Math Library News

Collection merger complete

Math Library books and journals are now completely interfiled into the Olin Library collection, mostly on level B.  There are no longer any temporary shelving areas.

3 public scanners are now available in Olin Library

These scanners are located on level A and level 2 (near the catalog-only workstations) and on level 1 (in the copy room behind the PopLit collection). These can be used as a free alternative to using the copy machines. Users log on with their WUSTL key accounts, scan and save the scans to a USB device. Several format options, including PDF, are available. Instructions for using the scanners are posted at the machines.  So bring your USB device if you prefer a PDF or want to avoid hauling a journal to your department or paying for a photocopy.

Check out the new catalog

A new view of the catalog information with some new content and several enhancements is now available at http://libcat.wustl.edu/. The old catalog, now called "classic catalog" continues to be available at http://catalog.wustl.edu.More info.

Math books and journals are now available in Olin Library

The move of math books and journals happened today.  Math journals are now shelved in call number order in their "permanent" locations in Olin Level B ranges #165-190.  (Remember to jot down the call numbers before you come over to Olin to look for a journal; they are not all shelved in QA1...!) Math monographs are in temporary shelving in Olin Level B ranges #282-284 (look for the yellow signs); these will be quickly interfiled among the journals in the next several days.

Please contact Ruth Lewis with your questions and concerns.  rlewis@wustl.edu  935-4819 Olin Library room 139; (ask at Olin Library front desk and staff will show you where my office is.)

Reserve lists for fall courses

Early submission of reserve lists is always helpful, particularly when we need to purchase a book the libraries do not yet own. Most math reserves have been at Olin Library so this will not be a change for most faculty; however graduate courses will need to be on reserve at Olin Library beginning this fall. Plus there is a new system being implemented this fall called "ares" which everyone will need to get used to. To submit your reserve lists, you may use any or all of these 3 options:

1. Use Ares, our new system that integrates electronic and hardcopy reserves. After a one-time registration, instructors and students will be able to access many new features. Logon to ares using your WUSTL Key, create your course, input information about the items you want on reserve. The system will locate call numbers and trigger the Reserve Unit to pull the books or contact me to order them if we do not own them. NOTE: I'm not 100% sure this is working yet but you are welcome to try it! Eventually this will be the BEST method.
2. Transmit your lists in whatever way is most convenient to you, such as email or word document attachment, to reserve@wumail.wustl.edu
3. Feel free to involve me at any step. I'll be happy to act as liaison, assist with problems, etc. rlewis@wustl.edu

Math is no longer available as a Pick-Up location

The math library is no longer available as a pick-up location on Requests in the catalog. It will also be removed from the Mobius catalog options soon. In the future, please choose Olin Library Circulation or another library if that is more convenient. If you have questions, please don't hesitate to ask Ruth [935-4819, rlewis@wustl.edu]

Schedule for math library closing and relocation

August 6: current unbound journals move to Olin Library Level 1 Periodical area
August 7, 5 pm: Math Library closes permanently
August 12-14: books and journals are moved to Olin Library (Level B and staging areas on Level 1)
August 10-17: throughout this period, Ruth Lewis will move to Olin Library room 139. Her phone number 935-4819 and email address rlewis@wustl.edu will remain the same
August 17-25: math materials are available in Olin Library but there may be a transition period as interfiling with the Olin Library collection happens; in addition to interfiling book call numbers, journal volumes will need to be interfiled by call number since they were filed alphabetically in math now

Tips for dealing with the transition:

1. Try not to plan work with paper math library books and journals August 10-14; contact Ruth Lewis is you do need something during that period!
2. Get your fall 2009 reserve lists in as early as possible; in addition to a little inevitable confusion in the stacks, we will have a new Reserves system for everyone this fall.
3. Check the online catalog and remember to jot down the call number (even if it's a journal) and level (A,B, 1, 2 or 3) before you come over to Olin Library
4. Keep Ruth informed about your library needs; I can't work on solutions if I don't know about problems. I hope to have some visitors over in Olin Library! Sometimes face-to-face conversation is more efficient or more fun. Just ask at the front Help desk and folks there will be happy to help you find me the first time. I'll be in Olin room 139.

Note: We currently plan to leave the math textbook collection and math dissertations in the math library space for use within the math department.

Date set for new faculty/graduate student reception

Olin Library's annual New Faculty/Graduate Student Orientation & Reception will be August 25, approx. 3-5pm. More details will be available later.

WUSTL Connect and library services

WUSTL Connect has begun to replace the WU ID and password on library services. The current plan is that WUSTL Connect will be in place for renewing and requesting in the catalog and off-campus access (proxy service) sometime on July 16th. More information.

Problem solving books

In preparation for relocation to Olin Library, Problem solving books are now shelved among the math general stacks books.  A list of problem solving books has been retained.  You may be interested in some of the other links in the Problem Solving box on the Mathematics Research Guide books tab.