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Sue
Grafton Is Coming to the 2005 Book Fest
by
Jayne Pelaski
New
York Times best-selling author Sue Grafton has confirmed
that she will appear at the Southern Kentucky Book Fest on
April 16, 2005. She is published in 28 countries and 26 languages—including
Estonian, Bulgarian, and Indonesian. Books in her alphabet
series, begun in 1982, are international bestsellers with
readership in the millions. The Book Fest partners are delighted
she will be headlining the 2005 fest.
Big
Red Celebrates a Major Milestone
by
Earlene Chelf
He's
big, he's red and he's turning 25! Who, you ask? In this case,
the "who" should be a "what," and it's
none other than Western Kentucky University's big, red, fuzzy,
hip-shaking, roof-raising, adorable mascot, known both nationally—and
internationally—simply as Big Red.
Big
Red's 25th birthday is a major milestone in the
evolution of WKU's sports icon, and it will not pass quietly.
In fact, the entire week-long 2004 Homecoming celebration,
themed "Big Red's Birthday Bash," will be an uproarious
wing-ding, with the furry, crimson character turning up at
myriad events such as the "Homecoming Parade," "Big
Red's Roar," "The Festival of Friends," "Toppertown,"
and, of course, Saturday's football game against Indiana State.
Also
on Saturday, Big Red will be at the Kentucky Library and Museum
to officially open an exhibit chronicling the furry creature's
"life" and to participate in a reunion of the nearly
60 individuals who, since Ralph Carey's first portrayal in
1979 and 1980, have been Big Red impersonators.
Titled
"Big Red: The All-America Mascot Turns 25," the
exhibit will showcase an array of mascot memorabilia, including
two early costumes. One is the very first, which was designed
in 1978 and 1979 by Carey, who, along with Gary Ransdell,
now the University's president, and Ron Beck, a former Student
Affairs Office employee, played a major role in the development
of Western's mascot and, as noted above, was the first to
wear the costume.
The
other costume, a modified version of the first and much easier
to don and maneuver, will be loaned by Sports Marketing to
display along with photographs and clippings, wild and crazy
props used by former Big Reds for skits, trophies and awards
garnered from national competitions, and many other items
bearing the mascot's image.
Not only was Carey the first to appear in the original Big
Red costume, but he also came up with the original mascot
concept. When asked how it felt to see his "creation"
turn 25, Carey said, "It's hard to believe that so much
time has passed. I am surprised to see this character still
going strong!"
Carey
also said he was surprised at how widely known and recognized
Big Red has become, noting that the mascot's rise to fame
came about slowly. "For the first years," he said,
"Big Red was just a Western mascot."
"But
now," he continued, "Big Red has become famous and
has received national recognition and awards. I could not
have projected that," he concluded.
The
"Big Red" exhibit will be on view in the Kentucky
Building's Orientation Room, beginning October 20th and continuing
through mid-December, 2004.
For
more information, contact Earlene Chelf (270) 745-5263 or
earlene.chelf@wku.edu.
Or check the web site: www.wku.edu/Library/kylm.
Abraham
Lincoln: Pro Equality or Pro Union?
by Earlene Chelf
I
hate slavery because it deprives our republican example
of
its influence in the world—enables the enemies of
free institutions,
with plausibility, to taunt us as hypocrites—causes
the real friends
of freedom to doubt our sincerity. |
| Abraham
Lincoln, 1854 |
 For
freeing enslaved African Americans, Abraham Lincoln has gone
down in history as "the Great Emancipator." Over
time, however, some have questioned the 17th President's
motives, saying he was more interested in preserving the Union
than in racial equality.
This
question and others relating to Lincoln's leadership during
one of the darkest times in our nation's history are addressed
in "Forever Free: Abraham Lincoln’s Journey to
Emancipation," a traveling panel exhibit, opening at
The Kentucky Museum on October 27th, 2004.
Exhibition
essayist John Rhodehamel writes, "…Abraham Lincoln
lived the American dilemma. He believed that slavery was wicked,
backward, and an offense to the nation's republican ideals."
Rhodehamel
continues, "At the same time, he [Lincoln] saw no peaceful
way to alter such a monumental and seemingly permanent feature
of the national landscape. He knew slavery was evil, but he
believed that a direct attack on the institution could only
result in an even greater evil, the breakup of the Union and
the destruction of the only significant democratic nation
in the world.”
To
examine Lincoln's efforts toward the abolition of slavery
during the Civil War, "Forever Free" is divided
into six themes: Young Lincoln's America; The House Dividing;
War for the Union; A New Birth of Freedom; War for the Union
and Freedom; and Legacies. Each themed part of the exhibit
uses reproductions of rare historical documents, period photographs
and illustrative material to explore the events and individuals
who influenced Lincoln and led to his pivotal decision to
free the slaves in 1863.
In
addition to the "Forever Free" exhibition, which
was organized by the Huntington Library and the Gilder Lehrman
Institute for American History and circulated by the American
Library Association, three-dimensional objects and Lincoln
prints and ephemera will be added. A dramatic addition will
be a room setting with a life-size Lincoln figure sitting
at a desk. This diorama, plus a quilt made by LaRue County
Homemakers for Kentucky's Bicentennial, and a couple of framed
items will be on loan from the Lincoln Museum in Hodgenville,
Kentucky.
Further
embellishments are a number of framed lithographs, broadsides
and sheet music from the Kentucky Library and Museum’s
collections. Significant among these is an original "Certificate
of Appointment" signed by Secretary of War Simon Cameron
and President Lincoln appointing Herbert M. Enos to First
Lieutenant in the Regiment of Mounted Riflemen, August 10th,
1861.
“Forever
Free” will be on exhibit in The Kentucky Museum’s
Gallery L until December 10th, 2004. For more details
about the opening event and subsequent programming, contact
Earlene Chelf at (270) 745-5263 or earlene.chelf@wku.edu.
Or check the web site: www.wku.edu/Library/kylm
On
the Same Page
by
Jayne Pelaski
 Following
the success of "One Campus-One Community-One Book"
project, the Southern Kentucky Book Fest partners will sponsor
a children’s version called "On the Same Page."
Beginning from October and ending during Children’s
Book Week in November, children will be encouraged to read
a book and discuss it among their friends, classmates, and
family.
The
book chosen for grades K-3 is The Librarian from the Black
Lagoon. The book chosen for grades 3 – 6 will be
The Class Trip from the Black Lagoon. Both of these
books are written by popular children’s author, Mike
Thaler.
Mike
Thaler will be in Bowling Green on November 17th
through 19th, 2004, to meet and discuss his books
with the children who participated in the project.
William
H. Natcher: The Gentleman from Kentucky
by
Earlene Chelf
 |
| William
Huston Natcher, Member of United States of Representative
1953-1994 |
William
Huston Natcher was elected to the United States House of Representatives
in 1953 and served Kentucky’s 2nd District
until his death in 1994. He was—and undoubtedly shall
remain—unique among elected politicians.
Natcher
took very seriously his sworn duty to fulfill his legislative
responsibilities by never missing a roll-call vote. In fact,
just a few weeks before his death, he cast his 18,401th
consecutive vote, a record, most are confident, will never
be equaled or surpassed. He also was unique in not accepting
campaign contributions but chose to fund limited campaigning
using his own money.
Over
the years, Natcher became one of the mostly highly respected
members of Congress, gaining a reputation as an honest, hard-working
and dedicated public servant.
To better serve his constituents, Natcher sought membership
on important House committees such as the Appropriations Committee.
While Chairman of the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human
Services and Education, Natcher was instrumental in passing
major social legislation that benefited all Americans, not
just Kentuckians. His influence was extended even further
when he assumed the Appropriations Committee chairmanship.
Throughout
his career, Congressman Natcher amassed a huge collection
of letters, photographs, plaques and other memorabilia. When
he died, a major portion of his collection came to the Kentucky
Library and Museum. After several years of processing, the
Natcher Political Collection will open to the public on Friday,
October 1st, 2004. As a part of that opening—a
fundraiser to benefit the Kentucky Library and Museum—many
items from his collection, including his journals, will be
displayed in an exhibit titled, "William H. Natcher:
The Gentleman From Kentucky." Attendance at this once-in-a-lifetime
event is contingent upon membership. Cost to attend the opening
will be $50/person for nonmembers; $25/person for members.
 |
| William
Natcher and his books |
You
may become a Libraries and Museum Associate by joining at
one of the following levels: Individual at $50; Family at
$100; Scholar’s Circle at $250; Dean’s Circle
at $500; and President’s Circle at $1,000. As a membership
bonus, anyone joining at the $250 level or above will receive
two tickets to the Natcher Collection opening. President Circle
members are also recognized at that level of generosity by
Western Kentucky University.
To
continue to offer unique services, programs and activities,
the Western Kentucky University library system needs your
support. And, as an Associate you will have the rare privilege
to be among the first to see the William H. Natcher Political
Collection and pay tribute to the devoted public servant who
selflessly served his constituents in Congress for 41 years.
For
more information about memberships or the Natcher Collection
opening, contact Earlene Chelf, Coordinator of Marketing and
Special Events, (270) 745-5263 or earlene.chelf@wku.edu
or check the web site: www.wku.edu/Library/kylm.
2004
Sara Elizabeth Tyler Merit Award Winners
by
Earlene Chelf
 |
| Sally
Ann Strickler (left) and Peggy Wright are the 2004 recipients
of the Sara Elizabeth Tyler Merit Award for Distinguished
Service in Librarianship. Together they have nearly
a half-century of service to Western’s libraries.
Photo by Deborah Cole |
Former
Western Kentucky University Libraries faculty members Sally
Ann Strickler and Peggy Wright were presented the Sara Elizabeth
Tyler Merit Award for Distinguished Service in Librarianship
during ceremonies held on Wednesday, May 5th, 2004,
at the Kentucky Library and Museum.
The Tyler Award was established in 1979 to honor Sara Elizabeth
Tyler (1910-2001), a librarian at Western for about four decades.
The award, administered by the College Heights Foundation,
is given periodically to emeritus faculty who have made significant
contributions in their field. Previous honorees are Imogene
Foster, 1980; Vera Guthrie, 1984; and Evelyn Thurman, 1989.
Sally
Ann Strickler served WKU Libraries for 30 years. She began
in 1969 as a graduate assistant in what is now Library Special
Collections, was hired as catalog librarian in Library Technical
Services, and then promoted in 1972 to Supervisor of Data
and Book Processing.
In
1978, she became Head of Library Circulation Services, and
in 1981 was promoted to lead a newly formed Department of
Library Public Services. After serving that department for
10 years, she asked to be reassigned to the Reference Unit
so that she could once again have opportunity to assist library
patrons.
Although
she officially retired in 1999, Dr. Strickler remains actively
involved with WKU Libraries. She volunteers weekly in the
Manuscripts/Archives Unit and serves as a part-time Kentucky
Building Lobby Clerk.
Peggy
Wright joined the WKU Library Public Services faculty in 1980,
and after nearly 20 years of service, retired in 1998. In
addition to her responsibilities as librarian, Ms. Wright
was involved in a number of activities and projects, such
as teaching research instruction classes to thousands of students,
organizing and conducting seminars for new faculty, and developing
more than 50 small library exhibits dealing with a variety
of topics.
Notable
among Wright’s achievements was service as a library
consultant. In the early 80s, Ms. Wright was asked to help
a teachers college in Belize organize and catalog its library.
While there, she also helped organize the library at a nearby
school for mentally and physically challenged children. Her
efforts caught the attention of the Belize Governor General,
who invited her to set up that nation’s first university
library.
Like
Dr. Strickler, Ms. Wright continues her association with WKU
Libraries by working on special projects. Ms. Wright is credited
with the creation and planning for two very successful community
outreach programs: "Faraway
Places" and "Kentucky
Live." The first, a series of programs by WKU faculty
who have traveled to foreign countries to conduct their academic
researches, just completed its third year; the other, a series
of presentations that focus on "Southern culture at its
best," is now in its second year.
For
more information, contact Earlene Chelf at (270) 745-5263
or earlene.chelf@wku.edu
Meet
Timothy Mullin, New Head of Library Special Collections
by
Timothy Mullin
 |
| Timothy Mullin, new head of the Department
of Library Special Collections |
I
grew up in a farming community just outside of Philadelphia,
not far from where my European ancestors made their home in
the 1690s. Those early ancestors moved west, built log houses
on the Pennsylvania frontier, and took refuge from Indian
attacks in Fort Bedford. I claim among my antecedents a signer
of the U.S. Constitution, the founder of Universalism, state
senators, colonial doctors, and soldiers who fought in every
war from the French and Indian to World War II. My childhood
home was filled with old family things, many of which I commandeered
for my room, gaining me the family nickname, "the curator."
I
guided visitors through an historic house as my first paying
job, and spent the next 36 years working in museums. I worked
my way through college as a museum guide, which involved guiding
4th graders through Maryland’s colonial capital
or leading political junkies through Hollybush where President
Johnson met Premier Kosygin. Between college and graduate
school I worked full time at the Brandywine River Museum,
which houses much of the Wyeth family’s prodigious work.
After
receiving my Master’s degree in historic preservation
with an emphasis in museum studies from Middle Tennessee State
University, I worked at the Tyler Arboretum, an outdoor museum.
My next stint came in Baton Rouge as executive director of
Magnolia Mound Plantation, followed by a move back toward
home at the Historical Society of Delaware. I spent 18 years
at HSD, leading the museum division through expansion and
development.
My
research, writing, and special projects have concentrated
on historic house interpretation, recreating historic interiors,
and a special emphasis on recreating historic landscape. Gaining
a scientific background through certificate courses in ornamental
horticulture at Longwood Gardens, I have designed a number
of landscapes around public museums and restored several significant
gardens by noted nurserymen from the past.
I
am delighted to be joining the Western Kentucky University
family and the Kentucky Library and Museum team. The potential
for growth and development is ripe, and I look forward to
leading the Department of Library Special Collections to new
heights.
It's
Time to Renew or Join for the First Time!
by
Carrie Barnett
University
Libraries has long been called the “heart” of
WKU’s campus. With the beginning of the school year
upon us, it’s time to join for the first time or renew
your Western Kentucky University Libraries and Museum Associates
membership, helping to keep the "heart" pumping
strong.
For
$50 for individuals or $100 for families, you can have access
to:
-
more than 625,000 books
-
123,000 bound periodicals
- 85
databases (See a detailed
list)
-
17,000 electronic journals
-
3,900 current newspaper and journal subscriptions
-
18,700 audio and video products
-
385,000 government documents
- 2.7
million microforms
And if that’s not enough, you also receive unlimited
free admission to the Kentucky Library and Museum and a 20%
discount at the Museum Store.
Most
importantly, by becoming a Western Kentucky Libraries and
Museum Associate, you support the continued operations and
growth of the third largest academic library in the Commonwealth
and the unique collections of the Kentucky Library and Museum.
Your Associate membership dues allows the WKU Libraries to
further develop its collection of books, databases, journals,
audio and video products, Kentucky artifacts and more.
Western
Kentucky University's motto, "The Spirit Makes the Master,"
is evident in University Libraries. Continued support from
alumni and community members like you brings that saying to
life—providing a glimpse of history and access to the
information of today, and helping the development of future
leaders of Kentucky. Thank you for enabling us to prove that
we are the "heart" of Western Kentucky University.
Contact:
Carrie L. Barnett, Director of Development, University Libraries
Office of Development by writing to Wetherby Room 109, Western
Kentucky University, 1 Big Red Way Bowling Green, KY 42101;
call (270) 745-7056,
1888-958-2586, or (270) 792-2066
(mobile phone); fax (270) 745-5300; or email carrie.barnett@wku.edu.
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