Van Pelt and Opie Library Blog

Library Director Erin Matas is one of 20 information professionals selected from the U.S. and Canada to join the 2021-22 ARL Leadership Fellows cohort. The ARL Leadership Fellowship develops and prepares the next generation of senior library and archival leaders. Past Leadership Fellows have emerged as successful leaders in a wide array of roles and settings, including as deans and directors of leading research libraries and archives.

“I am thrilled to join this cohort because of the impact that the program’s goals will have on my approach to library leadership,” says Matas. “ARL’s priority is to advance scholarship through systemic changes at the intersections of public policy, institutional policy and the ever-changing landscape of how we research, teach and learn. This program is an exceptional opportunity for library leaders to join these conversations and bring important guidance to their home institutions.”

In their press release, ARL shared that the 2021-22 cohort brings together an immensely diverse and highly accomplished group of library leaders, representing the broadest range of research institutions and communities since the program began in 2004.

Provost Jackie Huntoon noted that Michigan Tech is proud to have a representative in the 2021-22 cohort of ARL Leadership Fellows. “Matas’ outstanding contributions on campus and beyond have clearly contributed to her selection. By participating as a Fellow, Erin will be able to continue to grow as a library professional and contribute her knowledge of best practices to the Michigan Tech community.”

Matas has been the director of the J. Robert Van Pelt and John and Ruanne Opie Library since August 2020 and is also a graduate student in the Applied Cognitive Science and Human Factors department.

The East Reading Room • October 14th, 6 p.m. – 7 p.m.

A presentation and interactive discussion with John Haeussler, sharing his research on local hockey players who made it big with Notre Dame in the early 1900s.
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When Notre Dame played its first informal hockey game in 1912, a student from Calumet was one of the stars. When the Irish began intercollegiate play in 1921, their roster featured three more Calumet High School alums.

ND’s first intercollegiate game was at the Amphidrome in Houghton; its first intercollegiate win at the Colosseum in Calumet.

In this 100th anniversary year, this presentation highlights the Copper Country’s contributions to Notre Dame Hockey’s formative years.
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John Haeussler has authored or co-authored two books on Hancock history. His current project is a biography of Bill Gray, the first Calumet High School alumnus to star at Notre Dame.

*The University of Notre Dame Football Review 1921, quoting legendary ND coach Knute Rockne, had this to say about Calumet’s Hunk Anderson and Ojay Larson: “Neither is of Celtic origin but as Rockne puts it, ‘they are Irish by invironment.’”

Image courtesy of Jim Bognar.

The Michigan Tech Archives will continue to operate on a by-appointment basis during the fall 2021 semester (Aug. 30 to Dec. 17) with expanded hours to include appointments on Mondays.

Appointments may be scheduled from 1-5 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Requests for appointments must be confirmed by staff at least one business day prior to the desired time and are subject to availability.

Special accommodations for faculty seeking an on-site instruction session for their academic courses outside of the regular appointment period can be made — please contact the department for more information.

On-site research appointments in the Michigan Tech Archives can be scheduled via email at copper@mtu.edu, by phone at 906-487-2505, or by submitting a request through the online form.

Remote research services will remain robust and uninterrupted during this time, and questions may be directed to the contact information above. Online collections are always available on the web or through the library’s online catalog.

The Michigan Tech Archives is currently adhering to campus health and safety protocols. Please see the MTU Flex site for the latest COVID-19 related information and procedures.

Michigan Tech’s Patent and Trademark Resource Center (PTRC) invites you to celebrate Black History Month by attending two free events hosted by the USPTO. Registration is required.

On Wednesday, February 10, get valuable insights from inventors Aprille Ericsson, Ayanna Howard, and Arlyne Simon during the “Three contemporary Black women inventors” online event. The panelists’ careers include success in areas as varied as mechanical engineering, robotics, writing successful books for young inventors, and more. Slots are limited, so register today for this free special event.

On Friday, February 12, learn firsthand from Philadelphia-based artist Elizabeth “Liz” Montague and Google Doodle team art director Angelica McKinley about how large scale creative projects are produced from concept to launch. During “A focus on business—The collaboration between cartoonist and illustrator Liz Montague and Google art director Angelica McKinley,” get a behind-the-scenes view of how they created the first guest artist Google Doodle slide show featuring groundbreaking Black cartoonist and activist Jackie Ormes. Register early for this free special event.

For more information on patents and trademarks and to schedule a remote consultation, contact Michigan Tech’s PTRC at library@mtu.edu.

All floors and most study rooms of the library are open Monday through Thursday: 8am – Midnight; Friday: 8am – 7pm; and Saturday and Sunday 9am – 5pm. Outside these hours, the 24 hour spaces on the first and second floor can be accessed by swiping your ID at the door on the west side of the building (MUB side). Materials from the collection can be checked out at the Circulation Desk or picked up curbside. Productivity tools (laptops, calculators, etc.) are also available at the Circulation Desk or curbside.

The Michigan Tech Archives are open on a modified appointment-only basis. Appointments may be scheduled from 1pm to 5pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, subject to availability. Request an appointment via email at copper@mtu.edu, by phone at (906) 487-2505, or through our appointment form. As in the fall semester, appointment requests must be confirmed by an archives staff member a minimum of 24 hours in advance.

Remote research/reference help, consultations via Zoom, are available Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. Online library instruction support is available by appointment. Interlibrary loan services are available from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Both physical and digital items may be requested.

Face coverings and social distancing are required inside the library building. All visitors to campus should fill out the Michigan Tech Visitor Symptom Tracking Form.

For updates visit the library homepage and FAQ page.

We’ve pulled together a LibGuide of selected of horror novels and spooky tales you can find in our collection (and an inspirational video)!

Hero City: Documentary Photography by Meghan Kirkwood is featured on the first floor exhibit hallway of the Van Pelt and Opie Library as well as four other areas around campus. The exhibit features a collection of silver gelatin and inkjet photographs made as part of a documentary project about modern Mongolia and its capital city, Ulaanbaatar. Kirkwood’s images of modern Mongolia capture the unique and storied history of its capital city, and its transition through economic and cultural change – and the rich and thriving culture that animates this young Asian nation. This exhibit is presented in collaboration with Michigan Tech’s Rosza Center, Pavlis Honors college and the D80 Conference, where Kirkwood will give the keynote address.

For more information see the Event Details in the Michigan Tech Events Calendar.

Join us on October 7th for a workshop in which we discuss the fundamentals of intellectual property such as patents, trademarks, licensing, and trade secrets, including how to initiate a prior art discovery with freely available resources.

We will start with an introduction into the practical considerations and trade-offs involved in protecting your idea and how intellectual property protections can be used as a tool to develop your innovation. Michigan Technological University’s own IP expert, Licensed Patent Agent and Associate Vice President for Research Administration Jim Baker, and local MTEC’s SmartZone CEO Dan Jamison will open up the conversation with compelling IP scenarios and be available for questions throughout the event. Librarian and PTRC Representative Annelise Doll will provide us with an overview of patents and trademarks, hands-on searching activities and information about Michigan Tech’s Patent and Trademark Research Center, part of the US Patent and Trademark Office’s nationwide program of PTRC’s.

Register in advance, and we’ll send you the Zoom link and related information before the session.

Welcome back to campus! We have prepared a short video to acquaint you with some of the changes to the Van Pelt and Opie Library to make your visit safe and productive.