For the 333 project, most history instructors spend some class time in the library, so students can conduct research with supervision. Teachers register their students paper topics with reference librarian Jane Boesch, who makes sure there are not too many students working on similar subjects and sees that the library has the materials students need. The librarians meet once a week to review the sorts of requests they are receiving from students and the topics they are pursuing. When students began expressing interest in the history of science a few years ago, the librarians decided to acquire more materials in this area. One of the 1998 Negley Prize papers, a history of the decline of midwifery in the United States, made use of some of these newly acquired materials.
Students appreciate the quality of the library and the assistance they receive from the librarians.
Kristin Mercado comments, The librarians are incredibly helpful. They know that library inside out. And if our library doesn t have it, nobody north of Boston has it. I used 13 different sources on microfilm. On a sun-drenched morning in May, I return to Exeter to see how the students have fared with their 333s.