Libraries grateful for coverage

I appreciate The Chronicle's attention to the Duke libraries in two recent editorials (Sept. 12, Sept. 25). It is gratifying to know that students would like more access to the Rare Book Room. I fully agree that the hours should be longer and more predictable, to enable more students and visitors to learn about the room and its impressive contents and to give students another choice of study space with an attractive atmosphere. When it is not being used for classes and events, as it is frequently, the Rare Book Room is staffed by volunteers; we are taking steps to ensure that it is open to the public more often. Although the Rare Book Room will never be a general study room like the Gothic or the Carpenter Reading Room due to the nature of its collections and the need for security, we do welcome students and thank The Chronicle for calling this to our attention. All the books shelved in the Rare Book Room--along with other holdings of the Rare Book, Manuscript and Special Collections Library--are available for use by students and other researchers in the Dalton-Brand Research Room, 103 Perkins. This room is located just down the hall from the Rare Book Room and is open during the semester Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 1 p.m. to 5 pm.

The Link is a new collaboration among the Libraries, Arts & Sciences and OIT, and has enjoyed great success. It brings formal learning into the libraries alongside the informal research and study that has always taken place in Perkins. It offers a new and different type of study space, complementing areas in Perkins and Bostock. Consultations for students and faculty have been available from the start, and can be requested on the LINK Web site (link.duke.edu). The Libraries' Center for Instructional Technology (cit.duke.edu) offers faculty assistance with integrating technology into their teaching, and Link staff from Trinity and OIT are on site to help with the use of the classrooms and seminar rooms. The Link room scheduling is managed by Link staff and the Registrar's office. All Link rooms, like other group study areas throughout Perkins and Bostock, are available to students whenever the building is open. There is no formal monitoring of rooms; it's been our experience that students are reasonable about sharing study spaces. A sign-up system for Perkins and Bostock group studies is being considered, as it is for the Link. Again, thanks for highlighting these concerns, and for helping us improve our services.

Deborah Jakubs

Vice Provost for Library Affairs