Preston Library celebrated the retirement of Linda Covington, Head of Technical Services, on April 29. Linda worked in Preston Library for 42 years. Gen. Peay presented Linda with a VMI Achievement Award and Col. Samdahl commented on Linda’s contributions to Preston Library and presented her with gifts from the library staff. A large number of VMI staff, faculty, cadets, librarians, and Linda’s family celebrated and congratulated Linda on her retirement.
Throughout her career Linda enthusiastically took on greater responsibilities and advanced to become Head of Technical Services in 1996. In 1989, she earned her BS degree in Library Science from James Madison University and her masters degree in library science from the University of North Carolina in 1995. A year later, she assumed the duties of Head of Technical Services. Linda has made numerous contributions to Preston Library, including significant work to move acquisitions to the library’s first online catalog in 1991 and later to supervise the migration of acquisitions and cataloging to a new online system in 2004. During her tenure Linda worked methodically and quietly behind the scenes–but with energy and efficiency. She is known for her cheerfulness and “can do” attitude. Whenever a historical question arises about ordering materials, the response is “ask Linda”. No matter how busy she is with multiple projects, she always puts those matters aside to give her attention to the needs of cadets and faculty. Numerous faculty have noted Linda’s conscientious helpfulness in locating and ordering books for our collections. In 2009, VMI officially recognized Linda’s contributions with a VMI Service Award. We wish Linda much happiness in her retirement and many thanks for all her wondeful work to Preston Library. More photos…here.
Cadets, it’s the home stretch. Exams start Monday. This means two things: 
1. The library will be open late (see below hours schedule) so you can get in some quality studying.
and…
2. The return of Preston Library’s Coffee Break!
Last December and May you came, you saw, you drank hundreds of cups of coffee, tea, and hot chocolate a night. We’re bringing it back! Put it on your calendar, December 12th, the return of the coffee break.
Coffee will be available at 8 p.m. (2000 military time) every evening beginning Saturday, 12 December through Saturday, 19th December. So grab your books, mugs, and head over to Preston Library for the best study break on Post.
Coffee has been generously donated by Aramark and tea and cocoa by the Friends of Preston Library.
Exam Hours:
Sat, 12/12 0800 – 2300
Sun, 12/13 1300 – 0200
Mon, 12/14 0800 – 0200
Tues, 12/15 0800 – 0200
Wed, 12/16 0800 – 0200
Thurs, 12/17 0800 – 0200
Fri, 12/18 0800 – 2300
Sat, 12/19 0800 – 2300
Sun, 12/20 1300 – 0200
Mon, 12/21 0800 – 1630
Mr. Charles Horner gave an engaging, thought-provoking talk, laced with humor, on China on Thursday, October 29 at 3:00 p.m. in the Turman Room in Preston Library. His presentation was entitled “Rising China and Its Postmodern Fate,” based on his new book, Rising China and its Postmodern Fate: Memories of Empire in a New Global Context. Mr. Horner provided insights into China’s history and referenced a number of associations with China from the local area (e.g. Mary Price Coulling whose father, Francis Wilson Price, was a missionary to China and sinologist). A sizable number of faculty, cadets, and members of the community enjoyed the talk which was followed by engaging questions and discussions.
Mr. Horner is Senior Fellow at Hudson Institute in Washington, DC. He is a China scholar who pays special attention to how China’s evolving views of its 
modern historical experience and its intellectual and cultural traditions influence contemporary developments.
From 1980 to 1982, Mr. Horner was Adjunct Professor in Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service and an associate of its Landegger Program in International Business Diplomacy. During the 1970s, Horner served on the staff of the late Senator Henry M. Jackson and then as Senior Legislative Assistant for Foreign Affairs and National Security policy to the late Senator Daniel P. Moynihan.
A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, he did graduate work in Chinese history at the University of Chicago and, overseas, from 1967 to 1970, at National Taiwan University and Tokyo University.
We are delighted to welcome Maj. Accacia Flanagan to Preston Library. She joins our Reference Department along with Lt. Col. Janet Holly. Maj. Flanagan recently received her master’s degree in library science from Simmons College. Her B.A. degree is from Smith College. Prior to coming to VMI she worked at the Schlesinger Library at Harvard University. Please join us in welcoming Maj. Flanagan. We look forward to working with her.
Celebrate YOUR Freedom to read and right to choose your book during Banned Books Week, September 3 to October 3.
Most of the books featured during Banned Books Week were not banned due to the efforts of librarians who fought to keep them in their collections. Just imagine how many more books might be challenged—and possibly banned or restricted—if librarians, teachers, and booksellers did not use Banned Books Week each year to teach the importance of our First Amendment rights.
If you are curious about the books that made the “Frequently Challenged Books” list, check out the American Library Association’s web site:
http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/frequentlychallenged/index.cfm
And check out the display of banned books located in Preston Library’s lobby.
Circulation–Generous loan policies facilitate your academic endeavors. For details, see Circulation Information for Faculty or contact Lt. Col. Susan Hastings at 464-7607.
Course Reserves–Course Reserves includes print, audio-visual, and electronic materials, selected by faculty for use in their classes. See detailed information about Submitting Materials for Course Reserves or contact Lt. Col. Susan Hastings at 464-7607.
Interlibrary Loan–If we do not own an item you need, we can quickly obtain it from another library. There are no limits and no fees for this service. Logging on to the Interlibrary Loan system lets you place requests, check their status, and access documents received electronically. For more information, contact Dr. Megan Newman at 464-7570.
Library Hours–This link gives information about regular hours, as well as reduced hours during academic breaks and FTX.
Media Services–Media Services offers faculty training and consultation in the selection and use of multimedia software and hardware. Media equipment is also available for short-term loans for presentations. For more information, visit the Media Services page or contact Ms. Cathy Wells at 464-7567, or Maj. Michael Brickler at 464-7655.
Meeting Rooms–To reserve a room, please contact Ms. Brianna Page at 464-7228.
Off-Post Access–Allows you to use Preston Library’s subscription databases and other electronic resources from off-Post.
Ordering Materials–Each academic department is allocated a budget to order library materials, and we welcome your purchase requests. The Book Order Request Form and the Serials Request Form are available online. Also, each department receives Choice cards with reviews of new scholarly titles. Contact your department head to learn how Choice cards are managed in your department. For details, see our Collection Development Policy, or contact Ms. Linda Covington at 464-7574.
Reference and Instruction–Reference librarians offer one-on-one consultation to individuals and library instruction tailored to the needs of your classes. They are available to answer research and general questions as well as to demonstrate the use of print and online resources. Ask a Librarian provides reference assistance via Instant Messaging. For more information, contact Lt. Col. Janet Holly at 464-7571.
VIVA–Virtual Library of Virginia is a consortium of academic libraries in Virginia which purchases major electronic resources cooperatively and works to improve Interlibrary Loan between its members.
Well cadets, we’re in the home stretch. Exams start on Saturday so you know that means two things:
1. The library will be open late so you can get in some quality studying.
and…
2. The return of Preston Library’s Coffee Break!
Last December you came, you saw, you drank hundreds (literally, hundreds) of cups of coffee a night. So, we’re bringing it back! Put it on your calendar, May 1st, the return of the coffee break.
Coffee will be available starting at 8pm (20:00hrs for those of us on military time) every evening beginning Friday, May 1st, through Friday, May 8th. So grab your travel mug and head down to Preston Library this Friday night for the best study break on Post.
Coffee and supplies have been generously donated by the Friends of Preston Library.
Dr. Lewis Sorley provided the Friends of Preston Library with an engaging Spring Program Thursday, March 26, at 3:00 p.m. in the Turman Room of Preston Library. Dr. Sorley spoke on “Adventures in Research” and revealed several fascinating tales of discovery learned in the course of his research. We learned how his scholarly “detective work” tracked down a member of Gen. Creighton Abrams’ World War II tank crew, how rescuing the records of Lt. Col. Harold Cohen from a fire resulted in his receiving the Distinguished Service Cross–fifty years after the war in which he earned it, how he discovered the secret location of Abrams’ command staff tapes, and other tales of research adventures. A lively and informative question and answer session followed and all had a good time.
Dr. Sorley is the Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Army Historical Foundation. In 2007, he received the General Andrew J. Goodpaster Prize for military scholarship. This spring he serves as VMI’s Gottwald Visiting Professor of Leadership and Ethics. A third-generation graduate of the United States Military Academy, Dr. Sorley earned his doctorate from Johns Hopkins University. In his academic career he has served on the faculties of West Point and the Army War College. His U.S. Army assignments include tank and armored cavalry unit commands in Germany and Vietnam and staff service for the Secretary of Defense and Army Chief of Staff.
Dr. Sorley’s latest book is Honor Bright: History and Origins of the West Point Honor Code and System.
Garrett Peck '90 and Chairman of the Friends, B. Drummond Ayers, Jr. '57
The Friends of Preston Library is delighted to have Garrett Peck, ’90, as our speaker, Friday, October 17, at 1500 hours in the Turman Room. Garrett is the author of The Prohibition Hangover which is provocative social history of American attitudes towards alcohol since the end of Prohibition which was repealed 75 years ago this year. In his investigations for the book Mr. Peck interviewed hundreds of people on all sides of the alcohol debate and travelled extensively throughout the United States, Canada, Germany, Israel, and other areas of the world.
Mr. Peck is a freelance writer for the alcoholic beverage industry and contributes regularly to Beverage Network. He has also written articles about alcohol for The Washington Post, Wine Spectator, Sante, The Forward, and the Northwest Current. In addition to writing about alcohol, he leads the Temperance Tour in Washington, D.C.
Please join us for what will surely be an interesting and engaging program. Refreshments will be served.
Cadet Zac Kovarik, ’08, received this year’s Frances W. Camper award for his outstanding service and leadership to Preston Library as a Library Cadet Assistant. Throughout this time he demonstrated exemplary leadership, dependability, and resourcefulness.
Joining in the ceremony to honor Cadet Kovarik on May 13 were members of the Friends’ Board and Library staff. Col. Samdahl, Head Librarian, presented Cadet Kovarik with his award. Following graduation and a term of study at Dartmouth, Mr. Kovarik will serve in the U.S. Air Force.
Cadet Kovarik and Bob Camper, son of Mrs. Frances Camper
Preston Library celebrated the retirement of Linda Covington, Head of Technical Services, on April 29. Linda worked in Preston Library for 42 years. Gen. Peay presented Linda with a VMI Achievement Award and Col. Samdahl commented on Linda’s contributions to Preston Library and presented her with gifts from the library staff. A large number of VMI staff, faculty, cadets, librarians, and Linda’s family celebrated and congratulated Linda on her retirement.
