Volume 7, Number 1, Winter 2006

Ireland Illuminated:

Baylor Travels to the Emerald Isle

INSIDE2 Dean’s Message

3 Schumacher Grant

Venable Gift for Crouch Fine Arts Library

4 Lynne Truss at Ferguson-Clark Series

6 Blue Tape to Glass Vault

7 Rapoport Paintings

Upcoming Events

Baylor University Library Advancement News

(See Ireland Illuminated on Page 2)

The Baylor Libraries is providing a unique opportunity

to illuminate the Emerald Isle for the participants of

an 11-day tour through the cities and country sides

of Ireland. This inclusive trip will highlight the rich cul-

ture, history and thriving modern identity of this spe-

cial place.

Dr. Sarah-Jane Murray, assistant professor of medieval

literature and French, is acting as a special guide for

the tour. One can tell that Dr. Murray loves her native

home by the passionate way she describes “her.”

“My favorite image of Ireland is of a large mountain,

rising up from the sea. You can’t see the top of it

because a blanket of mist is hiding it, yet sunbeams

pierce their way down through the clouds,“ Dr. Mur-

ray said. “We chose to make the theme of our trip

‘Ireland Illuminated’ because light has always played

an important part in Celtic culture. Not only will we

visit some of the most famous and beautiful monastic

sites, we will also see some of Ireland’s most famous

illuminated (i.e., decorated) manuscripts.”

Left: The spectacular Cliffs of Moher, located in County Clare, Ireland, will be just one of many stops on the 11-day “Ireland Illuminated” tour. (Photo from www.wikipedia.com)

Ireland Illuminated (Continued from Page 1)

Connect@BULibraries

2

One such manuscript is the

famous Book of Kells, which

is located at Trinity College

in Dublin.

“A medieval visitor to Ire-

land claimed that the Book

of Kells was so beautiful

that it could not have been

the work of a man... it must

have been created by an

angel,” Dr. Murray said.

Dr. Murray is excited about sharing

her homeland with the group, show-

ing people around and chatting infor-

mally about Ireland, her people and

her traditions. Dr. Murray was actually

born just a few minutes away from the

Giant’s Causeway, which visitors will

see on day six of the tour.

“Over the years, Ireland has become a

large part of my research and teach-

ing,” Dr. Murray said. “I look forward to

sharing some ancient tales and more

modern, personal experiences with

everyone.”

John Wilson, director of library ad-

vancement, had a unique reason for

creating this tour.

“I was having a conversation with Pro-

fessor Beth Willingham about the use-

fulness of facsimiles in courses here at

Baylor. She seriously got me thinking

about this trip and thus, drawing at-

tention to the need for purchasing this

type of material for classroom use,”

Wilson said. “I have also seen how our

students come alive and learn when

they can see and touch this mate-

rial. It is an amazing transformation for

them in their scholarly endeavors.”

Happy New Year!

Thanks to all of you fo r your suppor t fo r your suppor t this past year. You this past year. You p r o v i d e d t h e p r o v i d e d t h e financial means for financial means for creating exceptional resources and facilities, such as the newly renovated Crouch Fine Arts Library Media Center. This renovation was made possible by a generous lead gift from the Schumacher Foundation of Dover, Mass., and funds from the Ferguson-Clark lectures and the Library Fellows.

Please drop by the Baylor Libraries the next t ime you are on the campus. You will be delighted to see our students actively engaged in collaborative research and study along with individual scholarly exploration.

— Reagan RamsowerDean of Libraries

Located at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, the Long Room is the main chamber of the Old Library, which houses the Book of Kells. (Photo from www.paddi.net)

Babs Baugh, president of the Alumni

Association and owner of Indepen-

dent Traveler in San Antonio, arranged

the trip.

“Traveling always stretches your life,

your view of the world, your ability

to deal with different circumstances.

You become more alert, more inter-

esting and more alive,” Baugh said.

“And traveling with friends is the best

because you can share the joy at

the moment --- and remember the

beauty, the discovery and even the

misadventures together when you get

home.”

Dr. Murray agrees with Baugh.

“You’re going to have the time of your

life. There’s nothing like it, and you

get to discover Ireland with a group

of Baylor friends,” she said. She also

adds, “You haven’t really lived until

you’ve heard someone play the tin

whistle!”

-Mary Goolsby

Library Advancement

Ireland Illuminated Details

Dates: May 22-June 1, 2006Cost: $2,733 double occupancy

$395 single supplement$1,867 land only

Deposit: $350 by Feb. 10Final payment: Due March 17

For detailed interary and registration information, visit

www.baylor.edu/lib/gifts/ireland.

Questions? Call Babs BaughIndependent Traveler

1.800.638.9896

3

Schumacher Foundation Awards Renovation GrantIn early Sept. 2005, the Libraries

received a $30,000 lead gift from the

Schumacher Foundation of Dover,

Mass. The check enabled the Libraries

to move forward with the renovation

and refurbishment of the Crouch Fine

Arts Library, located on the third fl oor

of Moody Memorial Library.

Along with this grant, additional gifts

from Library Fellows and other donors

provided for new vinyl fl ooring, paint

for the walls, materials to update

the service desk and the addition

of 12 Herman Miller work stations for

listening and viewing. These “pods”

are ergonomically correct for users

and provide a modern and inviting

atmosphere.

The final phase of the renovation

project will be the additon of a new

group study area for students. This will

be completed by the end of the spring

2006 semester.

Our students and the Libraries are

grateful to the Schumacher Foundation

and to all of the generous donors

who helped make this project a

success. Last year, over 35,000 patrons

utilized the Fine Arts Library for study

or interactive learning. No doubt, the

updated facility will only increase the

usage of this high-traffi c area.

- John WilsonLibrary Advancement

Right: Renovations to the Crouch Fine Arts Library were made possible in part by a gift from the Schumacher Foundation of Dover, Mass. The project will be completed in the spring of 2006. (Photo by Mary Goolsby)

Dr. and Mrs. John R. Venable of Temple,

both Baylor graduates, have doubled

their charitable gift annuity to the

Baylor University Libraries, specifi cally

for the Crouch Fine Arts Library.

“We both have a unique appreciation

for the value of the library as part of the

learning process,” Dr. Venable said.

Known as the Ethel P. Venable Fund,

this annuity will allow the library to

signifi cantly broaden the holdings of

the fi ne arts collection by providing

funds to purchase additional fi ne arts

materials.

Mrs. Venable, who received her

Bachelor of Science degree in 1945,

began her love of music and art at an

early age, and this sizable expansion of

Venables Double Gift for Crouch Fine Arts LibraryThe collection, which resides within

the fi ne arts library, will focus on the

acquisition and maintenance of

holdings in the areas of music, the

visual arts, artisan pieces and literature,

as well as the performing arts.

“To anyone considering a donation

[to the Baylor Libraries], I would say

‘Congratulations, just do it.’ I would tell

them there is no place to contribute

that would benefit Baylor and the

learning process more,” Dr. Venable

adds.

- Jonathan LudwigLibrary Advancement

support refl ects the Venables’ desire to

encourage students to prize and learn

from the arts.

The annuity guarantees both the

univers i ty and the Venables a

percentage of interest from the funds,

and also ensures income from the gift

for the life of Mrs. Venable.

“This contribution allows the Crouch

Fine Arts Library to be excellent instead

of simply adequate,” said John Wilson,

director of library advancement. “It not

only gives the library an overwhelming

vote of confi dence as to what the

Baylor Libraries are accomplishing, but

also provides the fl exibility needed in

purchasing unique and rare materials

essential for a growing, first-class

library.”

Lynne Truss Wows Waco Hall Audience

4

Approximately 1,000 people attended the fourth annual Ferguson-Clark lecture on Nov. 3 in Waco Hall. British author Lynne Truss was this year’s featured speaker. She is the author of the international best-seller, Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation.

The event raised approximately $10,000, which was used to help complete the renovation of the Crouch Fine Arts Media Center at Moody Library.

(All photos by Baylor Photography)

Above: Truss (right) autographs a copy of her book for Lynn Wood-ward, coordinator of campus advocacy.

Below: Truss reads an excerpt from Eats, Shoots & Leaves, at the lecture.

Above: Truss poses with student assistants following the patron reception

At right: Dr. Amanda Sturgill (left), assistant professor of journalism, and Kerrville senior Brice Crozier (right) meet Truss after the sponsor dinner at the Armstrong Browning Library.

5

Lynne Truss Wows Waco Hall Audience

Above: Truss models an Apostrophe Protection Society T-shirt presented to her by the event mascot at the author lecture.

Below: Dr. Bob Collmer, retired Baylor professor, visits with Carliss Hyde and Dr. Truell Hyde, II, professor of physics and vice provost for research, in the Foyer of Meditation, Armstrong Browning Library.

Above: Truss hands an autographed book to Tyler freshman Ben Carter, who attended along with his mother, Milly Schneider (right), and grandmoth-er, Nona Hicks (not pic-tured).

At right: Stan Ward (left) and Ben Lauderdale of Tyler (right) receive a copy of Truss’ new book, Talk to the Hand.

Above: Carla Sue Ferguson Garrett (center) attends the patron reception with family friend, Karen Wright, of Bedford (left), daughter, Melinda Mallory, of Hurst and son and daughter-in-law, Parker and Terri Clark, of Tyler.

books, but funds are still needed in

order to purchase these units.

The Standing Committee supports the

library by providing funds for special

projects. Fowler West, acting chairman

of the Standing Committee, hopes

that others will join the committee so

that these resources can be secured

and the project will be fi nished.

“The Standing Committee is not just a

once-a-year minor fundraiser. We are

a hands-on group that is dedicated to

help bring history to anyone interested

in history,” West said. “Our committee

is working on a project that goes to the

heart of our library and its resources...

What more important mission could

we have? “

West believes the Glass Vault will also

“attract other valuable materials to

our collection.”

6

For almost 30 years, the Baylor

Collections of Political Materials

(BCPM) has sought to collect historical

materials so future generations might

have the opportunity to learn about

the past from the past. In an effort

to ensure the preservation of these

items, plans are underway to construct

a special collections room to house

them securely while allowing access to

those who wish to study and research

them.

The room, which is to be built in the

W.R. Poage Reading Room, will be

called “The Glass Vault” and will

securely store numerous rare books

and special needs items currently

located in Poage Library. The initial

planning was referred to as the “Blue

Tape Project” because of the blue

painter’s tape used to demonstrate

the layout of the room.

Construction of the glass wall and

installation of the granite floor is

scheduled to begin in Feb. The plans

also include shelving for up to 3,000

The Future of History Evolves From Blue Tape to a Glass Vault

Jack Hightower (left) and Fowler West have been instrumental in the development of the the Glass Vault. (Photo by John Wilson)

Below: The Glass Vault will house special needs materials in the W.R. Poage Reading Room. (Photo by Ben Rogers)

“Potential donors of papers and

artifacts want to be satisfied their

donations wil l be preserved for

the researchers and students for

generations to come,” West said. “I

envision the Poage Library and its

related collections will be known as a

place where treasures of the past are

available to all who visit.”

One such donor is former Texas

Supreme Court justice Jack Hightower.

He is donating his collection of over

2,500 books, some signed by former

U.S. presidents, and hopes “that they

will be used by the public—especially

students working on their master’s or

higher degrees who will have access

to these historical works.”

“I am delighted with the design (of

the room). I think it will be a real

credit to the library,” Hightower said.

“A high standard was set with the

Armstrong Browning Library, and the

room will continue the tradition of

excellence found at all Baylor special

collections.”

Anyone interested in joining the

Standing Committee or contributing

funds to help complete the project

is welcome to contact Ben Rogers,

director of BCPM, at 254-710-3540

or e-mail him at Ben_Rogers@baylor.

edu. Friends of Jack Hightower might

consider contributing to the project in

honor of his 80th birthday in Sept.

-Tina LibhartLibrary Advancement

7

Gifts & Opportunities

Connect! is published twice a year by the Baylor University Libraries to highlight contributions to library collections and endowments.

Reagan M. RamsowerDean of Libraries

John S. WilsonDirector, Library Advancement

and Special Projects

Tina Libhart, Mary GoolsbyCo-editors

Comments or questions:John S. Wilson

Baylor University LibrariesOne Bear Place #97148

Waco, TX 76798254.710.3457

John_Wilson@baylor.eduwww.baylor.edu/library

The Bernard and Audre Rapoport

Foundation, a Waco-area supporter of

the arts and civic initiatives, donated

several paintings to the Baylor University

Libraries. The collection of originals,

prints and one-of-a-kind paintings

includes a watercolor drawing by an

elephant, a print of “Moses and the

Burning Bush” by Arnold Friberg and a

tissue paper collage by the Rapoports’

daughter-in-law.

“I think frequently young people

graduate from universities without

being exposed to art or to the idea

that a picture can sometimes be more

educationally rewarding than a book

of 400 or 500 pages,” said Bernard

Rapoport, founder and chairman of

the foundation.

The paintings “have found a home in

several areas of the Central Libraries

where students and library staff can

enjoy them,” said John Wilson, director

of library advancement.

Rapoport, the son of a Jewish

Russian immigrant, grew up during

the Great Depress ion and an

era of widespread racial bigotry.

Because of the intolerance and

social injustice he experienced

and witnessed during his formative

years, Rapoport grew passionate

for the aid of the disadvantaged.

Today, the foundation supports

initiatives in education, arts and

culture, healthcare, and community-

building in the Waco area and across

McLennan County. The donation to

Baylor represents Rapoport’s belief

that a focus on the fi ne arts is crucial

to a well-rounded education.

Rapoport says his work with the new

Blanton Museum of Art at UT furthers

his desire to promote the benefi ts of

exposing students to the fi ne arts.

“Having been through many art

museums, seldom do I walk out of a

museum without feeling enriched,”

he said. “I think every university should

have a growing library.”

- Jonathan LudwigLibrary Advancement

Rapoport Foundation Donates Paintings

Upcoming Events 2006

Feb. 23-24: - Board of Advisors’ Meeting

March 1-Apr. 28: Tenth annual Creations@Baylor exhibit highlighting the scholarship and creative works of Baylor ‘s faculty and staff

March 3-6: Armstrong Browning Library International Conference– “This Is Living Art: Elizabeth Barrett Browning in the Twenty-First Century,” A Bi-Centenary Celebration

March 7: Creations@Baylor reception, 3-5 p.m. in Moody Allbritton Foyer

March 25: A Day at Histor ic Independence- 11 a.m.-5 p.m. with the dedication of Baylor Park on Windmill Hill at 2 p.m.

Apr. 21: Browning Day and Unveiling of Two Texas Historical Markers at Armstrong Browning Library

May 22-Jun. 1: Ireland Illuminated-

Libraries trip to Ireland

This painting of a mother and child, dontated by the Bernard and Audre Rapoport Foundation, is located in the corridor between Moody and Jones Libraries. (Photo by Mary Goolsby)

Baylor University LibrariesOne Bear Place #97148Waco, TX 76798-7148

Yes, I Want to Connect!

For an online version of Connect!, go to www.baylor.edu/lib/gifts/ConnectW06

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I wish to make a commitment of $_____________ with the total amount to be paid in full within _________

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All contributions are tax deductible. Please make your check payable to BAYLOR UNIVERSITYand mail to:

Library Advancement Offi ce u Baylor University u One Bear Place #97148 u Waco, TX 76798-7148

q Baylor Book Society ($500 minimum) q Baylor Book Society ($500 minimum) q q Armstrong Browning Library Guardian Angels (minimum $50)q Armstrong Browning Library Guardian Angels (minimum $50)qq Library Fellows (minimum $1,000/year) q Library Fellows (minimum $1,000/year) q q Baylor Collections of Political Materials Glass Vault Projectq Baylor Collections of Political Materials Glass Vault Projectqq Electronic Library Endowmentq Electronic Library Endowmentq q The Texas Collection q The Texas Collection q