News from the KU Libraries

Libraries celebrates KU football with online exhibit of historic photographs

To celebrate the Jayhawk football season, staff members from the KU Libraries have created "KU Football: the First Seven Decades," an online exhibit of historic football and athletics images from the University Archives.

The project makes the photographs, spanning 1890 to 1955, available electronically for the first time. Visit www.lib.ku.edu/exhibits/homecoming to view the photos.

Images in the exhibit include a photo of the first KU football team (1890), the old McCook field with a view of North College on Mount Oread in the background, a 1909 team photo with mascot Don Carlos the pig, Jayhawk fans heading to Columbia for a KU-University of Missouri game in the 1940s, KU cheerleaders from the 1920s and 1930s and more.

Becky Schulte, University archivist, selected many of the images and provided caption information for the online exhibit.

"These photographs have been gleaned from the collection of more than 1 million images preserved in the University Archives," Schulte said. "It’s wonderful to be able to share a few of these important images through the medium of the Web."

University Archives at Spencer Research Library is the repository for records documenting the history of KU, including the University’s long athletic tradition. The collection includes thousands of photographs of teams, games, players and fans; film and videotape going back to the 1929 KU-KSU football game as well as media guides, programs, news releases and clippings.

The project is one of several in the works at KU Libraries to provide greater digital access to materials of historic, artistic and scholarly interest.

"We plan to continue to expand the availability of digital images from the University Archives in the future as part of the KU Digital Library, and we invite everyone to visit Spencer Research Library to view our photograph collection in person," Schulte said. "Besides athletics, other topics include student activities and organizations, the campus and university buildings, Commencement and concerts and other special events."

 

KU Libraries recognizes exemplary librarians and staff, honors benefactors

Friends, fans and supporters gathered Sept. 25 in Watson Library to celebrate those who have helped KU Libraries strive for and achieve excellence.

“So many people have contributed to our success at KU Libraries by giving their time, their energy, their passion and their support,” said Dean of Libraries Lorraine Haricombe. “It was our pleasure to gather for one night and recognize them.”

At the event, Haricombe spoke about the state of the libraries and launched a new honorary giving society named for Robert Vosper, famed former director of KU Libraries. Those honored included donors to KU Libraries, as well as award winners from among KU Libraries faculty and staff.

Jim Neeley was honored as the recipient of the 2009 Gretchen and Gene A. Budig Distinguished Librarian Award. The award recognized achievements in professional service and scholarship, as well as reputation among professional colleagues.

Librarian Tami Albin received the 2009 Mary McCorison Rosenbloom Teaching Award. The award is made biennially to recognize an individual faculty or staff member of KU Libraries who has designed and delivered an exemplary instructional program during the course of the review period.

Erin Pfannenstiel received KU Libraries’ 2009 Support Staff Employee of the Year Award. The award honors extraordinary dedication and quality among support staff.

Natalie Bazan, a former graduate student in the Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures, was recognized as the recipient of the 2009 Carl and Margaret Husic Award to Support Librarianship in Less Commonly Taught Languages. The scholarship, which was created last year by KU librarian Geoff Husic, includes $1,200 to support graduate study in librarianship.

Bazan also won this year’s Rubinstein/Mason Award, honoring the late Joseph Rubinstein, first head of KU Libraries’ Department of Special Collections, and Alexandra Mason, Spencer librarian emerita, for their service to scholarship. The award provides $1,000 to support graduate study in librarianship. Bazan has been accepted to the library and information science master’s program at the University of Illinois.

 

2009 annual report now available online
Alumni and friends can now download a PDF of the KU Libraries’ 2009 annual report. Please visit www.lib.ku.edu/pressroom/annualreport/index.shtml.

 

Mark your calendars!

Join Dean Lorraine Haricombe at three upcoming KU Libraries events. To RSVP, please contact Courtney Foat at cfoat@ku.edu or 785.864.0970.

Topeka Area Event featuring KU Librarian Susan Craig
Topeka Performing Arts Center
6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29
KU Librarian Susan Craig will highlight Kansas art and artists as she discusses her international award-winning e-book, “The Biographical Dictionary of Kansas Artists (Active before 1945).” A dessert bar will follow the talk.

Beth Whittaker Welcome Reception
Spencer Research Library, North Gallery
5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12
Join the campus community in welcoming the new head of Spencer Research Library, KU alumna Beth Whittaker.

Kansas City Event featuring University Archivist Becky Schulte
4801 Main Street, Kansas City
7-9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19
University Archivist Becky Schulte will discuss the evolution of KU’s beloved mascot, explain the Libraries’ role in preserving KU history and share tips and tricks to help you preserve your own family’s historic documents and mementos.