About the Honnold/Mudd Web Logo
Why is the logo octagon shaped?The octagon is used as an architectural motif thoughout the Honnold/Mudd Library:
Mazes and Labyrinths
- as windows in New Library
- as ceiling ornamentation in Special Collection and the Founder's Room
- in the walkway on the North Quad
People have constructed mazes or labyrinths throughout history. The most famous maze was the maze of the Minotaur, a beast that was half bull, half man. Ariadne gave Theseus a ball of thread that he could unwind to leave a trail as he searched the maze for the monster. After Theseus slew the Minotaur he was able to follow the thread back out of the maze. (For sites with more information about mazes and labyrinths see the bottom of this page.)
Why use a maze for our logo?
Consider the research process. The researcher begins with questions, and an idea of a path that should lead to the answers. From a starting point the researcher will follow the path which seems most direct. Many paths will prove to be interesting detours, rather than leading directly to the goal. When this happens the researcher must backtrack and try a different direction.
The maze is a metaphor for the research process. The staff of the Libraries of the Claremont Colleges have constructed many threads to lead researchers to their goals more quickly. Within the Libraries' web site there are pathfinders for specific courses (Course Guides) and guides that provide information and links to research experts and tools for research in different subjects (Subject Research Guides). We hope that, when you feel lost, you will come to any of the Libraries' Reference Desks for guidance.
For more information on Mazes:
Rukeyser, Muriel. Mazes. Photography by Milton Charles, New York, Simon and Schuster [1970]. HON PZ 8.3 R88 M3
Matthews, William Henry. Mazes and labyrinths; their history and development. New York, Dover Publications [1970] SPR SB 475 M3 1970
Go to our Homepage (http://voxlibris.claremont.edu) choose Databases and Online Services, then choose Subject List of Databases, select All Subjects - General Reference, then choose Britannica Online. Search mazes to find an article with tips on maze navigation, search labyrinth for a brief history of mazes.
For current news articles on mazes search Academic Universe (from the subject list of databases choose News, then Academic Universe). There are some interesting articles on people making mazes in corn fields!
Search page titles for the word "mazes" on Hotbot.com. Use the most visited sites link to find other sites on mazes and links for related searches (such as recursive mazes or miaze mazes).
In Yahoo follow one of these paths:
Home > Recreation > Games > Puzzles > Mazes
Home > Recreation > Games > Internet Games > Web Games > MazesSome of the websites which focus on mazes are:
- THINK LABYRINTH! (http://www.astrolog.org/labyrnth.htm) includes a Java applet that allows you to create Mazes, and solve them from a 3D first person view.
- The AMAZING HEDGE PUZZLE featuring The Jubilee Maze and Museum of Mazes (http://www.btinternet.com/~mazes/index.htm)
- MAZES (http://www.stg.brown.edu/projects/classes/ma8/papers/emorgan/w3.html)
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