Lyman T. Johnson Award Winners

In concert with the School of Library and Information Studies, the UK Libraries recognized two outstanding individuals with the Lyman T. Johnson Awards at a dinner held on Friday, October 17th. Information about our two honorees follows:

Donald W. Lyons, Sr. – “Torch of Excellence Award”
Donald W. Lyons, Sr. a Lexington native, received his M.S.L.S. from the University of Kentucky in 1971. He is the third African American to graduate from the UK School of Library and Information Studies. Lyons earned his undergraduate degree in history and political science from Kentucky State University (KSU), and his first library employment was at KSU in 1971 when he became a library assistant in the Blazer Library. In 1976, Lyons was named director of the library and remained in that post until 1989, when he became Athletic Director at KSU. Lyons was also an instructor and he supervised first year teacher interns employed in various public school systems in Kentucky. He advanced to the rank of professor prior to his retirement in 1999, and currently holds the rank of Professor Emeritus. He is a Trustee and Treasurer of the KSU Foundation, overseeing the day-to-day operations, and serving as Executive Secretary. Donald W. Lyons, Sr. is the husband of Myra L. Briggs Lyons. He is the father of Donald, Jr. and Reginald Lyons, and the grandfather of Ahmad and a new grandbaby named Destiny.

Faith Steele – “Torch Bearer Award”
Faith Steele, a Lexington native, is a graduate student in the University of Kentucky School of Library and Information Studies. She has elicited favorable feedback from the faculty with positive contributions to courses and helped to make the coursework beneficial and more valuable. She has also shown leadership skills during her time in the program, such as helping to coordinate several fundraisers so that three of her fellow students could attend the 2008 American Library Association Conference. She was recently elected President of the student chapter of the American Library Association, and is the new Chair of the African American Librarians and Library Employees Roundtable, a division of the Kentucky Library Association. She is an avid recruiter and has volunteered her time to attend the library school’s recruitment events. She has also provided suggestions of other recruiting avenues the library school might explore as they look to increase diversity in their student population. Steele, who earned her undergraduate degree from the UK College of Human and Environmental Sciences, is presently a library assistant at the Lexington Public Library and a graduate assistant at the University of Kentucky Medical Center Library.

Congratulations to these award recipients!

Stacey Greenwell Receives Award from KY Chapter of SLA

Stacey Greenwell was the recipient of the 2008 SLA-KY Chapter Outstanding Chapter Member Award. The Outstanding Chapter Member Award is given to a chapter member for a notable or important contribution to the Kentucky Chapter of the Special Libraries Association. Criteria include: chapter member for at least one year, chair or coordinator of a special project, someone who consistently volunteers to do chapter work, someone who enhances the goals of the chapter, or someone who consistently contributes ideas to committees or at board meetings that are incorporated for the enhancement of the chapter.

From the citation:

Ms. Greenwell has been active extensively at the international level in the Special Libraries Association. She has served as Chair of one of the largest divisions in the association, the Information Technology Division. She also served this Division as Program Planner for the 2005 SLA Annual Conference.

Ms. Greenwell established the association’s Facebook page. She also founded a series of programs at SLA Annual Conference to serve those information professionals who work in desktop support for their organizations. She has also initiated the effort to create an Academic Division within SLA to support the continuing education needs of academic librarians. Stacey Greenwell’s service to the association has been recognized and she has been asked to serve on two association level conference planning committees for 2009 and 2010. Her work at the international level has brought recognition to the Kentucky Chapter.

Stacey Greenwell is very active in the Kentucky Chapter of SLA. She has served as Bulletin Editor, Secretary, founder of the Chapter blog and the Virtual Presence Chair when the Chapter hosted the Association’s Leadership Summit in January 2008 in Louisville, Kentucky.

Ms. Greenwell has become known as an expert in a relatively new field of Information Commons, speaking about that topic quite extensively. She has also created the well-regarded blog, The Uncommon Commons, which deals with her experiences at the Information Commons at the University of Kentucky, as well as other events that occur in her life as a librarian.

Also see pictures of Stacey and the award at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bks4jhb/2956183965/in/set-72157608194490685/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bks4jhb/2956181603/in/set-72157608194490685/

Congratulations Stacey!

UK Libraries External Review Committee Appointed

This spring the UK Libraries will be having its periodic review as part of the University’s ongoing assessment process. Theses reviews occur every 5-7 years with the library last being reviewed in 2002-2003. The committee will be chaired by Phyllis Nash (Department of Behavioral Sciences). Other members include:

Larry Alford, Dean of Libraries, Temple University
Terry Birdwhistell, Libraries
Dan Brass, School of Management
Randolph Hollingsworth, Undergraduate Studies
Grant Mills, Student Government
Paula Kaufmann, University Librarian, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Ana Rueda, Department of Hispanic Studies

I have added the memo from the Provost to SharePoint under the Office of the Dean, Program Review.

Alice Wasielewski Resigns

Alice Wasielewski, Library Technician Senior in The Hub @ WT's and Reference Commons, Research and Education Division, has submitted her resignation. She has accepted a position as Visiting Reference and Instruction Librarian with Eastern Kentucky University Libraries. Alice was employed as a student worker in Special Collections and Digital Programs during 2005 - 2006 and then as a temporary employee with the Hub prior to accepting her current Library Technician Senior position.

We thank her for all of her excellent work with the Libraries and wish her much personal and professional success and happiness.

Linda Niemi Hired at Lexmark

Linda Niemi, former news researcher at the Lexington Herald-Leader, has been hired into the Library Technician position at the Lexmark Information Center. Linda holds a B.S. in Psychology from Oklahoma State and an MLS from Northern Illinois University. Previous to her work at the Herald-Leader, she was Head Physics Librarian at the University of Virginia and Head Reference Librarian at Georgetown College. She will begin her position with the Libraries on October 27.

Next Dean's Update

The next Dean’s Update will be issued on Friday, November 7, 2008.

Why Librarians Should Contribute to Wikipedia

From American Libraries Direct

Why librarians should contribute to Wikipedia

Lauren Pressley and Carolyn J. McCallum write: “The presence of librarians in Wikipedia as content contributors would assist with the creation and maintenance of a more scholarly environment. Their involvement could change academicians’ minds about Wikipedia. What is currently shunned by many in academia as a flawed information resource would become regarded as a good place to begin their research. When following an external link to a library’s website, nonlibrary users may want to explore their local libraries to discover what other valuable information and resources can be found.”...Online, Sept./Oct.

ProQuest and Google partner on newspaper archive

From American Libraries Direct

ProQuest and Google partner on newspaper archive

ProQuest has formed a partnership with Google that has the potential to bring millions of pages of newspaper content to the open web. Google launched the initiative September 8 in conjunction with ProQuest and Heritage. ProQuest will also supply from its microfilm vault newspaper content that can be delivered effectively in the less formal framework of the open web. The company currently holds more than 10,000 newspaper titles, most of which are pristine master film copies. Users can explore this historical treasure trove by searching the Google News Archive or by using the timeline feature after searching Google News. Over time, Google will begin blending these archives into its main search results....ProQuest, Sept. 8; Official Google Blog, Sept. 8

Collections Emergency Response Team

From American Libraries Direct

Collections Emergency Response Team (PDF file)

The American Institute for Conservation is offering free emergency response assistance to cultural organizations. Help make sure that staff members of collecting institutions know how to contact the AIC Collections Emergency Response Team when a disaster—hurricane, flooding, earthquake, fire—has damaged collections. Call AIC’s 24-hour assistance number at (202) 661-8068 for advice or to arrange for a team to come to the site to complete damage assessments and help with salvage organization....American Institute for Conservation, Sept. 9

WorldCat for iPhone

From American Libraries Direct

WorldCat for iPhone

Alice Sneary writes: “I don’t have an iPhone yet, but I just found (another) reason to want one: There is now a WorldCat app developed for it, available for download at the Apple apps section (for free). If you have an iPhone, download it and let us know how it performs for you. In fact, we might even send you a free WorldCat t-shirt in exchange.”...WorldCat Blog, Sept. 16

IUPUI Leads the way in digital depostories

From American Libraries Direct

IUPUI leads the way in digital depositories

Libraries are taking a leading role in working to save important online texts, videos, audio, and photos from vanishing as websites change and die. Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis in particular has developed a national reputation for building these online databases. IUPUI has four of them, which is more than most universities. Two that launched recently also store content from outside organizations, a step beyond what most universities do....Indianapolis Star, Sept. 29

New Fellows Society Members

Last weekend has the University’s recognition of its new fellows and those who have reached new levels of giving. The Libraries recognized 11 new or upgraded fellows including Bess and Tyler Abell (and their children and grandchildren); David Rice and Ellen Rice (children of Library Associates board member, Angela Rice); and John and LuAnnette Butler (faculty members at Austin Peay University in Clarksville, TN); and Martha Durham Schweitz (and her husband Eric, the daughter of Henry Durham). I appreciate the confidence that these donors show in the work you are doing and its importance in the lives of our students, faculty and Commonwealth.

2008 Phonathon

The Libraries 2008 phonathon, conducted in conjunction with the Office of Development’s annual giving program, set all time records for both number of donors at 589 and the total dollars raised at $41,564. In addition, a long time Libraries supporter provided a first ever, matching grant of $12,500 that matched the amount that donors increased their giving over last year. Phonathon gifts this year were targeted to add to the Young materials endowment. Jessica Hughes and Sharon Ross plan and manage our phonathon participation with the Office of Development. Thanks for the good work on this important part of our fundraising program

SOLINET and PALINET Board Vote to Merge

From the letter that announced the vote:

We are pleased to announce that the Boards of PALINET and SOLINET have approved a recommendation to merge the two organizations. Both Boards completed due diligence and as a result developed the vision and strategy for the new organization.

The combined strength each network brings to the new organization will significantly enhance the education, leadership development, advocacy, technology, and savings on information products and services that our members want, while still providing the high level of service and local connection you currently value.

The combined resources, shared expertise, and improved operating efficiencies will result in

• Rapid implementation of new programs
• Greater consortial savings opportunities
• Extended networking and collaboration among members
• Innovative technology solutions in areas including open source, digitization, and collection management
• An expanded curriculum covering the latest topics with industry experts from both networks.

Your vote is the most important step in this process. By December 1, you will receive specific information regarding the merger plan and necessary legal documentation to inform your vote. The vote is expected to take place in early 2009.

We know you are also eager to hear about several key areas concerning the new organization including the board and membership structures, governance, new name, and locations. Both Boards are completing work on these specific details and will provide this information as part of your vote information packet.

We look forward to working together to build a stronger library community.

Sincerely,
Carol Pitts Diedrichs, Board Chair, SOLINET
Kate Nevins, Executive Director, SOLINET

Search Committee for the Dean of the College of Communication and Information Studies

I’m pleased to let you know that Donald Case (School of Library and Information Studies) and I will co-chair the search committee for the Dean of the College of Communication and Information Studies. Director of the School of Library and Information Studies, Jeff Huber, will also serve on the committee. The remainder of the committee members will be announced soon. This position is very important to us since the SLIS is part of the College of Communication. I look forward to the process of identifying a new leader for this college.

Library Visibility and Marketing

The last few weeks have seen a flutter of interest and publicity for the work the UK Libraries is doing. Here’s what I know about:

• The Nunn Center for Oral History featured on the upper right corner of the UK web page (http://www.uky.edu/) or the full text at http://www.uky.edu/webuk/spots/spot-155.html
• The excellent blog created by Deirdre Scaggs and the UK archives is now linked on the official UK blog site. Look for Curiosities & Wonders: News and interesting items from the University of Kentucky archives at; http://ukyarchives.blogspot.com/ or http://w2.uky.edu/UKPR/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=106&Itemid=173
• Stacey Greenwell was interviewed by Michael Stephens for the ALA Techsource blog. Check it out at http://www.alatechsource.org/blog/2008/09/ms-new-post.html
• Rick Brewer presented a poster session at the Association of Research Libraries Fall Forum: Reinventing Science Librarianship: Models for the Future on his work with the College of Public Health (http://www.arl.org/events/fallforum/forum08/index.shtml)

Present Live Shares PowerPoint Presentations

From American Libraries Direct

Present Live shares PowerPoint presentations

Alana Taylor writes: “AuthorStream, the site that allows you to send PowerPoint presentations straight to YouTube , your iPod , and your blog, released Present Live September 2. This allows you to share your presentation with a selected group of friends and contacts on the internet in real time. I can see this working well not only at conferences but also in the classroom where students and teachers can easily interact through the internet.”...Mashable, Sept. 2

Kindle Kudos

From American Libraries Direct

Kindle kudos

Jenny Levine writes: “I’ve had my Kindle ebook reader for just about four months now, and as I suspected, the amount of book reading I’m doing is going up. During the summer, I’ve tended to start multiple books and finish none of them. But the Kindle is changing this, mainly because I’m using my daily commute and other travel times to integrate reading books back into my routine. I’m reading less online and more on the Kindle. I especially like having Newsweek automagically appear on the device at the beginning of each week.”...The Shifted Librarian, Sept. 2

October 14 was Open Access Day

From American Libraries Direct

October 14 was Open Access Day

The Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition, the Public Library of Science, and Students for FreeCulture have jointly announced the first international Open Access Day. The event will offer researchers, educators, librarians, students, and the public the chance to participate in live, worldwide broadcasts of events. In North America, events will be held at 7:00 p.m. (Eastern) and 7:00 p.m. (Pacific) and will feature appearances from English biochemist Sir Richard J. Roberts and pharmacist and PLoS editor Philip E. Bourne....SPARC, Aug. 28

New e-newspaper reader

From American Libraries Direct

New e-newspaper reader

The electronic newspaper, a large portable screen that is constantly updated with the latest news, has been a prop in science fiction for ages. It also figures in the dreams of newspaper publishers struggling with rising production and delivery costs, lower circulation, and decreased ad revenue from their paper product. While the dream device remains on the drawing board, Plastic Logic introduced September 8 its version of an electronic newspaper reader: a lightweight plastic screen that mimics the look—but not the feel—of a printed newspaper. Watch the demo (5:55). Will it be a Kindle killer?...International Herald Tribune, Sept. 8; Engadget, Sept. 11

Next Dean's Update

The next Dean's Update will be October 17.

National Diversity in Libraries Conference

In concert with the Kentucky Library Association, the Southeastern Library Association and the Association of Research Libraries, the National Diversity in Libraries Conference was hosted in Louisville this week. Participants had a spectrum of options of keynote speakers, poster sessions, and more topical sessions. Our library faculty and staff were well represented as usual. Reinette Jones served as UK’s representative on the planning committee and I am very appreciative of the fine work that she did on our behalf.

Recent Consultants Visit

Thank you to the many members of our faculty and staff who met with the R&E/IT consultants earlier this week. For some time Kelly, Toni and I have been talking about various issues about the services we provide, the organizational structure we have, the need to determine what positions to fill, etc. It has also been almost 4 years since we did our large reorganization. Since then we have done some tweaking to the organization e.g. establishing a director of branches in R&E. As we look at where we want to go and how to get there, I felt the need for same outside help in gathering information and providing us with some feedback. At the same time, I discovered that Marilu Goodyear and Beth Warner were doing exactly this sort of consulting work and that they had just the right skills to provide us with good advice.

What happens next? Hopefully by the end of October, the consultants will provide us with their report. That will be shared broadly. Then we’ll decide what comes next.

I appreciate the candor with which all of you interacted with the consultants and I look forward to their report.

Library Hours to be Restored

Over the past few weeks, you have, no doubt, read and heard about the students’ concerns about the reduction in hours for the Young Library. I find it heartening that the students have so effectively and reasonably articulated their need for access to the Libraries and been willing to take that case to me, the Provost, and to their student government leaders.

I’m pleased to report that there will be a press release this evening announcing the restoration of 24/5 access effective October 19. Funding to restore the hours is being provided by the Student Government ($10,000) and the Provost ($20,000). This funding will provide the needed funds for this academic year. We will work with the Provost during our usual budget process about the restoration of permanent funding for the years ahead.

Circulation will, of course, be recruiting student employees so please spread the word once the press release is made public.

United Way

You will already have received a message from President Todd about the start of the annual United Way campaign. Janet Stith represents the Libraries on the Campaign Cabinet and others in the Libraries will be visiting to deliver pledge cards. Even very modest contributions add up in big ways to help the agencies which received funding through the United Way. I hope you will consider a donation as your circumstances permit.