Derek Nikitas is a faculty member in the Creative Writing MFA program, and author of two recent mystery novels:

• The Long Division (2009)
• Pyres (2007)

Derek’s first novel was nominated for the prestigious Edgar award, and has been optioned for film adaptation by Vox3 Films. His second novel, The Long Division, is receiving rave reviews.

Hear what Derek Nikitas has to say about his scholarship in his first interview for the Focus on Scholarship webcast series [opens in Windows Media Player].

Read more about Nikita’s writing in the EKU Press release.

EKU Libraries and the Office of Graduate Education and Research are raising awareness for scholarly and creative achievements through the launch of a new series of webcasts, “Focus on Scholarship”.

Each 10- to 15-minute “Focus on Scholarship” webcast will feature an Eastern community member discussing scholarship, how it informs their teaching, and, as appropriate, the supportive role of the Libraries and Graduate Education and Research. At least one interview will be released each month during the fall and spring semesters, and be regularly featured in the EKUpdate and on the EKU Libraries website. The EKUpdate will also continue listing current faculty and staff publications.

The series kicks off with Dr. Michael Austin, associate professor in the Department of Philosophy and Religion, author of “Wise Standards: Philosophical Foundations for Christian Parenting” and editor and one of 18 contributors to “Football and Philosophy: Going Deep”, a collection of essays that examine the popular sport through a philosophical lens. The Austin interview, and all subsequent programs, can be seen at Focus on Scholarship and at mms://media.eku.edu/mdr/media/library/fos1009.wmv.

Other interview subjects in the series will include:

• Derek Nikitas, author of “Pyres” and “The Long Division”
• Dr. Linda Frost, editor of “Conjoined Twins in Black and White: The Lives of Millie-Christine McKoy and Daisy and Violet Hilton”
• Dr. Tammy Horn, author of “Bees in America: How the Honeybee Shaped a Nation”
• Dr. Vic Kappeler, who ranks third nationally in the production of books related to criminal justice

Conducting the interviews will be Carrie Cooper, Dean of the Labraries, along with Dr. Pogatshnik, Dean of Graduate Studies, and Dr. Jaleh Rezaie, Associate Dean of Graduate Education and Research. The series, produced by EKU Media (formerly the Media Production Center), will also be made available at the Power of Maroon YouTube channel.

KYVL and KY Council on Postsecondary Education invite you to fill out the following survey.

We have a little over 200 responses to the survey. We know there are thousands of librarians, library staff, media specialists, etc. out there and we haven’t heard from you.

The responses to this survey will be used to draft our first ever strategic plan and guide our priorities and projects for the next 3 to 5 years. We are certain you want to have your voice heard and your perspective on KYVL services and resources included as we build our new vision, mission, goals and objectives.

The survey will close on September 18th so please take 10 minutes and click your way through the drop-downs and multiple choice answers. There are a few open response questions and you can write a short answer, a long answer or none at all.

Please let us know what you think about the services and research databases and tell us what we need to be doing to better serve you.

More information about our strategic planning can be found on our wiki.

Due to a scheduled power outage in the Foster Building, the Music Library will close at 3:30 pm on Monday, April 27

The 2008 Kentucky Book Fair will take place on November 15th at the Frankfort Convention Center, 405 Mero Street, Frankfort, KY. Hours are 9 to 4:30 p.m. Admission is free.

The Book Fair is Kentucky’s premier literary event and one of the largest of its kind in the nation. It is sponsored by the The State Journal, Frankfort’s daily newspaper, and co-sponsored by the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives and the University Press of Kentucky.

Each year approximately 150 authors attend the Book Fair to autograph copies of their latest book, generally published within the 12 months preceding the November Book Fair date.

Additional information regarding other special events is available on the Book Fair website

Please come to the Scholastic Book Fair hosted by the Learning Resources Center in Crabbe Library, September 15-19, 2008. Hours are Monday through Friday 8am until 8pm, and Friday 8am until 12pm. Featured items include hardcover picture books, state award books, books in Spanish, and even a small selection of adult bestsellers. Proceeds will be used for programs supporting the College of Education. For more information, contact LRC staff at 859-622-1794.