Month: February 2009

2009-02-13

Lynne M. Rudasill, associate professor of library administration and global studies librarian at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, has been named the 2009 recipient of the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) Law and Political Science Section (LPSS) Marta Lange/CQ Press Award. The award honors an academic or law librarian who has made distinguished contributions to bibliography and information service in law or political science. CQ Press, sponsor of the award, will present the $1,000 award and plaque during the 2009 American Library Association Annual Conference in Chicago.

“As the first and only global studies librarian at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Lynne has made a number of contributions to the library profession through articles published in books, peer reviewed and general academic library journals and through a host of presentations both at home and abroad,” said Leslie Homzie, chair of the award committee and senior reference librarian at Boston College. “Through her website created for the Global Studies Library at UIUC she continues to engage users in international studies.”

Rudasill’s research interests include the exploration of human-computer interaction through web page design in order to facilitate access to library resources.  She is currently researching the effects of government policies on the informational aspects and resources of non-governmental organizations.

In addition to her position as global studies librarian, Rudasill serves as half-time subject specialist for political science and speech communication in the Education and Social Science Library at the University of Illinois, where her duties include collection development, instruction, and reference.

Rudasill received her B.A. with distinction in political science from the University of Illinois in 1976, where she also earned her M.S.L.S.

Do you have a story you’d like added to the Library News & Events? If so, please contact Heather Murphy ( hmurphy@illinois.edu ).

2009-02-11

A new children’s writing contest, open to students in kindergarten through fifth grade, invites children to discover the joy of literature by writing their own stories.

The goal of The Youth Literature Festival Writing Contest is to encourage writing and self-expression and reward effort, said Violet Harris, associate dean for academic affairs in the University of Illinois College of Education, which is sponsoring the contest along with the University Library and WILL Public Media.

“We hope the contest will be a valuable class assignment for students at school, but also one that some children will initiate themselves and work on at home,” she said.

Illinois women’s basketball coach Jolette Law is the spokesperson for the contest. Every child will be recognized for his or her participation with a Certificate of Achievement signed by coach Law. The first, second and third place winners in each grade will receive prizes. All children who enter will be invited to a young authors’ celebration in May.

Entries must be postmarked by March 9. Original works of fiction, nonfiction, graphic novel, drama, personal essay or poetry/spoken word are eligible. Rules and entry forms are available by visiting the Youth Literature Festival Web site at youthlitfest.ed.uiuc.edu/contest , sending an email to youthlitfest@ed.uiuc.edu , or calling the Writing Contest Hotline, 217-244-0708.

Do you have a story you’d like added to the Library News & Events? If so, please contact Heather Murphy ( hmurphy@illinois.edu ).

2009-02-09

Scott Schwartz (archivist for fine and applied arts and director of the Sousa Archives and Center for American Music) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has been named a recipient of a 2008-2009 Campus Award for Excellence in Public Engagement (CAEPE).  He accepted the award on February 4, 2009.

Campus Awards for Excellence in Public Engagement recognize faculty members, academic professionals, staff employees, and students who fulfill the University’s commitment to public engagement in exemplary ways.  Public engagement is any organized and sustained activity that applies the expertise of a faculty, academic professional, staff or student beyond the campus and into local, state, national or international public arenas.

“This campus award is an important recognition of Scott’s extraordinary contributions to connecting the Library and the University with the broader community,” said professor Paula Kaufman, university librarian and dean of libraries for the University of Illinois.

Schwartz’s work at the Library extends to engage the public.  His work with American Music Month is one such example.  This celebration always includes lectures, concerts, performance demonstrations, exhibitions, guided tours, and educational programming for public school and home school music students.  Schwartz founded the annual event in 2004 with the University’s John Philip Sousa Sesquicentennial celebration.  The purpose of each year’s celebration is to directly engage people from the campus and local communities with the Center’s historical music manuscripts, sound recordings, photographs, and instruments.

“Through our engagement efforts, we want our unique collections of music and instruments to express the stories and sounds of America’s diverse musical legacy,” said Schwartz.

For more information about the awards and grants through the Office of Public Engagement, please visit http://engagement.illinois.edu .

Do you have a story you’d like added to the Library News & Events? If so, please contact Heather Murphy ( hmurphy@illinois.edu ).

2009-02-03

Audubon at Illinois

The Krannert Art Museum is hosting an exhibition of selected prints from the University Library’s copy of John James Audubon’s Birds of America . The exhibition features 24 of the original hand-colored engravings of birds common to Illinois, some uncommon visitors, and endangered or extinct birds once found in the state. The exhibition runs from January 30 – May 24, 2009. For further information and a list of related events, please see Audubon at Illinois .

Do you have a story you’d like added to the Library News & Events? If so, please contact Heather Murphy ( hmurphy@illinois.edu ).