FoL Newsletter October 2008Lafayette in America -- Alan Hoffman Lecture and Book Signing on October 17, 2008 Alan Hoffman, translator of the first unabridged English version of Auguste Levasseur’s Lafayette in America in 1824 and 1825: Journal of a Voyage to the United States, will speak on Friday, October 17, 2008, at 3:00 p.m. on the first floor of the University Village Bookstore, located at 4417 Monarch Way, Norfolk.
Auguste Levasseur, author, was a young French officer who was involved in conspiratorial activity against the Bourbon Monarchy in the early 1820's. After serving as Lafayette's private secretary and writing this journal, he was involved in the Revolution of 1830 and later served in a diplomatic post under King Louis-Phillipe. The event is free and open to the public. Free parking will be available after 2:00 p.m. in parking garages C and D (near the bookstore). For additional information, please contact Fern McDougal at 757-683-4146 or by e-mail at fmcdouga@odu.edu. Stuart Frazer new Head of Access Services
“My job is making sure all those departments are operating well,” said Frazer. “I love interacting with students and faculty, but I am mostly behind the scenes.” Stuart took over the post permanently in July, after serving as acting head for seven months. Prior, Stuart was the Interlibrary Loan Librarian since 2003. He came to ODU in 1995 from West Virginia State College, where he was a reference librarian. Being a librarian was in Stuart’s genes. His mom was a cataloging librarian at Princeton University in New Jersey, where he grew up. “It wasn’t a career path that I always wanted to pursue; I came to it after a while,” said Frazer who earned his undergrad degree in sociology from Tulane. He received his master’s in library science from Rutgers. He also holds a master’s in humanities from ODU. Mona to the Rescue Old Dominion library specialist Mona Farrow had all the answers for a history buff from Kentucky who was researching the expansion of fur trade by the British. Charlene Phelps was “beginning to anguish over the absence of necessary archival material” since she was unable to travel to Philadelphia where the Baynton, Wharton and Morgan Papers, 1725-1827, vital to her subject, were housed. At the suggestion of the Kirn Library in Norfolk, she called Perry Library, hoping she might find help. Enter Mona, who works in the microforms department. Phelps was stunned to find out the University Libraries owned microfilm of the papers. In a flash, Mona forwarded Phelps an index to the particular years she needed from the papers. When the researcher decided on the items she needed, Mona had copies on the way. Our happy historian in Kentucky credited Mona with “helping immeasurably,” praising how efficient she was and how willing to help a person far away. That's something people at Old Dominion have known for a long time. Mona Farrow has been solving problems and helping people in her quiet way since she came to Old Dominion in 1973. Her first job was as a receptionist for ODU president James Bugg. She's been the Microforms Services Unit Supervisor since 1991. “I was a youngster when I came to ODU,” she said with a laugh. Mona and husband James have four daughters. Twins Felicia and Alicia are seniors at ODU, majoring in engineering. Said Mona about her Kentucky connection: “I was just glad I could help. That's what we’re here for.” Friends of the ODU LibrariesBoard of Directors
Officers Upcoming Events on Campus “Uncommon Power: The Eye of the Self-Taught Artist” President’s Lecture Series Colgate and Constance Darden Lecture in Education Amahl and the Night Visitors by: Gian Carlo Menotti Madrigal Banquet Buy Early and Often! The 34th Annual Old Dominion University Libraries Book Sale is Wednesday, Nov. 5, through Saturday, Nov. 8. Donations of books, magazines, audiovisual tapes, CDs and DVDs will be accepted at the Perry Library circulation desk through Oct. 24. This is the perfect time to do a little fall cleaning of your book cases and magazine racks. The sale is open to the public. Hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday. Hardbacks are $2, paperbacks a mere $1 (What can you get for a buck these days?) and magazines 25 cents. So, raid the piggy bank and come. Proceeds benefit the Library Student Assistant Achievement Award Fund.How to Be a Friend If you would like to join the Friends of the Old Dominion University Libraries, please fill out the membership form below and mail it with your payment to the address indicated below, or you may bring it to the Circulation Desk in the Patricia W. and J. Douglas Perry Library for immediate membership. For more information, please call Fern McDougal at 757-683-4141, or e-mail at fmcdouga@odu.edu |
There will be a special preview session for Friends of the Libraries members Tuesday, Nov. 4, from 5 to 8 p.m. So, vote first and then book on over to Perry Library, Room 151, to check out the great deals we've got.