The College library system consists of Robert Frost Memorial Library, Keefe Science Library and the Vincent Morgan Music Library. Students also have access to the libraries catalogues of the schools in the five-college consortium.
In a continuing effort to provide the most current resources, the libraries of the schools in the five-college consortium will purchase a new Integrated Library System (ILS), an online catalogue of their combined holdings which also has tools to help manage library functions. The ILS may be accessible to students in its new form as early as January 2005.
The system is dated and needs to be replaced be replaced because the company that administers the system will stop providing the administrative services necessary to support the system within the next year.
The new system will provide more integration among the five colleges and will provide students with more material and better access to that material. Systems and Media Librarian Jan Jourdain heads the team researching the consortium's options. The five-college team is currently examining several potential new systems. Jourdain explained that she hopes the new system will allow students to search the catalogs of all five colleges simultaneously. "Right now, it takes two searches to check the complete five-college holdings. We want to streamline that process," she said. Currently, searching the UMass system requires a separate internet search.
The process of bringing a new system to the five-college libraries began in early 2002. Once the committee that Jourdain heads finalizes the details of the new system and submits its recommendation to the five-college directors, those directors will decide whether to fund and approve the system.
The College libraries will see further changes with the retirement of Will Bridegam, who has served as librarian of the College for the past 28 years and been an integral part of the technological and resource development at the College libraries and other libraries around the country. The College will conduct a national search to find a replacement to take over in September 2004.
Bridegam said he looks forward to a retirement full of reading, traveling and continued volunteer service in the community.
"[He will] leave some pretty large shoes to fill," said Professor of Computer Science Lyle McGeoch, a member of the Library Committee. "[Bridegam has] done a tremendous job over the years ensuring the integrity of the library."
As librarian, Bridegam has made the libraries more accessible and functional. In 1995, Bridegam oversaw the $6 million renovation of Frost Library. The library was revamped in its appearance and services. "The reconstruction created more of a feeling of spaciousness," said Bridegam. Other improvements made the library more conducive to student needs by providing a more accessible reference desk located near the computer terminals.
The library's renovation also included the creation of the media center. "Amherst was one of the first liberal arts colleges to have a media center to provide information in all formats for our users," said Bridegam.
Bridegam's great contribution to the modernization of the library has not gone unnoticed by his peers. "[Bridegam] shepherded the library through a period of time where there's been a lot of technological change," said Chair of the Library Committee Frank Westhoff, a professor of economics.
Bridegam has been involved with many organizations and projects at the College. He said he is most fond of his work with the Friends of the Amherst College Library. "The Friends of the Library support the Folger Shakespeare fellowships and support collections by giving money for purchases," said Bridegam. "[Because of that, we can] go one step beyond our regular budget to do more and provide more," said Bridegam.
Colleagues appreciate Bridegam's willingness to go the extra mile. "I will always remember how gracious Will was when I first arrived at the College. His genuine interest in helping me improve the College's holdings in my research areas, number theory and arithmetic geometry, was truly encouraging to a new professor," said Dean of the Faculty Greg Call.
Geoffrey Brounell '04, a member of the Library Committee, praised the available resources and support. "Amherst students have access to almost all material that is out there." He also noted the high quality of the library staff. "I recommend that everyone schedule a meeting with a research librarian to learn how to use the library for thesis or other research writing."
In addition to helping improve the resources and opportunities available to members of the College community, Bridegam has worked to improve college libraries throughout the nation. As the chair of the Association of College and Research Libraries Committee, Bridegam helped to redefine what makes a successful library. "Our revolutionary approach was not how many volumes you have. We are trying to look at outcomes: what a library does to support research and study," said Bridegam. In addition to working to create uniformity and excellence in college libraries, Bridegam also helped organize the Oberlin Group, which is made up of members from 75 liberal arts colleges who discuss and sometimes collectively act on issues affecting all the schools.