Rob Harbison

Rob Harbison

Instructor, Owensboro Regional Center Librarian

Office:  219 WKU-Owensboro
Phone:  (270) 852-7785
Email:  rob.harbison@wku.edu

Bio

Mr. Harbison joined the Faculty of University Libraries in September 2008 as a temporary Electronic Resources Librarian. In January 2010 he became the Owensboro Campus Librarian. Mr. Harbison's interests include Medieval history, Science Fiction and Fantasy novels and films and Gaming, both online and tabletop. His research interests include computer and information technology in the libraries, digital libraries and archives, and using electronic resources in the study and teaching of History. Prior to his faculty work Mr. Harbison was employed by WKU Libraries for seven years as staff in Extended Campus, Periodicals and Reference departments.

Robert is also the Library liaison to the Russian/Eastern European and Middle Eastern/African Studies Departments which involves supporting the research and teaching needs of the faculty, students, and staff in these departments. This includes purchasing materials, providing research assistance, and instructing students in research methods.

Websites
Education
Professional Experience
  • Adjunct Instructor of British History, Western Kentucky University, January 2012 -
  • Member Elizabethtown Librarian Search Committee: May 2011-July 2011
  • Member Elizabethtown Collection Development Committee: May 2011-July 2011
  • Owensboro Campus Librarian: January 2010 -
  • Liaison and Collection Development duties for the Middle East and African Studies Department August 2008 -
  • Liaison and Collection Development duties for the Russian and East European Studies Department August 2008 -
  • Liaison and Collection Development duties for the Computer Science Department August 2008 ?December 2009
  • Interim Electronic Resources Librarian: August 2008 - December 2009
  • Member, Electronic Information Resources Committee: August 2008 - December 2009
  • Co-Chair Second Life Taskforce Library Public Services, Western Kentucky University: 2008
  • Library Gaming Taskforce, Library Public Services, Western Kentucky University: 2007-2008
  • University Experience (Freshman Seminar) Instructor, Western Kentucky University August 2005 - December 2009
  • Senior Reference and Periodicals Associate, Library Public Services, Western Kentucky University: July 2005- August 2008
  • Member, Web & Emerging Technologies Working Group: May 2003-
  • Virtual Reference Service Operator, Library Public Services, Western Kentucky University: March 2003 - 2007
  • Extended Campus Assistant, Library Public Services, Western Kentucky University September: 2001 - July 2005
Reviews and Publications
  • Review of "Knights: In History and Legend" by Constance Brittain Bouchard. Library Journal (12/15/09)
  • Review of "The Templars: The History and the Myth." by Michael Haag. Library Journal, (10/15/09)
  • Review of "Lancaster against York: The Wars of the Roses and the Foundation of Modern Britain." by Trevor Royle. Library Journal (8/01/08)
  • Review of "Barbarians to Angels: The Dark Ages Reconsidered" by Peter S. Wells for Library Journal (4/15/2008)
  • Review of "God's Crucible: Islam and the Making of Europe, 570-1215" by David Levering Lewis for Library Journal (12/01/07)
  • Review of "Alfred the Great: The Man Who Made England." Justin Pollard, for Library Journal (7/1/2007)
  • Review of "Our First Revolution: The Remarkable British Upheaval That Inspired America's Founding Fathers." by Michael Barone, for Library Journal (03/15/ 2007)
  • Review of "A Needle in the Right Hand of God: The Norman Conquest of 1066 and the Making and Meaning of the Bayeux Tapestry" by R. Howard Bloch, for Library Journal (10/15/2006)
  • Review of "Becoming Charlemagne: Europe, Baghdad, and the Empires of A.D. 800" (Starred Review) by Jeff Sypeck, for Library Journal (10/1/2006)
  • Review of "Boudica: The Life of Britain's Legendary Warrior Queen" by Vanessa Collingridge, for Library Journal (06/15/2006)
  • Review of "Agincourt" by Juliet Barker, for Library Journal 06/01/2006)
  • Review of "Blood and Roses" by Helen Castor, for Library Journal (04/15/2006)
  • Review of "Anne Boleyn" by Joanna Denny, for Library Journal (03/15/2006)
  • Review of "Osman's Dream" by Caroline Finkel, for Library Journal (02/15/2006)
  • Review of "The Philosopher and the Druids" by Philip Freeman, for Library Journal. (12/15/2005)
Professional Affiliations
  • Kentucky Library Association 2012 -
  • American Library Association 2006 -
  • National Honor Society of Phi Alpha Theta, Lifetime member 1993-
  • American Historical Association 1993-
  • Medieval Academy of America 1992-