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Welcome to our fall newsletter! The library had a busy start to the semester – preparing for library instruction classes, interviewing and hiring new staff, hosting a traveling exhibit, welcoming prospective students/community members/returning students, and purchasing (grant funded) accessibility software and equipment. Our mission is to create a welcoming, inclusive, and innovative library. We still have more work to do. With your support, we will achieve our goal.

This newsletter is dedicated to our wonderful Kate who will be retiring in November. Not only is she the editor of the newsletter, Kate makes the library run smoothly. Her dedication to our students, patrons, and library staff is unwavering and appreciated. We will miss working with Kate and wish her all the best in the next stage of her life.

Rams, we hope to see you in the library! Let us know how we can support you and your students.

Take care, Millie

The library was thrilled to host the Holocaust Memorial Museum and the American Library Association (ALA)’s traveling exhibition - Americans and the Holocaust - from September 3 through October 11.

What did the US government and the American people know

about the threats posed by Nazi Germany?

What responses were possible?

And when?

This exhibition examines the motives, pressures, and fears that shaped Americans’ responses to Nazism, war, and genocide.

In conjunction with the exhibition, the library sponsored and/or co-sponsored the following events for the campus community and all members of the public:

1. Opening Reception with speakers FSU President Nancy Niemi, Rabbi Sam Blumberg, Library Dean Millie Gonzalez, and FSU Professor Leslie Starobin;

2. Talk by Dr. Daniel Greene, curator of the Americans and the Holocaust exhibition, "Americans and the Holocaust: What did Americans Know?;

3. Talk by Dr. Damion Thomas, scholar at the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture, "Jesse Owens and the Complicated Legacies of the 1936 Olympics";

4. Film Screening of the movie "Zone of Interest" with facilitator Professor Sally Shafto;

5. Community Collecting event at the Framingham History Center;

6. Book Discussion facilitated by Library student engagement coordinator, Weronika Zawora on the book "Prequel" by Rachel Maddow; and

7. A selection of works from three artists from the Danforth Museum's Permanent Collection at the Danforth.

We also featured the following displays in the library:

1. Featured artifacts from FSU archives from the FSU campus during the 1930s and 1940;

2. Featured artwork from Professor Leslie Starobin, including a selection from the documentary Marching All Night: The Testimony of Dorka Berger née Altman, inspired by a survivor’s account of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp;

3. Featured artifacts on loan from Framingham resident, Margaret Krell; and

4. A poster exhibition from the U.S. Holocaust Museum and Smithsonian Institution: State of Deception, American Witness, and Righting a Wrong: Japanese Americans and World War ll.

We were delighted to welcome viewers from the campus community and many individual visitors and groups from the local community.

The exhibition was facilitated by Library Dean Millie Gonzalez and the library's Outreach and Student Engagement Coordinator Weronika Zawora, with assistance and contributions from FSU staff, FSU librarians, FSU educators, FSU Print Services, the FSU Facilities team and community organizations: Framingham History Center, the Danforth Museum, and Jewish Family Services of Metrowest.

We thank everyone for their support of this very important exhibition.

We welcomed local TV station Access Framingham to the library recently to view the exhibition, “Americans and the Holocaust" .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1ARxcq-vDQ

The online Museum Open House program with Jay Sugarman has posted a video on their channel which features the library and the Americans and the Holocaust exhibition. You can view it on YouTube.

A wonderful event was held in the Library to celebrate the new Native American Land Acknowledgement mural - a collaboration between Framingham State University Center for Inclusive Excellence, the Dept of Art & Music, and the Nipmuc and Wampanoag Tribes. The art recognizes that “FSU lies on ground that is the original homeland of the Nipmuc Tribal Nations”.

Stop by and view this beautiful mural created by FSU students.

Learn more: https://tinyurl.com/msufyhbx

Our Librarians and staff have compiled important information and resources for you.

Please review our libguide where you will find valuable info and resources on this topic.

Our Librarians and staff have compiled important information and resources for you.

Please review our libguide where you will find valuable info and resources on this topic.

Along with our large quiet study room in Room 118 on the 1st Floor, there are 9 private study rooms in the Library: 4 soundproofed individual study rooms on the Ground Floor, 2 group study rooms on the Lower Mezzanine and 3 soundproofed individual study rooms on the Upper Mezzanine. The group and individual study rooms are bookable for up to 2 hours at a time! (Note: Study room G05 on the Ground Floor can not be reserved - it is available on a walk-in basis.)

Go to our new website to book online: find a room by location in our online maps of the library (paid by a grant on accessibility) or, if you already know which room you want, go directly to our reservation system.

You can find more info and our study space policies here. Find the links to reserve a room on our website.

As you know, you can get delicious food and beverages in the library at the Red Barn Cafe.

But, did you know...we have a few food vending machines too?!

Two new vending machines have arrived in the library, bringing the total number of machines in the library that provide fresh food, snacks and beverages to four! You'll find them on the 1st Floor, the Lower Mezzanine and the Upper Mezzanine.

We post a fun question on our whiteboard in the lobby on the 1st Floor. We've received an overwhelming response and some awesome (sometimes funny and eye-opening!) answers.

Here's a sample of some of the questions we've asked the FSU community this semester:

1. Where did you grow up?

• I grew up in New Bedford, MA.

2. What is your career aspiration?

• I want to be an interpreter.

3. When are you graduating?

• I will be graduating next year.

4. What is your major?

• My major is American Sign Language.

5. Do you have any hobbies and/or pets?

• I have three cats.

6. What is your favorite music, book, tv show and/or movie?

• My favorite movie is The Remains of the Day.

7. Tell us about your role in the Library and what your favorite thing is about working in the library.

• I work at the circulation desk at the library and my favorite thing about working here is that I get to meet new people every time I work.

1. Where did you grow up?

• I am originally from Brockton, MA

2. What is your career aspiration?

• My career aspiration is to be a Registered Dietitian in a clinical setting with a concentration in renal care

3. When are you graduating?

• I am in the 4+1 program so I will be graduating with my bachelors in May 2025 and then graduate with my masters in May of 2026

4. What is your major?

• I am a food and nutrition major.

5. Do you have any hobbies and/or pets?

• I have a couple of hobbies including reading mystery books, playing tennis, and playing pickleball. At home, I have two black cats!

6. Do you participate in any extracurricular activities?

• I am the Secretary for the Framingham State Dance Team.

7. What is your favorite music, book, tv show and/or movie?

• My favorite author recently has been Lisa Jewell, I love all of her books. My two favorite tv shows are How to Get Away with Murder and You.

8. Tell us about your role in the Library and what your favorite thing is about working in the library.

• I work at the circulation desk at the library where my main responsibilities are to help patrons find the books they need whether it is at this library or another library in the Minuteman system, I shelve the books that have been checked in, and I help answer any circulation questions about the library overall. My favorite part about working in the library is when people come to the desk and ask for recommendations of books that they could read in their downtime. This would be my favorite part because sometimes reading can have a negative connotation due to having to do it for homework or school in general, but when people are showing interest in wanting to read for pleasure, it makes me very happy.

Our Research & Learning Librarians and staff are ready to assist you! They can help you with:

• Using the resources in the library, such as the online catalog, reference collection, periodical indexes and databases, and the Web;
• Choosing appropriate resources for a particular research topic; and
• Answer any type of question you might have about doing research or about the Library.

Stop by their help desk on the Upper Mezzanine of the Library - librarians or peer research mentors are available to answer research questions during regular desk hours. Desk hours are listed on our website. Research librarians are also available by appointment for individual or small-group consultations. You can call them (508-626-4654), email them (reference@framingham.edu) or connect with them and get research assistance 24/7 via their online chat.

Hi! I'm Sandra Rothenberg, the Coordinator of Library Instruction and a Research Librarian

If you have any questions, please reach out to me. I'll be happy to assist you!

Email: srothenberg@framingham.edu
Phone: (508) 626-4083

Hello! I'm Rebecca Dowgiert, the Scholarly Communications Librarian.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please let me know.

Email: rdowgiert@framingham.edu

Phone: (508) 626-4654

Meet Weronica, the newest member of our Research and Learning Department! She is the new Outreach and Student Engagement Coordinator.

Born in Poland, Weronika Zawora has worked in public and academic libraries throughout Metrowest and central MA over the last decade. She enjoys cooking locally sourced food, hiking trails across the state, and being inspired by creative works of all kinds.

Need a tour of the library for you and/or your class, contact her directly - she'd be happy to assist!

Welcome to the fRAMily, Weronica!

Email: wzawora@framingham.edu
Phone: 508-626-4656

Check out our new library website (thanks to Librarian Abe Newell and team for spearheading this effort.)

• Don’t know who to ask a question about a library resource or service? Here is the listing of our wonderful staff.
  Look at our revamped research skills hub online guide (thank you to Librarian Rebecca Dowgiert).
• You can also chat with us online through our 24/7 chat service.
• The calendar on our website lists library events, activities, and workshops.
• Do you need to find a location in the library, like maybe a study room, restroom or the RAMS Renew Space? Check out our NEW online maps of the library (paid by a grant on accessibility). No more getting lost in the library...just look at the map!

Lots of good stuff happening. Check it out!

Through a grant on accessibility, we received funding for training, creating online maps of the library, upgrading our accessibility software, and purchasing materials like a sensory backpack. We now loan a “sensory backpack” that has items like noise canceling headphones, meditation timer, fidget toys, and more. For questions about the backpack, contact Greg Dawson at gdawson1@framingham.edu.

View a demonstration of the backpack with our social media student intern, Michael Gardner, on our YouTube channel.

Once again, the Research & Learning department hosted Workshop Wednesdays. This semester the sessions feature RamSearch, Zotero and Research Rabbit AI. The sessions are hosted in-person in Library room UM14. Ramsearch is a tool for searching the library’s databases, online resources, and books. Zotero is a free citation management tool that can help organize research. Research Rabbit: stop by to see a demo of this newest research tool.

Check our website calendar for dates.

The No Homework Book Club is back! The Club was created for people who love to read and talk about books. There is no book assignment and no predetermined list of discussion questions - just an informal gathering of readers who get together in Library Room UM14 to chat about the books they've been reading. Everyone from the campus community is welcome to participate.

The Library's No Homework Book Club will be meeting each month during the Fall and Spring semesters. Check our website for upcoming dates. Join hosts Kim Carney and Lori Wolfe, along with members of the campus community and answer the question: What Are You Reading?!

Our McNaughton collection features new and popular fiction and nonfiction books. Stop by the Library to browse our McNaughton shelves and find your new favorite book!

Be on the lookout for the books below - appearing on our shelves in November and December!

(Release dates subject to change.)

⭐ Coming Soon! ⭐

Take the time to de-stress and relax! Make a reservation online today for our Renew Space and meet our therapy kitty, Milo. Just scan the QR code or go to our website to reserve your session! Then stop by our front desk with your reservation email and pick up the room key (and prayer rug if needed). (Note: One person in the room per session, no food, tidy up after your visit, use headphones, and return the key to the front desk.)

From September 4 to December 20:

Library Building -

Monday - Thursday: 8:00am - 11:00pm

Friday: 8:00am - 5:00pm

Saturday: 12:00pm - 5:00pm

Sunday: 1:00pm - 11:00pm

Research & Learning -

Reference Librarians are available to assist you during the following days/times:

Monday - Thursday: 10:30am - 4:30pm

Friday: 10:30am - 2:30pm

Saturday and Sunday: Closed

* Exceptions:

Thanksgiving: Closed Thursday, November 28.

- For complete listing, please see our hours page - days/hours may vary for holidays and intersessions.

Information about the Library's policies regarding access, borrowing, reference, interlibrary loan, circulation of materials, reserves, confidentiality of records, fines, public computers, diversity, and censorship can be found in this guide.

Answers to frequently asked questions are available in this guide.

We look forward to seeing you at the Library!

Follow us (@WhittemoreLib) on social media and our blog to learn more about Library events, acquisitions, changes to our hours of operation, and to keep up with the latest news from the Whittemore Library!

Library Blog: https://library.framingham.edu/Blog

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@whittemorelib

This newsletter is created by the editor, Kate Burt, and published by Library Dean Millie Gonzalez. If you have any questions, concerns or suggestions about this newsletter, please reach out to us.

Thank you.

Editor Kate Burt

Email: kburt2@framingham.edu
Website: https://www.framingham.edu/academics/henry-whittemore-library/

Over the last few years, it has been my pleasure to bring you the library newsletter.

But now it's time to hand over the reins to a new editor and head off on my next adventure. Thank you for reading about and supporting the Whittemore Library.

Be well...and may the force be with you...always.

Kate