairwell for a fresh coat of paint.

     The Harris Room was set aside as a main work area for the group. The large windows overlooking campus provided a suitable and bright venue for various meetings and the room's furniture was temporarily rearranged to accommodate the larger work tables needed. Though students did not have access to the room while the committee was convened, all student requests were met by the library staff.

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Book collection growing

3/1/07

In the last six months (August through February), Mrs. Dorothy Brenoel, librarian responsible for cataloging, has added 620 new books to the Langenheim's shelves, a little over 100 per month. For a complete list of titles, by month, check out New Books. During the same time, another 581 books were donated as gifts by departments, staff, and friends of the library.

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New furniture added to Fine Arts room

01/08/07

(based on an article in The Thielensian, 02/06/07, by Esther Isaiah)

     Most students who visit the library on a regular basis will have noticed by now the area in the Fine Arts room on the first floor which has sofas and small tables arranged in a cozy setting. This new reading area, was one of the initiatives of Library Director Joyce Minor with the objective of having an area where students could relax and study.

     Minor said that she was approached by Dean Jeffrey Welsh to suggest an area in the library that she would like to see upgraded. Once this was decided, the sofas and some tables were ordered and came in sometime before Christmas. To make room, the bookshelves were pushed closer together and the old wooden work tables were relocated. The glass showcase has been dedicated to Thiel related artwork. The portraits on the wall are of Thiel's last six presidents. The small nook adjacent to the area, where Study Abroad materials were reorganized, was repainted with a softer color. The students who made Dean's List are honored here.

     "This reading area can be used to draw anyone who steps into the library to come, relax, and take a break from their work," said Minor. "It can also be used as an alternative venue for students who prefer to be more comfortable while they are studying." This, in fact, is one of her aspirations for the entire library, to provide various settings for students to study and to discover their own particular favorite area or niche.

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Relax with a newspaper and coffee in Entrance Lounge

12/01/06

     A pot of freshly brewed coffee has been added for atmosphere in the lounge area at the entrance to the library. "We wanted to create an area where students and faculty could just drop by, pick up one of the half dozen or so daily, local newspapers, or perhaps browse the latest books added to the general collection, have a cup of coffee, and just relax before or after class," said Director Joyce Minor.

     "Unfortunately we've got to pay for the supplies, so the coffee's not free," she added. "But it's there if you want it; and of course you're welcome to bring in your own cup; just stop by and enjoy."

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