Web site recognizes faculty scholarship, research

The MSU Libraries' MSU Faculty Authors Web site is taking on a fresh, updated look with a new site supervisor, new features and an enthusiastic campaign to encourage faculty members to contribute information.

Located at http://library.msstate.edu/msuauthors, the Web site originally was created in 1997 as a project of the Giles Distinguished Professors and passed through a number of departments before becoming a permanent project of the MSU Libraries.

LaDonne Delgado, the new site supervisor, said that the pages are designed to showcase the scholarship of MSU faculty.

"Until recently, faculty could only add information about the books which they have authored. We have now added a new feature which allows faculty to also highlight their published articles," Delgado said.

She is working with libraries' Web services specialist Bobby Goff to update existing pages and add more new features. Individual authors may add their own information or contact Delgado for assistance with data entry.

"We want all MSU faculty authors to be represented on this Web site and this is why I am excited about offering my services to facilitate this process," Delgado said. Her contact information is 662-325-7660 or ldelgado@library.msstate.edu.

"Once you log in to the site using your NetID and NetPassword, you will be able to view your current listing, make changes or additions," Goff said. "You also will be able to submit an image representing the front cover of your publication."

When information has been submitted, Delgado will review it and then will post the information to the Web site.

If a book is available in the MSU Libraries, a link from the author's Web site to the catalog entry in the libraries' automation system will allow easy access to the call number of the requested publication. If an article is full text in any of the MSU Libraries' databases, that entry will also have a link from the author's website to the full text information.

Frances Coleman, dean of MSU Libraries, said the library welcomes the donation of books written by faculty members.

"Such donations will assist us in providing further recognition of their accomplishments, in appropriately representing our MSU faculty within the library's collection, and in further preserving the publications of the university faculty," she explained.

Delgado will be spearheading the campaign to persuade all MSU faculty to participate in the MSU Faculty Authors Web site by promoting its advantages such as enhanced professional visibility, facilitation of scholarly communication, and an increased collaboration between the library and departments and faculty.