WWU Libraries Speaker Series

Western Libraries, with support from the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, is bringing four speakers to campus to talk about the changing roles and challenges faced by academic libraries across the country.

For more information, see this message from Dean Christopher Cox.

Discussion of the series is encouraged and will take place on Viking Village.
Discuss: Doug Way | John Popko | Betsy Wilson

Lizabeth (Betsy) Wilson - Collaboration, Connections and Convergence

On May 23, Lizabeth (Betsy) Wilson, Dean of the University of Washington Libraries, spoke about new roles opening up for academic librarians and how these will benefit teaching and learning through academia.

Wilson was the 2007 Academic/Research Librarian of the year and under her leadership, the University of Washington Libraries was the 2004 ACRL Academic Library of the Year.

Comment on Betsy Wilson's presentation

John Helmer - Northwest Academic Libraries - Cancelled

On May 16, John Helmer, Executive Director for Orbis Cascade Alliance, will talk about the benefits consortia participation brings to members through efficiencies and purchasing power.

Helmer has been involved with library consortia for 20 years and is the 2012 winner of the Hugh C. Atkinson Award which recognizes him as a risk-taker and an effective leader and champion of new ideas and initiatives.

John Popko - The 21st Century Library

On May 9, John Popko from Seattle University spoke about the 10-year planning and construction project which has resulted in the Lemieux and McGoldrick Learning Commons, a world-class transformative space supporting academic endeavors at Seattle University.

Popko also spoke about the value that a learning commons environment brings to a university.

Comment on John Popko's presentation

Doug Way - The Shifting Nature of Academic Library Collections

On May 2, 2012, Doug Way from Grand Valley State College in Allendale, Mich., discussed how library collections are rapidly changing in support of scholarship as well as the evolving roles of academic librarians.

The Grand Valley State College Library is the 2012 winner of the Association of College and Research Libraries’ (ACRL) Excellence in Academic Libraries Award.