between the Spring/Summer 2022 columns
I’ve never been more aware of the life force within our Library than I am now; as life has shifted into a “new normal,” we’ve kept pace with the rhythm at EKU. Students have filled our spaces, they’ve worked with us one-on- one both online and in person, they’ve lined up for free cookies during De-Stress for Success, and they’ve found their way into our offices—
just to talk, just to get help figuring out college and life and everything in between. I am so proud that the Library has maintained and sustained support and growth for Eastern’s students. We were the only library in the state not to close during the pandemic shutdowns; we’ve managed to pivot and innovate to continue providing excellent service and resources to our students, and have found so much joy even in the midst of it.
There is a rhythm to the academic year at EKU. It starts out with a loud bang as students return to campus, and it rises and falls with the rhythm of tests, papers, tests, papers and a few short breaks or rests in between the movements--the semesters. Nowhere can you hear and feel the semester more than inside EKU Libraries. We are the heart of campus, and you can hear the heartbeat vibrating through our halls. You can walk through this building at any point in the year and feel the rhythm of the activity. It begins loud and fast on the first floor with groups clustered around tables and white boards, and then with each step up the stairs, it gets quieter--maybe even more intense-- as you notice individual students tucked into their favorite corners, bent over their notes and books. The rhythm is constant. The rise and fall is steady. It’s real. It is life sustaining.
As you read through this newsletter, I think you’ll see evidence of a Library that is thriving, growing, and innovating—all in support of EKU’s students. We couldn’t do it without you, and we are so grateful you are part of the very special rhythm we have here at Eastern.
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DeanJulieSincerely,GeorgeofEKU Libraries
FROM DEANTHE
A
L@YL: A Night of True Crime with Shay McAlister
Mining for Memories with Crystal Wilkinson
The Java City Cafe formerly located next to the Library atrium can now be found right by the Noel Reading Porch entrance. The cafe has an updated look but still features all of its staple beverages and treats! Students continue to enjoy their coffee as they study inside the Library, or on a nice day, carry it outside to the Noel Reading Porch. Libraries Speaking from the Margins E=MC2 Your Library presents A Night of with Shay McAlister
EKU
HAPPENINGSEKULIBRARIESEVENTS
IN BLACKSTEM Live @
EKU Libraries collaborated with EKU CIEGE, EKU AFA, the Student Success Center, and the EKU College of STEM to host a student panel discussion on Black students in STEM programs, moderated by EKU professor, Dr. Tanea Reed. Students who participated represented a variety of programs offered at Eastern: Biomedical, Public Health, Nursing, Chemistry, and Statistics. Students shared about their experiences at EKU, and conversation ranged from misconceptions about Black students in STEM programs, resources that have been helpful during their time at Eastern, and advice they would give to other students considering the College of STEM.
The Library hosted Live @ Your Library featuring investigative journalist Shay McAlister of Louisville’s WHAS-11. Shay shared about how her career as an investigative reporter has developed over the years, and also discussed some of the well-known cases she’s worked on, including the disappearance of Crystal Rogers. The Grand Reading Room was full of attendees, and viewers were also able to watch the event live online, as well.
Speaking from the Margins: Black in STEM
& Spring 2022
Crystal Wilkinson
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Speaking from the Margins is an ongoing series hosted by the Library to feature and bring awareness to the voices of students in marginalized or underrepresented groups; past panels include students, faculty, and alumni representing Appalachia, Veterans, Latinx, and the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities.
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Java City has Relocated
In a special partnership with the EKU Chautauqua Series, the Library was proud to sponsor an event featuring Kentucky Poet Laureate Crystal Wilkinson. Crystal is an alum of EKU and was also a Library student employee during her time here! Crystal spoke about memories, creating memoir, and drawing from her experiences growing up. Dean Julie George introduced Crystal and also spoke about EKU Giving Day and how donor support allows us to continue providing events like these.
4 COLLECTIONS
EKU Libraries Annual Report: 2020-21 Reporting period: July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2021 Despite facing the challenges of serving our community through a global pandemic, EKU Libraries remained steadfast
Eastern's campus. EXPENDITURES $3,967,042 IN TOTAL LIBRARY EXPENDITURES Staffing and collections expenditures remained at fiscal year 2020 levels. Operating expenses were cut in half,
excellent services and
EKU students and faculty downloaded or checked out a record average of 56 items in FY2020 before the pandemic caused numbers to fall to an average of 38 in FY2021. This is compared to a 10 year average of 53.5 items per year. Overall use of the library's collections trended slightly downward, except for Special Collections and Archives and Encompass. Encompass downloads saw an increase of 43 percent during FY21. in providing support of primarily due need expenses such as Overall expenditures rose by 3 percent from FY19 to FY20, driven by inflation costs for journals and databases, and by staffing changes.
FAST FACT: EKU Libraries provided long-term laptop rentals to students in need during the pandemic. BRIGHTTHE Global Pandemic on EKU Libraries
library
DOWNLOADSENCOMPASS 528,496
LOOKING ON
to reduced
for in-person operating
$2,269,103.47 Salaries and Wages (57%) $1,671,187.00 Collections (42%) $26,751.53 Operating Expenditures (1%) *Salary totals exclude fringe benefits
Over the last 10 years students and faculty downloaded or checked out an average of 53.5 YEAR
SIDE Impacts of a
ITEMS PER
travel, printing, and equipment.
EKU
While overall numbers were lower than in pre-covid years, these were visits that would not have happened if we had been closed (many libraries were still closed to visitors).
While numbers of students attending in-person library instruction sessions given by librarians were lower than in pre-covid years, digital learning object usage and virtual teaching sessions were up dramatically. Library Research guide views increased by 55 percent and of the library’s YouTube videos were up 63 last fiscal year.
17 AUGUST BUSIEST DAY IN THE LIBRARY Typically
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FAST FACT: There are 191 public facing FAQs available to assist all users, whether on or off-campus.? At the height of the pandemic, face-to-face instruction fell from 10,284 to 682, while virtual instruction increased from 1,280 to 6,397. Asynchronous digital instruction also increased from year to year, from 17 instances to 108.
TEACHING & LEARNING
TOP 3 TUTORIALS 1. PICKING YOUR TOPIC IS RESEARCH 2. EVALUATING SOURCES FOR CREDIBILITY 3. HOW TO CRITICALLY READ A DATABASE RESULTS SCREEN
420%
2020
VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION ATTENDANCE IN FY21 WAS UP AN ASTOUNDING
percent from
FAST FACT: Squirrel visitors to the library increased by 100% in FY21. the first week of class is never the busiest time for the Libraries, but in this instance, it was. Students were excited to be back in person with us.
55%INCREASE IN LIBRARY RESEARCH GUIDE VIEWS For example,
views
ACCESS SERVICES
Virtual information literacy instruction was also up; While only 22 synchronous physical instruction sessions occurred in FY21, there were 158 synchronous digital sessions in FY21, compared to 484 synchronous physical instruction sessions and 27 synchronous digital sessions in FY20.
6 Special Collections & Archives (SCA) saw increases across two SCA databases: digitalcollections.eku.edu and ekufindingaids.libraryhost.com, which indicates major gains in online and digital accessibility and use. We saw an average SCA database user increase of an impressive 94%. SCA has 3 out of the top 4 most checked out titles across all library holdings • Carl D. Perkins Congressional Papers (89) • Kentucky High School Athletics Records (38) • Madison County Newspaper Death Notices and Obituaries (26) Our May the 4th, Star Wars related social media post was our most engaging post for the year, with 2,880 people reached and 792 engagements. It seems SCA followers were feeling the Force on the unofficial Star Wars celebration day. SPECIAL COLLECTIONS & ARCHIVES 94%INCREASE IN SCA DATABASE USERS MOST USED ONLINE MATERIALS BY SCA DATABASE DIGITAL COLLECTIONS 781 PAGE VIEWS DIGITAL COLLECTIONS Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) - National Championship Series 215 PAGE VIEWS ORAL HISTORY Baker-Howard Feud Oral History Project 3,212 PAGE VIEWS PRIMARY SOURCES Kentucky High School Athletic Association Records 2,880 REACHEDPEOPLE WITH 792 ENGAGEMENTS FAST FACT: SCA fulfilled 8 requests to publish archival materials in books, journals and videos. TOTAL NUMBER OF CHECKOUTS BY LOCATION Main Library 4th Floor - Books LRC Youth Collection - Books Grand Reading Room - Popular Collection Grand Reading Room - New Books Books (Various: Business, SCA, Music) Archives - Manuscripts Archives - Reading Room Help Desk - 2 Hour Textbook Reserves 3rd Floor - Government Documents Grand Reading Room - Appalachian Collection 1016303747533023522915012412292
7 POPULAR LIBRARY CHECKOUTS • Basic Piano for the College Student • Creative Keyboard for Adult Beginners • PianoLab: An Introduction to Class Piano • Iron Gold • Investigating Oceanography • Lab Girl • A Man Called Ove: A Novel • In the Night Wood • Mosaic of Thought: The Power of Comprehension Strategy Instruction • The Fifth Risk • Geeky Pedagogy: A Guide for Intellectuals, Introverts, and Nerds Who Want to be Effective Teachers • Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch • The Library Book • The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse • The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires • A Heart so Fierce and Broken • Where the crawdads sing • The Autobiography of Malcolm X • The Vanishing Half • Algorithms of Oppression: How Search Engines Reinforce Racism FAST FACT: Over the last year we held 10 events to pass out treats, swag and food to students. The following titles, in order from highest read at top, all were checked out by 10 patrons or more. FAST FACT: 236 people attended virtual events held by EKU Libraries during the COVID pandemic.
“I think my volunteer and employeestudentexperiencemademerealizethatIwantedtodothisasacareerfortherestofmylife.”
History is often like a puzzle. Though pieces of history have gone missing, the duty to collect and preserve all other pieces often fall to archivists. This is a big task. It’s a labor of love. So when a busy archive like our Special Collections and Archives gets a new team member, the help is always welcome.
Pieces of the Past
Alisha Rhymer is the newest library specialist in a shared position with SCA and Discovery & Metadata. Her induction into SCA was not her first introduction to the archives. In addition to her work with archival material while completing her graduate degree in history, Alicia served as a volunteer and a student employee from 2021 to 2022 prior to her fulltime staff position.
"I think my volunteer and student employee experience made me realize that I wanted to do this as a career for the rest of my life,” Alisha said. “I know I was always eager to get in [to the archives] more, if I could.”
Alisha says that one of the best parts about working in SCA is being surrounded by people with similar passions. “There’s always something cool to find or talk about, and there’s always someone who wants to hear about it. Of course, that’s not all there is to be excited about.”
“I really enjoy what the community gets out of it [the archives],” Alisha said. “A lot of what I do, it’s almost like a puzzle. I’m sorting these materials to make them accessible to the public, which is the end goal. We hope that the public will crave this historical knowledge and they’ll come to use it. There’s something very satisfying about that.”
With Alisha’s help, the magnificent, never-ending puzzle that is history becomes that much easier to manage.
Meet the newest Special Collections & Archives team member who is helping preserve history one piece at a time. - Alisha Rhymer
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Each year during Scholars Week, the Noel Studio honors individuals whose generosity, vision, and dedication shaped our spaces and services with the presentation of four awards. Each award is conferred annually, celebrates the outstanding work of the Noel Studio’s student staff, and carries a monetary award of $500.
2022: Abigail Byrd (MFA Creative Writing, 2022)
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2022: Mary Lyons (B.A. Psychology) Dr. Janna Vice Award for Student Scholarship: awarded for commitment to advancing academic excellence at EKU through scholarly and creative endeavors, in honor of the support and vision of former EKU Provost Dr. Janna Vice.
Lee Stokes Award for Commitment to Student Success through Excellence in Consulting: awarded for exemplary service in consulting students, mentoring junior consultants, and integrating Studio pedagogy into his/her academic work, in honor of the dedication and leadership of former Noel Studio consultant LeAnn Stokes.
Noel Studio Consultant Awards
Ron and Sherrie Lou Noel Award for Excellence in Service to Noel Studio Success: awarded for commitment to student success through Noel Studio training, events, and public service, in honor of the continuing support and generosity of Ron and Sherrie Lou Noel.
Cooper-Robinson Award for Leadership: awarded for commitment to serving as a leader for both peers and visitors in the Noel Studio, in honor of the leadership and vision of Carrie L. Cooper and Dr. Sherry Robinson.
2022: Millicent Thompson Versluys (B.S. Recreation and Park Administration, 2021)
2022: Rachel Hampton (M.A. English, 2022) Pictured from left to right: Millicent Thompson Versluys, Rachel Hampton, Abigail Byrd, and Mary Lyons
Kim Allen
Stephen and Martha Seithers
David and Laura Steidle
Karen L. Gilbert
Robert J. Craig Dr. Robert and Joyce Creek Jeannette and Gerald Crockett Brandon and Kayla Davidson
Dr. Tom Appleton, Jr. Raymond L. Arnold Tom
Shirley and Kathy Kearns
Matt and Nicole Montgomery
Wilma J. Swope Dr. Jack and Amelia Taylor
Dr. Mary Virginia Walker
Martha C. Campbell
Dr. Rodney and Donna White Dr. Doug and Joanne Whitlock
Ashley Salyer Thacker
Joe and Melinda Allen
Jackie Vance
Livingston, Jr.
James and Sally Brown
Prof. Cathy M. Andersen
Zach and Krista Rhodus
Barbara A. Graff Dr. Bonnie Jean Gray Drs. John Edward and Phyllis S. Gump Philip and Sarah Gump Charles and Melba Hay Jessica Henz Dr. Ordelle G. Hill and Dr. Helen Teresa WilliamBennett and Kay Hill Hal and Kathy Holmes
Doris B. Lash Ronnie and Carol Lawson
Carl J. Pullen
Carrie Lynn Cooper Lewis Cope
Dan Horn Clay GregoryHowardand Christine Huff Dr. John and Jerry Ann Jenkins
Jeffrey Richey and Kelly Smith
Lisa Lynn Moore
David Alexander Murphy
Bill and Tina Sandlin Morgan Cole Schoulthies
Shelley Marie Caldwell
Neil and Angela Kasiak
Rev. Horse Miller, Sr. Jerome Molumby and Patricia Eckert
Kathy Flood
Mary S. Campbell Pennie Centers Merlin Chowkwanyun Josh and Ashley Cole
Dr. John Martha Davidson
Dr. John and Sharon Rowlett
Dennis and Nancy Warren
Nancy J. Enzie David and Beth Erb Sharon W. Estes Dr. H. E. and Linda Everman Dr. Jennifer Leanne Fairchild Dr. Steve and Helen Fardo
Emily R. Cothran
Trenia Lynn Napier
Julie Marie Volpenhein
Cathy Lynn Connley
Don and Jodie Feltner
RebeccaStelzerKaye Stinnett
Patricia Ann New Kevin and Lauren Nunn
Joel M Aalberts
Melissa C. Schutt
Dr.
Dr. Joy Allameh
Daniel Hayden
Donald and Mary Dewey Beverly and Shirley Dezarn P. and Jerry Dimitrov
Weddington
Laurence and Hazel Wells
Maria Laurence Wright
Dr. Kevin L. Jones
Ann S. Algier
Rev. James A. Potts
Dr. Anne Page Brooks
Malcolm and Javena Conlee
Dan R. Lee
Lucinda Hodges Judd Mike Karpathakis
Dr. Eugene and Mrs. Cindy Palka
Harry Rice and Carol Gilliam Mary Jean Giltner
Laura Edwards Dr. William and Charlotte Ellis
Dr.MarthaLindseyHeatherBradLeahBrianLoreenArnoldR.BaileyandMistyBaileyBanksandErinBarnettBeirneRayeBezoldG.BogardLisaABosleyandReid
Dorothy J. Galatz Andrew and Betina Gardner Conley R Garland Wanda F. Garr
Lucy Randolph Flood
Peggy J. Lukens
Dr. William and Nancy Thames
Dr. Stuart and Yongseon Tobin
Gary and Geri Rice
Anne Abate Larry and Melissa Abney
Lisa P. Collins
Janna and Wayne D. Vice
Michele Whalen
Cristina Tofan Joseph and Carrie Tuttle
Allan and Brenda Wickersham
Brian K. Cornish
Martha A. Gabbard
Julia SarahAdamsKatelyn Adams Jens Arneson and Rachel Alexander
Brenda Larsen
Dr. Barb Ramey Charles and Kim Reams
David and Jill Silver
Christina Stallard
Janice L. George Trevor and Julie George Thomas Preston George Dorothy Claire George Jacob Emanuel Gibson
Brad and Melinda Compton
Catherine G. Bushey
Jey B. Marks
Krista Kimmel Todd and Angel King Dr. Dot Kirkpatrick Drs. C.E. and Mary E W Laird
Kevin and Lois Martello Dr. Thomas and Veronica Martin Marietta C. McBride
10 FRIENDS!YOU,THANK Honor Roll of Friends Fiscal Years 2021 and 2022 (July 1, 2021- May 31, 2022) Become a Friend Anyone can be a Friend of EKU Libraries! If you have a love of libraries and EKU and you would like to be a Friend, or if you are already a friend and have not yet made your annual gift, we invite you to do so today by visiting libguides.eku.edu/library-about-us/support or reaching out to Christina Stallard at Christina.Stallard@eku.edu
Dr. Nancy Jane McKenney
Erin Lyn Murphy
Dee H. Nelson
Dr. Robert and Carol Rogow
Nicholas Hugh Sexton
Jackie A. Couture
Rita AmandaSmartMaggard Smith
Sue Carole Waehaus
George and Penny Begley
Abby Horn
Jennifer Miesch
Ashley Renee Williams
Susan G. Taylor
William and Elizabeth Robinson
Dr. Robert Spencer Weise and Margie
Deborah
Melinda A. Murphy
Harold and Dotti Renfro
Katherine Kelly
Verna M. Freer
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Samantha Neuhaus
EKU Libraries was proud to award the Library Research Award for Undergraduates to Samantha Neuhaus (‘22) . Samantha’s research focused on the efficacy of schoolbased interventions for childhood social anxiety. Cassidy Laney was awarded 2nd place, and Kaitlyn VanWay was awarded 3rd place. Each spring three students are awarded the Library Research Award for Undergraduates; financial awards for this are made possible by generous donor support!
WinnerAwardResearchLibrary
Eastern Kentucky University Libraries 103 Libraries Complex Eastern Kentucky University 521 Lancaster Avenue Richmond, Kentucky 40475 Between the Columns Credits Contributors: Jens Arneson, Leah Banks, Heather Beirne, Ashley Cole, Julie George, Neil Kasiak, Todd King, Meghan Mariah, Trenia Napier, Caitlyn Rahschulte, Kelly Smith, and Christina Stallard Photographs Courtesy of: Misty Bailey, Christina Stallard, EKU Communication & Brand Management, and EKU Special Collections & Archives MelissaDesigner:Abney #EKULibraries #YouBelongHere Visit us on the web: library.eku.edu Read this issue electronically: issuu.com/ekulibraries Congratulations to our graduating Library student employees! From left to right: Jada Clayton , Destiny Cornett, Hope Higgins, Ethan Lewis, Whitney Reed, Alexandra Stewart, Cameron White Class of 2022
