Author Archives: Susan Broady

University Libraries and the Department of Music of WKU presented Kevin White from Mineral Area College on the evening of Tuesday, March 19 at the Rehearsal Room in the Music Hall at WKU. The topic of this segment of a series known as America’s Music was “The History of Rock n Roll: Episode 6, Plugging In (from Bob Dylan acoustic to Haight-Asbury electric).”

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     The Southern Kentucky Book Fest was recently announced as one of the Kentucky Travel Industry Association’s Top 10 Festivals for Spring 2013 in the state of Kentucky. In the company of other noted festivals such as Keeneland and the Kentucky Derby, the SOKY Book Fest will be held on Saturday, April 20 in Bowling Green at the Knicely Conference Center.

     “We were very happy to hear the news from the Bowling Green Area Visitors Bureau,” said Kristie Lowry, Literary Outreach Coordinator for WKU Libraries and Coordinator of the SOKY Book Fest. “We feel the SOKY Book Fest is an important event for our region and part of what makes Southern Kentucky such a special place to live and visit. We appreciate the recognition from KTIA.”

     More than 140 authors for adults and children will be in attendance including the well-known actor, author, producer, and director Henry Winkler, most recognized for his portrayal of “The Fonz” for 10 seasons on Happy Days (1974-1984).  Mary McDonough, well-known actress best known for her role as Erin Walton from The Waltons, will be in attendance with her book Lessons From The Mountain, What I Learned From Erin Walton. Mary is a public speaker and workshop leader, and she will be the presenter at a breakfast on Saturday aimed at girls and a healthy body image. Included among many other panels and presentations, Jarrett Krosoczka, creator of the Lunch Lady book series, will give writing tips for kids in 4^th-8^th grades on Saturday afternoon.

     In addition to the main Saturday event, children’s authors and illustrators will be the focus at Children’s Day on Friday, April 19. The Kentucky Writers Conference will also take place that Friday featuring writing workshops presented by authors who will be participating in the Book Fest on Saturday.

     SOKY Book Fest is a partnership project of WKU Libraries, Warren County Public Library, and Barnes and Noble Booksellers. For more detailed information about the SOKY Book Fest, go to sokybookfest.org or contact Kristie Lowry, coordinator of the Book Fest, at kristie.lowry@wku.edu or 745-4502.

Hundreds of eager readers shopped the Macy’s Used Book Sale this past weekend (February 8-10, 2013), raising money for the Southern Kentucky Book Fest held in April. This year’s Book Fest headliner Henry Winkler is sure to bring in many fans along with many other authors including Mary McDonough (best known for her role as Erin from “The Walton’s”), Bob Edwards former host of Morning Edition, and bestselling author Sherrilyn Kenyon. Among many of the children’s authors and illustrators participating this year are Obert Skye, Amy Ignatow, Debbie Dadey, Stacey Curtis, Jarrett Krosoczka, and Kristin O’Donnell Tubb. The event will take place at the Knicely Conference Center on Saturday, April 20. For more details, go to sokybookfest.org.
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WKU Libraries honors Black History Month with a display on the fifth floor of Cravens.

WKU Libraries is pleased to announce the opening of “The Commons at Cravens” located on the fourth floor of the Cravens Library at Western Kentucky University’s main campus. The Grand Opening will be Thursday, January 31 at 4 pm with remarks at 4:30 pm by the President, Provost, WKU student Mark Reeves, and Dean of Libraries.

“This is an exciting transformation for the Library,” said Connie Foster, Dean of WKU Libraries. “Students can work as a group in one of the collaborative booths, sit at a bistro table overlooking the campus, or just BYOD (bring your own device) and plug into one of the stations at the laptop counter.”

According to Foster, the newly renovated floor offers a single service desk for research assistance, technology support, and writing center tutoring–all conveniently located across from Circulation Services. The space will provide students with more computer access, whiteboards for study, and movable furniture to fit their study needs.

Tiffany Hayes, Project Manager from WKU Planning, Design, and Construction, said the construction began October 1, 2012 on approximately 9,600 square feet of space and was completed January 15, 2013.

 “The scope of improvements included new carpet and rubber flooring, fresh paint, vinyl wall covering, a new laptop counter, soffits above circulation and reference desks, and decorative wall panels,” said Hayes. “The furniture company installed new computer workstations, booths, and the reference desk. The existing circulation desk was rearranged.”

“We hope this transformation creates a positive place of possibilities-a place Where Knowledge Unfolds,” said Foster.

For more information on WKU Libraries, go to wku.edu/library.