Reprint from Collections & Connections
Spring 1997, Vol. 1, No. 2

Last fall semester the Helm-Cravens library expanded its hours so that it was open until midnight every night of the week. This is an additional seven hours on Friday and Saturday nights. It was necessary to create seven part-time positions to accommodate the-increased hours. Since implementing the extended hours the library has seen an overall usage increase of 21 percent from the previous semester.

Statistics indicate that the most heavily used area during the extended hours is the Student Technology Center with 69 percent of the late night patrons. Cravens stacks garnered 15 percent of the business with the Periodicals Section following closely with 11 percent of the use. Reference, Documents, and the Law Collections attracted 6 percent of the use.

~ Doug Wiles, Beth Knight, and Cindy Etkin

This spring, WKU unveiled the new InfoLab in the University Libraries. The InfoLab is situated in the Helm reference area, room 108. This lab, which contains sixteen windows-based computers, was designed as a teaching aid, although, when classes are not being conducted, it will be open to library users 6-10, Sunday-Thursday. Classes receiving research instruction in the library will often end up in the InfoLab so that the students may get a little practical hands on experience with the library's electronic resources, under the guidance of their instructor or library staff. The computers in the InfoLab are to be used for research only and are dedicated to accessing the electronic research tools to which the library subscribes.

~ Beth Knight

During the week of finals this past fall semester the circulation area was given a fresh coat of paint. The crisp light shade, called "utopia," blends well with the new carpeting which was installed earlier last year. New, color co-ordinated chairs have replaced the old ones in is area as well. The chairs complement the updated decor while increasing student comfort and study space at the same time. Renovations to the Front doors at the entrance of Helm-Cravens were completed in February. Additional work on some of the restrooms have been underway in the University Libraries to provide more facilities for the physically challenged than ever before.

~ Beth Knight

The Kentucky Library and the Pierian Literary Club co-sponsored a presentation entitled "Susan B. Anthony: The Napoleon of the Movement," a one-woman show performed by Melinda Strobel on March 9 for Women's History Month.

Anthony's 50th birthday celebration was the setting for the performance about the woman who was instrumental in shaping the political rights of American women. From 1850 until her death in 1906, she generaled the troops, organized meetings, canvassed with petitions, lectured and brought women of all stations to a clearer understanding of their rights as human beings and as citizens of the United States. Her single-minded determination and courage pursued enfranchisement for women, earning her the title, "The Napoleon of the movement."

Strobel's appearance at the Kentucky Library, which drew over sixty people, was part of a ten-city tour across Kentucky and was made possible by a grant from the Kentucky Humanities Council, a state-based program of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

~ Earlene Chelf