Last year, first-year students at Williams College used library resources to solve a theft of Shakespeare's First Folio from the college's Chapin Library of Rare Books in 1940.
This fall's introduction to the campus libraries and their resources asked first-year students to put on their thinking caps to solve yet another college mystery - more macabre than the last: What happened to founder Ephraim Williams head?
In 1854, a group of Williams alumni went to place a memorial on Ephraim Williams grave and found that Ephraim's skull was missing. A cloud of suspicion has hung over Ephraim's nephew and Williams graduate, Williams H. Williams! Was he the thief? Did he steal the head? Why?
More than 450 first-year students began the mystery tour by watching a humorous welcome video starring librarians and students. Along the way, the first-years used archival material and online resources, including the library's catalog, a database containing historical New York Times articles, and the course reserved readings system.
Students also gathered clues from members of the library staff, who, entering the spirit of the game, swore them to secrecy saying, "We're not supposed to talk about it." Students also gathered clues from videos of Williams professors who, entering the spirit of the game, swore them to secrecy saying, "We're not supposed to talk about it."
First-year student Brookes Clemmons, from Charlotte, Vt. was enthusiastic about the tour. "I thought it was a good introduction to the different library computer systems," she said. "I got to see how I'll be using them in courses. I also liked the fact that we did this in groups because it was a great way to meet people."
The main point of the exercise said Lori DuBois, reference and instruction librarian, was to bring students into the library. "By making the introduction fun, I hope we've encouraged students to feel more comfortable in the library," she said. "When it's time for them to do research, they'll know we're approachable and ready to help them."
As a further step in enhancing the approachability of librarians, students received two Librarian Trading cards in their campus mailboxes. Each card bore the picture of a librarian and provided details about his/her "superpowers" (specialties), vulnerabilities, and contact information. All of the cards may be seen on the library website at http://www.williams.edu/library/trading-cards.php .
Evan Seely of Woodstock, Vt., the first to finish the Library Mystery Tour, said the game was a great way to introduce students to the libraries and to the campus. He also learned a little bit about the history of the college. "We had fun," he said.
"And that, after all, is what the Mystery Tour was all about," said DuBois. As to the answer to The Mystery Tour: How Did He Lose His Head? Sorry, but she's sworn to secrecy.
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Williamstown Fire Committee Talks Station Project Cuts, Truck Replacement
By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Prudential Committee on Wednesday signed off on more than $1 million in cost cutting measures for the planned Main Street fire station.
Some of the "value engineering" changes are cosmetic, while at least one pushes off a planned expense into the future.
The committee, which oversees the Fire District, also made plans to hold meetings over the next two Wednesdays to finalize its fiscal year 2025 budget request and other warrant articles for the May 28 annual district meeting. One of those warrant articles could include a request for a new mini rescue truck.
The value engineering changes to the building project originated with the district's Building Committee, which asked the Prudential Committee to review and sign off.
In all, the cuts approved on Wednesday are estimated to trim $1.135 million off the project's price tag.
The biggest ticket items included $250,000 to simplify the exterior masonry, $200,000 to eliminate a side yard shed, $150,000 to switch from a metal roof to asphalt shingles and $75,000 to "white box" certain areas on the second floor of the planned building.
The white boxing means the interior spaces will be built but not finished. So instead of dividing a large space into six bunk rooms and installing two restrooms on the second floor, that space will be left empty and unframed for now.
The Charter Review Committee on Wednesday voted unanimously to endorse an amended version of the compliance provision it drafted to be added to the Town Charter. click for more
Developer David Traggorth asked the trustees to make the contribution from its coffers to help unlock an additional $5.4 million in state funds for the planned 54-unit apartment building at the south end of the Cable Mills site.
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The donors, who wish to remain anonymous, say the gift reflects their desire to not only support Williams but also President Maud S. Mandel's strategic vision and plan for the college.
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Neighbors of a proposed subdivision off Summer Street last week asked the Planning Board to take a critical look at the project, which the residents say is out of scale to the neighborhood. click for more