Some of the WKU Libraries faculty and staff celebrated University Color Day standing on the Jump Circle on the first floor of Helm Library, which used to be the gym of the university.
WKU Libraries Celebrated College Color Day
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New Video to Introduce Libraries Available
A new video to introduce the WKU Libraries has been released on YouTube, accessible from the Libraries’ web site at www.wku.edu/Library/tour/. Or you may get the video directly from YouTube, which is linked from our Libraries’ home page.
The video is planned by a committee of Libraries’ faculty led by Peggy Wright and produced by Josh Niedwick, Associate Producer/Director for WKYUPBS. It is made available by a Provost’s Initiative for Excellence (PIE) grant in the amount of $4,000 and the support of Mike Binder, Dean of Libraries.
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WKU Libraries Kicked Off the New Academic Year
Like every year, WKU Libraries kicked off the 2008-2009 academic year at a meeting in Helm 100 on August 20. Mike Binder, Dean of Libraries, keynoted the meeting with a PowerPoint presentation that highlighted the achievements made by the Libraries’ faculty and staff in the past year (You may download the PowerPoint ). Meanwhile, the department heads briefed the audience on their departments’ personnel changes and introduced their new hires. A sumptuous lunch followed, thanks to the Dean’s graciousness and the hard work done by the staff of his office.
In the afternoon, the department heads took the floor. Brian Coutts, Department Head of Library Public Services, introduced a newly produced video that leads patrons on a tour of the Libraries; Connie Foster, Head of Library Technical Services, introduced SelectedWorks, a web-based platform that allows faculty to present their works of academic research hands down; Timothy Mullin, Head of Library Special Collections, introduced Libraries’ application of Second Life, a virtual environment on the web that promises new services to Libraries’ audiences.
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DLPS 2008 Faculty Retreat
Every summer faculty of each of the WKU Libraries’ departments will meet separately to look back into the past and look forward to the future. On August 19 faculty of the Department of Library Public Services (DLPS) met at the Federal Groves Bed & Breakfast as usual to share information about its different units. At noon Dr. Binder, Dean of Libraries, joined them for lunch.
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What’s It Worth?
On Saturday, April 16, antique lovers from around South Central Kentucky participated in an Appraisal Day at the Kentucky Library & Museum. Appraisers were on hand to tell them something about their family heirlooms and give them an idea of the value of their treasures.
More photos
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Encyclopedia of Latin American History and Culture
Every year Dr. Brian Coutts, Head of Public Services at WKU, reviews the Best Reference Books of the past year. But not only does he review reference works, he also writes and contributes to reference works.
The Encyclopedia of 
Latin American History and Culture, is a monumental work and represents the best of scholarship on Latin America. It includes over 5000 articles, and over 3000 biographies inclusive of all periods from prehistoric times to the present. It features over 100 full-color photographs in addition to hundreds in black-and-white. 
Dr. Coutts, who has a PhD in Latin America History, wrote the main country article for Belize, and the article for the capital of Belize – Belmopan. In addition, he wrote biographies for the first three Prime Ministers of Belize – George Price, Manuel Esquivel and Said Musa – as well as shorter articles on New Orleans, Spanish Louisiana and other topics.
The Library Gets a New Name
In 1971 the Cravens Graduate Center and Library opened greatly expanding the available space for the Library. Named for Raymond L. Cravens, a Political Science professor and Vice President of Academic Affairs, the CGCL comprised both the Library and the Graduate school.
Dr. Cravens was a Graduate of Western (A.B. ’52, M.A. ’55) and the University of Kentucky (PhD ’58). From 1958 until 1980 Dr. Cravens was involved in many areas of the administration of the University, twice being referenced as a candidate for president. 
After many years of library growth, and the move of the Graduate Office, the shortened name Cravens Library began to be used instead of CGCL. Therefore, this week the University Libraries has unveiled the new name of the CGCL – The Raymond Cravens Library.
Come check out the new name, and check out a book or audio-visual material while you are here.
WKU Librarian Wins National Achievement Award
Deana Groves, assistant professor and education catalog librarian at Western Kentucky University, was presented with an Outstanding Achievement Award from the American Library Association last week at the ALA’s national conference in Anaheim, Calif.
The 2007 3M/ALA New Member’s Round Table Professional Development Grant was one of only three awarded in the United States in 2008 . The award, sponsored by 3M Library Systems for more than 30 years, recognizes selected librarians nationwide based on qualifications that include academic achievement, work experience, honors earned and library association activities.
“Deana’s achievements not only bring national attention to WKU library programs and faculty projects, but also support the university’s goal of developing international reach,†said Connie Foster, head of Library Technical Services. “She sets an exemplary standard and we are excited about this honor for her and WKU Libraries.â€
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Check out Kentucky Titles!
Need additional resources about Kentucky architecture, politics, oral history, or just Kentucky writings? These new or standard titles by or about Kentucky are available in the Cravens Library circulating collection:
The Death of Luigi Trastulli and Other Stories: Form and Meaning in Oral History
To Western Woods: The Breckinridge Family Moves to Kentucky in 1793
Antebellum Architcture of Kentucky
Clay Lancaster’s Kentucky: Architectural Photographs of a Preservation Pioneer
America! What’s My Name? : The “Other” Poets Unfurl the Flag (ed. Frank X. Walker)
The Politics of Despair: Power and Resistance in the Tobacco Wars
If you have any other titles that you would like to see in the collection about Kentucky or by Kentucky authors, please let us know.
Connie Foster, Head
Dept. of Library Technical Services
July 16, 2008
DLPS Congratulates Nancy on Her New Position
On Thursday, June 26, 2008, Department of Library Public Services held a party to congratulate Nancy Marshall, Senior Reference Associate, on her new position as the Image Librarian with the Kentucky Library & Museum.
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