WKU News & Events

September 17, 2002

Greene Gift To Create Enhanced
Listening Library At WKU

Bowling Green, Ky. - Lila Greene is giving back to an area of Western Kentucky University in which she feels a special bond: the library. Greene, a 1943 alumna from Bowling Green, worked at the library as a student and later after her graduation.

"I have always understood the importance of our libraries," she said. "They are the only entity on a campus that touches the life of every student, faculty member and academic discipline."

Greene's gift of property will be used to equip and maintain the listening library of Helm-Cravens Library. According to Michael Franklin, WKU's senior circulation assistant in Library Public Services, the listening library provides students, faculty members and others with opportunities to study classical and other music, as well as oratory, historical events and theatrical performances in both audio and video formats.

"Because this program is highly technology based, equipment is in constant need of upgrading as well as occasional repair," he said. "The library also needs to purchase supplies and resources related to serving the patrons who use this service."

Dr. Dwight Pounds, WKU professor emeritus, says it is extremely good news that the listening library, so essential to music history and music appreciation courses, is being upgraded at this time. "Considering that the price of required recordings is prohibitively expensive for some of our students, the listening facility is essential for daily assignments and an absolute necessity for a good grade," he said.

Associate Professor Mary Wolinski agrees.

"Listening to music is an important source of satisfaction for any person," she said. "We have a good basic collection of recordings. Now it will be more accessible in the library. An expanded listening center will mean that students will have more opportunities to listen to a wide variety of music. It will also give teachers more options in what they can assign for listening."

Mike Binder, WKU's dean of libraries and museum, says the library is grateful for Green's leadership support.

"Support for focus collections, the Kentucky Library and electronic library resources will allow the library system to maintain and expand its collections to support the University," he said. "Private support is necessary to enhance the collections and services of the University Libraries and to continue to expand technology."

Greene worked in the WKU library during and after college and taught school for several years. She was also the owner and operator of the Broadway Washeteria and has been the co-owner of B.G. Consolidated with her brother, Charles Hardcastle, for more than 40 years.

"I am pleased to have the opportunity to make this commitment," she said. "It is my hope that the proceeds from this gift will ensure that the listening library maintains and enhances its offerings for years to come."

For more information, contact Rick DuBose at (270) 745-5405. More WKU news is available on the World Wide Web at www.wku.edu. If you'd like to receive WKU news via e-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.