Notes from the Stacks

Featured Articles

• Celebrating David Carrothers' Retirement

  

  It is difficult to say goodbye, especially to someone like David Carrothers! Although we will miss his expertise and oversight of the libraries’ technologies, no one deserves retirement more. Last July, after 25 years at CWU Libraries, David, CWU Libraries’ information technology (IT) specialist, retired.  

  In 1992, David joined CWU as an IT specialist in the Information Technology Services Department. He participated in the implementation and support of the campus-wide Novell network operating system. He supported users across campus and taught word-processing, spreadsheet, and database classes for CWU staff.  

  In 1998, David moved to CWU Libraries’ systems department as systems administrator, managing the library’s Novell network and server. He worked alongside the systems librarian as backup administrator, managing the libraries’ web server and services. His role included administration and support of the library catalog, CATTRAX, the implementation of the integrated library system, Millennium, and the first library EZ-Proxy and other database servers.  

  In 2014, David was highly involved in the campus-wide migration to Microsoft networking. He also assisted in the migration of the library software system, Ex Libris Alma, and provided management and support for the interlibrary loan software, ILLiad.  

  As technology evolved, so did David’s role. His primary responsibilities shifted to management of staff and public computers, student pay-for-print services, and end user support. When David started working for CWU Libraries the network operated on a VAX operating system of terminals connected to a remote server, and there were very few personal computers. Currently, there are approximately sixty staff computers and two hundred public computers used in the libraries.  

  Since his retirement, David and his wife, Carol, have enjoyed traveling. They have spent time in Montana, Whistler, British Columbia, and have taken a cruise on the Rhone River in France. David continues his artistic endeavors and has photography exhibitions at the Dark Moon Craft Beer & Wine taphouse in downtown Ellensburg, Gallery One Visual Arts Center in Ellensburg, Sarah Spurgeon Gallery at CWU, Gard Vintners tasting room in Ellensburg, and Larson Gallery at Yakima Valley College. Congratulations David! 

• Welcoming our Graduate Assistants

  

  CWU Libraries has three graduate assistants (GAs) for the 2023-2024 academic year. Library graduate assistants are a valuable part of the student employee team. Library GAs are from disciplines across the university, enrolled full-time, and maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Each GA has responsibilities at the main service desk and within a specific department as an area of specialization. Their work greatly helps CWU Libraries provide strong patron service and resources. 

  Oscar Orme is a graduate student in the Geology Department. His job duties as a GA include access services and library outreach. When asked what he enjoys about his job, Oscar replied that the library has a cozy air and he can check the baggage of geology and all the other stressors of the world when he walks through the door. 

  Kaye Velarde is a graduate student in the Law and Justice Department. She received her undergraduate degrees in law and justice and psychology from CWU. Upon completing her master’s degree, Kaye plans to pursue a PhD in criminology, then teach at a university while conducting research.  Kaye’s specialized duties as a GA include serving as a teaching assistant for library faculty and a peer research consultant. When asked what she likes about working in the library, Kaye replied that as a child she wanted to be a librarian before she became interested in law and justice and likes everything about working in the library.  

  Elizabeth Yanes is a graduate student in the Experimental Psychology Department. After receiving her master’s degree, she plans to pursue a PhD and then teach and conduct research because she enjoys working with students. Elizabeth’s responsibilities as a GA include working in the CWU Archives and Special Collections. What does Elizabeth enjoy about working in the library? She loves being surrounded by books and loves being surrounded by history in the Archives. She is surprised by how much she enjoys shelving and Library of Congress call numbers.

• Introducing the DEIA Community of Practice

  The CWU Libraries Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Community of Practice originated as a staff-initiated proposal for a group that would encourage libraries employees to engage with lived experiences and generate actionable plans surrounding topics of diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism. The group, established during spring quarter 2023, began with discussions about what members envisioned for it. These initial discussions resulted in plans for a collaborative, creative, and active space that would lift up both personnel- and student-centric topics within the context of the university’s mission and vision and the work of CWU Libraries. 

  As stated in the committee charge, “...this group adds intentionality and coordination to DEIA efforts in the libraries to improve student, faculty, staff, and community member experiences.” While the DEIA Community of Practice is still gaining definition and discussing potential focus areas, its members have already been instrumental in advocating for a libraries-wide emotional intelligence professional development course in partnership with Human Resources and the Dean’s Office, providing an opportunity for reflection about personal identities, and assisting with the review and updating of the libraries’ Anti-Racism Action Plan. 

  The group hopes to continue working in a variety of ways both internally and externally. As a new entity, the group looks forward to future generative conversations that lead to furthering relationship-building across campus, addressing the exclusion of marginalized voices, and diversifying the libraries’ collections. The CWU Libraries DEIA Community of Practice is excited for what the next year will bring and recognizes the on-going work that must be done. 

• Featured Book Displays at Brooks Library

  

  If you’ve visited Brooks Library recently, you may have noticed a variety of book displays throughout the building. These monthly themed displays are curated by the Active Collections Working Group, a team of libraries staff and faculty who work together to “activate” the collection by highlighting and increasing engagement with library materials. In addition to physical books, displays include QR codes linking to ebooks available through the online library catalog. The Active Collections Working Group meets monthly to determine themes for upcoming displays, guided by the goal to showcase parts of the collection that reflect and celebrate the diversity of the campus and community.

  Themed displays for Black History Month, LGBTQ+ Pride, American Indian Heritage Month, Women’s History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, and Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month promote a sense of belonging for library visitors by highlighting materials by or about people with marginalized identities. Other display themes have included Staff Picks, Mystery Date with a Book, Feel Good Reads, Adulting 101, Cooking and Crafts, Labor and Activism, and Pacific Northwest Poets.  

  All books on these displays are available for checkout at the first floor service desk with a current CWU Connection Card or Community Borrower Card. To browse current and past book displays from the comfort of home, visit the Brooks Library Displays LibGuide. 

• Meet CWU Libraries Partners: Freedman-Remak Student-Athlete Academic Success Center

  

  “Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming.” This quote by basketball coach John Wooden perfectly describes the aims of the Freedman-Remak Student Athlete Academic Success Center, located on the fourth floor of the Brooks Library. We asked Austin Lee, the center’s director, to tell us more.  

  What services and/or resources do you provide? 

  We provide academic support for student athletes in a space where they can have a sense of community and build rapport. This includes personal and group tutoring sessions, topics based on current tutors available. We also provide academic mentorship to help with time and stress management, identify course needs, and connect to other services on campus. 

  How do student athletes go about receiving help? 

  It’s important for us not to define what academic success is, but for our students to define what that means for them. This means meeting students where they are, whether that’s maintaining a 2.0 GPA to play, getting a B for the first time or pushing their 3.9 GPA to a 4.0. So long as they are comfortable where they are, that is what matters. We have some requirements of study hours students need to fulfill depending on their GPA or whether they are a freshman. Otherwise, the use of these resources is something they maintain for themselves.  

  Who are you and why do you do this work?  

  As someone who had their own struggles with school and as a proud first-generation college graduate, I know how heavy pushing that rock uphill is. I can’t remove that rock for students, but I can help give them tools that may help them achieve what they want.  

  Anything else to share? 

  If you are interested in supporting our work, the athletics department is always open to donations at wildcatsports.com. We will be hiring a graduate student for the Fall of 2024, too. If athletics is where you want to work, please let us know!  

  If you have any questions, you can contact us at Austin.Lee3@cwu.edu or call 509-963-3082.