WVU Libraries

As part of International Open Access Week, Oct. 20-26, the West Virginia University Libraries are promoting the benefits of Open Access publishing.

Open Access refers to free online access to digital full-text scientific and scholarly material, primarily research articles published in peer-reviewed journals.

Making work available in open access journals, or through the University’s Institutional Repository, increases citations of your work, promotes public access to federally funded research, and shares your work with scholars in developing nations who may not be able to afford high journal subscription fees.

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Blog post by Jane Metters LaBarbara, Assistant Curator, WVRHC.

Since it is Fall Break here at WVU, we will take a break from showcasing the WVRHC’s great collections to bring you a WVU history factoid:  the current tobacco free campus policy is not the first attempt to eradicate tobacco use at WVU.  Most of us are aware the WVU’s campus has been tobacco free since 2013 .  Less well known is the temporary tobacco prohibition that occurred over 100 years earlier.  Read the rest of this entry »

The West Virginia University Libraries will host a presentation by Association of Research Libraries (ARL) Executive Director Dr. Elliott Shore on October 15 from 1-2:30 p.m. in the Gluck Theater.

In his talk, “Nineteenth-Century Origins Collide with the Twenty-First Century: The Research Library Conundrum,” Shore will share insights gained from visits to some of the top research libraries across the nation and inspire new thinking about the future role of research libraries.

Shore recently finished a tour of several institutions his organization represents. ARL is a nonprofit membership organization comprising 125 research libraries that include academic libraries, public libraries, national libraries, and special libraries in the US and Canada.

Before becoming ARL president in 2013, Shore served as the Constance A. Jones director of libraries, chief information officer (CIO), and professor of history at Bryn Mawr College. As libraries director, he modernized and streamlined operations by combining departments, realigning collections appropriations, and adding new areas of collection development. As CIO, he reorganized the college’s library and computing operations into a single Information Services unit.

The WVU community is invited to attend a grand re-opening reception for the Evansdale Library on October 13 from 3-4:30 p.m. Remarks by Provost Joyce McConnell and Vice Provost Russell Dean will begin at 3:30 p.m.

At the start of the fall semester, the Libraries wrapped up an extensive two-phase renovation project that added a café, study rooms, study carrels, a quiet-study room that seats 46 people, and multiple comfortable seating areas.

The reception will follow a presentation by Dr. Michael Stephens, a professor in the School of Library and Information Science at San Jose State University, on the role of libraries concerning massive open online courses, or MOOCs. Stephens’ presentation runs from 2-3 p.m.

Derek Krissoff, Editor in Chief of the University of Nebraska Press, has been named the new Director of the West Virginia University Press.

“We are excited for Derek Krissoff to lead the award-winning WVU Press,” Dean of Libraries Jon E. Cawthorne said. “Derek brings expertise and vision that will help the WVU Libraries and Press to identify new opportunities and ventures in publishing that define success of university presses.”

Krissoff

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Massive open online courses, or MOOCs, spark questions even for those familiar with the new concept in distance education.

The West Virginia University Libraries are working to determine their place in the equation. Dr. Michael Stephens, a professor in the School of Library and Information Science at San Jose State University, will delve into the role of libraries concerning MOOCs during his presentation on Oct. 13 from 2-3 p.m. at the Evansdale Library. A reception will follow.

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Blog post by Stewart Plein, Rare Book Librarian.

Bob, at the feet of his owner, Professor William P. Willey, poses with the Junior Law class of 1909.

Dogs have always been popular pets for students and faculty alike at WVU.  This is just as true today as it was 107 years ago when Bob, a medium sized dog of unknown parentage with black and tan markings, first placed a paw on campus.  The beloved pet and constant companion of William P. Willey, one of WVU’s first professors, serving both the History and Law departments, Bob was more than one man’s best friend.  Known and loved by every student on the WVU campus, Bob happily held the tail wagging title of mascot for the WVU College of Law from 1907-1910.   Read the rest of this entry »

Blog post by Jane Metters LaBarbara, Assistant Curator, WVRHC.

Rebecca Harding Davis (June 24, 1831-September 29, 1910) was born Rebecca Blaine Harding in Washington, Pennsylvania.  Today marks 104 years since her death.  She is perhaps best known for her novella Life in the Iron Mills (1861) and for her pioneering role in literary realism.   Read the rest of this entry »

Dear students, staff, faculty, and community members:  have you ever used the West Virginia and Regional History Center’s website?  Have you been longing to give the Center feedback on the design or usefulness of the website?  Now is your chance!

We have created a brief survey to give you an opportunity to tell the WVRHC about your experience with its website. The survey focuses on the site’s general usability, not specific digital resources.

Participants who include their email addresses will be eligible to win a framed 8 x 10 print photo of the winner’s choice from West Virginia History OnView.  Two prizes will be awarded. The contest is open until October 31, and the winners will be alerted by November 7.  Thank you for your participation!

For more information, contact Jane LaBarbara at jane.metters@mail.wvu.edu.

A group portrait of the Deakins Line Surveying Team of Preston County, West Virginia.  Thankfully, web surveys are easier to complete than geological surveys.

Blog post by Lori Hostuttler, Digital Projects and Outreach Archivist.

This week researchers and educators are gathering at West Virginia University to celebrate 100 years of cooperative extension at the Century Beyond the Campus: Past, Present, and Future of Extension research symposium.  Agricultural education has always been a fundamental part of West Virginia University’s mission and the holdings at the West Virginia and Regional History Center (WVRHC) reflect this commitment.  Extension program records, county agent reports, faculty files, as well as photographs and serial publications document the rich history of extension at WVU.  Read the rest of this entry »

The West Virginia University Libraries want to know what students, faculty and staff think about their website.

A current survey provides an opportunity to tell WVU about your experience with the Libraries’ website. The survey focuses on the site’s general usability, not specific digital resources.

Your thoughts could be worth something in return. Participants who include their email addresses will be in the running for two random prize drawings for $500 tablets of the winner’s choice – Android, Apple or Windows. Not providing an email address negates participation. The contest is open until October 16, and the winners will be announced by October 31.

For more information, contact Tim Broadwater at twbroadwater@mail.wvu.edu.

Event organizers are seeking participates for a read-in in observance of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer History Month.

The West Virginia University Libraries, in collaboration with the Commission for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Equity, and the Center for Women’s and Gender Studies, will host a read-in and discussion on Oct. 8 from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Downtown Campus Library, room 2036.

“This event will provide an opportunity for Mountaineer students, staff, and faculty to gather with a common goal of community, support, and providing voice and visibility to members of the LGBTQ community and their allies,” said Brian Jara, co-chair of the Commission for LBGTQ Equity. “I expect it to be engaging, touching and valuable for all who attend.”

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Blog post by Stewart Plein, Rare Book Librarian.

 Image of Edison Phonograph advertisement from Flickr photostream of Jalal gerald Aro, album titled “affiche”

The archives at the West Virginia and Regional History Center contain many historical items, including pieces of music and advertising.  These two areas intertwine with a program for a musical evening with Miss Betsy Lane Shepherd, soprano, with music provided by Mr. Rudolph Polk, violinist.  The program was for a recital held at the First Methodist Episcopal Church in Moundsville, West Virginia, Tuesday, November 6, 1917.  Read the rest of this entry »

Three candidates for West Virginia University Press Director will visit campus this month.

“We have three extraordinary individuals as finalist in our search for a director of the WVU Press,” said James Harms, WVU professor of English and chair of the press director search committee. “Each would bring a wealth of experience and knowledge. I encourage everyone to attend the upcoming forums to learn about and meet the candidates.”

Candidates will be meeting with University and college administrators as well as library faculty and staff at the public sessions.

Candidates include: Henry Carrigan, Assistant Director & Senior Editor, Northwestern University Press, will be on campus Sept. 15; Joyce Harrison, Acquiring Editor, Kent State University Press, Sept. 17; and Derek Krissoff, Editor in Chief, University of Nebraska Press, Sept. 16. All forums will be held form 1-2 p.m. in room 104 of the Downtown Campus Library.

Blog post by Jane Metters LaBarbara, Assistant Curator, WVRHC.

The West Virginia and Regional History Center is in the middle of a project to digitize some of our glass plate negatives.  Previous blog posts have discussed the glass plate negatives of the Fred T. Newbraugh collection (scans online here) and the James Green collection (scans online here).  From those posts, we learned about the evolution of glass plate negative technology, from the time-sensitive “wet collodion” process in the mid to late 1800s to the “dry” process that arose in 1880.  Now we’ll learn how WVRHC staff members are cleaning a century’s worth of dust and dirt off of our glass plate negatives to preserve and provide access to our region’s history.   Read the rest of this entry »

Blog post by Michael Ridderbusch, Associate Curator, WVRHC.

In a 1923 interview entitled “Makes Money From Just Fun,” Broadway star Eleanor Williams is described as the “chief laugh-maker” in “The Love Child,” the show running at the time (ca. 1922-1923).  “At last a comedian has been found who does not wish to do serious roles,” observes the reporter, “only in this case the player happens to be a comedienne!”  The interview continues:  “No,” said Miss Williams emphatically, “I do not care to do serious parts at all, am not ambitious in that direction.”  “I think it’s wonderful to be able to make people cry.  But I get an actual thrill from laughter and it’s the thrill that I love best.”  Read the rest of this entry »

Students will find scholarly research and industry news relating to all areas of hospitality and tourism in a new database, Hospitality and Tourism Complete, now available on the popular EBSCOhost platform. The Libraries added the resource to support the Hospitality and Tourism Management major, offered for the first time this fall by the College of Business and Economics.

The collection contains more than 828,000 sources, with full text for more than 480 publications, including periodicals, company & country reports, and books. For more information or to access Hospitality and Tourism Complete, visit the databases page on the Libraries web site.

Blog post by Stewart Plein, Rare Book Librarian.

John Robert Clifford (1848-1933) was a pioneer in every way.  Driven to achieve, Clifford made significant contributions towards civil rights as an activist and as editor and publisher of the Pioneer Press, a newspaper published in Martinsburg, West Virginia.  The first African-American newspaper in the state, the Pioneer Press gained readers across the country as it sought to address the “moral, religious and financial needs,” not just for African-American subscribers, but all of humanity, on a weekly basis. Read the rest of this entry »

The Libraries recently acquired a new collection of digitized newspapers to support research. Proquest Historical Black Newspapers offers outstanding primary source documents for the study of African-American history, politics, and culture.

The collection contains full text of 9 important African-American newspapers: Chicago Defender, The Baltimore Afro-American, New York Amsterdam News,Pittsburgh Courier, Los Angeles Sentinel, Atlanta Daily World, The Norfolk Journal and Guide, The Philadelphia Tribune, and Cleveland Call and Post. Dates of coverage vary by newspaper, but taken together the collection covers from 1893 to 2005.

The 9 newspapers may be searched as a group through a listing on the Library web site at: Proquest Historical Newspapers – Black Newspapers. They may be cross-searched with other Proquest databases, such as the historical New York Times, as well.

For more information or questions contact http://answers.lib.wvu.edu/ or Penny Pugh at ppugh@wvu.edu.

Blog post by Jane Metters LaBarbara, Assistant Curator, WVRHC.

One of the highlights of the WVRHC is the journal of John W. M. Appleton, part of A&M 92.  Appleton was an officer in the 54th Massachusetts Infantry during the Civil War, and later became Adjutant General of West Virginia.¹  Appleton’s journal is a unique and valuable research tool, telling the story of one of the first all-black regiments in the Union Army through Appleton’s eyes and containing sketches, photographs, and newspaper clippings that give us greater insight into that time. Read the rest of this entry »