The Seattle PTDL is located in the Engineering Library at the University of Washington.

2009 has been about collections and facilities at the University of Washington Engineering Library. After relocating over 25,000 volumes to an off-campus storage facility in 2008, we are continuing a project to reclass our remaining Dewey materials into LC. We are doing mini-shifts of the collection, but when reclassification is complete, we will plan and implement a shift of the entire circulating collection. We also spent 2009 as a construction zone. The fire alarm and sprinkler systems were upgraded throughout the building. The other issue that dominated 2009: the budget. Budget concerns have overshadowed everything we do, and 2010 will bring more of the same.

A fun item: the UW Club (the faculty club) featured an article in its newsletter about a member who received a patent. The Club also hosted a small informational display about the invention.

Rubens A. Sigelmann, Professor Emeritus, Electrical Engineering, University of Washington
U.S. Patent 7,643,381
Issued Jan. 5, 2010
ONE-MOVEMENT BALANCED HANDS CLOCK
Abstract: “A balanced hands clock. The clock utilizes a single movement, which movement may be located in the minute hand. A gear drive mechanism provides leverage from said movement via a first pivot shaft to drive the hour hand. The clock is mounted in a base for time indicating movement. Covers may be provided to hide the single movement and the gear mechanism, so that no visible drive configuration is visible to an observer.”

I hope to see some of you at SLA in New Orleans and, hopefully, at the next PTDLP Seminar.

-Christina Byrne