Bird's Eye View

UK Libraries Donors Help with End-of-Year Gifts:

Thanks to all of our friends who made end-of-year gifts to UK Libraries.  Private support is essential to helping UK Libraries provide essential support to our students, faculty, and citizens of the commonwealth.  Also, last fall’s phonathon raised a record $50,027 for the UK Libraries Enrichment Fund. Your support and generosity is appreciated very much. 

Provost Kumble Subbaswamy Signs Berlin 9 Declaration on Behalf of UK:

In 2003, the Max Planck Society and the European Cultural Heritage Online project brought together international experts with the aim of developing a new web-based research environment using Open Access for making scientific knowledge and cultural heritage accessible worldwide.

Since then, over 300 of the leading international research libraries and scientific and cultural institutions have signed the Berlin Declaration on Open Access to Knowledge in the Sciences and Humanities, a document that outlines concrete steps to promote the Internet as a medium for disseminating global knowledge. 

We appreciate Provost Subbaswamy’s support for UK Libraries and open access to scholarship.  Associate Dean Mary Beth Thomson is the University’s contact with Berlin 9 and is leading UK Libraries’ open access initiatives including UKnowledge.

Frank Stanger Featured in Lexington Herald-Leader Article:

Since 1977 Frank Stanger has been providing answers to researchers using UK Libraries’ Special Collections.  Last month, the Lexington Herald-Leader had a wonderful article detailing Frank’s dedication to his work and the special services he provides researchers from around the world.

http://www.kentucky.com/2011/12/26/2007017/when-you-need-answers-uk-research.html  

Stephen Sizemore Appointed to University-Wide Finance Task-Force:

UK has established a Financial System of Accountability task force to review the University's financial systems and make recommendations to the President for any needed changes by June 1.  Stephen Sizemore, UK Libraries Director of Finance and Administration, has been appointed by President Capilouto to service on the task force which is chaired by Dr. Tim Tracy, Dean of Pharmacy, and is comprised of 11 members. 

UK Libraries to host South African Intern:

On March 10^th UK Libraries will welcome Yusuf Ras, an agricultural librarian from the University of Stellenbosch in Stellenbosch South Africa.  Mr. Ras is part of a group of 15 librarians from South Africa who are taking part in a program funded by a grant from the Carnegie Institute of New York to improve library support for researchers in South African university libraries.   

Toni Greider, UK Libraries Director of International Programs, has arranged for Mr. Ras to begin his internship here after spending two weeks at the Mortenson Center for International Library Programs at the University of Illinois.  The internship runs through April 27^th.   

Other institutions providing internships for this program are: University of Washington, Purdue University, Duke University, Yale University, University of Arizona, Washington University, St. Louis, University of Kansas, Case Western Reserve University, McGill University, University of Waterloo, Cornell University, University of Connecticut, Johns Hopkins University, and Emory University.

Annual Holiday Luncheon:

 

Over 135 UK Libraries faculty and staff plus retirees, building operators, and custodial staff attended this year’s holiday lunch in the UK Student Center.  Holiday music was provided by Tari Keller, Ruth Bryan, and Debbie Godfrey.   

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Thanks to the Hospitality Committee for making this annual event such a great success:   

·         Toni Greider

·         Jason Keinsley

·         Mary McLaren

·         Cindy Parker

·         Peggy Phillips

·         Jennifer Richmond

UK Libraries Participates in GSP/GSA Day

On December 19, Shawn Livingston, Director of Information Services, and Stacey Greenwell, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Research, met with students and their families at the Governor’s Scholars Program and School for the Arts Day.  They also provided a tour of the William T. Young Library.  This annual event seeks to recruit Kentucky Governor’s Scholars Program and Kentucky School for the Arts participants and is one of UK’s largest and most successful recruitment events with over 300 students and families in attendance.  This was the first time in recent years that UK Libraries participated in the event, and next year we plan to expand our presence at the event.

President Appoints Deirdre Scaggs Co-Chair of Sesquicentennial Committee:

President Eli Capilouto has appointed Deirdre Scaggs, Associate Dean for Special Collections, Co-Chair of the University’s Sesquicentennial Committee.   Mike Richey, Vice President for Development, will serve as the other Co-Chair.  The committee is charged with developing academic, philanthropic and special event programming in celebration of the university’s sesquicentennial in 2015. 

Lunch with the Dean:

Staff members Laura Hall, Kevin Campbell, and Jennifer Richmond joined Terry on December 14 in his office for the first “Lunch with the Dean.”  It was a great opportunity to socialize and talk about ways to improve UK Libraries.  The second lunch will take place this month and every UK staff is invited to submit her/his name for the lunches which are held monthly.

Terry Birdwhistell
Dean of Libraries