Building Partnerships across the Campus:

Kate Black, Jeff Suchanek, and Katie Henningsen, archivists in Special Collections led an information session for graduate teaching assistants in the History Department.  During the session the TA’s were introduced to primary sources in Special Collections which would be beneficial to their teaching and research. 

UK Participates in E-Science Institute:

Mary Beth Thomson, Associate Dean for Collections and Technical Services, Kathleen Grzech, Associate Director, Proposal Development Office and Sue Smith, Head of the Science and Engineering  Libraries attended the Association of Research Libraries (ARL)/Digital Library Foundation (DLF) E-Science Institute Capstone in Atlanta, Georgia November 30 through December 2, 2011.

 The ARL/DLF E-Science Institute (ESI) designed a set of learning experiences that take small teams of individuals chosen by research libraries though a process that strengthens and advances their e-science support role. UK is one of 76 Association of Research Libraries participants. The institute began in July 2011 with assignments for the UK team which were worked on at UK and coordinated through the program and culminating in the Atlanta capstone event.  During the capstone event over 12 university teams began creating strategic agendas for e-research support for their institutions. 

 E-research refers to the use of information technology to support existing and new forms of scholarly research in all academic disciplines, including the humanities and social sciences.  

Advisory Board Member Martha-Ann Alito on NPR Report:

“At The High Court, A Tribute to a 'Chef Supreme,'” an NPR report by Nina Totenberg featured a cookbook assembled by the spouses of the Supreme Court justices.  The book, Chef Supreme: Martin Ginsburg, was Martha-Ann’s idea and is a tribute to a master chef, the late Martin Ginsburg, husband of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

 You can listen to the entire segment here:

http://www.npr.org/2011/12/12/143352409/at-the-high-court-a-tribute-to-a-chef-supreme

Valerie Perry Appointed to College Program Review Committee:

Valerie Perry has been asked to serve as a member of the External Review Committee of the College of Communications and Information Studies.  The purpose of the committee is to provide the college with an external perspective regarding the quality and effectiveness of its programs, services, resources, processes, and operations, using the college’s self-study as a starting point.  The periodic review of a college provides an opportunity for a group of colleagues and the Provost to evaluate the college’s current condition, progress toward college and university goals, and future direction.

Highlights from the Collection:

In a letter dated 1869 August 30 Mary Todd Lincoln writes about her grief, "...my daily prayer is that the time of my terrible probation here on earth may be short-ere we are united - never more to part."

Recent Acquisitions:

University Archives recently acquired the William Chambliss papers (5 cubic feet, 1944-1988). Dr. Chambliss, a specialist in East Asian history and Japanese, was a faculty member at the University of Kentucky from 1959-1988, first in the School of Diplomacy and International Commerce and then in the History Department.  Prior to his appointment at UK, he was a Fulbright fellow in Japan (1956-1958) and during World War II, served in the Military Intelligence Service Language School at the University of Michigan, teaching Japanese (1944-1945).  From 1966-1967, he spent another year in Japan on another Fulbright scholarship.  He obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan in 1959.  He was a graduate of Male High School in Louisville, KY (1941).

The papers document his role in the UK History Department and development of Asian studies, particularly in Japan and China.  It also includes original research for his dissertation on the history of the silk trade; for an English translation of a Japanese history of the Meiji Era; and a handbook on translating Japanese into English.  It also includes textbooks and other course information documenting the Japanese courses he taught in the Military Intelligence Service Language School.

Five Libraries worth a Visit:

http://itineraries.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/12/05/9228244-leaf-through-a-library-on-your-next-trip            

Terry Birdwhistell

Dean of Libraries

Alumni Gallery:

New signage has been placed outside of Alumni Gallery.  The UK Alumni Association played a crucial role in the funding formula for the construction of the William T. Young Library.  Alumni Gallery is one of the busiest rooms in the building.  We appreciate the ongoing support of the UK Alumni Association for UK Libraries.

Paula Hickner Elected to MLA Board of Directors:

Paula Hicker has been elected as a Member-at-Large on the Board of Directors for the Music Library Association.  Her two year term begins at the close of MLA's annual meeting next February. Each board member has a special assignment and Paula’s will be as the organization's Fiscal Officer.

Paula received master’s degrees in Library Science and Musicology from Indiana University and has been music librarian at UK Libraries since 1993.  She also teaches in the UK School of Library and Information Science.

 Congratulations Paula!

Personnel:

Robert Holland, Server Administrator/Programmer I, started his position in Digital Library Services, Library Technologies Division, on December 8, 2011.  He earned his undergraduate degree in Computer Science from UK and has previous work experience as a web developer, IT Director, database analyst, and firmware test engineer. Robert is located in the Margaret I. King Building. Welcome, Robert!

Abbye Tackett has accepted the position of Library Technician Senior in Special Formats, Collections and Technical Services Division.  Abbye earned a Masters of Music Performance in addition to a master’s degree in Library and Information Science, both from UK.  She is very familiar with the Lucille Little Fine Arts Library, having previously worked there as a student assistant and temporary staff member.  Abbye's start date will be January 9, 2012.  We look forward to her return to UK Libraries!

SACS Update:

UK Libraries learned this week that we are 100% compliant in both Student Learning Outcomes and Strategic Planning and Annual Programs.  This is an important milestone for UK Libraries as we prepare for next year’s Southern Association of Colleges and Schools reaccreditation visit.

Many thanks to Judy Wiza, Assessment Librarian, for all of her hard work in guiding us through the SACS reports.  Thanks as well to Sarah Vaughn, Jen Bartlett, and Toni Greider for their assistance in preparing the UK Libraries SACS reports.

Meg Shaw Selected to Lead Lucille Little Fine Arts Library:

Meg Shaw, Art and Theatre Librarian, has been named Head of the Lucille Little Fine Arts Library, effective February 1, 2012. Reporting to UK Libraries Director of Branches, Valerie Perry, she will be responsible for the administration and operation of the Fine Arts Library, including library services, collections, and personnel, and for establishing priorities in support of strategic initiatives. 

Additionally, Meg will be responsible for other Little Library activities including developing special programming and assisting with donor relations.  Meg will continue her liaison activities, contribute to an active instruction program focused on subject-related information literacy instruction, and contribute to the reference services in the Little Library.  

With 32 years of professional experience, Meg is well-prepared to lead the Fine Arts Library. She holds an undergraduate degree in Art History and served as Head of the Art Library from 1982 until it merged with the Music Library into the Little Fine Arts Library in 2000. Her research interest includes Kentucky artist Harlan Hubbard and she has developed a notable collection of artists' books for the Fine Arts Library.

Meg replaces Gail Kennedy, who will relocate to Special Collections on February 1 and then begin a half-time phased retirement assignment in Special collections on July 1, 2012.  

UK Libraries National Advisory Board:

Greg Casey, Director of Development for UK Libraries, and I had the opportunity this week to visit with three UK Libraries National Advisory Board members in Washington, D.C.;  Bess Clements Abell, Anne Ritchie, and Martha-Ann Alito. 

Bess Clements Abell is a UK graduate and served as Lady Bird Johnson’s White House Social Secretary.  Later, she served as Executive Assistant to Joan Mondale.  She and her husband Tyler Abell developed Merry-Go-Round Farm, a unique residential community near Potomac, Maryland.  Bess and Tyler established the Earle C. Clements Endowment in honor of Bess’s father, a former Kentucky Governor and Unites States Senator.  The endowment supports a graduate assistantship in UK Libraries.

Anne G. Ritchie received Master of Arts degrees in History and Library & Information Science from the University of Kentucky. While working at the University of Kentucky Libraries from 1977 to 1988, she began the Appalachian Collection in Special Collections and directed oral history projects on a variety of topics including the Frontier Nursing Service, John Jacob Niles and the Christian Appalachian Project. Since 1990, she has been the oral historian at the National Gallery of Art and is a past president of the National Oral History Association.

Martha-Ann Alito completed a B.A. in comparative literature in the UK College of Arts and Sciences, and an M.A. in library science in the School of Library and Information Science. She worked as a reference librarian at Neptune Public Library in Neptune, New Jersey; a librarian at the United States Attorney's Office in Newark, New Jersey; Head of Reference at the U.S. Department of Justice; and Library Director at Congressional Quarterly.  In addition to her service on the UK Libraries National Advisory Board, Martha-Ann is active in volunteer activities including the Wounded Warriors program with Walter Reed Hospital, participating as a judge in the Ethics Bowl at Marymount College, and serving on the Board of the Children’s Inn at NIH.  

Thanks to our Advisory Board for their support of UK Libraries.

Terry Birdwhistell

Dean of Libraries

Faith Harders Appointed to Historic Preservation Commission:

Faith Harders, Head of the Hunter M. Adams College of Design Library, has been appointed by Mayor Jim Gray to the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government Historic Preservation Commission.  The commission helps conserve historic structures, districts and resources in Lexington-Fayette County by providing technical assistance to owners of historic properties, working with property owners in the historic districts to assist them with the design review process and other preservation concerns.

Julene Jones Completes UK's Essential Leader Program:

The Essential Leader Program (ELP) is for employees wanting to become better leaders and learn key leadership skills.  Participants complete 80 hours of classroom work over a two year period.  The program focuses on seven leadership competencies, including communication, teamwork, creative problem solving and flexibility, interpersonal skills, professionalism, resolving conflicts and leadership.

Congratulations Julene!

Anglican Prayer Book Collection Dedication:

The Abbitt-DuPriest Collection of Anglican Prayer Books at the University of Kentucky will be unveiled as part of a dedication ceremony scheduled for 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6, in the Great Hall, of the Margaret I. King Building. The dedication ceremony is free and open to the public.

 This collection of prayer books, dating back to 1592, is a gift to the UK Special Collections from the Rev. Travis T. DuPriest, former director of the Dekoven Retreat and Conference Center in Racine, Wis., and UK alumnus.  http://uknow.uky.edu/content/anglican-prayer-books-collection-unveiled-uk