Dear Friends,
With this issue of Keywords, we mourn the passing of Dr. John Pilkington, one of the University Libraries’ greatest proponents. As a member of our Friends of the Library organization for more than 50 years, with 30 years as president, Dr. Pilkington made it his mission to increase support for the libraries. His strong belief that a university could not be outstanding without an outstanding library is as true today as when he arrived here as a young university professor. Although the way University Libraries delivers services and even some collections has changed significantly over the years, the need to provide our faculty and students with the best library possible has not changed. We do also continue to need library champions such as Dr. Pilkington who will encourage others to support the library and set a shining example by their own generosity.
I also would like to call your attention to our new exhibit opening in Archives in January titled “Preserving our Past: Highlights from Archives and Special Collections.” This exhibit promises something for everyone including cases devoted to William Faulkner, blues collections, Vivien Leigh and Tennessee Williams, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Revolutionary War letters. Even baseballs signed by Ty Cobb will be on display! We also hope to offer a wide variety of brown bag lectures, so we are looking forward to an exciting spring.
Best wishes,
Julia Rholes
Dean of University Libraries