Service Awards and Dean’s Awards for Outstanding Performance presented

Honorees after the ceremony, with Dean Terry Birdwhistell. Click photo to view larger.

On May 22, UK Libraries honored 27 faculty and staff for their years of service ranging from 5 to 40 years, in a ceremony held in the UK Athletics Auditorium of William T. Young Library.

Honorees:

Toni Greider

Meg Shaw

Lynne Bowman

Susan Daole

Sandra McAninch

Mark Ingram

Rob Aken

Jeff Suchanek

Jo Staggs-Neel

Laura Hall

Paula Hickner

Shawn Livingston

Craig Wilkie

Lalana Powell

Eric Weig

Mary Vaughn

Mack McCormick

Bridgett Kidwell

Scott Swift

Kelly Vickery

Amanda Williams

Doug Boyd

Stephen Sizemore

Troy Martin

Michael Slone

Jacqueline Doucet

Suzanne Runyon

The Dean’s Award for Outstanding Performance went to Nancy DeMarcus (UK Records Program), David Powell (Electronic Resources), and Allison Webster (University Press of Kentucky).

A reception followed in the Alumni Gallery of Young Library.

Mary Molinaro takes on new leadership role in UK Libraries

Like all research libraries, we are experiencing tremendous challenges and opportunities.  It is more important than ever that we pursue strategic initiatives that will keep UK Libraries central to the teaching/learning and research missions of the university.

For well over two years, UK Libraries has been working to position UK Libraries to play a central role in the curation of UK research data.  It has become increasingly clear that UK Libraries must act now to lead in this important area.  Research libraries nationwide are moving rapidly into this important area.

I am pleased to announce that Mary Molinaro will take on this important strategic initiative effective July 1.  As founding Director of UK Libraries Research Data Center, and working in partnership with UKAT and the Vice President for Research Office, Mary will be responsible for the development, implementation, and assessment of data management services for faculty, research centers, staff, and students.  The Research Data Center will include data management education, training, and facilitation including in-depth data management consultation services and support for the writing and management of research grants. 

With Mary taking on this new responsibility, Digital Library Services and the KDL will return to Special Collections.  Other units within Library Technologies will report to the Senior Associate Dean. 

Ashlea Schneider nominated for student employee award

Before the end of the 2013-2014 academic year, University of Kentucky Human Resources recognized Ashlea Schneider, a student employee in William T. Young Library, as a nominee for the 2014 Student Employee of the Year Award. Ashlea worked in Acquisitions and Serials, and was nominated by her supervisor, Peggy Phillips. Peggy reports that Ashlea is the first student she has ever nominated for the award. Congratulations to Ashlea on a job well done

“A Kentucky Treasure” documentary features oral history interviews from the Nunn Center

Rare footage, oral histories, and commentary from notable Kentuckians chronicles the story of the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts in a new documentary airing on KET (Kentucky Educational Television). “A Kentucky Treasure: A Center For All,” created by Joanna Hay with oral history interviews from the Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History at the University of Kentucky Libraries, will take viewers on a journey examining the artistic legacy of the commonwealth’s first and largest performing arts center.

“A Kentucky Treasure,” first featured on KET2 May 21, 22, and 23, will air again on KET3 at 4 p.m. and on KET1 at 5:30 p.m., on Saturday, May 31. To see a listing of all air dates for "A Kentucky Treasure: A Center for All," visit KET online at: www.ket.org/tvschedules/episode.php?nola=KTRCE+000000.

The documentary recounts the initial founding and opening of the Kentucky Center in 1983 through interviews with numerous civic, business and government leaders, many of whom were directly involved with its inception and development more than 30 years ago. Oral histories lend unique behind-the-scenes perspectives to the film, and footage and images from Nov. 19, 1983, transport viewers back to the center’s opening night. The half-hour documentary was commissioned as part of the Kentucky Center’s thirtieth anniversary.

Students have a blast on the balcony

Taking a break from finals, students gathered on the third floor south balcony of William T. Young Library the evening of Tuesday, May 6. The successful event offered subs, pizza, and soft drinks, along with the opportunity to enjoy music and a “bird’s eye” view of campus. Many thanks go to event organizers Carrie Poll and Jen Martin, as well as volunteers Jacqueline Doucet, Kyle Bachman-Johnson, Roxanna Jones, Daniel Naas, Debbie Sharp, Mary Molinaro, Greg Casey, Shawn Livingston, and Stacey Greenwell. Our students are the reason we all do what we do, so it was wonderful to pause a moment to support them during finals week.