WKU libraries announces partnership with world's largest library cooperative

Western Kentucky University (WKU) Libraries announces its affiliation with Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) Research Library Partnership. The Research Library Partnership is an influential global collaborative of research libraries, museums, and archives that work with a sophisticated technical capacity, highly skilled on-staff experts and external consultants to achieve significant, innovative and collective action for the benefit of scholars and researchers everywhere.

According to Connie Foster, Interim Dean for WKU Libraries, the Partnership is supported by a large team of experts including information scientists, librarians, archivists, web developers, programmers, and analysts. “Through this new allliance, we will have leading-edge, peer-based opportunities to participate in transnational research collaboratives, to access multifaceted technology, and to explore challenges facing research libraries across the globe,” said Foster.

For more information regarding the OCLC Research Library Partnership, go to http://www.oclc.org/research/partnership/newpartnership.htm.

WKU students receive first semiannual library research awards

Western Kentucky University students Andrew Alvey from Warren County and Megan Stohner from Whitley County were awarded the first WKU Libraries and University Experience Undergraduate Research Awards on April 26 at WKU’s Cravens Library. Alvey was recognized for the best career essay and Stohner received an award for the best annotated bibliography. Both students received a $100 cash award along with a plaque honoring their achievement.

Alvey, a freshman from Bowling Green, was surprised to be selected as the top choice. “I was just concentrating on getting the assignment completed,” said Alvey, “I was very excited when I won.”

The purpose of the research awards is to recognize the important role of good library research in college academic success. Students from the University Experience classes are a great fit for this award, because they have a final project tied to their research instruction. “The award is a way for students to recognize the benefit of good research and to foster it throughout their entire career,” said Sara McCaslin, Library Skills Coordinator for University Experience.

For more information, contact Carol Watwood, Chair of the Library Research Awards Selection Committee, at 270-745-3912.