Thank you to all the folks who created the UW Libraries’ float and rode through the cold snowy streets of Laramie on Saturday morning! The float was a runner-up in the “best use of theme category”.

If you noticed an abundance of tote bags and friendly librarians in Laramie late last week, you might have guessed that the Wyoming Library Association’s annual conference was in town. Librarians and staff from all over the state listened to experts speak about the future of libraries, met esteemed author Chris Crutcher, and learned to make their own books.

Thanks to all of the WLA conference planning committee for a great event!

(above: creating books in the “Build a Book” session)

Wyoming mystery author Craig Johnson will read at the Albany County Public Library this week.

Craig Johnson, author of the Sheriff Walt Longmire novels, will be reading from his new book, “The Dark Horse” and signing copies at the Albany County Public Library in Laramie, WY, on July 8 from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the browsing area. Chickering is donating a portion of the sales to the Albany County Public Library. Cash and checks only, please. “The Dark Horse” hardcover $26.45; other Craig Johnson paperback books, $8.47.

“The Dark Horse” deals with self-confessed murderer who might not be guilty. As usual, plot turns keep the reader guessing. Walt Longmire, sheriff of Absaraka County, his family, friends, and co-workers return in the fifth novel in the series that describes the challenges of law enforcement and life in north-central Wyoming.

Johnson lives in Ucross, Wyoming. Several of his books have had starred reviews in Kirkus, Publishers’ Weekly, and Booklist. The Independent Booksellers Association he Independent Mystery Booksellers Association have highlighted his novels. Johnson’s awards include the Wyoming Historical Society’s Fiction Book of the Year and the Tony Hillerman Mystery Short Story Award. He has been a finalist for DILYS Award and the Mountains & Plains Bookseller’s Association’s Book of the Year,

For more information on the book signing or to request accommodation, contact Marjorie Daley, ACPL Outreach Coordinator, at 307-721-2580 ext 5456 or mdaley@will.state.wy.us.

This month a hummingbird built a nest on my front porch (see photo) and now there are baby hummingbirds swinging in my wind chime!

Being a librarian, I headed straight to a field guide to identify my birds. Now I’m scouring the library catalog for some more specific hummingbird books to learn about the brooding and incubating process of these little darlings. And maybe a book for my daughter to read while I’m at it.

I might order some of the less scientific titles, too, as I have hummingbird fever!

Any Dusty Shelves’ readers have tips or insights on my new house guests?

After the big Elton John extravaganza in Laramie this weekend, you might find yourself wanting MORE! An author search for John, Elton in the Prospector catalog turns up 205 items all available for delivery to UW Libraries. And searching our local library catalog turns up sheet music, interviews and more from Sir Elton.

If you heard that T.R. Knight made an appearance at the concert and you don’t know who that is, I direct you to the Libraries’ collection of Grey’s Anatomy on DVD.

Students, you can win full funding for the UW Art Museum symposium on public art and community. This looks like an amazing opportunity!

Details follow:

The Office of the President and the UW Foundation have supplied funding for 50 students to attend the UW Art Museum Symposium “Public Art and Community: Inspiration and Reflection,” April 2-4. Students will have the opportunity to hear presentations from state legislators, internationally recognized artists and distinguished UW professors. Lunch on both days, and invitations to the opening and closing receptions are included. This opportunity is open to students of any class level and from any college, but may be of particular interest to students in American Studies, the Arts, Public Policy, Public Administration, Law, Education, Philosophy, Creative Writing, Business and Engineering.

Students must attend symposium sessions on Friday and Saturday. Interested students should submit their name, college and class level, email and phone number, and a 50-100 word statement that answers the question, “How would attending this event contribute to your professional goals?” Submissions and inquiries can be emailed to Rachel Miller at rmiller@uwyo.edu. The deadline for submissions is noon on Monday, March 30.

For more information on the symposium, please visit www.uwyo.edu/artmuseum or call 307-766-6621.

[via UW Art Museum blog]

While we were all enjoying spring break, the state library announced some welcome news.  The Wyoming Newspaper Project is now live and searchable.  Researchers can search the full text of newspapers printed in Wyoming between 1849 and 1922, including articles, briefs and obituaries.  As of February 2009, over 407,000, or approximately half, of the full page newspaper images are available.  Look for the rest of the content to be added in the coming months.

WYOMING UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH DAY
MAY 2, 2009

Undergraduate students are invited to participate in the Tenth Annual Wyoming Undergraduate Research Day which will take place on the University of Wyoming campus, Saturday, May 2, 2009. Last year around 230 students presented their research, and this year we anticipate an even richer display of undergraduate curiosity and creativity. Abstracts of all presentations will be published, and the day will conclude with a dinner honoring the presenters and their families.

Concurrent oral presentations will be held in the Classroom Building beginning at 1:00 pm and concluding at 5:30 p.m. Poster presentations will take place in the Family Room of the Wyoming Union from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

The University of Wyoming and Wyoming’s community colleges provide many opportunities for undergraduates to participate in independent research projects across many disciplines. The purpose of Undergraduate Research Day is to recognize and to celebrate the accomplishments of undergraduate student researchers. The topics will include research in the areas of agriculture, business, education, engineering, health sciences, biological and physical sciences, mathematical sciences, social sciences, and the arts and humanities.

Each oral presentation is to be 15 minutes long with a five-minute question/answer session following.

Students can access instructions and forms for participation on the Wyoming EPSCoR web site: http://epscor-wise.uwyo.edu/.

Students must submit their Information Forms and their abstracts by March 27, 2009, in order to participate in Research Day. Late materials will not be accepted.

Students are also required to provide an electronic copy of their presentation or poster to the EPSCoR Office within two weeks after Research Day. The UW Libraries will provide a repository for electronic copies of the student presentations, and will make them available electronically through the UW Libraries Digital Initiative at http://digital.uwyo.edu/. You can see last year’s presentations and posters at http://uwlib5.uwyo.edu/omeka/collections/show/4.

Families and friends, UW / Community College / High School students and faculty, and the public are invited to attend the presentations.

Presenters are expected to attend other presentations throughout the afternoon. Please be prepared to stay from 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Research Day is sponsored by the UW Offices of Research and Economic Development, Student Affairs, and Academic Affairs; and also, by the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Agriculture, the College of Engineering and Applied Science, the College of Health Sciences, Wyoming INBRE, UW Honors Program, the McNair Scholars Program, Wyoming EPSCoR, and the Wyoming NASA Space Grant Consortium.

For further information, please contact Rick Matlock (307) 766-3545 (rixdogs@uwyo.edu) or Barbara Kissack, (307)766-2033 (bkissack@uwyo.edu).