by Carl Flynn

Baylor University’s Electronic Library announced today that substantial enhancements will be made to its Blackboard course management system over the summer.  The new version of Blackboard implements next generation web technologies that will improve the usability of the system and enhance online collaboration between faculty and students.  The release date planned for the new Blackboard system is during the interim between the summer and fall terms.  Training sessions are planned throughout the spring, during summer and prior to the fall semester for faculty and students.

A preview of the new Blackboard system will be available at the Educational Technology Showcase on Wednesday, March 25, 2009, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Allbritton Foyer of Moody Memorial Library.  Other public events will also be held prior to the release date.  Progress of the implementation of the new Blackboard and other information will be available online at http://www.baylor.edu/lib/blackboard.

For more information contact John Lowe.

A change was made to BearCat, the Baylor University Libraries catalog system, earlier today.  To access your library circulation record, you must now use your Bear ID and password.  To access your BearCat library account, go to http://bearcat.baylor.edu/ and click “Your Library Record” in the menu on the left of the page.  From here you can now sign in using your Bear ID and password.  If you have questions, please contact the Circulation Desk at (254) 710-6702.

The 13th annual Creations@Baylor exhibition opened on March 3, 2009 in the Allbritton Foyer of Moody Memorial Library and features the work of approximately 100 Baylor faculty members. A reception will be held on March 17, 2009 at 3:30 p.m. in the foyer of Moody Library to honor the participants.

Creations@Baylor aims to recognize outstanding faculty scholarship at Baylor and to inform the Baylor community of the work of faculty members. The exhibition features a variety of books, articles, artwork and other works by faculty that were published or displayed from March 2008 to February 2009.

“The Creations@Baylor exhibit is an important part of the Baylor Libraries work because it helps focus attention on faculty scholarship on the Baylor campus,” Creations exhibit chair Carol Schuetz said. “People can come to the library and see the fine work our faculty are capable of and learn what we are about here at Baylor.”

The exhibit will be on display from March 2 to April 10, and the reception is open for all to attend. This year’s reception will include Interim President David Garland, Provost Elizabeth Davis and Vice President for Information Technology and Dean of University Libraries Pattie Orr. For more information, please contact Carol Schuetz at 254.710.4410.

Charlie Schnabel, former chief of staff to United States Congressman Charlie Wilson and a current lobbyist and government consultant, will deliver the Third Annual W. R. Poage Lecture on Thursday, March 26, 2009, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Meadows Recital Hall, which is located in the McCrary Music Building on the campus of Baylor University.

In 1980, United States Senator Charlie Wilson learned of the plight of refugees who were fleeing war-torn Afghanistan. The Soviet Union had joined forces with the Afghan leaders to overthrow the anti-communist mujahideen rebels. As a newly named member to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, Wilson managed to secure funding to aid the rebels. His efforts brought about the beginning of the end of the Cold War.

Mr. Schnabel worked alongside Congressman Wilson throughout this effort, getting the contraband to the rebels to help them prevail against the Soviets. His direct dealings with the mujahideen were invaluable to the success of this campaign. Mr. Schnabel will speak to his involvement in Charlie Wilson’s War during his address.

A pre-lecture reception will be held at the W. R. Poage Legislative Library from 4:00 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. The reception and lecture are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Ben Rogers at 254.710.3540.

Last week’s lecture at The Texas Collection at the Carroll Library was a huge success as over 150 people attended the presentation on Monday, March 2.  Dr. Rebecca Sharpless, assistant professor of history at Texas Christian University, presented her lecture “Texas Women’s Kitchens, Texas Women’s Words: Cookbooks as Historical Documents” to a standing-room only crowd.

The lecture was part of The Texas Collection’s exhibition titled “Dash of Recipes, Pinch of History,” which will be featured through May 31, 2009.  The exhibition features over 1,300 Texas cookbooks, late 19^th and early 20^th century company advertisements for various kitchen-related items and photographs of Texas cooks preparing food in a variety of methods and settings.