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Goldstein Library Updates

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11/13/2024
Mili Walton

Blog post written by Mili Walton, Illustration '27, Library Research Consultant 

 

I like to wander. There’s something so simple about it, going around from here to there with no end goal in mind or solid reason to walk about in the first place. It’s nice- It’s grounding. One of my favorite places to wander is the third floor of the library. It’s quiet, on occasion it’s empty, and it’s full of extensive collections of fascinating books. Once you get started, it’s easy to lose your time between the even-set rows of shelves. 
 

Tonight I wandered. I took maybe 15 minutes to just see what I could find, and find I did! I discovered the cookbook section of the library, which I was unaware we had, and paged through a book all about coffee. My favorite find from that section was definitely The Great American Cereal Book; How Breakfast Got Its Crunch, A book all about the history of cereal! It’s one of those topics that you wouldn’t think to be curious about, but now I find myself wondering how cereal got so popular in the US. Why is it marketed mostly to children? When did it get so sugary? How has the cereal market affected the country as a whole? Guess I’ll have to read to find out. 

 

Two similarly interesting books I found a bit further down the shelves were The Art of Bollywood and The Art of Pulp Fiction. Both of these books touch on the history of art and how it depicts content, whether that be a book or a movie. The similarities in style between the two were fascinating, and it was fun to peek into two worlds that I’m a fan of, but not as knowledgeable as I would like to be. Both would be excellent resources for an illustration project. 


 

My favorite book I found was Alternative Movie Posters; Film Art From the Underground, a book cataloging many incredible alternative posters for all our favorite films. The author mentions in the forward that he wanted to show off these rare, underappreciated gems of film history. Many of the posters shown in the book were, in my opinion, better than what was put on as the final product. I am a person who will 99% of the time pick an interesting, dynamic, colorful poster over a “every famous actor in the movie plastered onto the composition and they’re all looking somewhere off-screen”. This book was a breath of fresh air, something to remind me that brilliant artists are, indeed, working hard to give entertaining, stunning different pieces of art for film. I want every poster featured in this book on my wall. 

 


 

All of these books I found randomly, quickly, just by walking down the aisles and scanning the shelves. If you have a spare minute, I recommend using it to aimlessly wander the library. You never know what you’ll find, but it will be just what you never knew you were looking for. 


 

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10/30/2024
profile-icon Dan Williford

We are thrilled to announce an exciting new addition to our library's resources: all students, faculty, and staff at Ringling now have access to a free full subscription to The New York Times! Whether you’re interested in arts, culture, politics, or global news, this comprehensive resource can enrich your academic journey, fuel your creativity, and keep you informed on the latest trends and developments in your fields of interest.

Stay Informed with the Latest News

The New York Times is renowned for its award-winning journalism and in-depth reporting. You’ll have real-time access to breaking news from around the world, providing a deeper understanding of current events, policies, and cultural movements. This is a valuable tool, whether you're studying art history, media studies, or international relations.

Access In-Depth Features and Analysis

Go beyond the headlines! The NYT excels at feature stories, investigative journalism, and critical analysis. Its long-form articles cover everything from art world controversies and fashion critiques to politics and technology, offering insights that can inform your research projects, essays, and classroom discussions.

Explore the Arts Section

As students and faculty in an arts-focused institution, you’ll particularly appreciate the extensive Arts section. From reviews of the latest art exhibitions to interviews with artists, designers, and cultural figures, the NYT is a treasure trove of information for anyone studying or working in creative fields. It covers everything from visual art to music, theater, film, and dance, keeping you in the loop with the global arts scene.

Unlimited Digital Access & Archives

The subscription includes unlimited access to the NYT website and app, so you can read it anytime, anywhere. But it doesn’t stop there: you also gain access to the full NYT archives, dating back to 1851! This is an incredible research tool, offering primary sources and historical context that can enhance your coursework and deepen your understanding of any subject matter.

NYT Learning Network & TimesMachine

The NYT Learning Network provides teaching resources, lesson plans, and ideas for using The New York Times in the classroom. For educators, this is an invaluable resource for integrating current events into lesson plans. The TimesMachine is a virtual microfilm reader that allows you to explore old issues of the paper as they originally appeared, complete with photographs, ads, and more—a fascinating resource for history and media studies projects.

NYT Cooking and Games

Need a break from your studies? The subscription also includes access to NYT Cooking, with thousands of recipes to inspire your next culinary adventure, and NYT Games, featuring crossword puzzles, the mini, and more—perfect for sharpening your mind or taking a creative break.

Explore Stunning Data Visualizations

The New York Times is known for transforming complex data sets into eye-catching graphics, making topics ranging from climate change and economic trends to demographic shifts much easier to understand. These visualizations are more than just charts and graphs; they are interactive tools that allow you to manipulate variables, explore different data sets, and gain a deeper understanding of trends and patterns.

Interactive Maps that Make the World Come Alive

Whether you’re studying urban development, migration patterns, or even the spread of art movements, the NYT’s interactive maps offer a rich, geographical perspective. From detailed election maps that update in real-time to explorations of urban design trends across cities worldwide, these tools make the world’s complexities easier to grasp.

Personalize Your Experience with Interactive Surveys

One of the most engaging features of the NYT’s interactive data journalism is the way it involves readers in the storytelling process. For example, the Times frequently uses interactive quizzes and surveys to help you understand your place in larger social trends. Want to see how your income compares to others in the U.S., or what your lifestyle choices say about broader cultural shifts? These interactive surveys turn abstract statistics into a personalized experience, making data relatable and thought-provoking.

Visual and Auditory Storytelling for Art Lovers

As a member of an arts-focused institution, you’ll appreciate how the NYT uses multimedia elements—from photo slideshows and video documentaries to animated graphics and audio clips—to create immersive storytelling experiences. The “Modern Love” column, for example, is often paired with beautiful illustrations and podcast-style audio to bring stories to life, while arts coverage includes interactive photo essays, virtual gallery tours, and 3D renderings of sculptures and installations.

Stay Updated with Live Data Tools

The NYT’s live data tools provide up-to-the-minute updates on topics like elections, stock markets, weather events, and even ongoing crises like pandemics or natural disasters. These tools offer a front-row seat to history in the making, presenting raw data that evolves in real-time. The level of detail and interactivity gives you a chance to analyze the information as it unfolds—an invaluable resource for students interested in politics, media studies, or any field where staying current is key.

A Gateway to Research & Creative Inspiration

For students and faculty working in creative disciplines, these interactive features are not just informative but can also serve as inspiration for your own projects. Exploring how the NYT presents data through infographics, animations, and maps can spark new ideas for multimedia projects, data-driven art, and even classroom presentations.

How to Access Your Free Subscription

Visit the New York Times for academia. Follow the instructions to set up your free account using your college email, and you’ll be all set!

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10/23/2024
profile-icon Kelly Lindberg

Blog post written by Instructional Design Librarian Kelly Lindberg

Hey y'all! I'm Kelly, Instructional Design Librarian here at the Goldstein Library. I've been working at Ringling for just over a year now and have been proud of all of the hard work me and my team have been putting in to promote the library and our services across campus. Some of which include…

- Starting this blog!

- Doing outreach during Wonderful Wednesdays, Paws and Relax, and other various events around campus

- Bringing the Pop-Up Library from Sarasota County Libraries to campus so our students could get public library cards

Pictured: Library Research Consultant Mili Walton and Instructional Design Librarian Kelly Lindberg during the Sarasota County Pop-Up Library visit.

- Updating our Libguides

- Visiting LOTS of classes

- Onboarding our entire new Research Consultant Team

- and so much more!

I thought it would be fun to share something exciting I recently participated in. Last week, after all of the Hurricane Milton madness, I escaped Florida for a few days to travel to New York for New York Comic Con. Shannon Live, CEO of Bat City Comic Professionals, asked me to moderate a panel this past Thursday at the con called “Libraries and Comic Shops: Connecting Educators and Communities” in collaboration with some New York Public Library librarians. I'll be working with Shannon more in the future, so keep an eye out for our future collaborations!

Pictured: Instructional Design Librarian Kelly Lindberg (top left) with librarians from NYPL and Shannon Live of Bat City Comic Professionals at New York Comic Con, after the panel “Libraries and Comic Shops: Connecting Educators and Communities”.

We had a blast and were invited to a party at Scholastic Headquarters to celebrate 20 years of their Graphix imprint, and we got to get an ARC of The Cartoonists Club, an upcoming publication by the renowned combined forces of legendary authors Scott McCloud (who wrote Understanding Comics - a MUST READ for all comics lovers) and Raina Telgemeier (who wrote Smile, Ghosts, Drama, and much more)! 

Pictured: an Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC) of The Cartoonists Club, an upcoming release by authors Scott McCloud and Raina Telgemeier, signed by the authors for librarian Kelly.
Pictured: Raina and Scott discussing their new book, with an excerpt from the book on the screen.
Pictured: author Scott McCloud near a Clifford candy bar at Scholastic Headquarters.

It was themed like a kid's birthday party, with mac and cheese, mini burgers and hot dogs, and a ton of candy! They even were making Dog Man and Unico shaped cotton candy! I chose Dog Man, as Dav Pilkey's Captain Underpants was one of my childhood favorites. Jeff Smith, who wrote Bone, made a surprise guest appearance, and I was able to thank him and hug him as his book was one of the first graphic novels I had ever checked out from my local public library, and it helped shape the reader and comics-loving librarian I am today. While my primary role is helping students with research, I'm more than happy to chat about comics and graphic novels any time! Feel free to stop by my office anytime if you're looking for recommendations, and share your work with me if you're working on your own comic! Thanks for reading! 

Pictured: Unico and Dog Man shaped cotton candy!
Pictured: Instructional Design Librarian Kelly Lindberg at Scholastic headquarters in NYC with Dog Man cotton candy (Dav Pilkey).
Pictured: Instructional Design Librarian Kelly hugging Jeff Smith, who wrote Bone and helped launch the Graphix imprint in 2005.
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09/18/2024
Mili Walton

Blog post written by Mili Walton, Illustration '27, Library Research Consultant 

Do you have bad eyesight? Do you want to lift weights without having to go to the gym? Have you been reading a book and thought to yourself, “Meh, this is nice and all but this book here is far too small.” Well, I’m glad to share that the Goldstein Library has a section that can fix all those problems at once! 

On the third floor, on the far wall opposite to the stairs, stands the Ringling oversize collection! These behemoths of literature span the entire wall, heavily sat upon their shelves waiting to be read. 

Our collection varies dramatically from beautifully printed posters by Alfonse Mucha, a hefty tome on the history of Marvel comics, stunning books of photography, and collections of maps, histories, and galleries. Let’s not forget the massive book of Peanuts comics! One particular book that I found myself enjoying was Dinomania: The Lost Art of Winsor McCayI’ve always been a big fan of dinosaurs, so I couldn’t help but take a peek at a big book about big dinosaurs. 

The book covered the sort of “cultural mania” that happened with dinosaurs and the artistic renaissance that it produced. There were many fascinating diagrams and photos showing how artists depicted dinosaurs with the limited scientific knowledge surrounding them and how dinos came into pop culture, film, comics, and even political cartoons. 

I was surprised by the amount of propaganda posters and editorial comics that were featured in the book. The wonderful thing about the oversize collection is that there is literally something there for everyone. I highly encourage you to stop by next time you find yourself on the library third floor. You won’t be disappointed!

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09/11/2024
Gabriela Soriano Sevilla

Blog post written by Gabriela Soriano Sevilla, Computer Animation '26, Library Research Consultant

As a computer animation major at Ringling College of Art and Design, I've read a lot of animation books, but The Toy Story Films: An Animated Journey (found on the second floor of the library in the new “Art of…” section) has influenced my education the most. This book has been a key resource in helping me understand both the technical and storytelling aspects of animation as it dives into one of the most important animated franchises of the animation industry.

One of the most interesting parts of the book is its discussion of the new techniques used in the original Toy StoryToy Story is actually the first ever computer animated 3D feature length film to ever come out, this means that there was a lot of innovation involved in the process of creating it. As you read about the development of computer-generated imagery (CGI), a brand new appreciation for the team that worked on this film is created. They were breaking new ground, and their work in rendering, shading, and character rigging set the stage for many of the industry standards we follow today.

Reading about how the animators tackled challenges like creating realistic textures and believable character movement gave me an in-depth look at the basics of computer animation and helped me understand the root of all that I am learning at Ringling. The book provided context for many of the techniques we learn in our classes at Ringling, from modeling to rigging, and helped me see how these early innovations still influence the tools and methods we use now.

The Toy Story Films: An Animated Journey also highlights the role of storytelling in animation. Pixar has always been amazing at telling well-rounded and emotionally charged stories in an easily digestible way. It’s easy to get caught up in the technical side of animation, but this book is a good reminder that at the heart of every great animated film is a strong story. The breakdowns of character development, plot structure, and emotional arcs were really helpful as I worked on my own projects.

The book showed me how every aspect of animation, from the color palette to the camera angles, supports the story. Technical skills work to serve a narrative arc, something that is extremely applicable to our work at Ringling. Keeping in mind the storytelling principles that made Toy Story such a successful film helps in all of our assignments.

The Toy Story Films: An Animated Journey serves as a guide for animators. Teaching me to balance technical skill with storytelling. As I continue my studies at Ringling, this book remains a source of inspiration, reminding me of the incredible possibilities in the world of computer animation.

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08/23/2024
profile-icon Dan Williford
Blog post written by Dan Williford, Instructional Design Librarian
 
As a new Instructional Design Librarian here at the Alfred R. Goldstein Library, I am lucky to get to take part in collection building--that is, adding new materials to our permanent collection. 
I am especially interested in resources and literary works related to LGBTQ+ topics. I also think that the work that our students do lends itself to the comics and graphic narrative genres, and so I have been searching out queer graphic literature that wasn't already in our collection. I'm happy to say we're adding new works regularly and here's the latest that have come in just in the past month. Most of this month's books are geared toward young adults, but not all. 
 
Northranger by Rey Terciero and Bre Indigo is based on Jane Austen's gothic Northanger Abbey, but with a queer twist. The story follows teen male Cade as he spends the summer on a ranch and gets caught up investigating local murders. Cade and his friend Henry spark a romance.
 
Blackwater by Jeannette Arroyo and Ren Graham follows the story of two teen male protagonists who are apparently opposites by are friends that eventually become romantic. However Tony, the athletic track star, hides a secret of his identity that is monstrous. 
 
In the The Deep Dark by Molly Knox Ostertag two female teen protagonists wrestle with life and a huge mystical secret. Gender non-conforming Mags explores relationships with other girls while protecting the secret that hides in her basement. 
 
If you're looking for a traditional young adult novel, check out Out of the Blue by Jason June, featuring a merman who falls for a lifeguard; or Both Can be True by Jules Machias, a story that is in part about a non-binary teen navigating gender identity. 
 
We have the first two books of the series Grand Slam Romance by Ollie Hicks and Emma Oosterhous, which centers on a girls softball team. There's magic and lesbian romance to be found in the colorful pages of this graphic novel series. 
 
Brooms by Jasmine Walls and Teo DuVall features a story of witches merged with a historical narrative of America's racist past. It features Black and Latine witchy lead characters and lesbian romance. 
 
Alison Bechdel's recent book The Secret to Superhuman Strength is yet another strong graphic narrative based on her own life, much like her award winning Fun Home
 
If you're a fan of queer comics, check out American Literature: Queer About Comics, an issue of a journal with articles about the history of queer comics from a number of top scholars in the field. And have a look at DC Pride: The New Generation and DC Pride: Better Together, compendiums of queer superhero stories by the mega publishing house. 
 
We've also just acquired several graphic narratives focused on trans and nonbinary characters. Quick and Easy Guide to Queer and Trans Identities by Mady G and Jules Zuckerberg is an up-to-date illustrated narrative describing queer gender identities. Welcome to St. Hell by Lewis Hancox and Upstaged by Robin Easter both tell the story of trans teens in high school. Finally, Transitions: A Mother's Journey by Elodie Durand is a touching narrative from the perspective of a mother struggling to understand and accept her child's trans identity. 
 
Dan Williford recently joined Ringling’s Goldstein Library as an Instructional Design Librarian. He earned his Master’s in Library and Information Science from UCLA in 2019. He previously earned his PhD in English from UCLA in 2015 and taught undergraduate literature classes for two years there. He has worked in the library field since then, focusing on teaching information literacy and academic research. 
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08/15/2024
Emily Kang
Blog post written by Emily Kang, Illustration '25, Library Research Consultant
 
Hi, my name is Emily! I created the new third floor map for the Goldstein Library – the colorful one with the shapes and gradients on it (that is visible both on the first floor and as a blown up version on the third!) Since the Spring of 2024, I've been working at the Library under the supervision of Kelly and Dan. I was hired as a Research Consultant, which is basically a position that helps fellow students find information for their essays and projects, but Kelly offered extra tasks to do since I was also interested in graphic design. For the past summer, the majority of my work has been to recreate the existing map for the third floor.

The process to create the map took a lot of work and time to develop. The old map, while helpful, was pretty bare-bones in terms of content, so first I had to talk to the library staff to figure out what was needed for the new guide. Assistant Circulation Manager Christina Song also provided lots of feedback and direction. After I made the map, the general consensus from the staff was that the information was too crowded, so I collected the remaining information and organized it in a mini-zine. I was given guidance by Jennifer Holmen, my previous semester's Design & Typography teacher and was encouraged to follow a more cohesive theme. My friends also helped out and gave me super valuable input.
 
As you can see, the original plans for the map looked a LOT different. There were also plans for a call number section that would help the reader figure out how to read their book labels to find in the bookshelves (later funneled into the mini-zine)
 
 
 
 
Here's the front and back of Christina's concept, which I ended up really liking.  
 
 
Another thing I did for this map was draw up some new Remys – Ringling's iconic, lovable mascot would look perfect for the map. Kelly encouraged me to draw my own interpretation of him, so I went for a cutesy look. Ultimately, the style of the map demanded a different drawings, but I still think they're pretty nice.
 

 
Some progress pictures of the map and zine.
 
Ultimately, I settled on a older eastern-style inspired design and drew some art to go along with it – my hope is that it's comprehensible, easy on the eyes, and most importantly, that it helps Ringling students get where they want to go.
 
There's so many new things I learned about the Goldstein library during the process of creating this map, and I encourage everyone to use it as much as possible. The staff really do so much to create a supportive and helpful environment for everyone on campus. Play some board games with your friends, flip through the older editions of Cricket in the moving shelves, and take a nap on the third floor if you'd like. I hope the map helps along the way!
 
The Final Result:
 
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08/06/2024
profile-icon Bianca Prather-Jones

Written by Bianca Prather-Jones, Director of Library Services

News, Updates, & Requests: Faculty Edition

 

News Highlights at a Glance:

  • The library is fully staffed for the first time in four years!
  • Print periodicals (AKA magazines) moved to the first floor
  • New labels for materials authored or illustrated by Ringling alumni and faculty
  • Complete JSTOR now available

Alumni and Faculty Spine Label on a Picture Book
 
Nifty Changes at the Library!

The start of the 2024-25 academic year is fast approaching, and the Goldstein Library is (mostly) ready for it! We’ve been quite busy this summer, and we wanted to share some of the changes (which we think you’ll like) for this Fall.

We are particularly proud of the new location of our print periodicals. In response to suggestions from both faculty and students, these items have been moved to the first floor, where they are impossible to miss!

Another new feature is our growing collection of books authored and/or illustrated by Ringling alumni and faculty, which now bear a special spine label that helps identify them for browsing. If you know of any publications by Ringling faculty or alum (including yourself), please let us know! We will tag existing works, and purchase any titles that are missing from the collection. 

 
New(ish) Staff Members

Last July, Bianca Prather-Jones started as the new Director of Goldstein Library. Kelly Lindberg joined the same month as an Instructional Design Librarian.

Since then, Bianca has brought on Cheri Marks as our new Special Collections Librarian and Archivist, Rebekah Rast as our Library Resources and Discovery Services Coordinator, and Dan Williford as an additional Instructional Design Librarian. We're so happy to have a fully staffed team!

Our growing board game collection!
 
JSTOR and other New Resources

 

Due to popular demand, the Library procured a subscription to the entire JSTOR collection! While we did have to let one database go in order to do this (we’ll miss you, IBISWorld), we managed to negotiate a deal that made this purchase more affordable than anticipated. Huzzah! 

We also acquired almost all the titles recommended to us at the end of the Spring semester, including various books, DVDs, two new periodicals, and even some board games! (Concept is here, Don Brandes.) We look forward to seeing you all reading, viewing, and playing these new items soon! (Yes, we truly do take your suggestions to heart!)

 
Two reminders for faculty:
  1. If you would like the Library to purchase a copy of any course textbook(s), please send those titles to Tim DeForest, Circulation Manager (tdefores@ringling.edu) as soon as possible. 
  2. Due to their cost, streaming licenses via SWANK and Kanopy are a last resort for course films. The Library will gladly purchase DVDs that can be shown on campus to students registered in your classes, or help you find other streaming services where students can view your selected films for free or very low cost. If DVDs or other streaming options are not available, or if you are teaching an online course, SWANK and Kanopy licenses will be considered. Thank you for understanding!
Faculty Picks Display, Spring 2024
 
Faculty Picks Display

Be a part of the Goldstein Library Faculty Picks Display, located on the second floor of the library! 

Simply select five to six of your favorite materials from the Goldstein Library and write remarks on why you made each selection. If we don't already have your favorites, get in touch!

Since we introduced this display last fall, the recommended titles have been among the highest in circulation! 

To participate in our Faculty Picks display, send your list of selected titles with personal captions and a photo of yourself to: bprather@ringling.edu.

 

For a printable version of the Fall 2024 Faculty Updates Library Newsletter, view it here.