The University Of Louisville Libraries - A Library of the 21st Century

Whilst in Louisvlle attending a seminar onbe retained in the library halls being stacked in trays
contemporary American literature and touring variouswhich are accessed by computers on user request.
sites of cultural interest the University Library wasThe system gives the library enough space for over
one of those sites that had a never-fading impressionthree million volumes. The less frequently used
on my mind not only for its unique architectural planvolumes will be loaded into the system, and students
but for other inexpressible qualities that make it ancan still browse titles in open stacks in the old wing
ideal place for quiet and serene study. My first visitof the library. Books stored in the RRS are identified
was when the Director of our program led us thereas such in MINERVA, the library's catalog. To request
for an induction into the use of computers and thethe item, patrons click on a live "request" button
internet in literature research. The room we were ledonscreen, and then a robotic crane is sent off to find
into for the class was fully equipped with computersthe item, moving among racks of steel bins holding
in all the over fifty desks for students and a masterbooks and journals from which the robotic arm
screen monitor for the instructor. Many other roomsselects, grabs and delivers the appropriate bin to a
including the state of art auditorium were equally wellpickup station where a library attendant pulls the
equipped.exact item and delivers it to the circulation desk
I passed through the library on many other occasions.within minutes. The entire process which I witnessed
But the most significant one was when on my waymyself takes only minutes and handles numerous
from the University post office the thought occurredsimultaneous requests.
to me of recording the beautiful vistas of theHaving the RRS, I was told, also saves the library the
campus in pictures as well as in mind and one suchcost of a courier service and the additional library
was the Ekstrom Library which represented to mestaff needed to operate a remote storage facility.
the focal point of all the other libraries scattered atThe Ekstrom Library's RRS stands out in how artfully
various ends of the expansive campus.it is built into the central design of the new addition.
I took about two views of this building and I was stillWith numerous windows on the system, students
gaping in wonder especially at the bewitching splendorcan literally stand at the circulation desk, make a
of its frontage with readers combining eating andrequest, and actually see the system fill their form
relaxing. I was particularly struck by its inviting,watching it work serving almost as a piece of
comfortable, and open space teeming with students21st-century art, a book fountain of sorts, whizzing
and bustling with activity, a lovely terrace equippedand whirring volumes past the windows. In all, the
with outdoor furniture, facing a pleasantly invitingEkstrom addition contributes a hefty 42,500 square
green outdoor space, exploiting the favorably warmfeet of space to the library
climactic conditions here for enjoying nature. TakingThe library's robotic retrieval system (RRS) has freed
advantage of the generally mild Kentucky weatherup significant space for exhibits in the library, like the
with its ample, inviting green space, students canone by Split Rock Studios, St. Paul; designer, Lisa
study or just catch a break at a number of outdoorFriedlander that highlights the year of Kentucky's
tables on the terrace. On nice days, there are fewfounding and features a statue of Henry Clay,
better places to study-and certainly it makes for anKentucky senator from 1806 to 1850. The desk is a
inviting entryreplica of the desk Clay used when he was in the
I found myself wandering in to get a better view. AsSenate-the actual desk is in the office of Kentucky
I wandered through I remembered my mission ofSenator Mitch McConnell, who endowed the Ekstrom
seeking support for our resources-starved universityexpansion and the McConnell Center for Political
libraries in Sierra Leone. My search for the head ledLeadership.
me into the office of Mr David Hogarth who instantlyThe libraries now seem poised to attain the ambitious
became an able facilitator of my mission enabling megoals of the university of becoming a premier
within a week to meet the Dean of libraries.metropolitan university that is nationally recognized
Whilst awaiting my appointment with her I was ledfor advancing intellectual, social and economic
on a tour of various parts of the Ekstrom library. Thisdevelopment. The library's massive atrium allows light
library, I learnt, holds more than 1.1 million and 5,100to pour into the building and over the circulation desk.
journal subscriptions supporting research and curriculaThe libraries' technological resources have developed
in the humanities, social sciences, business andto state-of-the-art electronic information centers for
education. It also contains large collections ofthe campus community with more than 550
microforms, government publications, multi-media andcomputer workstations from which one can borrow
current periodicals, the Granville A. Bunton Pan Africanlaptop computers for use anywhere in the libraries.
Collection, the Barbara S.Miller Multiracial Children'sAdvanced wireless technology enables laptop users
literature Collection and the Bingham Poetry Collection.to access the internet and the libraries' vast
The Rare Books and Photographic Archives provideelectronic resources. Researchers could access 25,000
rare research sources for scholars and otherfull-text journals and hundreds of electronic
researchers. African American collections, English,databases.
European, and American Literatures collectionsTwo teaching laboratories enable librarians to conduct
together with the substantial space given toclasses in the library with instant access to the online
reference and reserved books make this library aworld. The library's three new, modern instruction labs
very significant research as well as informationequipped with wireless technology and
disseminating tool. But it is also a repository andstate-of-the-art audiovisual equipment, emphasize the
exhibitor of many prized manuscripts and otherlibrary's continually expanding role in teaching and
documents like for example the outstanding 1482learning. Instructional Lab 1 and Instructional Lab 2
first printing of Euclid's Elementia and a copy of thehave become extremely flexible spaces hosting a
Principia with annotations in Newton's hand. Theversion of the 3M Road Show for Kentucky librarians.
working collection of Richard M. Kain, and the firstThe university community can access thousands of
editions and manuscripts of James Joyce and W.B.electronic information resources from hundreds of
Yeats preserve much of Irish Literary Renaissancecomputer work stations in the libraries and also from
heritage. There is also quite a good collection ofanywhere: their offices, classrooms or home. Minerva,
Modern English and American writers withthe online catalogue indexes and accesses the many
noteworthy editions by 1890's authors and books asitems held within the libraries. Through its access to
well as autographed letters from members of thenational and regional electronic networks one could
Bloomsbury Group.search many library catalogs and databases around
A famous and ever-growing and rich collection ofthe nation and even around the world.
special materials, archives and photography include:The University of Louisville Libraries is a member of
Roy and Dela White Collection of Edgar Ricethe Association of Research Libraries, the most
Burroughs.prestigious and influential library association in North
Arthur J. Slavin.Collection of English History.America. Strong financial support from the University
Hattie Winston Collection of African- American Scriptsadministration has propelled it up to national
and Screen Plays.prominence and impetus in strengthening its ties with
Irwin Hilliard Archive of Fine Bindings.Metroversity, a consortium of higher education
Billy Davis 111 Collection of Aerial Photography.institutions in metro Louisville, Kentucky, Virtual
Other special collections include the James ChandlerLibrary and other library consortia in the region and
World War Posters and Lafin Allen's Kentucky Maps.nation thus adding significantly to the materials made
The photographic Archives houses more than 2 millionavailable to its students and faculty and to students
photographs and manuscripts as well as fine artand faculties from other campuses.
prints. It also offers printing services and a rotatingIt has established Kentucky's first library chair, the
series of exhibits.Evelyn J. Schneider Endowed Chair For Scholarly
The Roy Stryker Papers include photographs andCommunication underwritten by the estate of a
manuscripts from documentary projects directed bylongtime university librarian and the state's Research
Stryker at the Farm Security Administration,Challenge Trust Fund. The first chair holder, Dwayne
Standard Oil Company and Jones and Laughlin Steel.K. Butler is a highly regarded expert in copyright law,
The Cautfield and Shook Royal Photo and Lin Caufieldparticularly that related to educational and electronic
collections consist of photographs from Louisville'sresources.
past. Whilst the Lean Thomas, Matlack Studio, ArthurOverseeing all these developments for the past
Y Ford and Henderson Settlement School collectionseleven years has been a charismatic, energetic,
document life and culture in Appalachia. 2,000 printsingenious and visionary woman, Prof Hannnelorewery
by many notable American artists such as PaulRader, Dean of Libraries, whom I had the privilege of
Caponegro and Gary Winogrand constitute thetalking to. Prof Radar brought to Louisville a wealth of
library's Fine Print Collection.experience. For seventeen years she headed the
The library also serves a much wider communityCleveland and Wisconsin university libraries and held
beyond the campus.Through e-mail, phone or invarious positions at Eastern Michigan University for
person one could request and receive help or evenalmost twelve years. She has written widely in her
fix a session with a research librarian here. A Cardinalfield and attended many professional conferences.
card enables you to check out up to 99 items at aShe was eventually named in 1999 Outstanding
time and renew books on-line. Visiting academics areAcademic Research Librarian.
entitled to inter-library loans of up to 15 books. AThrough Dr Radar's innovative ideas, her drive and
University of Louisville student enjoys the privilege ofdirection together with the expanding library
searching for items reserved for his class on-line.collection, upgraded resources, a more inviting
Minerva gives on-line access to catalogues andenvironment, helpful and innovative library staff and
gateways to many collections. University of Louisvilleacademics library usage has recorded a 60 percent
distance learners could access off-campus throughincrease thus exceeding the 2 million per annum mark.
their ULINK username and password both libraryOne of her striking innovations is the Tulip Coffee
assignments by their professors and electronicShop in the spacious lobby where readers enjoy
databases of library resources for self-directedtasty sandwiches and other relishing rolls with cups of
research from non-University of Louisville internettea, coffee orange juice or diet coke as they read or
addresses.scroll through the internet. The Tulip Tree
Ekstrom Library houses and lends resources to theCafé has become so popular that it may
Delphi and the Writing Centers. The Delphi Centersoon need to add another cash register.
helps professors use technology in their teaching andLouisville offers one of the nation's best information
prepares them to teach courses online. The writingliteracy programs. Louisville libraries are no longer just
center assists students, professors and staffs withplaces for research, but are now like other libraries
writing projects and holds workshops on improvingtoday places of active instruction.
writing skills. Through this center an appointment withAccording to Prof Radar, her philosophy is to cater
a writing consultant could be scheduled and importantfor the needs of the mostly non-traditional
writing resources found.studentship mostly adults of varying ages and
The University of Louisville libraries a conglomerate ofnon-residential for increasingly comfortable
libraries stocking books on few selected disciplinesatmosphere and facilitating the processes of
such as music, visual art, health sciences, engineering,accessing information. This explains her introduction of
physical science and technology at the time of mythe snack bar and the constant restructuring and
tour was in the process of moving in to Ekstrom theredecorating of the premises.
main library, the over 149,000 volumes constituting"We wanted to have a space where students could
the engineering, physical science and technologylearn and do research but also socialize. ... We wanted
books and journals.to offer a library space for all of those things," for as
Besides the William Ekstrom main Library, theshe stressed "Our students are urban, many are
University library network consists of: Thepart-time and don't live on campus. We want them
Kornhauser Health Sciences Library; The Dwightto be on campus." To accomplish that, she says,
Anderson Music Library; The Margaret M. Bindwell Artthey completely reimagined their library for the 21st
Library; and The University Archives and Recordscentury.
Center."Space was an issue," Rader says. "We were running
The Kornhauser Health Sciences Library aout of space for our materials, and that's pretty
comprehensive and the most current health sciencesmuch a problem for most academic libraries." Today,
information resource center is also a "Regionalthe library space is more than repository but a place
Resource Library" in the National Network of Librariesfor instruction, to showcase unique holdings and
of Medicine. It represents a significant resource forexhibits, and to foster student collaboration and all
the entire health sciences community of the Louisvilleforms of interaction, both with information sources in
metropolitan area and the western half of Kentucky.all formats as well as with librarians.
It has over 250,000 volumes, 2,700 journalWith space a key concern, the highlight of the
subscriptions, audiovisual materials and a variety ofEkstrom Library expansion is its robotic retrieval
electronic formats. It stocks numerous items relatingsystem, a unique system made up of more than
to health care in Kentucky and the Trans-Appalachian7000 steel bins, offering climate-controlled storage
West, including historical collections, the medical schoolfor up to 1.2 million volumes. Rader was already
archives, book manuscripts and physical objects.familiar with how efficient the system could be,
The Dwight Anderson Music Library providinghaving come from Eastern Michigan University,
user-centered services offers seamless access toYpsilanti, one of the first to install such a system.
information resources in all formats and serves as a"We never really considered an off-site storage
center for teaching and learning which supports thefacility," as she said. "We don't want to store the
University of Louisville School of Music curriculum andbooks miles away, send for them when a student
research. It houses the largest academic musicneeds them, and then wait to have them delivered
collection in Kentucky including the Gravemeyerto campus." For as she notes, the robotic system
Collection of Contemporary Music comprising allcan retrieve and deliver a book in a matter of
submissions to the internationally renowned Musicminutes while off-site storage can sometimes take
Composition Award as well as a large assortment ofdays.
sheet music containing thousands of Louisville imprintsThe University of Louisville being a public institution,
celebrating the history of music publishing in the cityopen to the general public,it is, according to Rader
and the "Traipin Woman" collection with its emphasisputting an even greater premium on space and
on American folk song.efficiency. So rather than filling the space with
The Margaret M. Bridwell Art Library with its moreimmovable objects, such as banks of PCs, it is
than 80,000 volumes is a gateway to information forcompletely wireless and filled with flexible seating,
teaching, research and scholarship in art, design, artfrom stuffed, comfortable chairs and small tables to
history and architectural history. It subscribes to overwooden chairs and large, roomier tables for students
300 domestic and foreign journals and museumto spread out their work. "Students can bring their
bulletins. It has also hundreds of videos and providesown or check out laptops at the circulation desk."
access to the major electronic and print indexes.Meanwhile, 600 traditional workstations remain in the
Subjects covered here include painting, drawing,old wing for those who wish to use them.
sculpture, print-making, photography, architecturalThe Libraries in their entirety, the Dean told me, hold
history 45, interior design, graphic design, artmillions of print volumes from many countries,
education, pottery, fiber arts and decorative arts. Itelectronic books and databases and thousands of
also holds approximately 3,000 rare and scarceelectronic journals, reference materials, other library
volumes and about 150 linear feet of archivalresources, library guides and services.
materials.In addition to increased room for student
The librarians strive concertedly with academic staffcollaboration, the library expansion features three
to meet the information literacy and research needsnew library instruction labs, where formal or informal
of a diverse population recognizing that libraries areclasses are held, and the charming new 150-seat
an essential tool in the University's mission to becomeElaine Chao auditorium, all handicapped accessible, and
a premier nationally recognized metropolitanequipped with the latest technology, including wireless
university.Internet access and state-of-the-art AV equipment.
The University of Louisville libraries is guided in all itsWith digital resources offering access to information,
undertakings by its vision that libraries are themuch of the library's space is freed up for the
academic heart of the university and a place forlibrary's more unique holdings. An ambitious slate of
discovery and learning outside the classroom and thelectures, seminars, conferences, exhibits, and displays,
lab. They therefore seek to participate as active andall designed to engage students, faculty, and the
integral partners in meaningful learning, outstandingcommunity in the library have been laid out as
teaching and effective research. Users are thereforeongoing activities. Chao, who serves as Labor
always being instructed on information availability andSecretary under President Bush, spoke recently in
use. Services and resources are tailored to suit thethe auditorium that bears her name.
varying needs of users. Library staff thus identify,In addition, the library is home to the McConnell
evaluate and select materials of varying formats toCenter for Political Leadership, featuring the papers
develop collections that meet user needs. They alsoand exhibits of Kentucky's Republican Senator Mitch
apply technology, research and instructionalMcConnell. The bipartisan center sponsors a range of
innovations to enhance services and access toprogramming, including lectures and seminars. In fact,
traditional and electronic collections.the Ekstrom expansion owes a great deal to the
Rapid expansion in stocks, rapid technologicalMcConnell Center-the $14.2 million project was funded
advancement including the introduction of a roboticby federal grants earmarked by McConnell.
retrieval system has enabled more books than could