ACRL College & Research Libraries News

College & Research Libraries News

News from the Field

Mary Ellen Davis

University of Kentucky dedicates new library

The University of Kentucky (UK) dedicated the William T. Young Library in April. The $58 million, 362,000 square-foot space incorporates state-of-the-art computer and telecommunications technology. Nearly 650 personal computers are available for use. In addition, the library provides hundreds of jacks for laptop computers and operates a wireless ethernet for special laptops. Facilities are also provided for presenting distance- learning courses. The network is fueled by an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) backbone, known for its capacity and speed of 622 million bits per second.

The library’s Audiovisual Services (AVS) maintains videotapes, audiotapes, laserdisks, digital video disks (DVDs) and cable TV, along with facilities to link to satellite feeds. From its central desk, the section can relay information to any or all of the 50 workstations in the AVS area and to 22 small-group study rooms in AVS and other rooms in the library.

Designed by Kallmann McKinnell & Wood, the building occupies nearly 21 acres on campus with eight acres under roof. The building includes 467 student and faculty double-height carrels, 3,000 oak chairs that were tested for comfort, strength, and durability at a Purdue University laboratory, and modular compact shelving is used exclusively. The library also contains 23 general purpose reading rooms, 57 group-study and seminar rooms, and a writing center.

The University of Kentucky's new library features more than 650 computers, hundreds of dataports, and a wireless ethernet for special laptops.

UK officials say the new library will be important in achieving UK’s goal of becoming “a top 20 public research university by 2020.”

Estacado Library Information Network formed

Five southeastern New Mexico libraries have formed an information and resource-sharing consortium known as the Estacado Library Information Network (ELIN). The five institutions are College of the Southwest, Hobbs Public Library, New Mexico Junior College, Lovington Public Library, and Woolworth Community Library. Consortium members will share print and electronic information resources including full access to the Internet. A shared library automation system will allow users to access the holdings of all member libraries.

ELIN is governed by a Board of Trustees consisting of a senior representative from each of the founding organizations. New Mexico Junior College will provide technical and operational support to the consortium.

Minority librarianship recruitment program launched

The University of Pittsburgh’s University Library System and the School of Information Sciences (SIS) have undertaken a collaborative effort directed toward recruiting members of underrepresented racial and ethnic minority groups into academic librarianship. The Minority Librarian Fellowship and Residency Program is a two-year program that provides candidates with complete financial support for earning an MLIS degree during the first year followed by full-time professional experience during the second year.

The successful candidate will receive a full-tuition scholarship to complete an MILIS at the SIS in one-year, a graduate student assistant stipend (within the University Li- brary System), and a full benefits package. Upon successful completion of the degree, the incumbent will receive a one-year ap- pointment as a full-time librarian at the Uni- versity Librarian System.

The newly renovated circulation desk at the Society of the Cincinnati Library.

According to Rush Miller, director of the University Library System, “This program re- sults from a major effort over three years to address issues of diversity within the ULS. We are concerned about the general lack of programs in the recruitment of minorities to research librarianship in general. At Pitts- burgh, we are well-positioned to address the problem with a major research library sys- tem and an outstanding, highly ranked li- brary school with a long tradition of attracting minority students.”

Society of Cincinnati Library reopens

The Society of Cincinnati Library observed its official reopening November 3, 1997. Though closed to researchers since September 1994 for major expansion and renovation, the library continued during the intervening years to acquire books, manuscripts, maps, and works of art on paper relative to the colonial and revolutionary periods in general and to the art of war in the 18th century in particular.

The library, housed in the historic Anderson House in Washington, D.C., now contains some 42,000 items. The renovation, completed by Archetype, converted 10,000 square feet of unimproved basement space to state-of-the-art facilities for library activities. In the process, the Andersons’ wine cellar became an audiovisual room; walls were removed to create open spaces; and security cameras were installed to provide surveillance in out-of-the way corners of the open stacks.

The society was founded in 1783 by officers who had served under George Washington during the American Revolution. Its purpose was to recognize the achievements of, sacrifices by, and friendships among the American, French, and other officers who had served together.

Hawkins selected to lead EDUCAUSE

On June 1, Brian L. Hawkins became the first CEO for EDLJCAUSE, the new higher education information technology association formed by the consolidation of Educom and CAUSE. Hawkins, who was senior vice president for Academic Planning and Administration Affairs at Brown University, said he is honored to have been selected as the charter president of EDUCAUSE. “I am tremendously excited about the opportunities this position presents to help forge the future of EDUCAUSE and its impact on information resources use and management in higher education.”

EDUCAUSE will be headquartered in Washington, D.C., the home of Educom, with operational offices in Boulder, Colorado, the home base for CAUSE.

Topper leaves ACRL

Effective June 8, ACRL’s director of member services, Elisa Topper, is joining the Dominican University (formerly Rosary College) Library School as assistant dean. In her new position, Topper will be responsible for recruitment of students, career advisement, and coordinating course schedules.

Since Topper joined ACRL in September 1995, she has provided leadership for membership promotion and retention activities, which included holding ACRL’s first focus group. She also worked with the President’s Program Committees and helped develop ACRL’s first videotapes and the first teleconference of an ACRL President’s Program. Topper was ACRL’s primary contact for ACRL's sections and chapters. Her last day in ACRL was May 22.