EKU Libraries Between the Columns Newsletter - Spring 2022

columns

Spring/Summer 2022

FROM THE DEAN

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.

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.

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.

Sincerely, Julie George Dean of EKU Libraries

HAPPENINGS

EKU LIBRARIES EVENTS& Spring 2022

L@YL: A Night of True Crime with Shay McAlister

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

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. 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.

Mining for Memories with Crystal Wilkinson

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.

Java City has Relocated

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.

IN STEM BLACK

EKU Libraries Speaking from the Margins A

Live @ Your Library presents A Night of

with Shay McAlister

Crystal Wilkinson

COLLECTIONS

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

trended slightly downward, except for Special Collections and Archives and Encompass. Encompass downloads saw an increase of 43 percent during FY21.

BUSIEST DAY IN THE LIBRARY

Typically 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.

AUGUST

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).

FAST FACT:

Squirrel visitors to the library increased by 100% in FY21.

TEACHING & LEARNING

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.

55% INCREASE

IN LIBRARY RESEARCH GUIDE VIEWS

For example, Library Research guide views increased by 55 percent and views of the library’s YouTube videos were up 63 percent from last fiscal year.

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.

VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION ATTENDANCE IN FY21 WAS UP AN ASTOUNDING

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.

FAST FACT:

There are 191 public facing FAQs available to assist all users, whether on or off-campus.

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.

POPULAR LIBRARY CHECKOUTS

The following titles, in order from highest read at top, all were checked out by 10 patrons or more.

• 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:

236 people attended virtual events held by EKU Libraries during the COVID pandemic.

FAST FACT:

Over the last year we held 10 events to pass out treats, swag and food to students.

- Alisha Rhymer

Pieces of the Past

Meet the newest Special Collections & Archives team member who is helping preserve history one piece at a time.

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.

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.

“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.”

Noel Studio Consultant Awards

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.

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.

2022: Millicent

Thompson Versluys

(B.S. Recreation and Park Administration, 2021)

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: Abigail Byrd (MFA Creative Writing, 2022)

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.

2022: Mary

(B.A. Psychology)

Lyons

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.

2022: Rachel Hampton (M.A. English, 2022)

Pictured from left to right: Millicent Thompson Versluys, Rachel Hampton, Abigail Byrd, and Mary Lyons

THANK YOU, FRIENDS!

Honor Roll of Friends

Fiscal Years 2021 and 2022 (July 1, 2021- May 31, 2022)

Joel M Aalberts

Anne Abate

Larry and Melissa Abney

Julia Adams

Sarah Katelyn Adams

Jens Arneson and Rachel Alexander

Ann S. Algier

Dr. Joy Allameh

Kim Allen

Joe and Melinda Allen

Prof. Cathy M. Andersen

Dr. Tom Appleton, Jr.

Raymond L. Arnold

Tom Arnold

Loreen R. Bailey

Brian and Misty Bailey

Leah Banks

Brad and Erin Barnett

Heather Beirne

Lindsey Raye Bezold

Martha G. Bogard

Dr. Lisa A Bosley and Reid Livingston, Jr.

Dr. Anne Page Brooks

James and Sally Brown

Catherine G. Bushey

Shelley Marie Caldwell

Martha C. Campbell

Mary S. Campbell

Pennie Centers

Merlin Chowkwanyun

Josh and Ashley Cole

Lisa P. Collins

Brad and Melinda Compton

Malcolm and Javena Conlee

Cathy Lynn Connley

Carrie Lynn Cooper

Lewis Cope

Brian K. Cornish

Emily R. Cothran

Jackie A. Couture

Robert J. Craig

Dr. Robert and Joyce Creek

Jeannette and Gerald Crockett

Brandon and Kayla Davidson

Dr. John Martha Davidson Donald and Mary Dewey

Beverly and Shirley Dezarn

P. and Jerry Dimitrov

Laura Edwards

Dr. William and Charlotte Ellis

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

George and Penny Begley

Don and Jodie Feltner

Lucy Randolph Flood Kathy Flood

Verna M. Freer

Martha A. Gabbard

Dorothy J. Galatz Andrew and Betina Gardner Conley R Garland Wanda F. Garr

Janice L. George Trevor and Julie George Thomas Preston George Dorothy Claire George Jacob Emanuel Gibson

Karen L. Gilbert

Harry Rice and Carol Gilliam

Mary Jean Giltner

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 Bennett

William and Kay Hill Hal and Kathy Holmes

Abby Horn Dan Horn Clay Howard Gregory and Christine Huff

Dr. John and Jerry Ann Jenkins Dr. Kevin L. Jones

Lucinda Hodges Judd Mike Karpathakis Neil and Angela Kasiak Shirley and Kathy Kearns

Katherine Kelly Krista Kimmel Todd and Angel King Dr. Dot Kirkpatrick Drs. C.E. and Mary E W Laird Brenda Larsen Doris B. Lash Ronnie and Carol Lawson Dan R. Lee

Peggy J. Lukens

Jey B. Marks

Kevin and Lois Martello Dr. Thomas and Veronica Martin Marietta C. McBride Dr. Nancy Jane McKenney

Jennifer Miesch

Rev. Horse Miller, Sr. Jerome Molumby and Patricia Eckert

Become a Friend

Matt and Nicole Montgomery

Lisa Lynn Moore

David Alexander Murphy

Erin Lyn Murphy

Melinda A. Murphy

Trenia Lynn Napier

Dee H. Nelson

Patricia Ann New Kevin and Lauren Nunn Dr. Eugene and Mrs. Cindy Palka Rev. James A. Potts

Carl J. Pullen

Dr. Barb Ramey

Charles and Kim Reams

Harold and Dotti Renfro

Zach and Krista Rhodus

Gary and Geri Rice

Jeffrey Richey and Kelly Smith

William and Elizabeth Robinson

Dr. Robert and Carol Rogow

Dr. John and Sharon Rowlett

Bill and Tina Sandlin

Morgan Cole Schoulthies

Melissa C. Schutt

Stephen and Martha Seithers

Nicholas Hugh Sexton

David and Jill Silver Rita Smart Amanda Maggard Smith Christina Stallard

David and Laura Steidle Dr. Robert Spencer Weise and Margie Stelzer

Rebecca Kaye Stinnett

Wilma J. Swope Dr. Jack and Amelia Taylor Susan G. Taylor

Ashley Salyer Thacker

Dr. William and Nancy Thames Dr. Stuart and Yongseon Tobin Cristina Tofan

Joseph and Carrie Tuttle

Jackie Vance Dr. Janna and Wayne D. Vice Julie Marie Volpenhein Sue Carole Waehaus

Dr. Mary Virginia Walker

Dennis and Nancy Warren

Daniel Hayden Weddington

Laurence and Hazel Wells

Deborah Michele Whalen

Dr. Rodney and Donna White Dr. Doug and Joanne Whitlock

Allan and Brenda Wickersham Ashley Renee Williams Maria Laurence Wright

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

Library Research Award Winner

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!

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

Designer: Melissa Abney

From left to right: Jada Clayton , Destiny Cornett, Hope Higgins, Ethan Lewis, Whitney Reed, Alexandra Stewart, Cameron White