Editor: Stacey Karn, University of Idaho Graduate Student

Winter 2004/2005 Issue

Since 1957, when the University of Idaho Library moved from the Administration Building to its own newly constructed facility, the growth of the campus has brought the library closer to the University's center. Though many always considered the library to be at the heart of learning, it now is also at the geographic heart of our university-seemingly securing its position on the University of Idaho campus. However, in recent years, this position-its place and value-has been threatened by ongoing technological advances. As books become less used as sources (while publishers issue more and more of them) and serials increasingly move online, the library was-to many-destined to whither away like the Marxian capitalistic state. With all this change, some pose the question: what are libraries for today? While there is no doubt that academic libraries today are confronted with the overwhelming burden of integrating their traditional role as repository and information provider with the increasing demands of our technology-based society, many libraries, including the University of Idaho Library, have sought to meet the challenges presented by this ever-evolving world of learning.

In spite of the oft-repeated contention that it was only a matter of time until the modern academic research library became obsolete with the constant progression of technology, librarians, with hard work and forethought, have focused on technology's beneficial role in learning and research. Eastern Michigan University professor Morell Boone has pointed out that, "since the 1990s, libraries have moved steadily away from being mere repositories of printed materials to something more complex, more expansive, more exciting, and more indeterminate." This is especially true of the University of Idaho Library.

Ultimately realizing, as Boone suggests, that "students and faculty expect not only network accessibility and electronic catalogs, but also media collections, efficient delivery systems, and quasi-public space to engage in interactive learning," the technologies implemented by the University of Idaho Library are forever changing and expanding. It is clear that the faculty of the University of Idaho Library is meeting the rapid pace of the technology industry in two ways. First, the library provides as many of the new academic resources to students as possible, balancing cost with potential use. New online resources are being added frequently. Second, and more importantly, the library faculty, in keeping up with these new learning technologies, provide students with the opportunity to maximize their use of these resources through library instructional classes and one-on-one hands-on reference sessions. The Student Research Assistance Program provides specialized consultation on an on-demand basis.

Through this ongoing mission, the University of Idaho Library has become much more than a repository of printed materials for students and faculty in Moscow. While students still cling to some long-held "traditional" views of the library-its connection to academic excellence, scholarly achievement, and good study habits-typical student views have evolved along with changes in education and information technology. Particularly, students recognize that the technological resources offered by the library have dramatically changed the face of their education at the university- providing them with advantages in conducting research as well as learning opportunities. Because of this, the library's perceived value among students has been greatly enhanced.

In the past few years, Towers has reported on many of the technologies the library has implemented in its ongoing effort to improve and expand its resources. In addition to housing two computer labs and offering wireless laptops to its patrons, the library's services have been expanded to include e-books and e-journals, a growing digital library (which includes "INSIDE Idaho" and "Digital Memories"), and several other technology-based services. But, the future for the University of Idaho Library could hold even more exciting educational innovations based upon today's (and tomorrow's) technological advancements.

Recognizing that learning technologies are growing more deeply rooted within the university setting, academic libraries are focusing on strategic adaptations. One such concept is the "information commons." Put simply, an "information commons" provides a cooperative setting for student learning and research. In this environment, students would have access to not only current library resources and technology, but also other more specialized resources such as media-based technology experts and group workstations. Some implementations even include a coffee and snack service. Although the "information commons" idea at the University of Idaho is still in the planning stage and seeking financial support, it will surely serve to further expand the library's contribution to student learning.

Even in the midst of rapid educational and technological change, the library somehow always seems to remind students of its past-they continue to see it as a place to study and to pursue their academic endeavors; both as a laboratory and scholarly community. Moreover, despite frequent assertions of the library's impending extinction, today's academic library continues in its mission to guide students in their studies and point them toward their academic futures. When the new library was built on the base of the 1957 library, it was clear that technological change must be recognized and incorporated. Now, in time for the library building's forthcoming semi-centennial, additional changes are being planned in order to make technologies meet the needs of future students. Perhaps it is for all of these reasons that yesterday, today, and tomorrow our library is at the heart of learning on the University of Idaho campus.

Websites of Interest

*Digital Memories

*INSIDE Idaho

*UI Library E-book Access

*UI Library Online Reference Tools

*Student Research Assistance Program

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The library is in the process of completing two years of introspection and self-examination. In 2003, following a self-study, we invited a team of outside evaluators to come to campus, interview students and faculty, and make recommendations. As a result of their recommendations, we accelerated the transition to electronic research journals and indexing services, adding a number of desirable, but expensive, services. The reviewers suggested we administer the LibQual+ standard survey on library quality to assess views of the library by a larger group.

In Spring 2004, we sent the survey to 1200 randomly selected students, faculty, and staff. The survey results indicated above average satisfaction with library services when compared to other academic libraries surveyed. However, comments received from the survey showed that some faculty and students had a great deal of difficulty in finding what we had; all the suggestions for additional titles were ones already owned. As a result, we completely revised our Web pages, and contracted for software to list all our journals--both paper and electronic--in a single list. We also purchased software that links citations in an electronic index directly to the full text of an electronic article with a single click of the mouse. Students also clearly expressed their desire for media resources beyond books and journals. We have since purchased over 1000 academic-quality DVDs and plan to continue to grow the collection.

This past semester we hosted another external reviewer as part of the University's re-accreditation and got a generally favorable review. The Graduating Senior Survey also showed progress. "Satisfactory or better" service evaluations were usually at the 90% level and they remained there. In the most recent survey, satisfaction with library collections jumped by 7% to 89%.

We're pleased with the trend, but not resting on our laurels. In cooperation with Information Technology Services, we're conducting focus groups on campus to find out what users visualize as their ideal future for information resources, so our services can further meet our users' needs.

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• Crimes of War: Burton Ellis and World War II
• From the Dean
• Burton F. Ellis Papers

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What is more important in a library than anything else-- than everything else--is that it exists.

-Archibald MacLeish, Librarian of Congress during World War II

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In 2001, the University of Idaho Library received the papers of military attorney and U of I graduate Burton French Ellis from the B.F. Ellis Estate Trust. A large portion of the collection includes approximately 50 folders of photographs, negatives, scrapbooks, and slides of Ellis' travels, family life, and military career. I have been working in Special Collections on the photographs since last December.

Currently, I am a senior majoring in Broadcast Journalism. For my major, I frequently have to do some research before I put a story on the air. Working on the Ellis photos, I've had to use my research skills to learn about him, about World War II, and about the Malmedy Massacre, which was a significant event during the war. This project has been enjoyable for me because I like to learn about U.S. history.

When I began working with the photographs, I was assigned to describe them. Most of the pictures had some information about them, but some did not. The most challenging thing about working with the photographs was trying to come up with a description for the ones that had little or no information about them. For example, I had to find just the right words to describe a photograph of two unidentified men in uniform on a dusty street in India.

After coming up with descriptions, I entered the information into the historical photograph database and scanned each picture. Entering keywords into the database form permits the researcher to search for and view specific images.

After looking through all the photographs, I learned about all the different places Burton and his wife visited or lived. Even though he had a busy life in the military, Ellis was an average guy who loved to spend time with his family and friends. He liked to get away from the busy military life to his ranches in California or Montana. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and golfing on his off days.

The pictures give you a chance to see what life was like for him and his wife. I imagine that life for the both of them had its ups and down because of the military. During the war crime trials in Germany, Burton was separated from his wife for quite some time. In the letters he wrote to his wife Dee, he always told her how much he loved her and expressed optimism for their post-war life. From the pictures I've seen of the couple, I could sense that they really loved, cared, and cherished the time they spent together, especially in the later years of their life.

Even though life may have been rough at times because of moving from place to place, it appears they enjoyed traveling. There are many pictures of different places they had been to, and it seems they'd been almost everywhere around the world. I liked the slides from Hawaii, South America, and the photographs from India which captured the scenic beauty of each of these locations.

Burton French Ellis was born on September 13, 1903 in Troy, Idaho. He spent much of his childhood moving between Lewiston, Idaho; Spokane, Washington; Manchester, Iowa; Humphrey, Idaho; and ranches in Montana. While living in Iowa, he graduated from high school at the age of 15. When he moved back to Idaho, he wanted to go to college at West Point but was not admitted because of an irregular heartbeat. When he turned 17, he enrolled at the University of Idaho.

As a student at the University of Idaho, he was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. He was nicknamed "Hump" or "Humpy" because the university required students to put the first few letters of their hometown on registration forms. Ellis took time off between semesters to work in the oil fields of California. In 1929, Burton Ellis graduated from the University of Idaho with a BA in Political Science. He then earned his Juris Doctorate from the U of I College of Law in 1933. After college, he remained active with the U of I Foundation and Alpha Tau Omega fraternity throughout his life.

After college, he worked as a tax attorney for the Texas Company (Texaco) from 1929 to 1942. He lived in Los Angeles and New York City during that time period. In 1942, after war was declared, he volunteered to become a commissioned officer in the Army. After training, he was sent to India as a trial lawyer, serving as both prosecuting and defense attorney for military personnel.

A week before World War II officially ended, Ellis was assigned to be an investigator at the Europe War Crimes Group, and subsequently was named Chief of Operations. As Chief of Operations, Ellis was in charge of the investigation of the Malmedy Massacre. Since I didn't know much about the Malmedy Massacre, I had to do some research in Ellis' papers (photographs and letters to his wife), in the library, and on the Internet.

This process has been quite a learning experience. I think the biggest thing I have learned is how tragic the Malmedy Massacre and the concentration camps were. The graphic photographs of death and prisoners dying hit me hard. I couldn't imagine what these people went through. After studying the pictures, I wanted to learn more about this time in history.

The Malmedy Massacre happened at the Baugnez Crossroads in the Ardennes Forest in Belgium on December 17, 1944. The massacre took place on the second day of fighting of the "Battle of the Bulge," which was the largest land battle the United States participated in. The battle went on for 40 days in the bitter December cold and was considered one of the bloodiest battles of World War II with over 81,000 U.S. casualties, 1,400 British killed or wounded, and 100,000 Germans killed, wounded or captured. Nearly 20,000 of the dead were Americans. In addition, a number of American soldiers were taken prisoner in this battle.

On the second day of the "Battle of the Bulge", Hitler's Waffen Schutzstaffel (armed defense squad) troops gathered up a group of unarmed American POW's and opened fire on them. Some escaped, but the SS troops found them hiding in a café nearby. They lit the café on fire, and shot the people who ran out of the building. 72 American solders died in this massacre.

A year and a half later, on May 16, 1946, the Malmedy Massacre Trial began in Dachau, Germany, with Burton Ellis as the Chief Prosecutor. 73 members of the Waffen-SS were put on trial, accused of ordering or participating in the massacre. The verdicts were read on July 16, 1946 and all 73 accused were sentenced to death by hanging; however, the verdicts were later set aside.

After the Malmedy trial, Ellis was appointed Deputy Chief of War Crimes in Dachau, Germany, where he was placed in charge of 900 personnel. He operated eight trial courts and prosecuted 1,100 war crime defendants in a six-month period. The Ellis papers contain photographs and files of documents related to his war crimes prosecution.

The Malmedy Massacre trial is still relevant today. Recently, the University of Idaho College of Law put on the "Post-Conflict Justice: From Malmedy to Halabja" symposium in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. The symposium focused on the administration of post-conflict justice and the relevance of international law to the Idaho community; topics particularly relevant with U.S. troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. A related event was a series of films concerning the Malmedy Massacre shown at the Kenworthy Theatre in Moscow in March.

After the war crimes trials in Germany, Ellis was stationed at the Presidio in San Francisco from 1948 to 1950 as Executive Officer and Acting Army Staff Judge Advocate. He supervised all legal activities for the Army in eight western states. When the Korean War broke out, Ellis was transferred to I Corps in Korea for one year. Again, he supervised all legal activities, including war crimes.

Subsequently, Burton Ellis was stationed in Washington, D.C. and then Hawaii, representing defendants and later becoming Judge Advocate. In November of 1958, Ellis retired from the military as a Colonel. During his military career, he received the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, and the Korean Service medal.

After his military retirement, Burton Ellis and his wife moved to Merced, California, where he began a private legal practice. He had a ranch, raised cattle in Montana with his brother, and traveled extensively with his wife. His wife Dee passed away on May 26, 1998 at the age of 90. Burton Ellis passed away on December 29, 2000 at the age of 97. His entire estate was left to the University of Idaho Foundation to fund the Burton F. "Humpy" Ellis and Dee H. Ellis Academic Excellence Endowment, 20 percent of which is specifically designated to benefit the Law Dean's Development Fund. Included in the estate were his historic papers and photographs which were placed in the university library.

The University of Idaho Library is fortunate to have received this important group of historical documents from one of the university's exceptional alumni. Working with the Ellis photographs has helped me gain more knowledge and appreciation of our country's history.

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This year the Library's Faculty are collaborating on a State board of Education Technology Incentive Grant to integrate Information Literacy concepts into the UI's Core Discovery courses. Information literacy is the skills that allow students to locate, evaluate, and use or present the information in academically appropriate ways.

In a few short years the library world has gone from locating, storing, and allocating scarce resources to mediating an abundance of information in many different formats - print on paper, digital articles, audio and video (in tangible and streaming forms) as well as the random and ever-changing information swamp called the World Wide Web. Students no longer just type five page papers, but are increasingly involved in multi-media group projects intended for presentation and transmission, rather than solitary reading.

In order to facilitate the new learning, we're planning the next iteration of the University Library: The Information Commons. This concept would bring together all forms of knowledge and scholarship, combined with flexible spaces for group and individual study, the necessary tools to produce papers and presentations, with expert assistance on site to teach and advise students in Information Literacy skills.

In order to create the necessary space, we'll need to develop alternative storage space for some of the print collection, and remodel for the new environment. Given the current fiscal situation in higher education, this will not happen immediately, and alternative funding must be developed for the project. But this is clearly the next step in a journey that began in the first Administration Building in 1892.

--Ron Force

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When received, the B.F. Ellis papers consisted of 24.5 cubic feet of letters, memos, photographs, scrapbooks, and other papers. The records span the years from his childhood and college days in the early 1900s to his death in 2000 with the bulk of the material covering the years 1929-1998. Documents from his father's safety deposit box date back to the 1850s. Included in the collection are Ellis' business records, correspondence, military career papers, case files relating to the Malmedy Massacre and other war crime atrocities, University of Idaho memorabilia, Dee Ellis' correspondence, photo albums, scrapbooks, loose photographs, 8 mm film and a 35 mm news reel of the Malmedy Massacre trial, slides, negatives, plaques and awards relating to the entire period of his life. They were processed by Marilyn Sandmeyer and Hilerie Scott in 2003 and 2004 with financial support provided by the University of Idaho Trust and Investment Office. Certain folders are restricted from all use until fifty years after the last dated document in the file.

The descriptive inventory of the collection can be found on the World Wide Web at . The index to the 3,000 photographs is included in the Historic Photograph Collections database, which lists over 85,000 items, housed in Special Collections.

The Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. holds additional materials relating to the Malmedy trial that were donated by Ellis in 1990.

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