Author Archives: Susan Broady

by | October 1, 2014 · 6:56 pm

WKU Libraries announces winner of 8th Evelyn Thurman Young Readers Book Award

Western Kentucky UnAdamsiversity Libraries has selected Jilli, That’s Silly! –A Story About Being a Girl, written by Christa Carpenter and illustrated by Mark Wayne Adams, as the winner of the eighth Evelyn Thurman Young Readers Book Award. The national award was created 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 to the university and community. Books eligible for the award must be written or illustrated by a Kentucky author or illustrator or have a significant Kentucky-related connection.

“The committee reviewed several great books; however, this particular book stood out,” said Deana Groves, selection committee member and department head for Library Technical Services at WKU. “It has a very positive message to be true to who you are, and the whimsical illustrations are very colorful and eye catching.”

Christa Carpenter is a mother, a teacher, and a writer. Since childhood she has enjoyed writing plays, poetry, and stories. She lives in Maitland, Florida, with her two children, Nicholas and Jillian, and their funny dog Eddie.

Mark Wayne Adams was born in Dawson Springs, Kentucky, and is a graduate of Murray State University where he received a BFA in drawing. Adams has illustrated over forty books, including The Belly Button Fairy and Polly and Her Pigtails. He has worked for Walt Disney World Company, Sea World Orlando, GSI Architectural Sign Company and is now the CEO of his own business. He currently serves as President for the Florida Authors and Publishers Association.

Both the author and illustrator will be honored at an awards luncheon in November where they will receive monetary awards from Ms. Thurman’s endowment and commemorative plaques. While in the area, Carpenter and Adams will visit local schools as part of the Southern Kentucky Book Fest’s “Fall into Books” program. For more information about the Evelyn Thurman award, visit http://www.wku.edu/library/awards/evelynthurman.php.

This program is made possible by the Evelyn Thurman Children’s Author Fund, the Southern Kentucky Book Fest partnership, and WKU Libraries.

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Filed under Events, New Stuff

by | · 6:49 pm

WKU Library Faculty Nancy Richey receives KLA Innovation Award

Nancy with awardNancy Richey, WKU Associate Professor, received the  Innovation Award from the Special Libraries section of the Kentucky Library Association (KLA) at their annual meeting September 19 in Louisville, Kentucky. The award recognizes the contributions of an individual who has applied creative ideas or innovative thinking in his/her library which has resulted in significantly changed or enhanced service to constituents.

Richey, a lifelong book enthusiast, was surprised and humbled by the honor. “To be personally recognized by the Kentucky Library Association and/or anything to do with books, is very gratifying,” said Richey. “Books were my best friends while I was growing up in a very rural community, and the love of libraries set my career life path.”

Ms. Richey is an Associate Professor at Western Kentucky University Libraries, where she serves as the Reading Room Coordinator and Visual Resources Librarian for the Department of Library Special Collections. Ms. Richey is a native of Mt. Hermon, Kentucky, and has been a faculty member at WKU since July 2008. She is a graduate of the University of Kentucky and Western Kentucky University where she received degrees in Information Science and Southern History. Richey has served on various historical boards, including Giles Historical Society, Morrison Park Camp Meeting Site Restoration Board  and the Daughters of the American Revolution, and has authored two local history books in the Images of America book series published by Arcadia Press. Richey has cleaned up forgotten cemeteries, presented local historical information at regional events, and assisted in the restoration of historical grounds in Barren County. She is responsible for collection development for the Kentucky Library for Genealogy and Local History, and for providing research assistance and library research instruction.

A member of the board of directors for the Kentucky Library Association stated, “(Richey) has reached beyond the walls of the library to offer some amazing support to her community through service on historical boards and in support of historical renovation…(her work) makes her quite a role model to others wanting to provide innovative, valuable outreach and expertise to their communities.”

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Filed under Events, Latest News

by | September 24, 2014 · 6:38 pm

WKU Libraries participates in Banned Books Week

banned book etown3Several library locations are recognizing Banned Books Week with displays of books that have either been challenged or are currently being challenged.

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Launched in 1982, Banned Books Week brings  together reading communities in a shared effort to support the freedom to read, express opinions and ideas, and to generate an awareness of literature being challenged daily. bannedbookwk2

Several locations participated this year, including Owensboro, Elizabethtown, the Educational Resources Center, Helm-Cravens Library, and the Reading Room of the Special Collections Library. bannedbookwk3

Banned Books week began September 21 and will continue until September 27, 2014. Go to http://www.bannedbooksweek.org/about for more information about the program.

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Filed under Events, Latest News

by | September 12, 2014 · 9:49 pm

Student Assistant Orientation gives student employees overview

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 Library student assistants attended an orientation on Tuesday, September 9 to learn more about university policies, regulations, and good customer service. For students unable to attend, they can contact Crystal Bowling, in Cravenss Library, room 302, to get information.student asst orientation2

 

 

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Filed under Events, People

by | September 8, 2014 · 6:38 pm

Regional Authors Showcase

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More than thirty local and regional authors displayed their books at the Regional Authors Showcase at the Bob Kirby branch of the Warren County Public Library on Saturday, September 6.

The partners of the SOKY Book Fest organized the event  which raised money for the Southern Kentucky Book Fest held in April. Go to sokybookfest.org for  more information.

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Filed under Events, General, New Stuff

by | September 5, 2014 · 9:50 pm

Regional Authors Showcase Writers Workshop

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The Regional Authors Showcase Writers Workshop was held on Friday, September 5 at the Bob Kirby Branch of the Warren County Public Library. Forty writers attended the workshop and enjoyed featured presenters Jennie L. Brown and Mark Wayne Adams. Brown’s session titled “The Soap-On-A-Rope Mistake: Why Editing Matters” focused on editing tips and a plan to ease the proofreading process. Adams’ session titled “AIM Kit: Creating Author/Illustrator Media Kit” helped authors learn how to create a personalized media kit. DSC_2539-001

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Filed under Events

by | June 30, 2014 · 7:44 pm

Farewell to Robbie VanValin

DSC_2138 ERC part-time library assistant Robbie VanValin has decided to retire after nearly 7 years with the ERC, where she has been a friendly face and a welcoming voice to ERC patrons. We will miss her very much—her willingness to help, her sweet personality, and her genuine interest and engagement with our patrons and student workers. We would like to wish Robbie all the very best for her retirement.

Pictured are Robbie VanValin sitting in the chair next to ERC staff member Ellen Michelleti.

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Filed under ERC, People, Uncategorized

by | June 23, 2014 · 5:00 pm

WKU’s Research and Creative Database acquires new Readership Map feature

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Western Kentucky University’s research and creative database (TopSCHOLAR) has added a new feature called Readership Map. The new map pinpoints where researchers are located from around the world and what specific data they are viewing at that moment.

“This truly shows the international reach of the intellectual capital of WKU,” said Dean Connie Foster of WKU Libraries. “If you go to the website at any time, faculty, staff, and students’ materials are being downloaded all over the world. It’s a visual method to see where our scholarly works are reaching.”

According to Bepress, the parent company for the repository software Digital Commons, the following describes how the Readership Map works:

The Digital Commons Readership Map provides a dynamic visual display of location-based article downloads of open-access materials from Digital Commons and SelectedWorks sites. When a visitor downloads an article, a highlighted pin drops on the map to indicate the approximate location of the download. The title of the article and the title of the article’s publication (e.g., Dissertations) appears in a feed to the left of the map. When another download occurs, another pin drops; the highlight moves to the second pin, and the feed updates with new title information.

     Go to www.digitalcommons.wku.edu to see the Readership Map in action.

 

 

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Filed under New Stuff, Reference, Uncategorized

by | June 3, 2014 · 4:02 pm

WKU’s pool (built in 1931) was open to the public from 5:30 – 6:30 pm for $.15 per visit

wkupoolDate Built – 1931

Architects – Brinton Davis

Contractor – J.U. Schickli Construction Company

History: The pool was adjacent to the Health & Physical Education Building now known as Helm Library on the site of the current Cravens Graduate Center & Library. “It was located in a lovely spot, although the overhanging trees created a problem in keeping the pool clean. Used for both classes and recreation, the pool was reserved during the 5:30-6:30 hour for the Bowling Green public. Admission was fifteen cents with discounts ranging up to twenty swims for two dollars when payment was made in advance. ‘A warm soap bath,’ ‘regulation cotton suits,’ and rubber caps were required. ‘Spitting, blowing the nose, spouting water are forbidden.'” [Harrison, p. 102]

The pool was heated and had underwater lighting. It was 60′ x 120’ in size and the depth ranged from 3 to 7 feet. The pool was removed in preparation for the construction of Cravens Graduate Center & Library in 1970.

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Filed under General, University Archives

by | May 16, 2014 · 8:43 pm

Graduating student assistants

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WKU Libraries graduating student assistants were recognized May 14. Those in attendance were: Joseph Nimmo, Rebecca Nimmo, Simon Cherry, Jaclyn Melcher, Krystin Avakian, Katy Nash, and Uyen Tran. We wish them continued success.

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Filed under Events, General, New Stuff, Uncategorized