Library Regatta Success Highlighted in The Statesman

Posted on May 21, 2013 by Janet Clarke

Stony Brook University Libraries gained recognition by The Statesman for their Roth Regatta efforts!In 2012, Stony Brook University Libraries surprised themselves and others by earning the 2nd place Speedster trophy in the annual Roth Regatta. Though this victory seemed, at the time, to be one solely of staff pride of achievement, we later learned that this attempt at library outreach had served its original intention. A year later, as we prepared to embark on a second voyage in the regatta, we were approached by Nina Lin, a journalism student writing for The Statesman newspaper, who wished to chronicle our boat building efforts from beginning to end, to see if we could repeat our previous success and win well deserved recognition among others in the campus community.

This year the project drew in more staff participants for the construction of the boat, a hot dog shaped vessel representing our symbol of the race’s theme, America. There were new rowers who proudly represented Stony Brook University Libraries: Kenneth Doyle, from the Main Circulation Department, and Donna Sammis, of Interlibrary Loan. The duo sailed to victory in their first heat, and their efforts on the second go-around earned them a spot in the finals. It was more than we could have hoped for. Many attendees paused by our boat on race day to offer their compliments and encouragement, and for that we are grateful.

We must also thank Ms. Lin for drawing attention to the current use of last year’s regatta boat, the S.S. Melville. It currently resides in the Central Reading Room, on the first floor of the Melville Library, and was transformed into a very popular unit for housing donated books that are used for our Give a Book Take a Book campaign. Patrons are free to take any books they wish, with the hope that they will either return them after completion or exchange them for another. The project has been a huge success and we thank everyone who has contributed thus far! Please see Kathleen Maxheimer (kathleen.maxheimer@stonybrook.edu) or Kristen Cinar (kristen.cinar@stonybrook.edu) if you have any donations that you would like to bring it. Or feel free to drop them off in the boat yourself.

With any luck next year’s efforts will be every bit as successful. It is a pleasure for us to be a part of campus events, and even more so to be cheered on by the patrons we serve.

To view Nina Lin’s video coverage, click here.