Library News

From Andrew Holbrook,
Operations and Archives Librarian

Archives are more than places where we keep papers, publications, photographs, and other historical materials. Archives are resources that connect past, present, and future. Sometimes, archives raise questions; sometimes, they help us find answers.

In honor of American Archives Month this October, the Edgewood University Archives is on the case of the missing letters....

If you come into campus from Woodrow Street, the rounded corner of DeRicci Hall may look newly bare. However, closer inspection reveals traces of what once was there.

When DeRicci Hall opened in 1961, this smooth, shiny corner served as the main entrance to Edgewood College. Initially, the top of the curved wall presented a plain brick façade. Sometime between August 1966 (below left) and May 1967 (right), however, large letters were added to greet visitors.

The lettering lasted for almost 60 years. When the Predolin Humanities Center opened in 2000, its two-story rotunda created a new, centrally located welcome center for the college. Yet the sign facing Woodrow Street stayed — until it was removed this past summer as part of our name change to Edgewood University.

Where did the letters go? Into the archives, of course! After a contractor dismantled the lettering, it was transferred to the Oscar Rennebohm Library for permanent preservation in our collections.

Each piece of metal was lightly cleaned to remove dirt, cobwebs, beehives, and other organic matter without disturbing the original paint. Surprisingly, it turned out that the letters, which used to look black on the wall, were actually colored a bright blue!

Then the letters — 4 E’s, 3 O’s, 2 D’s, G’s, 2 L’s, 1 C, and 1 W — were wrapped in acid-free tissue paper to cushion each piece, avoid scratching, and create a stable, protective barrier against contamination. Finally, these puffy packages were placed in extra-large freezer bags to provide a low-humidity environment that will prevent further corrosion in the future.

The Woodrow Street letters were a sign of their time, both literally and symbolically. The original construction of DeRicci Hall, where they were located, marked a major step forward for the institution whose identity they announced. In subsequent years, the letters also witnessed renovations and additions to DeRicci as the college expanded through the decades. Even their removal speaks to our next steps as we make the transition to a university.

These important objects endured many eras of Edgewood history. Now, as they take their place in the Edgewood University Archives, they have a home for many more. 

We're currently seeking applications for a Library Director.

For a job description, qualifications, and application instructions, see the Library Director page on the Edgewood University Employment website.

Library hours for fall break are as follows:

• Friday, October 3: 7:30am to 4:30pm
• Saturday, October 4: Closed
• Sunday, October 5: Closed
• Monday, October 6: 7:30am to 4:30pm

Regular library hours resume on Tuesday, October 7, when we will be open 7:30am to 11pm.

Due to an unexpected staffing issue, the library will be closed on Saturday, September 20, and open 4pm to 8pm on Sunday, September 21. 

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Reminder, the full schedule of library hours is always available on our website.

Over the summer, RefWorks released a new add-on for Microsoft Word and Google Docs, and the old version no longer works. If you are using any Edgewood University computer, or the online version of Word through Edgewood University, that add-on has been automatically updated for you.

If you are using your own computer with Word or Google Docs, you will need to update the add-on. If you try to use that older version, you will see a warning message that you need to get the new version.

In the menu for both Word and Google Docs, the new one is called “RCM” (which stands for RefWorks Citation manager).  The old add-on is called “RefWorks.”

Instructions for getting the new RefWorks add-on are available on our FAQ: How do I add the RefWorks add-in to Word or Google Docs?

Don't use RefWorks yet?  Find out what RefWorks can do for you on the library's RefWorks page.

from the Library Staff

A printable handout of the Year at a Glance 2024-2025, is also available.

In fiscal year 2024–2025, the Edgewood University Library remained a cornerstone of academic support, conducting over 1,100 research consultations, saving students $33,000 through interlibrary loans, and collaborating with the Learning Lab and OSI on the popular Pizza to Pass event to promote student engagement. The Archives and Digital Collections handled 73 information requests, consulted 90+ boxes, and hosted 11,705 items with 25,000 views, supporting key university initiatives including fundraising, alumni relations, and the name change process.

Despite these achievements, the library faces financial strain. With library databases increasing in cost by 3–8% annually, a flat operating budget equates to a real-dollar reduction, leading to resource and service cancellations. To sustain current service levels, budget adjustments must account for inflation.

Serving Students, Supporting Research

Pizza to Pass brought out record attendance—nearly 200 students each semester. For four hours on a Friday night, fully 16% of undergraduates were in the library studying with Course Coaches to prep for finals.

Preserving our past, preparing our future

Last year, the Edgewood University Archives and Digital Collections fielded 73 information requests and consulted more than 90 boxes of materials in responding to these inquiries. We hosted 11,705 items on the library’s digital repository and delivered nearly 25,000 item views. Our top clients were the Office for Institution Advancement, including Alumni Relations, and the Office of Marketing and Strategic Communications. Historical photographs and other archival materials were used in the Thanksgiving fundraising appeal, at the Emerald Club luncheon and Alumni Awards ceremony, and on the Edgewood University Alumni & Friends Instagram account. Archival records were also loaned for meetings with individual alumni and donors; double-checked to verify terms of service for previous trustees; cited in discussions with the City of Madison regarding maintenance of the Park and Pleasure Drive; and referenced throughout the university name change process, including as part of trademarking new logos.

A printable handout of the Year at a Glance 2024-2025, is also available.

The library has openings for 1-2 graduate student assistants.  

See the position description and apply on this page: https://library.edgewood.edu/grad-assistant-application

To prepare for the new semester, the library will be closed on Tuesday, August 19 for University Seminar (along with all other college offices).

Above: Greta Shetney, P.R. Director, discusses newly organized curriculum divisions with Sister Mary Nona McGreal, President, and Sister Joan Smith, Registrar, circa 1958.

From Andrew Holbrook,
Operations and Archives Librarian

A former flag came down. A fresh flag went up. Eddy the Eagle put on a brand-new shirt. And, just like that, Edgewood College officially became Edgewood University.

Except that the name change took a lot more to make it happen and represented a bigger, deeper step for the institution. Part 1 of our exhibit explored the farther-reaching reasons behind the change, explaining how “university” more accurately reflects the growth of our graduate programs and our increasingly international student body.

In part 2 — currently on view on the first floor of the Oscar Rennebohm Library — we get a first glimpse of the latest Edgewood University gear and take a closer look into the complex, months-long process that made the redesign possible.

The changeover was marked at a flag-raising ceremony on the morning of July 1st attended by members of the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters (our founding order) as well as members of the community and local news media. Along the wall of the library are the flags from that commemoration — both the last Edgewood College flag to fly above campus and the first to say Edgewood University. The flags are a gift from the President’s Office and will reside permanently in the University Archives.

The display also features a side-by-side selection of Edgewood College and Edgewood University merchandise from the Campus Store. In addition to showing off the splashy side of the name change, these items give a hint into the numerous subtle tweaks and refinements required in a major rebranding. For example, Edgewood University’s official color is now Pantone 200, a crimson red also used by the University of Wisconsin, the University of Arizona, and Wesleyan University. The updated hue is just one number away from the old color, Pantone 201, which was more of a cardinal red. When you visit our case, you can see the difference everywhere from baseball caps to sweat shirts. And don’t miss Eddy the Eagle spreading his wings in a bright new top. 

Start your summer off right with one of these new (or coming soon) eBooks and audiobooks.  With the Libby app, no need to visit the library, just download them to your device.

For more information, please see the help page, Getting Started with Libby. Not seeing what you want in our collection? Email your recommendations to Ask a Librarian, or drop them in our suggestion box located inside the library's main entrance.