Ablah Library Photo Credit Jay Russell
Wichita State selects one undergraduate and one graduate student per year to receive the Library Research Award, and I was lucky enough to be selected this year! By utilizing the resources at my university library to create my in depth research project, I was selected out of 17 other applicants. Below is the essay I submitted to receive this award, and I’d like to say a special thanks to the librarians and staff who have helped me and always do the most to help every student achieve their goals!
Traditional library resources and modern research methodologies have converged at an unprecedented pace. Like other libraries worldwide, Ablah has risen admirably to meet evolving academic needs. Through vital resources and dedicated staff support, I've been able to conduct investigations that would have been impossible through independent means alone.
The library's staff has been pivotal in my scholarly journey, as when I was first in school back in 2016, I didn’t have much access or knowledge about anything like what we have here. Meghann Kuhlmann offered thorough research support that enhanced my methodology. Additional guidance from Ethan Lindsay, Megan Rasmussen, and Alisha Petersen helped me navigate the library's extensive holdings effectively.
The interlibrary loan service substantially broadened my scope as well, with Angela Paul playing a huge role in ensuring I had the correct editions and could request individual journal articles. When specific materials weren't available in the collection on site, this service bridged the gap, connecting me with assets from other institutions. This access proved fundamental in understanding textual analysis related to my specific interest. While accessing such rare materials has been challenging, the results have been priceless.
The backbone of my research involves things like original manuscripts, newspapers, photographs, journals, and reviews that aren’t readily available to the public. The digital infrastructure has been indispensable. I’ve learned to access databases including JSTOR, ProQuest, and the EBSCO more effectively, which has been vital. In combination, I’ve applied that to other databases like Google Scholar, Internet Archive, and more to gather more sources.
Inspired by this experience, I'm developing a web design project, The Case of the Missing Links, to assist those without access to such collections. I’m compiling free tools and creating guides on how to utilize local public libraries, university libraries, and archive holdings. A huge portion of my project will be reviving web links that have been lost over time via archived pages. Additionally, I'm sharing knowledge about how to effectively examine resources, compile evidence, and incorporate it into one's writing.
During my exploration of The Return of Sherlock Holmes and its textual history this semester, Ablah Library has been irreplaceable. Working with librarian Sara Rue, I received specialized support with databases and sourcing the Baker Street Journal. The Sherlock Holmes Collection here has also provided access to primary materials, including editions from the early 1900s and books that go in depth on subjects like print history and literary criticism.
An exhaustive range of projects would have been impossible without people guiding my way. I've chronicled the life of an author I'd thought to be lost to time, Felicia Gizycka, a New York socialite with a fascinating history. This semester, the heart of my investigation has been Holmes. I suspect it will also be the subject of my research for the rest of my academic career and beyond.
Through utilizing these materials and sharing them with others, I hope to contribute to the library's enduring mission. It's vital to reinforce the lasting value of fostering scholarly discovery and supporting the next generation of researchers.
My essay demonstrates how Ablah Library's resources and staff supported my Sherlock Holmes textual research, combining traditional library methods with modern tools to create a web project making research resources more accessible.
Here are a few photos! I’ll update them as I get more/different quality ones.
Jay receiving an honorary award check given by Brent Mai, Dean of Libraries. They are being photographed by Tate Penner.
Left to right: Cynorra Jackson, Alisha Peterson, Megan Rassmusen, Jay Russell, Sara Rue, Rudy Russell.
For more information on the library research award, visit WSU’s website here: https://libraries.wichita.edu/lra/home
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