WKU Libraries blog

Pop/Indie/Christian Artist Rachel Carrozziere” performed at Java City in WKU’s Helm Library at noon, November 28, 2007.

To learn more about the artist, visit her MySpace.

Western Kentucky University Libraries is proud to announce the acquisition of the Historic Los Angeles Times database, which offers full-text content and images from every issue of the newspaper from Dec. 4, 1881-Dec. 31, 1986.

This database, which is included in the ProQuest collection, will be of particular interest to history and journalism/broadcasting students, but it may also be an important source of information for those studying cultural trends, film studies, television history, fashion, and the history of advertising and marketing.

Bowling Green, Ky. – Western Kentucky University Libraries has selected The Secret of the Lonely Grave by Albert A. Bell, Jr. as the winner of the first ever Evelyn Thurman Young Readers Book Award. The new award is to honor the memory of former WKU librarian, Evelyn Thurman, who made significant contributions to children’s librarianship and literacy during her 25 years of service.

The Secret of the Lonely Grave, is set in a small Kentucky town where eleven-year-old Steve Patterson and his friend Kendra Jordan discover flowers left on an old grave in a cemetery that they pass each day on the way to school. No one has ever left flowers there before and they wonder who could have left them. As they look for answers they uncover secrets about the history of their small Kentucky town that take them back to the Civil War and the Underground Railroad. But not everyone is pleased when they solve their town’s oldest mystery.

Albert A. Bell, Jr. lives in Michigan and teaches at Hope College. He holds an M.A. from Duke, a M.Div. from Southeastern Seminary, and a Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He has authored mystery novels, historical novels, children’s books, a book on the New Testament and baseball.

Mr. Bell will visit WKU on February 16, 2008, to receive his award and discuss writing with participants of the Super Saturdays program, which is sponsored by the WKU Center for Gifted Studies. Super Saturdays students will be given a chance to ask questions and interact with the author.

Books eligible for the Evelyn Thurman Young Readers Book Award fall into two categories, to be awarded in alternating years: children’s picture/early reader books (grades K-4) and books for older readers (grades 5-8). Books must be written or illustrated by a Kentucky author or illustrator, or have a significant Kentucky-related theme.

For more information visit www.wku.edu/library or call 270-745-4502.

Cindy Troutman, Marketing Coordinator, WKU Libraries
cindy.troutman@wku.edu
270-745-4502

The Kentucky Library & Museum in partnership with the WKU Theatre Department offered school day performances of International Holiday to area school children. Written by Bowling Green native Mary Hall Surface, the 40 minute production explores Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas in Mexico, and New Year’s in Japan traditions. During three performances 770 children and adults attended.

Photos at KYLM siteand Photos on Flickr.

Professor Nancy Baird gave an insightful presentation of the history of Christmas traditions. Where did the Christmas tree come from? Santa’s red suit? How about the real story behind The Night before Christmas? Participants also had the opportunity to make their own Christmas ornaments.

The Kentucky Library& Museum participated in this year’s WKU Homecoming parade by carrying a banner promoting Christmas in Kentucky on Saturday, December 1st and distributing fliers to parade goers.

Gail Carson Levine visited Bowling Green schools November 15 and 16, 2007. Levine’s other books include Dave at Night, an ALA Notable Book and Best Book for Young Adults; The Wish; The Two Princesses of Bamarre; and the six Princess Tales books. She is also the author of the nonfiction book Writing Magic: Creating Stories That Fly and the picture book Betsy Who Cried Wolf, illustrated by Scott Nash. Her newest books are Fairest and Fairy Haven and The Quest for the Wand.

Photos of the event on Flickr.

WKU Libraries Far Away Places lecture series featured Heather McKillop in Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Bowling Green, KY, on November 15, 2007. Her topic was “Underwater Maya: Wooden Buildings on the Sea Floor.” Audience numbered nearly seventy. she also signed her books at the end of the lecture.

Heather McKillop is the William G. Haag Professor of Archeology in the Department of Geography and Anthropology at Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge. She has been doing fieldwork on the coast of Belize since 1979, focusing on the ancient Mayan economy, particularly the inundated salt workshops of ancient Maya.

Photos of the event on Flickr.

Singer/songwriter Jordan Pendleyoday performed at Java City in Helm Library on November 13, 2007. This concert is part of the noon-time concert series sponsored by University Libraries. A complete list of events is available at our web site. You may listen to a sample of Jordan’s music at www.myspace.com/jordanpendley.

Photos of the performance on Flickr.