Carmichael Library conducted a wayfinding modernization project that spanned from Fall 2022 through Summer 2023. This project was a creative partnership with graphic design professor Min Sun Lee’s Environmental Design course to create and update physical signage in the library. The partnership was a response to this library space reconfiguration and remodeling. In the last several years, the library has undergone substantial changes. Whole departments and collections have switched floors, a new entrance was constructed on the ground floor, and several new spaces have been created (a digital media lab, a special collections room, and a multi-purpose meeting/event room). Professor Lee worked directly with the Library Signage Committee (Amanda Melcher, Nicole Rich, Joel Bullock, and Charlotte Ford) to craft an assignment to refresh the outdated signage. Students in the class were put into three groups and tasked with creating a comprehensive signage proposal to help patrons better navigate the space and collections. While all the groups presented great proposals, the winning group’s design really stood out. They thought critically about accessibility: their color choices are ADA compliant for color-blindness; their icons are bold, black, uncomplicated and repeating; and they focused on sign readability. They used color to brand each floor and surveyed students across campus for their color preference. They successfully utilized icons to visually distinguish between spaces, collections, and policies. The library signage committee is very pleased with the outcome of our collaboration with the graphic design class. Having the student perspective incorporated into the new design was invaluable because students are our main user group. The partnership was a win-win: it provided a user-centered design for the library and a real-world graphic design job for the students.

Carmichael Library is excited to announce a Library of Things Collection, an assortment of tools and other non-traditional materials available for checkout to UM students, faculty, and staff. The collection was envisioned as a practical way to reduce the manufacturing footprint of tools and to save students (as well as faculty and staff) money. This collection originated from the efforts of Nicole Rich, Circulation Supervisor, with the help of one of the library’s fantastic student workers, Near Hollingsworth. They worked together to design an interest survey and write the grant proposal. Ultimately, their work paid off when the library was awarded a $500 grant from UM’s Green Fund to purchase tools and other non-traditional materials to circulate. Currently, there are 16 items in the collection including a ladder, dolly, sewing machine, emergency sewing kit, electric drill, multi-piece tool kit, and more. The new tool collection, together with an existing technology collection, has been branded as the Library of Things. And, a website was created to showcase the items in the collection as well as availability and related loan policies. Further, the website includes a form for students, faculty, and staff to suggest other “things” to add in the future. Visit UM’s Library of Things website to learn more.

This semester, you will see a familiar face more often at Carmichael Library. We are pleased to announce that Kayla Johnson has taken on a new role as Carmichael Library's Instruction and User Experience Librarian! While she began this position in June 2023, she is no stranger to UM. She served as an adjunct Reference and Instruction Librarian in Spring 2023, and she is a UM alum, attaining her Bachelor’s degree here in 2019 before completing the MLIS program at the University of Alabama.

When Kayla isn't at Carmichael library, she enjoys travel, taking photographs, and trying out new restaurants! She is very excited to be back on the bricks as a faculty member!

Delaney Williams joined Carmichael Library in June 2023 as the Interlibrary Loan Coordinator and Archives Assistant. She graduated form the University of Montevallo in May 2023 with a Bachelor's degree in History is currently working toward her Master's degree from the University of Alabama's Library and Information Science program. Delaney also worked as a peer tutor with the LEC in history and political science while enrolled at UM. She loved the experience as a student and is excited to help students, faculty, and staff with their interlibrary loan needs!

Delaney is a loving sister to two lovely dogs named Daisy and JoJo, and she hopes to adopt and raise a small village worth of dogs one day! Along with her endless love for dogs, she also dreams of owning a White's Tree frog one day (Delaney is open to any name suggestion as she patiently waits for the right time to adopt her amphibian friend).

Another academic year is underway at UM, and we’re so happy to see both new and returning students here in the library. We have two new faces on the library staff, Kayla Johnson and Delaney Williams – but they’re also familiar faces, as both of them are UM alumni! Developments on other fronts include new technology (Cricut cutters, new VR equipment, laptop workstations), new collections (such as our “Library of Things”), new signage (designed by UM students!) and many exciting events.

Even as we celebrate the new, we aim to preserve the core services that we know are vital to our students’ success. We know that our students need access to reliable resources; information and digital literacy skills; and welcoming and supportive spaces in which to work. We’re committed to supporting all of our library users – students, faculty, staff, and community members – and are open to any new ideas you might have that will help make your academic journey a richer experience!

Over the summer, the library's discovery, or search, system got an considerable upgrade. Watch this video about the features of this new system!

Did you know the library has a campus-wide subscription to the New York Times? Follow these instructions to activate your free account and to learn more about what the New York Times has to offer.

1. Path Lit By Lightning: The Life of Jim Thorpe by David Maraniss

2. T-Minus AI: Humanities Countdown to Artificial Intelligence and the New Pursuit of Global Power by Michael Kanaan

3. Do the Work! An Antiracist Activity Book by W. Kamau Bell & Kate Schatz

4. Indigenous Continent: The Epic Contest for North America by Pekka Hämäläinen

5. My Monticello by Jocelyn Nicole Johnson

6. All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir

7. 38 Days in Mariupol: A War Diary by Don Brown

8. The Great Displacement: Climate Change and the Next American Migration by Jake Bittle

1. Steve Jobs written by Aaron Sorkin and directed by Danny Boyle

2. The reason I Jump written by Naoki Higashida and directed by Jerry Rothwell

3. Joy screenplay and direction by David O. Russell

4. Batman directed by Matt Reeves

5. The Founder written by Robert Siegel and directed by John L. Hancock

6. Le Femme Nikita directed by Luc Besson

7. Mother, Father, Deaf directed by Garry Keane

8. Succession: The Complete Third Season directed by Mark Mylod, Adrij Parekh, Robert Pulcini, and Shari Springer Berman

In recognition of Banned Book Week (October 1-7), the library curated a display of materials and resources that was available online or on the first floor lobby. Be on the look out for future displays related to Halloween and Native American History Month. Or access the online version of our previous display (featured in Aug./Sept.) showcasing Career Resources.

With special permission, Carmichael Library hosted a screening of the documentary Judy Blume Forever in the Pat Scales Special Collections Room. In addition to highlighting the iconic author, the film also features Pat Scales: UM alum, former school librarian, and intellectual freedom advocate. Held on Wednesday, September 27th, the event offered a fitting lead-in for Banned Books Week (October 1-7). In conjunction with the event, the library's Banned Book display was available on the library's first floor and online.

Check out our interactive book list featuring titles by Blume that can be found in our Youth and Pat Scales Collections.

In spring of 2023 Michael Price, Digital Media and Emerging Technology Librarian, received an Faculty Development and Advisory Commitee (FDAC) grant to purchase three Cricut Maker Pros, smart cutting machines that can cut, score, write, and more on a variety of materials. The devices were set up and tested over the summer with assistance from a DML student assistant. And they are being used already by multiple classes this fall. Materials for cutting, scoring, etc. are not available in the lab, you must supply your own materials. If interested in using the Cricut machines, please contact Michael Price at mprice3@montevallo.edu.

• Aug. 24: AAUW (Montevallo Chapter) Welcome Event
• Sept. 11: BACHE Visiting Writer Series: Frank X. Walker
• Sept. 14: AAUW Event: A Just Reckoning: Forging Deeper, Truer King House Narratives (featuring Melanie Morrison)
• Sept. 25: Journal and Jazz (hosted by Counseling Services)
• Sept. 27: Pat Scales Lecture Series: "Judy Blume Forever" Screening & Discussion
• Oct. 4: Master Class by U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón (with Dr. Jim Murphy's English 461 class)
• Oct. 11: Faculty Research and Teaching Symposium
• Oct. 17: Poetry @ UM: Dr. Jim Murphy
• Nov. 11: Falcon Success Center Outreach Event

Have you noticed the new laptop workstations and power hubs on the main (1st) floor of the library? Watch this video to learn more.

Email: library@montevallo.edu
Website: libguides.montevallo.edu
Location: 75 College Drive, Montevallo, AL, USA
Phone: 2056656100
Facebook: facebook.com/umlibrary
Twitter: @umlibrary