WKU Libraries Dean's Office

Connie Foster

Cravens 102
1906 College Heights Blvd.
Bowling Green KY 42101-1067
Phone: 270-745-2904
Fax: 270-745-6422
connie.foster@wku.edu

Campus buildings get windows retrofitted to meet energy, safety, and practical needs. Helm Library recently got such face-lift with 99 replacement windows. Now WKU Libraries has a window of opportunity to look from within and without at services, systems, and collections.

A new window opened when we accepted the invitation to become an OCLC Research Library Partner, effective July 1, 2011, with participation in challenging and rewarding activities and benefits that will involve forward thinking and innovative library and museum managers and leaders worldwide.

Another window on the world is the continued growth of TopSCHOLAR®, the Research and Creative Activity Database of WKU. As of this writing, we are approaching 6,000 "papers" and have exceeded 200,000 downloads. If one "Googles" TopSCHOLAR®, it shows up either as the first or second hit out of 91,400 results! If you have not visited the site, go to digitalcommons.wku.edu to realize the intellectual capital of WKU faculty, staff and students.

We converted research guides to LibGuides to better integrate curricular support, research needs, and library instruction in a variety of formats and functions. To further support distance learners, we are making a concerted effort, in consultation with each department, to move as many journals to online platforms as possible. Students can now access nearly 30,000 titles through databases, paid subscriptions, and open access (free) models.

Community outreach remains strong with the Southern Kentucky Book Fest, Kentucky Live! Far Away Places and the numerous events, activities, exhibits (like Duncan Hines) and special collections at the Kentucky Library & Museum. These highlights barely touch upon areas of achievement and growth.

Through my window of opportunity as Interim Dean, I look forward to exploring the future of the Libraries as part of the strategic discussions of the future of WKU. WKU is a dynamic academic community. Library faculty, staff, and students are committed to excellence, lifelong learning, and collaborative efforts.. We are here to provide research instruction and resources, to engage in scholarship and service, and to advance the quest for knowledge, understanding, innovation, and creativity.

Feel free to contact us with comments and questions. Welcome to WKU Libraries!

Connie Foster, Interim Dean

April 18, 2011