University Libraries
Books to Cunningham
Books left over from Western Illinois University Libraries' annual book sale this past year will soon be in the hands of children who receive services at Cunningham Children's Home in Urbana (IL). According to Greg Phelps, library specialist, nine boxes of books have been donated.
"When we heard Pastor Mark Smith and members of the congregation of the Colchester United Methodist Church were conducting a drive to collect children's items for the Cunningham Children's Home, we knew the books would be put to good use," he said. Read more.
Birds, Birds, Birds!
Join University Libraries on Friday, February 3, 2012 for a reception to celebrate the installation of "Echo," a sculpture by WIU graduate Mark Padlo '11; Tom Dunstan's work with eagles; and the addition of materials to the Petersen Ornithological Collection. The reception begins at 2:00 p.m. in the Leslie F. Malpass Library Garden Lounge.
Retired NASA Astronaut Coming to WIU
The first-ever Dr. Elizabeth Kaspar Women's Lecture for University Libraries will take place Wednesday, March 7, 2012 as retired NASA astronaut Dr. Linda Godwin visits WIU to discuss women and science.
Dr. Elizabeth A. Kaspar, a member of the former educational foundations department (now educational and interdisciplinary studies), has contributed $25,000 to endow a permanent lecture series for University Libraries during Women's History Month at Western.
"Creating a lecture series to highlight accomplished women by bringing them to Western means a great deal to me," Kaspar said. "I think it is important for our students, especially our female students, to be inspired by women during Women's History Month. Women may not have the struggles they once did, but girls still need to be reminded they can be or do anything they want."
Kaspar's efforts to eliminate gender inequity on the Macomb campus are legendary. She is credited with developing the first women's studies course at WIU, leading to the eventual women's studies curriculum, and for chairing Western's first Committee on the Status of Women. She received the Western Organization for Women (WOW) Achievement Award in 1990-91 and served as vice president for the Illinois State Commission on Women. Kaspar was also vice president and president of the Foundation for the National Association of State Commissions on Women that met annually in Washington, D.C. In September 2010, she was honored by local artist Constance "Connie" Berg through dedication of the sculpture, "Furious Flower," installed in the WIU Multicultural Center as a constant reminder of Kaspar’s achievements.
Kaspar is a native of Louisville, KY. She taught and served as dean of women at the Westhampton College of the University of Richmond and Albion College before coming to Western in 1965.
More details on Dr. Linda Godwin's March 7, 2012 presentation are coming soon.
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