Friends of Wellesley College Library
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Friends of Wellesley College Library
Wellesley College
VOLUME 27 • SPRING 2010 • NUMBER 1
Wellesley’s Book Collectors
Diane Speare Triant ’68
When Wellesley Associate Professor books, pamphlets, manuscripts,
of Chemistry David Haines describes advertisements, newspapers, prints,
coming upon a rare book at a photographs, and a 19th century
Baltimore auction, his excitement is Quaker wedding quilt.” Volumes
palpable: “There were ten broadsides such as the 1858 Book of Meetings
in it, all published in London around [of] the Society of Friends in America
1660, and many appearing to be reflect Haines’ particular interest
the only copies in the United States. in the Quaker migration to this
I knew that I had to have them!” country and the group’s subsequent
involvement in issues such as
This “thrill of the chase” is a
abolition, suffrage, and civil rights.
compelling aspect of collecting
books – an avocation that Haines The contest sought collections from
has enjoyed for most of his adult life. the college community of any variety:
His efforts garnered him first prize authors, subjects, genres, bindings,
($500) in the Friends of the Library’s illustrations. Mary Durden ’10 (one
25th anniversary book-collecting of the four $250 winners) centered
contest. “My collection of works by her collection on an individual:
and about Quakers (The Religious singer-songwriter Tori Amos.
Society of Friends) extends to more
“I read my first biography on Amos
than 10,000 items,” he explained
Volumes from David Haines’ Quakers collection after listening to her music for three
in his entry form. “It includes
continued on page 3
Twenty-five Years of Achievement
Dorothea Widmayer ’52, Alumna Co-Chair
The Friends of the Wellesley In October 1984, Friends of the of remarkable financial support,
College Library saluted their 25th Wellesley College Library was reborn. a series of enriching programs,
Anniversary last October at a The original Friends group, consisting and ongoing efforts to keep alumnae
party also celebrating the 100th of Henry Durant’s friends and their and friends apprised of the growth
anniversary of the Clapp Library friends, dissolved itself in the early and excellence of our library.
building. In honor of the occasion 1950’s. Thirty years later, Librarian
This quarter century has witnessed
and in keeping with our mission of Eleanor Gustafson and Trustee Suzanne
dramatic changes and challenges
support, Friends pledged $100,000 Mueller ’46 were invited to organize a
to the very concept of a library.
to the Library, a gift designed to new group of Friends whose mission
The ways in which information is
allow staff and faculty to explore, would be to help the library do things
stored, accessed, and exchanged
in pilot trials, new technologies and outside the budget through monetary
within library systems and across
their appropriateness for library gifts, to promote programs, and to
the entire world is vastly different
acquisition. A wonderful way to publish a newsletter for alumnae and
now. All holdings of the Wellesley
start a new quarter century. friends. The result has been 25 years
continued on page 4
PAGE 2 • Friends of W ellesley College Library
Friends of the Library
Steering Committee 2009-2010
Honorary Chairperson
H. Kim Bottomly
Current and former members of the Friends of the Library Steering Committee gathered
Founding Member in the Bracket Reading Room, Clapp Library, for a reception to wish a fond farewell to
Mary E. Jackson ’24 retired College Librarian Micheline Jedrey. Friends Alumna Co-Chair Dot Widmayer ’52
presented Mich with a gift of several reproductions of prints from Robert Thornton’s
Co-Chairs Temple of Flora in honor of her dedicated service to the Library and the Friends. Mich
Ruth R. Rogers
reported that she’s been enjoying retirement, especially lots of reading for pleasure.
Dorothea Widmayer ’52
Newsletter Editor From the Library: New Course Support Fund
Amanda Zoellner ’03
Amanda Zoellner ’03
Photography
Sarah Gilman ’82 The Friends of Wellesley College Cinema & Media Studies
Library provides a New Course 222, Nonfiction Film: Ethics,
Production Editor Support fund, to be used to purchase Aesthetics, Action: several books
Kristina Grinder
library materials. Purchases made with on documentary film, and a variety
Steering Committee these funds in 2009 include nearly of video recordings, including the
Molly S. Campbell ’60 one hundred different books, compact British and American versions of
Maud H. Chaplin ’56 discs, films, and television shows, the television show The Office.
Barbara F. Coburn ’52
Anandi P. Ebsworth ’81
including the selections below.
Religion courses: books including
Kathryn K. Flynn, ex officio
Music 275, Computer Music: Wisdom and the Feminine in the
Sarah Gilman ’82
Margaret D. Hadzima ’73 Synthesis Techniques and Book of Proverbs by Claudia
Nancy L. Leblang ’78 Compositional Practice: several V. Camp, Jeremiah: A Study in
Alice B. Robinson ’46 CD’s including East Jesus by Lee
Susan F. Saul ’65
Ancient Hebrew Rhetoric by Jack
Ranaldo and Hyperstring Trilogy R. Lundbom, and The Bodies
Diane S. Triant ’68
Pamela Worden ’66 by Tod Machover. of God and the World of Ancient
Amanda Zoellner ’03
Women & Gender Studies 121, Israel by Benjamin D. Sommer.
Emeritae Reading Elvis Presley and 1950s Biological Sciences 214, Animal
Polly Slavet ’67
America: video recordings of Behavior with Laboratory: Animal
Janice L. Hunt ’52
Lia Gelin Poorvu ’56 The Wild One and Loving You, Behavior: An Evolutionary
June M. Stobaugh ’66 as well as a CD collection of Approach by John Alcock.
Elinor Bunn Thompson ’37 Presley’s music. &
Search Update: Head of Information Services/Library
Provost and Dean Andrew Shennan, Chair of the Search Committee for a new
head of IS/Library, reports that the position and job qualifications are still
being defined. The position will soon be advertised and applicants reviewed.
The committee hopes to make an appointment by the end of this academic
year, such that the appointee will be on the job by July 1.
Spring 2010 • PAGE 3
wellesley’s book collectors continued from page 1
years,” Durden says. “It increased my
ability to interpret her music – to fully Calendar
appreciate her metaphors.” Durden’s
collection extends to songbooks, tour April 20, 2010
books, and an autobiography (“a great Book Collection Winners
resource for a paper I wrote about Book Collection winners
Amos’ balance between the sacred share treasures from their collections
and the profane”). Margaret Clapp Library
Library Lecture Room 4:30 p.m.
Acquisitions Librarian Sarah Becker
charmed the judges with her cookbook May 4, 2010
collection, particularly titles pertaining Authors on Stage
to two well-known chefs – Julia Child Presenters: Columbia University
and Jacques Pepin – and their iconic Professor of History Alan Brinkley:
recipes. “I chose ‘A Vegetarian Caper’ “The Publisher: Henry Luce
from Julia Child & More Company, and His American Century”
Becker says, “because I have actually Harvard Professor of Literature
made the Gateau of Crepes – layered “Leo Damrosch:
with vegetables and cheese – and am From the Burroughs collection of Tocqueville’s Discovery of America”
John Cameron Novelist Cathleen Schine:
proud to say that it came cleanly out
of the baking dish!” The centerpiece “The Three Weismanns of Westport”
Senior Kelly Pendergast’s passion is
of her collection? “It’s Julia and for books relating to mathematics.
Coffee and pastry: 9:45; Program: 10:30
Jacques Cooking At Home, which Wellesley College Club
“Not textbook books,” she says,
For information call 781-894-8134
“but history of math and biographies
are what interest me.” As a result, June 5, 2010
works like Charles Seife’s Zero Reunion Sale
(detailing the numeral’s problematic Archival Postcards, Notecards
beginnings) stand on Pendergast’s Clapp Library anniversary posters
bookshelf beside Ian Stewart’s Letters Margaret Clapp Library
to a Young Mathematician and Amir
Aczel’s The Mystery of the Aleph
(examining the concept of infinity). an old box, I pulled out the original
“If I drive by a bookstore I stop,” Tarzan of the Apes (1912) plus
says Pendergast. “And nearly every Chessmen of Mars (1922). I devoured
time, I buy a new math book.” them both!” Today, his collection
is complete, save for one volume:
For Biology Professor John Cameron, “In 1917 Burroughs wrote an account
it was a fascination with a particular of his family’s cross-country camping
author – Edgar Rice Burroughs – that trip in a 3/4 ton Republic truck – from
resulted in his cache of 78 novels the perspective of the truck! Entitled
of adventure and science fiction. ‘An Auto-Biography’, it’s his rarest
“Burroughs is undoubtedly best book, and most collectors have never
Julia Child’s “Vegetarian Caper” from remembered as the creator of the jungle seen a copy.” No doubt, Cameron is
Sarah Becker’s cookbook collection adventurer, Tarzan,” Cameron says. hot on its trail.
“When I was 12 years old, I collected
includes the famous battle of the my first two Burroughs books from The Friends invite you to meet the
hamburgers: Jacques’ ‘Grilled Through contest winners and view treasures
an abandoned chicken coop where
from their collections on April 20,
Burger’ and Julia’s ‘Pan-Fried Thin my mother grew up in rural Maine.
at 4:30 in the Library Lecture Room,
Burger’ – equally delectable.” Scraping the encrusted droppings off
Margaret Clapp Library. &
PAGE 4 • Friends of W ellesley College Library
Twenty-five years continued from page 1
College Library are included in new areas of curricular interest, To publicize Library activities,
the on-line catalogue. Gone are purchase of originals or facsimiles we have published a biannual
the wooden card catalogue cases! of rare literature, restoration of the newsletter, which has grown from
Information storage and retrieval Washington Press in the Book Arts 4 to 8 pages and now features color.
no longer focus solely on books and Lab, special cameras for Special In addition, we underwrote the cost
periodicals but also on databases, Collections and Archives to enable of printing an illustrated catalogue,
multi-media material, and internet scholars to study reproductions Resonance and Response, to
connections. Information searches of fragile materials, restoration/ accompany an exhibition of
extend worldwide and inter-library preservation of fragile materials, Wellesley’s collection of artists’
loans are arranged electronically and money to support the cataloguing books. We have also drawn on
in minutes. of a collection of pre-16th century Archives and Special Collections
manuscripts owned by the library. to obtain the illustrations for our
Concomitant change has come
postcard and note card series.
in the physical aspects of the
library. The past decade has What has made all of this
seen the complete renovation possible? Membership
of Clapp Library and the donations and gifts of the
remodeling of departmental early members provided seed
libraries. Although the stacks money for financial growth,
remain, tables, desks, and and current membership
carrels are bedecked with donations continue to make
computers, and internet outlets our allocations possible.
for laptop use abound. The We are indebted to the
Knapp Media and Technology more than forty volunteers
Center led the way, followed who have served on our
by renovations to the reference Steering Committee over
Sanger Room Restoration
and reading rooms, Special the years and owe much
Collections and Archives, to our Librarians, Eleanor
The Friends have also planned a series
rearrangements of library and Gustafson, Micheline Jedrey, Anne
of excellent programs over the years.
information services work areas, Anninger, and Ruth Rogers, who
Many have featured faculty authors
the installation of a conservation have helped us determine the ways
and poets, as well as alumnae writers.
laboratory, and the restoration of in which we could best serve the
On several occasions, Ruth Rogers,
the Sanger Room. Library. The past quarter-century
Special Collections Librarian, has been
has been a great beginning. We still
What roles have the Friends played able to display and talk about some
need and value your membership,
in these monumental changes? of our artists’ books at Wellesley Clubs
to support the important work of
During these 25 years, the Steering outside New England. Other programs
the Library in the coming years. &
Committee has allocated over a have included specialists
million dollars to help the library in the Book Arts, student
meet varied needs not covered and faculty poetry readings,
by its designated budget. To give student competitions for
a sampling: Funding for the excellence in researching
Conservation Lab and Sanger Room, papers, lectures that
an annual discretionary fund for highlight various exhibits
the Librarian, funds to purchase and functions of the college,
library material for new faculty and and most recently, an all-
new courses, funds for database college book-collecting
acquisition and access, purchase of contest. Friends of the Library Steering Committee members, Peg Hadzima ’73,
special multimedia works to support
Ruth Rogers, Pamela Worden ’66 and Georgia Barnhill ’66
Spring 2010 • PAGE 5
Young Alumnae Find New Opportunities as Information Services Staff
Molly Campbell ’60
Campus jobs in the library led course reserves in the Science reasoning within the rich tradition
three recent Wellesley graduates Library. We all remember using of the liberal arts environment”.
to short-term positions with books on “two-hour reserve,” During college, Christina worked
Information Services. These rushing to finish the assignment and at the Computing Help Desk and
positions were designed to offer return the material on time. For was a Knapp summer intern, helping
a wide range of experiences print material and videos, a similar to design websites. Web design
and professional development system prevails, but much of the remains her primary focus. Christina
opportunities in the areas of course material in the sciences is on is a member of the launch team for
library and technology. “e-reserve” which means that it is the new College website and is helping
available 24/7. However, placing to train users for the transition.
Websites, podcasts, and multi- something on e-reserve is not as easy She also preps podcasts (i.e. removes
media: a conversation with this as taking a book from a shelf, and the um’s and ah’s) for itunes.wellesley.
year’s interns immediately expands it often involves issues of copyright edu which enables the download of
the definition of a library and as well as formatting and technical recent campus lectures, and designs
the services it offers. Traditional details. and creates video for the new
library functions and new tech- What Wellesley’s Reading site,
nology have been completely A double major in English and http://www.wellesley.edu/wwr/.
integrated so that students and Economics, Marisa Shariatdoust ’09
faculty can move freely across also held a campus job with Media Library functions have changed,
platforms. Material on reserve Services in the library for four years. but one is left with the impression
might be a book, a video, a CD, This department supports the that one of the Wellesley College
or an e-journal. Reference audio visual needs of the academic Libraries’ greatest strengths is still
librarians teach course-appropriate program and curricular events. the people who work there. The
research methods from ancient After graduation, she felt further array of technology would be
manuscripts to modern media, work in the library would deepen meaningless without the many
so it seems appropriate that the her knowledge of technology “in people who say “let me help you”. &
Library interns came to their an excellent work environment”.
positions from very different She currently helps to staff the
disciplines. Service Desk and the Help Desk
as well as provides support for
Bethany Templeton‚ ’05 graduated video e-reserves. Library work
with a major in Religion focusing is far from lonely, and Marisa
on early Christianity. However, emphasizes that she and her
it was her four-year campus job colleagues work in teams,
in the Science Library that led her providing training for student
to the University of Iowa for an workers, other IS staff, and faculty
MA in library and information and student users.
science and a graduate certification Visit What Wellesley’s Reading to hear
Professor Nancy Kolodny and other
in book studies. In January 2008, Christina Pong‚ ’09 says she faculty talk about their favorite books.
the Science Library offered her grew up surrounded by computers, Each week a new book is introduced.
a temporary job replacing her thanks to her Dad’s business. Her
former supervisor who was college major was Media Arts and
retiring. She was delighted to Sciences, a combined major which,
prolong her stay with another according to the catalog, “focuses
short-term appointment. Bethany on media production that balances
now manages print and electronic artistic sensibility with analytical
PAGE 6 • Friends of W ellesley College Library
What Are We Reading?
Without a doubt, Wellesley women Lisa See’s Shanghai Girls is a real Dissolution, Dark Fire, Sovereign,
are women who will read. We read eye-opener, showcasing the ills of and Revelation are set against the
to educate ourselves on new topics, two cultures: pre-WWII China, English Reformation, the rise and
to broaden our understanding, and, during the fall of Henry’s wives, and the struggle
of course, we read for pleasure. infiltration of for power of his courtiers. Great for
The physical pleasure of reading a communism reading in front of the fire or on the
good book, whether fiction or non- and its beach.
fiction, paperback or hardcover, is accompanying Molly Campbell ’60
something to treasure and to share. excesses;
With that in mind, several members and WWII- Brooklyn by Colm Tóibín is the best
of the Friends of the Library era America novel I read in 2009. It’s a remarkable
have shared their answers to that (particularly story about
question, “What are we reading?” California) a nondescript
and its blatant Irish immi-
Michael J. Sandel’s book Justice,
anti-Chinese sentiment. Against this grant, coming
What’s the Right Thing to Do?
backdrop, two Chinese sisters, who to New York
has given me
have made their mark as “beautiful just after
pleasure for
calendar girls,” are forced to leave World War II,
many reasons.
cosmopolitan Shanghai (“The Paris of whose life
It is based on
Asia”) when their wastrel father covers on the surface
his course at
his debt by selling them as war brides seems very
Harvard that
to shadowy suitors from Los Angeles humdrum
draws about
in search of Chinese wives. (we’ve heard
a thousand
this story before). However, Tóibín
students each Diane Speare Triant ’68
year, and writes with exceptional elegance,
I’m happy I have enjoyed Hilary Mantel’s and the story is not really about
so many young people care about Wolf Hall, a novelized account what happens on the surface, but
a question so important to our of Thomas the underlying forces that draw us
civic life. It presents a wealth of Cromwell’s home, whatever they may be. What I
dilemmas, such as the limits of free rise to power especially liked is that without being
markets, especially in times of crises under Henry preached at, we find ourselves faced
such as hurricanes and earthquakes; VIII. However, with how we make choices and in the
same-sex marriage; physician- I will confess process find out who we really are.
assisted suicide; and abortion. The that I was Maud Chaplin ’56
book presents the variety of answers particularly
&
that have been given about justice drawn to the
by thinkers from Aristotle through book not because
Bentham, J. S. Mill, Kant, Rawls, it had just won
the Man Booker Prize, but because I
What have you been reading?
libertarians, and finally Sandel
Share your favorite book with us by
himself. I enjoyed revisiting some had recently finished a marathon read
sending a brief explanation of why you
of the major thinkers I had read in of C.J. Sansom’s mystery series set in
enjoyed it to the newsletter editor at:
college more than 60 years ago. As the same time period. Any mystery
azoellner@alum.wellesley.edu
the jacket claims, “Justice is lively, fans who don’t know Matthew
thought-provoking and wise...,” Shardlake, the hump-backed lawyer
and wonderful to read and to ponder. hero of the series, are in for a treat.
Alice Robinson ’46
Spring 2010 • PAGE 7
POSTCARDS
Time to Renew? Vintage photographs
Please use the form below and make your check payable to: Wellesley College. from Clapp Library Archives
Set #1 - Photographs from 1880 - 1915
Mail to: Kristy Grinder, c/o Friends of Wellesley College Library, Wellesley Set #2 - Photographs from the 1920s & 1930s
College, Office for Resources, Green Hall 259, 106 Central Street, Wellesley, Set #3 - Photographs from the 1940s & 1950s
Set #4 - Photographs from the 1960s & 1970s
MA 02481. Thank you for your continuing support! Set #5 - Photographs from the 1980s & 1990s
Please check one: Each set has two
postcards each
Benefactor**$2,500 Sponsor $100 Endowment Fund of eight photos,
totaling 16.
Patron* $1000 Contributor $50 Contributing Life Price: $10 per set.
Member
Supporter $500 Young Alum $15
(graduated in last 5 years)
Donor $250
*Entitles Life Membership **Entitles Durant Society Membership
Name: Class:
(if applies)
Street:
City: State: Zip:
To print an order form and view samples
Phone: ( ) Email:
visit www.wellesley.edu/Library/Friends
or call 781-283-2872.
Buy A Book at Amazon.com
Honor
Wellesley College Library will with
benefit every time you make Books
a purchase at Amazon.com
by simply starting your online shopping at
our web site: www.wellesley.edu/Library/Friends A GIFT THAT
Click on Buy A Book to find our Amazon.com link.
CAN BE OPENED
AGAIN AND AGAIN
Titles featured at recent programs sponsored by Friends of the Library ~ Honor a Graduate
and Authors on Stage are listed under Buy A Book. ~ Celebrate a Birthday
or Anniversary
~ Recognize a Special Occasion
~ Remember a Classmate
For each $100 gift to Honor with Books,
the Library will place a bookplate bearing
the name of the person you are honoring, as
well as your name, in a newly published book.
To request information from
Friends of the Library:
Call 781-283-2872 or visit
www.wellesley.edu/Library/Friends
Proceeds to benefit the Wellesley College Library.
Wellesley College
NON-PROFIT ORG
Friends of Wellesley College Library US POSTAGE
Margaret Clapp Library
106 Central Street PAID
Wellesley, MA 02481-8203 BOSTON MA
(781) 283-2872 PERMIT No 12548
www.wellesley.edu/Library/Friends/index.html
Authors on Stage Celebrates 30th Year Centennial Poster for Sale
Diane Speare Triant ’68
From its opening program in 1981, “Authors on Stage” has
kept booklovers stuffing the reservations mailbox and buying
first edition volumes. The popular benefit has showcased
more than 200 writers, ranging from best-seller Stephen King
to literary standout Sue Miller. Held each spring and fall,
Authors on Stage marks its 30th year with donations to the
library topping $130,000. Through the decades, town-gown
audiences have seen selected Authors on Stage works rocket
to prominence: Roger Fisher’s Getting to Yes has become a
standard in the MBA curriculum; Dennis Lehane’s Mystic River,
adapted to film, earned a “best picture” Oscar nomination;
and Julia Glass’ Three Junes, won the National Book Award.
Presenters have shared numerous insights on the writing life
and the writing craft. Pulitzer-Prize finalist and Wellesley native
Adam Haslett – who wrote a draft of his collection You are
Not a Stranger Here in Clapp Library – explained his partiality
to the short-story form: “You can have an entire experience of
a life captured in a single reading,” he said. “You can raise the
stakes quickly and put in great emotional force which would Order your own deluxe inkjet printed edition (30 x 30)
not come out in a novel until the end.” signed by the artist, Lance Hidy for $100 (shipping included)
and support the library in its second century.
Such rich literary talk will no doubt keep Authors on Call 781-283-2872.
Stage audiences packing the College Club into the 2040s!
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