News & Events
Library Updates
- The interim closing of the Mathematics Library in May as its host building, Altgeld Hall, prepares for major renovation. Materials from its stacks collection may be accessed at the Main Library Stacks and the Grainger Engineering Library and Information Center; items may be requested and picked up from any campus library. Mathematics Library staff will still be reachable by phone or email to assist researchers.
- The protection of patrons from possible exposure to heavy metals in Victorian Era book cloth. Preservation Services is taking monographs published between 1800–1899 out of circulation as it analyzes the situation of its collections, urging patrons to seek digital versions of needed materials instead. Visit go.library.illinois.edu/heavymetals for more information.
- The passing of Marianna Tax Choldin, the inaugural Mortenson Distinguished Professor and founding director of the Mortenson Center for International Library Programs, on July 1, 2023. A fierce defender of freedom of information, she brought nearly 600 librarians from around the world to the Center during her 11-year leadership of the unit, and lectured extensively in the Soviet Union on censorship and information-access issues. During her more than 30 years at Illinois, Choldin served as an adjunct professor in the iSchool and headed both the Russian and East European Center and the Slavic and East European Library. Her many accolades note her national and international impact, and include Russia’s Pushkin Gold Medal for contributions to culture, the iSchool’s Robert B. Downs Intellectual Freedom Award, and the John Ames Humphry/OCLC/Forest Press Award for significant contributions to international librarianship from the American Library Association’s International Relations Committee. Memorial contributions may be made to the Marianna Tax Choldin Fund—11772028 at the University of Illinois, the Greater Chicago Food Depository at www.chicagosfoodbank.org, or Temple Beth Israel at www.tbiskokie.org. Please see library.illinois.edu/mortenson to read more about Marianna Tax Choldin.
- The passing of John Littlewood, MS ’61 LIS, longtime librarian who was greatly responsible for acquiring materials for gay studies at the University of Illinois, on July 19, 2023. A government documents librarian, gay literature bibliographer, and associate professor of library administration, he established the John Littlewood/Don Laube Professorship in Gay Literature at the University Library to ensure that the gay studies collection on campus continues to thrive. Littlewood—known widely for his depth of knowledge, prodigious work ethic, and friendly demeanor—served the university for 40 years before retiring in 2000, working in the Chemistry Library, Serials, and Acquisitions. Memorial contributions may be made to the John Littlewood and Don Laube Professorship in Gay Literature Fund—770672.
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