EKS Library and Efird Tours
CHECK IT OUT! The Ethel K. Smith Library and the Efird Memorial Building, which houses the University Archives, will host brief, optional drop-in tours and informational sessions today (Monday, August 23) between the hours of 2:00pm–5:00pm. Stop by before or after your visit to this afternoon’s Street Fair. “It’s a Great Day at the Ethel K.!”
EKS Library Hard at Work on the 9th Annual FOL Author Luncheon
The staff of the EKS Library and the FOL Board are busy preparing for our next event: the 9th Annual FOL Author’s Luncheon. This year we welcome author Elissa Schappell, author of the novel Use Me which was a finalist for the PEN/Hemingway award, a Borders Original Voice selection, a Los Angeles Times Best Book of the Year selection, and a New York Times Notable Book selection. Click here for a reading guide from HarperCollins.
Please join us for the event on Tuesday, March 16th. The luncheon will begin at 11:30 a.m. in the La Verne Dining Hall on the campus of Wingate University with a book signing to follow. Ticket prices are $20 for faculty/staff and $15 for WU students.
For reservations and/or more information, please contact Luanne Barbee at lbarbee@wingate.edu or 704-233-8093. See you there!
Library Director Invited to Attend Van Dyke Book Club Meeting
Just last week I had the opportunity to be the guest of a Friends of the Ethel K. Smith Library (FOL) Board member at one of her book club meetings. I attended the Van Dyke Book Club meeting with Mrs. Elizabeth Gibson (Van Dyke Book Club President and EKS FOL Board Vice-Chairperson).
The Van Dyke Book Club is one of the oldest in Monroe – the club has been active for over one hundred years. The members allowed me opportunity to chat about the EKS FOL and Wingate University’s upcoming common reading author scheduled for September 2010 (keep checking EKS Libris for more details).
The guest speaker was Hugh Howey, a Monroe native and author of the Molly Fyde book series. I always consider hearing an author read and talk about his work a wonderful opportunity.
Friends of the Library Event to Air on WUTV
We recently celebrated the publication of Dr. Jerry Surratt’s book, The History of Wingate Baptist Church 1810-2009. Dr. Surratt, Wingate University Emeritus Faculty – History, is author of Part II (1985-2009). The Friends of the Ethel K. Smith Library (FOL) hosted a book signing and reception with Dr. Surratt in the Efird Memorial Library, Wingate University Academic Quadrangle on February 9th.
The staff of WUTV was present and conducted interviews with Dr. Surratt and Dr. Derrill Smith, pastor of Wingate Baptist Church and Co-Chairperson of the 09-10 FOL Board. Be sure to look for the segment on WUTV, Cable Channel 22.
Welcome Back To A New Online Catalog
While the Holidays bring a welcome break from the hectic schedule of classes, it is a busy time in the EKS Library as we prepare for the return of students and faculty. Over the 2009 Holiday break the staff has been working on a vendor upgrade of the online catalog.
The layout of the search platform is different, but we believe it will facilitate faster, more effective search strategies for all users. Take some time to “check out” all the options available on the Basic search screen. There you will find specific tabs for quick searching of materials by author or title and a tab just for new books. Changes have also been made to the view of the results screen that provide more data manipulation options such as exporting your results list to your e-mail account. In my own searches of the catalog, I have found the enhancements intuitive and user-friendly. I hope that your search experience is the same.
Should you have any questions about the upgraded system, do not hesitate to contact the Reference Desk at extension 8097 or Ask Ethel for assistance with your research. We look forward to working with you in your research endeavors in the 2010 Spring semester . Happy New Year and happy searching!
Tags: Online Catalog
SeniorFest 2009
Though Tuesday, October 13, 2009 was the last day of Fall Break for the undergraduate students, the Wingate University campus was busy with activity. A total of 90 senior adults came to campus to participate in SeniorFest 2009, a day of concurrent workshops.
It was my privilege to present one of the seminars, “North Carolina is my Home: A Librarian’s Literary Sampler.” The focus of SeniorFest 2009 was North Carolina. In that vein, my talk focused on twelve authors affiliated with North Carolina. This was a wonderful opportunity to spend the afternoon with University friends who are engaged and excited readers. Given that North Carolina’s geography so easily divides into the three regions of the Mountains, the Piedmont, and the Coast, that is how I divided our discussion. In the Mountain region we discussed the works of Carl Sandburg, Thomas Wolfe, Lee Smith, and Ron Rash. While covering the Piedmont region, we talked about the writings of Fred Chappell, Clyde Edgerton, Robert Morgan, and Kay Gibbons. Our literary journey concluded on the Coast in a chat about Nan Graham, Reynolds Price, Tim McLaurin, and Nicholas Sparks.
North Carolina’s literary history is a certainly a rich one. We addressed all these authors via the following themes: home place, heritage, story, and tragedy. I had a wonderful afternoon discussing North Carolina’s authors and literature with new friends.
Welcome Back to Wingate
Welcome to, or welcome back to, Wingate University! Summer 2009 has been quite a busy time in the EKS Library.
We would like to introduce a new staff member: Marla Pressley, Access Services Assistant. As a member of the Access Services Team, Ms. Pressley is responsible for InterLibrary Loan Services, assisting with print periodicals, and bookkeeping. Her office is located on the first floor of the Library. Please stop by and welcome her to Wingate University.
Additionally, you will notice significant modifications to the EKS Library website, especially if you have found this article. Welcome to our online newsletter, or BLOG! Here, you will find important announcements, database news, and our Baker & Taylor (popular reading collection) book reviews from the Library Staff, Reading EKScursions. We look forward to communicating with you via this technological tool. Take this opportunity to read our posts and comment on our interactive book reviews.
We wish you the best of luck in your 2009-2010 academic endeavors. Happy reading!
Graduation Fair Surveys
Wingate University held its Spring Graduation Fair February 12 and 13, 2007. The Ethel K. Smith Library participates in this Fair in order to conduct exit surveys of the graduating class. The survey provides data that includes the following: major, reasons for coming to the Library, frequency of visits, and rating the level of assistance the student received. This is an excellent opportunity for assessment and review.
Odoms Oddities: From the Desk of the Director
Mr. Kevin Winchester was a great success at the FOL Author’s Coffee Talk!
On Saturday, October 28, 2006, the Friends of the Library Board Members were most pleased to host Mr. Kevin Winchester, Wingate University Author’s Coffee Talk on the Library’s Mezzanine. Mr. Winchester spoke to one of the largest turnouts for this event in its history! Twelve students were included in the audience members! Throughout the morning Mr. Winchester shared excerpts from his published works and some materials that are still in the writing process, answered questions from the audience, signed books and visited with guests. A signed copy of his latest book, Everything but the Baby was donated to the Library’s special collection. Check out the FOL website (http://library.wingate.edu/FOL/home.html) for announcements regarding upcoming events.
Odom’s Oddities: From the Desk of the Director
Photo: Luanne Barbee
The 2005-2006 Friends of the Library Board, led by Chairperson Susan Shaw, chose to make two gifts to the Ethel K. Smith Library during the fiscal year. The first gift, pictured at the right, was a choice to renovate an existing group study room. This renovation included a mural, designed and painted by artist Linda White of Liberty, North Carolina, a study table accompanied by four, three-position rock study chairs, two soft- seating chairs with laptop tables, and an occasional table. Completed in the Summer of 2006, the room has been embraced by student study groups and faculty for a warm, inviting location to meet, study, and enjoy a coffee from the Ethel K. Cafe. The room has been appropriately renamed the FOL Study Room.
Secondly, the FOL Board agreed to upgrade the presentation technology components for the Library’s Reference Department. The enhancements, which include a new screen, LCD projection system and cart, and room divider screens, have been crucial in providing superior Bibliographic Instruction sessions.
Tags: FOL Annual Gift
