Fifteen Minutes: Library Handouts

Over the past week, many of Harvard's students have received fancy packets in the mail, bombarding them with the many resources Harvard College Library (HCL) has to offer. Haven't found the package in your box? No fear--University mail seems to be torn about whether to shove it in the mailbox or tag it a package slip, and the mail center's dilemma has led to a delay for some.

The packets are a project of the HCL's communications office, brought to life largely by Beth Brainard, the office's communications director. A formal, informational packet explaining all of the library system's components and available resources has never been composed (the system consists mainly of 11 libraries with a plethora of resources), and the communications office thought it would be a good idea to gather all important library information such as phone numbers and access policies into one packet because the library is such a "crucial part of Harvard education." Brainard uses the "common" misconception that "the Theater Library" is not a part of the Harvard system as an example of why an informational packet was a necessity.

Many students have been rather surprised at the high quality of the packets, but they were actually not composed solely with students in mind. The library office also plans to disseminate the packets to the media, potential donors and friends of the library as well as for any general campaigning purposes. The packets are part of a much larger library project, in conjunction with an outside design firm, which includes designing a new library logo, creating "much needed" new stationery and revamping the library Web site.