Contact Information: Department of Library Public Services 109F WKU-Owensboro Campus building 4821 New Hartford Road, Owensboro, KY 42303 Phone: (270) 852-7785 FAX: (270) 654-1498 Email: rob.harbison@wku.edu http://www.wku.edu/library/owensboro/

Education
Position Description
Research
Public Services
Education

• M.A. History (2010) Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY
• M.L.I.S. (2004) Florida State University, College of Information, Tallahasse, FL
• B.A. History (1996) University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY

Mr. Harbison joined the Faculty of University Libraries in September 2008 as a temporary Electronic Resources Librarian. In January 2010 he became the Owensboro Campus Librarian. Mr. Harbison's interests include Medieval history, Science Fiction and Fantasy novels and films and Gaming, both online and tabletop. His research interests include computer and information technology in the libraries, digital libraries and archives, and using electronic resources in the study and teaching of History. Prior to his faculty work Mr. Harbison was employed by WKU Libraries for seven years as staff in Extended Campus, Periodicals and Reference departments.

Robert is also the Library liaison to the Russian/Eastern European and Middle Eastern/African Studies Departments which involves supporting the research and teaching needs of the faculty, students, and staff in these departments. This includes purchasing materials, providing research assistance, and instructing students in research methods.

Selected Reviews

• Review of “The Philosopher and the Druids” by Philip Freeman, for Library Journal. (12/15/2005)
• Review of Naked Conversations by Robert Scoble & Shel Israel, for Library Journal. (01/15/2006)
• Review of Anne Boleyn by Joanna Denny, for Library Journal (03/15/2006)
• Review of “Agincourt” by Juliet Barker, for Library Journal 06/01/2006)
• Review of “Boudica” by Vanessa Collingridge, for Library Journal (06/15/2006)
• Review of “Becoming Charlemagne: Europe, Baghdad, and the Empires of A.D. 800” (Starred Review) by Jeff Sypeck, for Library Journal (10/1/2006)
• Review of “A Needle in the Right Hand of God: The Norman Conquest of 1066 and the Making and Meaning of the Bayeux Tapestry” by R. Howard Bloch, for Library Journal (10/15/2006)
• Review of “Alfred the Great: The Man Who Made England.” Justin Pollard, for Library Journal (7/1/2007)
• Review of “Lancaster against York: The Wars of the Roses and the Foundation of Modern Britain.” by Trevor Royle. Library Journal, (08/01/08)
• Review of “The Templars: The History and the Myth.” by Michael Haag. Library Journal, (10/15/09)
• Review of "Knights: In History and Legend" by Constance Brittain Bouchard. Library Journal, (12/15/09)

Public Services

Professional

Affiliation

• American Library Association 2006 -
• National Honor Society of Phi Alpha Theta, Lifetime member 1993-
• American Historical Association 1993-
• Medieval Academy of America 1992-

For University Libraries

• Member, Web & Emerging Technologies Working Group
• Member, Electronic Information Resources Committee
• Member, Blog Team
• Member, Second Life Task Force
• Member, Library Gaming Taskforce 2007-2008
• Virtual Reference Service Operator 2003-2007

For WKU

• Instructor for University Experience 2005-