Friends of the UNCG Libraries

It’s summertime, and perhaps your life slows down a bit.   Maybe you have a few more minutes to read for pleasure, listen to books on CD, or watch a few films.   If that’s the case, the University Libraries want to remind you about some resources that might be of interest.   We have  audio books on CD, a current literature collection, and a paperback collection.   We also have several thousand entertainment DVDS available for the University community (students, faculty, staff) and members of the Friends of the UNCG Libraries.   All are available in the Jackson Library Reading Room on the first floor of Jackson Library, where they may be checked out.   You can come and browse or search our catalog , where searches may be limited to formats such as video, audio book on CD, current literature, and paperback. If your interest is in audiobooks, Recorded Books will offer a patron-focused webinar that demonstrates the features of its OneClickDigital B...

Graduating senior Lois Barnes (left) was recognized with the Libraries’ Outstanding Student Worker Award this spring.   Lois worked in the Access Services Department, where she was very well regarded by her co-workers and library patrons alike. She was cited for her helpfulness in serving patrons, and her creativity and leadership among the student workers in the Libraries.   One colleague described her as "the sort of employee you wish you could clone." The Outstanding Student Worker Award was created through the generosity of David Arneke (right), a member of the Board of Directors of the Friends of the UNCG Libraries.   Lois received a cash award and a matching award from the UNCG Bookstore.

The end of the academic year brought a series of awards and recognitions for a number of folks who serve in the University Libraries. Cheryl Cross has received the Martha Ransley Staff Service Award. Kathy Crowe was named the co-recipient of the 2012 Student Learning Enhancement Award from the UNCG Senate Student Learning Enhancement Committee. Beth Filar Williams has been elected Vice-Chair/Chair-elect of the University Libraries Section of ACRL, and Lynda Kellam was elected to the similar post of the Law and Political Science Section. Lois Barnes has received the Outstanding Student Worker Award, sponsored by Friends of the UNCG Libraries Board member David Arneke. Among the Library faculty, Amy Harris and Mac Nelson have received tenure, and Joe Williams has been reappointed. Twenty people received service award pins for their years of service , among them Fran Rubio with 40 years, Nancy Ryckman with 35, and Cindy Zaruba with 30.

The University Libraries could not provide an exceptional collection and services without the contributions of those who work here.  The following persons were recently recognized for their years of service to the University: 40 Years Fran Rubio 35 Years Nancy Ryckman 30 Years Cindy Zaruba 25 Years Keith Buckner Paul Hessling 20 Years Franklin McKee Audrey Sage Karen Ward Edward Waters 15 Years Susan Farr Michael Reeder 10 Years Patrick Kelly 5 Years Brown Biggers Linda Burr Marcie Burton Cheryl Cross Stephen Dew Marilyn Hanichak Stacey Krim Jennifer Mincey

Cheryl Cross (right, with 2011 winner Cindy Zaruba) is the winner of the 2012 Martha Ransley University Libraries Service Award . Cheryl is a Technology Support Analyst in the Libraries’ Electronic Resources and Information Technology Department. Her pleasant attitude and service-oriented approach to solving problems with computers and software, together with her knowledge of information technology, has brought her many expressions of appreciation from all over the Libraries and led to her selection for this year’s award. In addition to all Cheryl’s official duties, she works on a number of projects promoting the Libraries’ services. Some of the projects include producing videos and podcasts, and assisting in the creation of the Computer Accessibility Map for Jackson Library. All of these projects have elicited positive feedback from the Libraries’ patrons, and several people have expressed their particular enjoyment of the “Ask Us” video to other staff. Cheryl has served on the S...

Alex McKenzie is an interesting fellow. A senior who graduated in May with a BFA in Painting, Alex is a creative and articulate young man who recently conducted a project to create a “library” on Reading Day in the studio of the Gatewood Studio Arts building on the UNCG campus. Inspired by artists like Harrell Fletcher who recontextualize space and transform it for other purposes, Alex and fellow students and faculty did just that with their etching studio, making it into a library for a day in honor of Reading Day before exams. The project also reflects the sort of ephemeral art shows that artists are creating around the globe. Alex chose and solicited nearly thirty fellow students and members of the art faculty each to select 10 books from Jackson Library that they found interesting or inspiring, and brought them to the studio in shopping carts. They also brought in furniture (including half of Alex’s living room, he says), offered free coffee, created a rudimentary “catalog,”...