From the Libraries’ web site, you will also discover that many new developments are enhancing our library and museum services, including:

• new version of Libraries' online catalog TOPCAT
• web-based Interlibrary loan service Illiad
• e-journal finder TDNet
• institutional digital repository TopSCHOLAR™ and SelectedWorks
• remote access to our electronic databases with simple login procedures via proxy servers
• new Visual and Performing Arts Library
• University's Welcome Center within the Kentucky Building
• entertainment activities at Java City coffeehouse within the Helm Library
• new library tour video
• Helm 100 turned into a leisure reading room
• classrooms and labs including Cravens 101, Helm 05, and Helm 108 upgraded with state-of-the-art technology
• laptop lending program
• Instant Message added to WILLS, the virtual reference service
• Southern Kentucky Book Fest partner event enriched with new activities such as "The Big Read"
• expansion of e-book, music CD, movie DVD, audio book, leisure book and magazine collections
• Civil War exhibit to open in October 2008
• new Duncan Hines exhibit
• Civil War and Southern History Research Collection made available

Our Web Site Team and other faculty and staff have been working hard to provide better services to our patrons by using such Web 2.0 technology as blog, podcast, YouTube, Flickr, MySpace and Twitter. We will continue exploring emerging technologies to better serve our WKU and regional communities.

In collaboration with the University's academic departments, the library faculty in the Department of Library Public Services have developed and are maintaining departmental and subject research guides that have been incorporated within TIP (Topper InfoPortal). I think you will enjoy browsing their selections and find this resource of continuing value.

The University Libraries faculty have enjoyed significant professional and academic accomplishments and won recognition internationally, nationally, regionally and campuswide for their achievements. You may readily locate them from our library liaison pages and librarian and staff directory that includes organization charts. We strive to be responsive to the citizens and the needs of the Bowling Green area and are actively involved in developing partnerships with the community. Since 1999, with the Bowling Green Public Library and Barnes & Noble, we have organized the highly acclaimed Southern Kentucky Book Fest. At Barnes & Noble, we have been hosting a series of "Far Away Places with Strange Sounding Names!" international talks by Western faculty. In addition, we are hosting a "Kentucky Live! Southern Culture at Its Best" lecture series. We continue to look for opportunities to contribute our expertise to enriching the cultural understanding for our region. Globally, in addition to a partnership with the public library of Bowling Green's sister city, Kawanishi, Japan, our faculty members are involved in programs that reach as far as China and Spain.

In sum, there is much that we at WKU Libraries are proud of as our highly motivated and devoted faculty and staff continue their work to improve and expand services and programs. Thank you for visiting our web home. Please come back and visit us often.

Michael Binder
Dean of Libraries

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