So You Think You Want to be a

Viticulture Librarian in Michigan?

by Suzi TeghtmeyerAgriculture, Forestry and Botany

LibrarianMichigan State University

Background

• B. S. in Forestry, minor in Agronomy in 1993

• MLS in 1997, Emporia State University, Kansas

• Last 8 years, the Head of the Paul Evans Library of Fruit Science, Mo. State University, Fruit Experiment Station. Evans Library has an extensive grape & wine collections, supporting more than 40 years of grape & wine research

• Now the Michigan State University Ag., Forestry & Botany Librarian

What do you need to know?

• What the subjects are• The primary questions

asked• The best online resources• The best journals• The best books• Who to turn to with

questions

What the subject is:

• Viticulture is the growing of grapes

• Enology the science of winemaking (spelled oenology everywhere outside the United States)

• Both date back to the earliest of time, and are still alive and thriving as never before

The primary questions

• What are the grapes to grow in my area or what kind of grapes are these?

• How do I start a vineyard?

• How much will it cost to establish a vineyard?

The best online resources• AgNIC Viticulture Web site:

• http://www.msue.msu.edu/portal/default.cfm?pageset_id=429445

• AgNIC - Agriculture Network Information Center– An alliance of librarians and

information professionals with a Web-presence who are coordinated by the National Agriculture Library.

– www.agnic.org

AgNIC Viticulture Web site

AgNIC Viticulture site, TOC

Grapes to grow in my area

Grapes to grow in my area

Grapes to grow in my area

Starting a vineyard

Starting a vineyard

Cost of establishment

Cost of establishment

The best journalsThe Scientist

– American Journal of Viticulture and Enology - At MSU

– Australian Journal of Grape & Wine Research - Must ILL

– Vitis - At MSU

Home Grower– American Vineyard - Must ILL– American Fruit Grower – at MSU– Wine East - Must ILL

The best journals

The best books• This is an ambiguous question

and the answer depends on what the patron wants.

• General information – look online– Have them look at the materials

categorized on the AgNIC Viticulture site, as many general questions are covered in this format.

The best books• Textbook information

– The grape grower : a guide to organic viticulture / Lon Rombough - SB389 .R76 2002

– Grape growing / Robert J. Weaver – get via Melcat

– Northern winework : growing grapes and making wine in cold climates / Tom Plocher and Bob Parke - SB388 .N6 2001

– Viticulture, Vol. 2: Practices / edited by P.R. Dry and B.G. Coombe - must ILL

– A wine-grower's guide / Philip M. Wagner- SB389 .W32 1965

The best books-Classics

Who to turn to with questions• Locally – For general information, me, as I

am the AgNIC Viticulture librarian – e-mail address is on the main Michigan State University AgNIC page and the Library page

• For specific cultural information, MSU Extension’s Grape Pages: http://www.grapes.msu.edu/

• Group support- Wine Librarians Association – Librarians who work with viticulture and wine information on a regular basis (I’m a member)

• Various lists: AgNIC Viticulture Page – Reference Tools discussion lists

Thank you!!

Have a ‘grape’ day!!

Suzi TeghtmeyerAgriculture, Forestry and Botany Librarian

Michigan State Universityteghtmey@msu.edu