NOTES FROM THE DEAN
It was a crazy semester! Some of us might be just as happy to say good riddance and let it recede out of sight in the rear view mirror. But there are lessons to be learned from the frustrations and the achievements, not to mention moments of brilliance and innovation borne out of necessity and coaxed on by the reliably RISD trait of resiliency. At Fleet Library, we want to capture it all! And we encourage you to answer our archivists' invitation to share your stories and sketchbooks and journals and anything else you'd like to leave behind as a record of RISD's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Along with this call to action, we have two other invitations for you this week:
Neal Overstrom, the Edna W. Lawrence Nature Lab's director for over 10 years, is retiring June 1. Please join us for a virtual celebration of his contributions to RISD and wish him happy trails.
We hope you'll also take a minute to visit the annual Fleet Library staff art show online, "Stuff We Make." The pandemic hasn't stopped us from celebrating the milestone of the 30th anniversary, and it shouldn't stop you from enjoying a great opportunity to get to know your library colleagues from this other perspective.
With warmest regards from the virtual stacks,
Margot McIlwain Nishimura
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PLEASE SHARE YOUR COVID-19 STORIES WITH THE RISD ARCHIVES
In keeping with its mission to preserve the history of the institution, the RISD Archives is collecting RISD responses to the COVID-19 pandemic for future researchers to have a first-hand understanding of this extraordinary moment. They are interested in knowing how the pandemic has affected you and your work, whether in positive or negative ways, and they wish to document how both individuals and groups -- students, faculty, and staff -- have embraced and adapted the RISD ethos in this unprecedented spring semester.
All members of the RISD community are invited to participate in this questionnaire to share your personal pandemic experiences. For more on how the RISD Archivists are assembling a diverse documentary record of the pandemic, see here.
The image below depicts the arrival of the Jacob Ziskind collection of textile drawings and sample books gifted to the RISD Museum in 1949.
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JOIN US FOR A FOND "ZOOMWELL"
Neal Overstrom is retiring after directing RISD's beloved Edna W. Lawrence Nature Lab for ten years of tremendous growth and innovation. Given his championing of biodesign, biomimicry, and biomaking, there is something ironic in a biological agent now preventing us from celebrating Neal and this very special occasion in person. But as with all creatures, we adapt, and using the technology of the day, we will be wishing Neal all the best in a campus-wide "Zoomwell" on Monday, June 1, 10-11 am. Please drop in as you have time!
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STUFF WE MAKE
Take a peek inside Fleet Library's 30th Annual Staff (online) Exhibition, a celebration of the creativity of those who work in Fleet Library. From sculpture and painting to photography, collage, and a "mix tape" with album cover, we hope you'll enjoy this glimpse into how librarians, archivists, and other staff spend some of their time away from 15 West.
Image below is titled "Send it to Zoom!", Alecia Underhill's rendering of a full Libraries Division staff meeting, COVID-style.
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HOW TO RETURN YOUR BOOKS AND OTHER MATERIALS
We recognize that returning library materials may be difficult. Please don't worry. Here's what you need to know about returning Fleet Library and interlibrary loan (ILL) materials.
ILL materials are due June 1, unless the slip attached to the book states a later date. Questions? risdlib@risd.edu
Returning students and faculty have until October 11 to return Fleet books and materials to us.
Graduating students have until October 11 to return Fleet books and materials to us.
Ways to return materials:
- Book drop: If you are currently in the Providence area, you can use the book drop just inside the front doors of 15 Westminster Street (by Public Safety) anytime.
- Mailing: Pack the items and use low cost USPS Media Mail to ship to: Fleet Library/RISD, 2 College Street, Providence, RI 02903 (email us the items you've shipped plus the tracking number). If a prepaid shipping label is helpful, please complete this form, and we will facilitate the process.
- If neither option works, or you have further questions, please get in touch with us by writing to risdlib@risd.edu
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