“There is nothing permanent except change.”-Heraclitus

Change is definitely true for the University Libraries.  In recent years, improvements have been made to how the University Libraries provides access to scholarly materials, contributes to student learning, and generally supports the mission of the University. Access to new forms of commercially produced and locally created of scholarship has expanded, student study spaces have been updated, and new services introduced.  Change is occurring in the way scholarship is produced, shared, and archived. Feedback received during the University Libraries’ strategic planning process indicated faculty and students want to know more about the University Libraries’ service enhancements, as well as, changes and issues related to the scholarly communications landscape.  This blog will serve as a forum for these topics.  If you have a comment about a blog post or would like to suggest a topic, please contact us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/WichitaStLiBlog

Sometimes something old is truly new again. Our inaugural blog entry harkens back to a traditional method of sharing information- the library display.  Just as stores still use display windows to draw in customers, libraries use display cases to promote specific collections or library events.  The update part comes when a digital version of the display is created and made available to our online patrons.  This month’s guest blog entry is from Assistant Professor and Metadata and Digital Initiatives Librarian, Lizzy Walker, creator of both the current Ablah Library first floor display and digital display celebrating Women in Horror Month.

-- Kathy Downes, Interim Dean of University Libraries

Now for our first entry----

Women in Horror Month logo

What's Up with the WiHM University Libraries Display?

Lizzy Walker, Metadata and Digital Initiatives Librarian

Some of you may have noticed the Women in Horror Month (WiHM) display in the library. WiHM is an international, grassroots initiative that encourages participants and supporters to learn about and showcase the underrepresented work of women in the horror industries. Whether they are on the screen, behind the scenes, or contributing in other artistic ways, it is clear that women love, appreciate, and contribute to the horror genre. This is an inclusive and positive movement open to everyone to participate. The founder, Hannah Forman, started this event eight years ago and it's been growing ever since. To celebrate the internationally recognized event, I developed the WiHM display for the University Libraries.

Do we really have horror genre materials in the Wichita State University Libraries?  Yes, we do!  There is academic significance to the annual WiHM event.  The topic of women in horror facilitates interdisciplinary research across subject areas and media. The purpose of this year's display is to highlight our different types of horror materials including graphic novels, young adult literature, adult literature, academic works, and film. Each of the items selected for the display represents advances women have contributed to the horror genre. 

It was difficult to decide what to include as the University Libraries has a plethora of resources representing women’s contributions to the horror genre. The materials in the display were selected for their significant academic, entertainment, and artistic value. Some noteworthy selections include:

v  Films of the New French Extremity: Visceral Horror and National Identity, one of the first books on the subject of the New French Extremity genre by Alexandra West

v  Men, Women, and Chain Saws: Gender in the Modern Horror Film by Carol J. Clover which examines gender in the slasher film

v  Monstress, Volume 1, a groundbreaking horror themed comic written by Marjorie Liu and illustrated by Sana Takeda

v  American Mary directed by Jen and Sylvia Soska who created their own horror production company, Twisted Twins Productions

This is only a few of the great items that are in the WiHM case. Check out the display on the first floor of the Ablah Library. While you're there, grab a WiHM8 button and a bookmark with either the URL or QR code for the WiHM research guide.

Happy Women in Horror Month!