Gutenberg to Gratz Park: Hand Printing at the King Library Press

On February 21, UK Libraries hosted a reception for the exhibit “Gutenberg to Gratz Park:  Hand Printing at the King Library Press” at the Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning.  The reception was held in conjunction with the first Lexington Gallery Hop of 2014 and drew over 280 people in to view the collection of hand printed broadsides and books representing the work of the King Library Press over the past 50 years.   Over one hundred works of the Press are included in the exhibit, either framed or in display cases.  During the reception a live demonstration of hand printing was offered on the early 20^thcentury Sigwalt Ideal no. 5 tabletop press that is also part of the exhibit.  Small examples printed on this press were given as keepsakes.  The exhibit runs through March 30 and is available for viewing from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.  Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday; and 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Saturday.   Paul Holbrook, Director of The King Library Press, curated the exhibition and was assisted by Gail Kennedy, Arts and Outreach Librarian in Special Collections.

Reference Services Intern Completes Online Research Guides

William T. Young Library Reference Services intern Roda Ferraro has been busy lately.   She recently completed two online research guides that will be very useful to our students, faculty, and community researchers.  The first concentrates on 19^th Century periodicals, which, though multidisciplinary in nature, will appeal greatly to students of literature.  Not only did most of our greatest 19^th century authors publish their fiction and poetry in serials, but a substantial amount of criticism, reviews, and essays can also be found in the pages of Harpers, the Atlantic, McClure’s, and many of the lesser known publications, giving us a window into how the works were received when first written.  The magazines also provide primary source material on many facets of 19^th century life for students of history, politics, gender studies, and many other areas.

Roda also recently completed a research guide to the resources for historical statistics.  This guide, which features a multitude of sources for all sorts of statistical data from the US and around the world, primarily helps researchers of history, economics, and sociology, but many other subjects as well.  Historical statistics can provide researchers with fresh insights, allowing them to look at issues they might have thought they understood in new and interesting ways.

Along with these two recent accomplishments, Roda also worked on the Passport to the World:  Viva Mexico! project.  In addition to creating a detailed guide to Mexican Business and Economics, she also used her background in museum work to create displays of native Mexican garments that were exhibited on the first floor of Young Library.  She has also assisted on the reference desk and with information literacy classes.   

In addition to her work in reference and her studies as a library science graduate student, Roda is also working in the Conservation Lab with Kazuko Hioki, Conservation Librarian,  and will start a field experience this summer under the direction of Collections Management Archivist Megan Mummey.

19^th Century Periodicals:  http://libguides.uky.edu/content.php?pid=551766

Historical Statistics:  http://libguides.uky.edu/content.php?pid=563428

University Press book receives Thomas D. Clark Medallion

UPK Director Steve Wrinn with Gov. Collins

This year’s recipient of the Thomas D. Clark Medallion, Kentucky Government, Politics, and Public Policy," edited by James C. Clinger and Michael W. Hail and published by the University Press of Kentucky, was celebrated at a presentation February 27.

As part of the medallion presentation, Governor Martha Layne Collins spoke on her experiences in state government and the importance of books like this in helping citizens understand the political process. Jack Brammer, Frankfort reporter for the Lexington Herald-Leader, moderated the event.

The Thomas D. Clark Foundation was established in 1994 in honor of Thomas Clark, Kentucky’s historian laureate and founder of the University Press of Kentucky. Since 2012, the foundation has chosen two books which highlights Kentucky history and culture to be honored with a Thomas D. Clark Medallion. Kentucky Government, Politics, and Public Policy joins previous recipient, The Hills Remember: The Complete Short Stories of James Still, as the second book so honored.

Kentucky Government, Politics, and Public Policy is the first comprehensive volume on Kentucky government and politics in three decades and features contributions from Kentucky’s most well-known and respected political scientists. It covers state and local institutions, policy issues facing the state, and future political developments in the commonwealth.

Alebrijes of Oaxaca, Mexico: an Exhibition of Mexican Folk Art from the State of Oaxaca

As part of "¡Viva Mexico!," University of Kentucky Libraries presents "Alebrijes of Oaxaca, Mexico: an Exhibition of Mexican Folk Art from the State of Oaxaca." Showcasing more than 30 Oaxaca alebrijes on loan from UK faculty members' personal collections, the free public exhibit is on display through April 25, in the atrium of the William T. Young Library.

Whimsical carvings depicting animals, people, objects and imaginary creatures, alebrijes are known for their paintings of intense colors and intricate patterns. Carved from the twisting branches of the copal wood, the figures are sanded and painted with a base coat of paint. The final painting is done meticulously with detailed designs and vibrant colors.  

Although alebrijes are often assumed to represent a long established tradition of Mexican folk art, they only began to appear in the 1940s.

Writing Center celebrates 30 years of service

The UK Writing Center, a program in the Department of Writing, Rhetoric, and Digital Studies in UK’s College of Arts & Sciences, is celebrating its thirtieth anniversary with a reception and renaming ceremony on March 5 from 3 - 5 P.M. Events will be held in the Writing Center, room B108B, William T. Young Library. The Center will honor its founders, leaders, supporters, and partners with a brief program of speakers, live music, and videos. Refreshments will be served. On this occasion, the Writing Center will be renamed for Dr. Robert E. Hemenway, who founded the center during the 1983-84 academic year.