Beyond the Shelf Partners
- UK Libraries
- Kentucky Virtual Library (KVYL)
- Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)
- Kentucky Association of Teachers of History (KATH)
University of Kentucky (UK).
The University of Kentucky Libraries comprise 15 branch and associate libraries that support the University of Kentucky with holdings of more than 3 million volumes, almost 6 million microfilms, 26,000 current periodical subscription titles and nearly 12,000 online full-text journals. The University of Kentucky Libraries maintains membership in the Association of Research Libraries, the group of the 120 major research libraries in the United States and Canada. The University of Kentucky ranks among the top 25 in ARL’s overall rankings with a library materials endowment of nearly $67 million.
The University of Kentucky Libraries, as the major repository of research information in the state, provides a communication infrastructure that encourages patron use. To fulfill its mission to function as the primary research archive of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the University of Kentucky Libraries actively augments, processes and preserves it’s print, audio-visual, electronic and microform collections. Online catalogs, databases, links to other libraries and electronic access to journals and other research resources are fundamental components of the University of Kentucky Libraries. At the local desktop and via the World Wide Web, UK Libraries provides access to both commercial and locally developed digital resources, thereby providing patrons with information that is both timely and convenient.
UK Libraries: Electronic Information Access and Management Center. The University of Kentucky Libraries Electronic Information Access & Management Center (EIAMC) identifies and implements digital library initiatives. As part of its mission, the Center manages the Kentuckiana Digital Library, a component of the Kentucky Virtual Library's state-wide initiative to digitize and enhance access to archival material in the state of Kentucky. In this role, the Center manages the Kentuckiana Digital Library's systems infrastructure and performs digital conversion of selected archival resources. The Kentuckiana Digital Library includes a union database of over 3,500 SGML finding aids representing 15 Kentucky repositories.
UK Libraries: Preservation Services. The UK Libraries’ Preservation Department is charged with preserving materials in the general and special collections in all formats. The Department comprises three units: the Binding and Shelf Prep Unit which performs commercial binding for the William T. Young Library, the Reprographics Unit which microfilms current and historic Kentucky newspapers as well as brittle books and university records, and the Conservation Lab which oversees the in-house binding and book repair for circulating collections and the high-level conservation treatment for special collections.
UK Libraries has participated since 1992 in SOLINET’s Cooperative Preservation Microfilming Projects (CPMP). By the end of CPMP6, 7,000 volumes of Kentuckiana will have been preserved. Early preservation efforts included the establishment in 1954 of the Microfilm Center, (now Reprographics), to microfilm newspapers and rare books. Building on the long term expertise of the Microfilm Center, the University conducted the USNP Kentucky Newspaper Project between 1983-91. UK Libraries and the Microfilm Center conducted the field work, cataloging, microfilming and OCLC updating.
In 1991, the University Libraries completed the Preservation Planning Program, funded in part by NEH and coordinated through ARL. The long-range Preservation Plan developed during that effort continues to serves as a guide and touchstone for an active collection preservation program at UK Libraries.
Kentucky Virtual Library (KYVL).
The Kentucky Virtual Library, officially launched in November of 1999, was first conceived by the State-Assisted Academic Library Council of Kentucky (SAALCK); comprised of heads of the eight state-assisted university libraries. SAALCK's vision included the provision of general access to the wealth of special collections materials held by their academic libraries, which had been previously limited to visitors to their campuses. With the 1997 Postsecondary Education Improvement Act, under the leadership of Governor Paul Patton's administration and the Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE), funding for the virtual library opened the doors to wider participation by a variety of libraries across the state, including public and special libraries. The main mission of the Kentucky Virtual Library is to ensure that all Kentuckians will have equitable access to quality library and information resources and qualified, well-trained staff to support the Kentucky Virtual University as well as meet broader needs for learning, working and living.
Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
IMLS is a federal grant-making agency that promotes leadership, innovation, and a lifetime of learning by supporting the nation's museums and libraries. Created by the Museum and Library Services Act of 1996, P.L. 104-208, IMLS administers the Library Services and Technology Act and the Museum Services Act. The Institute receives policy advice from two Presidentially appointed, Senate confirmed entities: the National Commission for Libraries and Information Science and the National Museum Services Board.
Kentucky Association of Teachers of History (KATH).
The Kentucky Association of Teachers of History is a service organization for those concerned about improving the quality of history education in Kentucky. Although the name emphasizes history, the focus is interdisciplinary and includes the humanities and the social sciences. Members include elementary, middle school, high school, and college and university teachers, as well as administrators and public historians.
KATH communicates through a semiannual KATH Newsletter which contains information on teaching strategies, reviews of new books and publications of interest to the profession, announcements of professional meetings, reports of activities and fellowships and scholarships available to teachers, organization information and other items. Members contribute articles and information.
KATH's annual meeting is usually held on a Saturday in central Kentucky during mid-September. This conference brings together teachers from all levels and focuses on varied and interesting themes, ranging from current historical trends to recent teaching strategies.
KATH also honors an outstanding Kentucky historian, Dr. Thomas Clark, with two awards of a certificate and $100.00 each to the college undergraduate who has produced an outstanding research paper. This award is presented annually at the fall conference. KATH also presents a certificate and $100.00 to a high school student who has produced an outstanding research paper. This is the Anita Sanford Tolson award given in honor of one of the founding members of KATH and a long-time member of the KATH Executive Committee. (The guidelines for these awards are posted at awards.html.)
This two-year project has been funded in part by an Institute of Museum and Library Services National Leadership Grant for Preservation and Digitization.
