From the Research Desk

Stuff happens, and then accumulates. Of course it’s important stuff that you’ll want to use again, else you wouldn’t keep it, right? As long as it’s just a little stuff you can let it lie around randomly and just remember where everything is. Of course, your mother or significant other or even a helpful friend may foul everything up by putting your stuff where it belongs, but otherwise the system works well enough.

But eventually there is just too much stuff to remember. Since you still can‘t buy a few extra gigabytes of gray matter, your brain eventually runs out of memory.  Then you have to listen to what everybody says and put your stuff where it belongs.

And how do you know where your stuff belongs? That’s classification.

There are many ways of classifying stuff. Say you have a music collection that’s getting out of hand. You may want to arrange it by artist, and keep Dusty Springfield next to Bruce Springsteen. Or you may want to arrange it by type of music, putting jazz in one corner of the room, country in another, garage bands in the garage, and classical music up in the attic. Either system is fine, as long as it serves the purpose of enabling you to find stuff effectively.

The University of Detroit Mercy Libraries use a classification system devised by the Library of Congress (LC).  It arranges stuff by subject, and uses a combination of letters and numbers to bring materials together in a logical sequence.

Each piece of stuff is given a Call Number, which is basically like a street address where the material lives on the shelf. All the stuff on a given subject lives on the same street, or else on the next block over. (In real life, this would be like having all movie Tarzans living at Hollywood & Vine.)

Here is a call number, based on the LC Classification System, for William James’ book, The Varieties of Religious Experience:

BR 110 .J3 1929

The first thing to remember is that the letters “BR” have no intrinsic or mnemonic meaning, but simply indicate an area within the system. Here’s a quick summary of what comes under the letter “B” in the LC system:

B-BD= Philosophy     BF= Psychology                     BH= Aesthetics          BJ= Ethics

BL-BP Religions (general, non-Christian)      BR-BX Christianity

Within each area, the subjects generally move from general to specific. BR indicates material relating to general aspects of Christianity. The second element, 110, has been assigned for the more specific subject, “Psychology of religious experience, conversion, etc.” Again, the number “110” has no special significance; it only serves to arrange material in the desired order.

The .J3, as you probably guessed, relates to the author’s last name “James”, and serves as sub-arrangement.  “1929” is the year of publication, important when there is more than one edition of the work.

To find material on the shelf using a call number go one element at a time. First find the “BR” section, then follow the numbers as they increase from 1 to 110, then look for the J’s. As you do this, you’ll discover the wonderful world of browsing.

Nobody wants to spend all day toiling over a hot electronic device searching for stuff in a catalog. A subject-based classification system allows you the opportunity to find related material on the shelf without having to search for it. For example, on the same block as the James book, you’ll find:

Psychology and mystical experience   BR 110 .H6

The logic of the spirit: human development in theological perspective           BR 110 .L615 1998

Religious pathology and Christian faith          BR 110 .L62

The complete LC Classification System is very complex and detailed, running into the tens of thousands of pages. You don’t need to understand the complexities to use it effectively, but there are a few questions that may pop up in future blogs. For instance, why put a book on psychology and religion in the religion section (BR) rather than the psychology section (BF)? Sort of like deciding in which room to put eclectic music.

But I will let you in on a dirty little secret: most catalogers don’t do a lot of classification from scratch.  It‘s simply too complicated and time-consuming to do everything. Instead, they use information supplied by the Library of Congress and other major cataloging agencies, adapting them to local conditions as necessary. If you’ve ever used the WorldCat database, that’s where most of our cataloging information comes from.

So now you know how many catalogers it takes to change a light bulb. Only one. But they have to wait and see how LC did it.

David Moody, Associate Librarian

In my continued efforts to locate individuals and groups doing good work for Detroit and surrounding environs, I came upon these.  Please spread the word about them; and even consider joining one of them if you are so inclined.

People’s Potluck Detroit

A spinoff of Occupy Detroit, this group holds an educational potluck on the fourth Monday of most months (meaning the next one will likely be on March 28).  The February potluck was focused on the resistance to tar sands destruction; the January potluck, on the Homrich 9 and the Detroit Water Shutoffs.  If you want the chance to learn about current issues and maybe participate in activism, this is a great opportunity!

https://www.facebook.com/peoplespotluckdetroit/?fref=ts

Michigan Urban Farming Initiative

The “About” section of this organization’s Facebook page describes itself thus: “Using agriculture as a platform to promote education, sustainability, and community—while simultaneously reducing socioeconomic disparity—we hope to empower urban communities.”  Here are links to MUFI’s Facebook and main pages:

https://www.facebook.com/MichiganUrbanFarmingInitiative/

http://www.miufi.org/

Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice (DWEJ)

The “About” section of this group’s page states ” DWEJ is a Detroit-based non-profit organization dedicated to improving the environmental and economic health of our community.  Here are links to DWEJ’s Facebook and main pages:

https://www.facebook.com/DWEJonline/?fref=ts

http://www.dwej.org/

Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition

This organization, located in Michigan, is involved in environmental causes both in-state and beyond.  (While the Flint water crisis is looming large these days, indigenous peoples in other parts of the world have been going through similar conditions, and worse., for much longer.)

https://www.facebook.com/MichiganEnvironmentalJusticeCoalition

https://michiganenvironmentaljusticecoalition.wordpress.com/

Food & Water Watch – Michigan

Another organization that is currently highlighting the Flint water crisis; but also keeps up-to-date on underwater oil pipelines in Michigan; the water rates in Detroit; and GMO labeling (among other things).

http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/

https://www.facebook.com/FWWMichigan/

I’d love to hear about other local organizations and individuals who are doing creative and positive things for our community!  Please email me (mclonika@udmercy.edu) if you know of any; and you may see your contributions in a future blog!

Kris McLonis, Associate Librarian

In terms of social justice efforts and organizations, Detroit has many hidden gems. Included here are just a few of the individuals and groups that work without much fanfare and deserve lots of support. (“Social justice” is loosely defined here, in that not all of what is listed here is directly involved with the political process or social movements. But they all help to relieve suffering and to empower folks to improve their lives.)

Occupy Detroit

Not much is heard lately about the Occupy movement that sprung up in many locations in 2011. There is still a Detroit contingency, although its focus has shifted from the initial activities of camping out in a public space and marching in protest of – or support for – various institutions and causes. This Facebook group is a good way to keep somewhat informed of many social justice issues, both local and worldwide. Postings include announcements of upcoming People’s Potlucks, which are a great way to connect with the still-active members of Occupy Detroit.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/OccupyDetroitGA/

Spirit Farm

Folks who travel to the Dental School Campus may (in the warmer months) spot vegetable stands and other indicators of a small farmer’s market on the opposite side of Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. This is the site of Spirit Farm, a community supported agriculture (CSA) farm operated by Tuka Rivers and Jan Robo. Here are links to the Facebook pages, which include many useful tips for those interested in growing food (and avoiding GMOs):

https://www.facebook.com/SpiritFarm/?pnref=lhc

Detroit Dirt

Another type of local urban farm, Detroit Dirt, uses composting to produce rich, fertile soil for gardening. This is so important in this city, where much of the topsoil has been contaminated by industrial uses. (Some folks may remember the Ford car commercial from almost two years ago!) Here is the Facebook page link, and a link to Detroit Dirt’s website:

https://www.facebook.com/detroitdirt/?fref=ts

http://detroitdirt.org/

Detroit Dog Rescue

There are many animal shelters in the metro Detroit area. One in particular, Detroit Dog Rescue, was started by Andy Didorosi (who also started the Detroit Bus Company). He was inspired by his own unexpected rescue and adoption of a stray dog, now named Mel. Services include rehabilitating dogs who had been trained to fight. Here is a link to the Facebook page for Detroit Dog Rescue:

https://www.facebook.com/detroitdogrescue/?fref=ts

Freedom House Detroit

Currently in the news, especially in the aftermath of the bombings in Paris, is the situation of the Syrian refugees. Freedom House Detroit has been assisting refugees since the 1980s. Many of these refugees find asylum in Canada, as well as the U.S., through the efforts of this organization. Here is a link to learn more:

http://www.freedomhousedetroit.org/

I’d be delighted to hear about other local organizations and individuals who are doing creative and positive things for our community! Please email me (mclonika@udmercy.edu) if you know of any; and you may see your contributions in a future blog!

Kris McLonis

Here’s an interesting resource via the Every Noise at Once Project: http://everynoise.com/engenremap.html

While some of the examples given on this page may cause some head-scratching, the soundbites do give a sense of all the different musical styles, both historically and currently-existing worldwide.  Make sure you have a huge chunk of time to peruse this site – it’s like bubble wrap for the ears!

Kris McLonis

Music Librarian

Normally, the Research Blog describes library resources that might be useful to students and faculty. However, today we are departing from that mission. Due to extraordinarily tragic circumstances, this blog posting is dedicated to Betty Nelson’s son Derick.

It happens everyday. Everyday you watch the news and there is another story about a senseless shooting in some part of Detroit. If you pay any attention at all, it’s only to shrug and think to yourself what’s wrong with this city? Another anonymous casualty. But on May 9, 2015 a member of the library family, the UDM family, became the victim. Betty Nelson’s (Head of Circulation at the McNichols Campus Library) only child, Derick, was gunned down in the parking lot of his gated community apartment.

Derick earned his Bachelors in Computer and Information Systems and Masters in Information Assurance from UDM. He worked in the library during the years he was attending school here and was well known and well liked by many among the UDM community. Derick was a brilliant, creative and giving individual. He was the kind of person who would do anything for you. That may sound cliche, but in his case it was the truth.

I can’t even imagine what it would be like to lose your only child so suddenly and so egregiously. There will be no peace for anyone who loved Derick until whomever took this amazing soul away from his family and friends is caught. At Derick’s funeral, Pastor Alphonso Coleman said, “We thank God for the justice while we wait for it to manifest”.

Derick’s story was featured on Fox News and WDIV. Crime Stoppers is looking for any tips as to who might be responsible and offering a $7,500 reward.

Here at UDM, a memorial fund has been established in Derick’s name to plant a tree in his honor and to provide a scholarship for a student within University College.

If you would like to contribute to the Derick Nelson Memorial Fund, here’s how:

Online Credit Card Gifts

1.    Visit www.udmercy.edu/donate.

2.    Enter the donation amount

3.    Under Designation, select Area of greatest need from the drop-down menu

4.    In the Additional Comments box, add Derick Nelson Memorial Fund.

5.    Enter tribute information

Cash or Check Gifts

Gift envelopes are at the McNichols Campus library at the Checkout and Customer Service Desk.

Knowing Derick’s penchant for computers and technology, Pastor Coleman said, “Derick downloaded something in all of us.” He certainly did and no bullet can change that.