Education
Position Description
Research
Public Services
Web-based Materials
Awards/Grants

• MLS (1983) Library Science, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
• Ph.D. (1981) Latin American History, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
• MA (1972) Central American History, University of Calgary, Canada
• BA (1969) History, University of Calgary, Canada

Dr. Coutts has been a member of the Department of Library Public Services faculty since 1987. He administers a large public services department including 17 faculty, 32 staff, and 63 students in an academic library with additional responsibilities for five branch libraries and Distance Education Library Services. Liaison and collection development responsibilities for History, Latin American Studies, Arabic Studies, International Studies, GLBT Studies, General Humanities and the General Reference Collection.

Books

Forthcoming

Coutts, Brian E.; Peggy Wright and Charles Gibson. Historical Dictionary of Belize. Lanham, MD. Scarecrow Press, In Progress.

In Print

Coutts, Brian E., Ron Fritze and Louis Vyhnanek. Reference Sources in History: An Introductory Guide. 2nd ed. Santa Barbara, CA. ABC-Clio Press, 2004. 334p. E-book edition, 2004 from ABC-CLIO.

 

Coutts, Brian E. and Peggy Wright. Belize. 2nd ed. World Bibliographical Series. ABC-Clio Press, 1993. 307p. E-book edition, 2002 from Net Library.

Coutts, Brian E., Ronald Fritze and Louis Vyhnanek. Reference Sources in History: An Introductory Guide. ABC-Clio Press, 1990. 319p. Paper ed. 1991.

Chapters/Edited Works

Coutts, Brian E. "Belize, Belmopan, Manuel Esquivel, Said Musa, Martin Navarro, New Orleans, George Price, Peter Wallace." [in] Encyclopedia of Latin American History and Culture 2nd ed. 6vols. Scribner's, 2008

Coutts, Brian E. "Boom and Bust: The Rise and Fall of the Tobacco industry in Spanish Louisiana, 1770-1790" [in] The Louisiana Purchase Bicentennial Series in Louisiana History. Volume II: The Spanish Presence in Louisiana 1763-1803. Lafayette, LA: Center for Loisiana Studies, 1996. pp. 229-245

Coutts, Brian E. "Alejandro O'Reilly McDowell, Belize, Belmopan, George Price, Manuel Esquivel, Peter Wallace, Martin Navarro, New Orleans," [in] Encyclopedia of Latin American History. 4 vols. Scribner’s. 1995.

Coutts, Brian E. "Barron’s Junior Fact-Finder, Information Finder CD-ROM," [in] Encyclopedias, Atlases and Dictionaries. R. R. Bowker. 1995.

Coutts, Brian E. and Cynthia Etkin. "History," [in] American Library Association Guide to Information Access: A Complete Handbook and Research Directory. Random House. 1994. p.229-244.

Coutts, Brian E. "Jean-Michel, Seigneur de Lepinay et de la Longueville, Governor, 1717-1718; Pierre Sidrac Dugue de Boisbriand, Governor, 1724-1726; and Etienne de Perier, Governor, 1727-1733," [in] The Louisiana Governors: From Iberville to Edwards. LSU Press. 1990.

Coutts, Brian E. “The Intendant, the Merchants, and Free Trade in Louisiana, 1778-1788” (1988). DLPS Faculty Publications. Paper 40 http://digitalcommons.wku.edu/dlps_fac_pub/40/

Articles

Coutts, Brian E. "Best Reference 2015." Library Journal, March 1, 2016, 44-56 http://reviews.libraryjournal.com/2016/02/best-of/best-print-reference-best-reference-2015/

Coutts, Brian E. and Cynthia Etkin. "Best Free Reference 2015." Library Journal, March 1, 2016, 46-47. http://reviews.libraryjournal.com/2016/02/best-of/best-print-reference-best-reference-2015/

Coutts, Brian E. and Cheryl La Guardia. "Best Reference 2014." Library Journal, March 1, 2015, 34-46 http://reviews.libraryjournal.com/2015/02/reference/best-reference-2014/

Coutts, Brian E. and Cynthia Etkin. "Best Free Reference 2014." Library Journal, March 1, 2015, 36-38
http://reviews.libraryjournal.com/2015/reference/best-free-reference-2014/

Coutts, Brian E. and Cheryl La Guardia. "Best Reference 2013." Library Journal, March 1, 2014, 34-44 http://reviews.libraryjournal.com/2014/03/reference/best-reference-2013/

Coutts, Brian E. and Cynthia Etkin. "Best Free Reference 2013." Library Journal, March 1, 2014, 38-40 http://reviews.libraryjournal.com/2014/03/reference/best-free-reference-2013/

Coutts, Brian E. and Cheryl La Guardia. "Best Reference 2012." Library Journal, March 1, 2013, 28-38 http://reviews.libraryjournal.com/2013/02/best-of/best-reference-of-2012-including-best-free-reference/

Coutts, Brian E. and Cynthia Etkin. "Best Free Reference 2012." Library Journal, March 1, 2013, 32-34 http://reviews.libraryjournal.com/2013/02/best-of/best-reference-of-2012-including-best-free-reference/

Coutts, Brian E. and Cheryl La Guardia. "Best Reference 2011." Library Journal, March 1, 2012, 38-46 http://reviews.libraryjournal.com/2012/02/reference/best-reference-eclectic-works-to-match-a-tumultuous-year/

Coutts, Brian E. and Cynthia Etkin. "Best Free Reference 2011." Library Journal, March 1, 2012, 40-41 http://reviews.libraryjournal.com/2012/02/reference/best-reference-free/

Coutts, Brian E. and Cheryl LaGuardia. "Best Reference 2010: A Surplus of Fabulous New Resources." Library Journal, April 15, 2011, 42-50

Coutts, Brian E. and Cynthia Etkin. "Best of Free Reference 2010," Library Journal, April 15, 2011, 28-29

Coutts, Brian E. and Cheryl LaGuardia. "Best Reference 2009," Library Journal, April 15, 2010, 26-31

Coutts, Brian E. and Cynthia Etkin. "Best of Free Reference 2009," Library Journal, April 15, 2010, 28-29

Coutts, Brian E. and Cheryl LaGuardia. "Best Reference 2008," Library Journal, April 15, 2009, 26-30

Coutts, Brian E. and Cynthia Etkin. "Best of Free Reference," Library Journal, April 15, 2009, 28 & 30

Coutts, Brian E. and Cheryl LaGuardia. "Best Reference 2007," Library Journal, April 15, 2008, 44-49

Coutts, Brian E. and Cynthia Etkin. "Best Reference Web Sites 2007," Library Journal, April 15, 2008, 46-47

Coutts, Brian E. and Cheryl LaGuardia. "Best Reference 2006," Library Journal, April 15, 2007, 50-55

Coutts, Brian E. and Cynthia Etkin. "Best Reference Web Sites 2006," Library Journal, April 15, 2007, 52-52

Coutts, Brian E. and Cheryl LaGuardia. "Best Reference 2005," Library Journal, April 15, 2006, 46-51

Coutts, Brian E. and Cynthia Etkin. "Best Reference Web Sites 2005," Library Journal, April 15, 2006, 48-50

Coutts, Brian E. "Best Reference Sources 2004," Library Journal, April 15, 2005, 50-55.

Coutts, Brian E. and Cynthia Etkin. "Best Reference Websites 2004," Library Journal, April 15, 2005, 54-55.

Coutts, Brian E. with Tamara McConnell. "Best Reference Sources 2003," Library Journal, April 15, 2004, 36-41

Coutts, Brian E. and Cynthia Etkin. "Best Reference Web Sites 2003," Library Journal, April 15, 2004, 38-39

Coutts, Brian E. with Tamara McConnell. "Best Reference Sources 2002," Library Journal, April 15, 2003, 40-45.

Coutts, Brian E. and Cynthia Etkin. "Best Reference Web Sites 2002," Library Journal, April 15, 2003, 42.

Coutts, Brian E. with Tamara McConnell. "Best Reference Sources 2001," Library Journal, April 15, 2002, 44-49.

Coutts, Brian E. and Cynthia Etkin. "Best Reference Web Sites 2001," Library Journal, April 15, 2002, 46.

Coutts, Brian E. "Travel on the Web," C&RL News, April, 2002, 271-275.

Coutts, Brian E. and John B. Richard. "Best Reference Sources 2000," and Front Cover Story "A New Era for Reference," Library Journal, April 15, 2001, 41-46.

Coutts, Brian E. and Cynthia Etkin. "Best Reference Web Sites 2000." Library Journal, April 15, 2001, 42-43.

Coutts, Brian E. with John B. Richard. "Best Reference Sources 1999," Library Journal, April 15, 2000, 54-59.

Coutts, Brian E. and Cynthia Etkin. "Best Reference Web Sites 1999," Library Journal, April 15, 2000, 58.

Coutts, Brian E. and John B. Richard "Reference 2000: 50 Sources for the Millennium," Library Journal, November 15, 1999.

Coutts, Brian E. with John B. Richard. "Best Reference Sources 1998," Library Journal, April 15, 1999, 54-59.

Coutts, Brian E. and Cynthia Etkin. "Best Reference Web Sites 1998," Library Journal, April 15, 1999, 57.

Coutts, Brian E. with John B. Richard. "Best Reference Sources 1997," Library Journal, April 15, 1998, 46-50.

Coutts, Brian E. and Cynthia Etkin. "Best Reference Web Sites 1997," Library Journal, April 15, 1998, 47.

Coutts, Brian E. "The Reference Revolution: Wired for the 90's," Library Journal, November 15, 1997, S8-S10.

Coutts, Brian E. with John B. Richard. "Best Reference Sources of 1996," Library Journal, April 15, 1997, 36-40.

Coutts, Brian E. and Cynthia Etkin. "Best Reference Web Sites of 1996," Library Journal, April 15, 1997, 38.

Coutts, Brian E. and Peggy Wright. "Central America: From Civil Wars to Tourist Mecca," Library Journal, March 1, 1997, 53-57.

Coutts, Brian E. & John B. Richard. "Best Reference Sources of 1995," Library Journal, April 15, 1996, 38-42.

Coutts, Brian E. & John B. Richard. "Best Reference Sources of 1994," Library Journal, April 15, 1995, 36-41.

Coutts, Brian E. with John B. Richard. "Best Reference Sources of 1993," Library Journal, April 15, 1994, 37-42.

Coutts, Brian E. with John B. Richard. "Best Reference Sources of 1992," Library Journal, April 15, 1993, 56-63.

Coutts, Brian E. "The New Encyclopedia Britannica. 32v. 15th ed. 1992." in "Purchasing an Encyclopedia: 12 Points to Consider," Booklist, ALA. 1992. p. 37-39.

Coutts, Brian E. with John B. Richard. "Best Reference Books of 1991," Library Journal, April 15, 1992, 39-46.

Coutts, Brian E. "Academic American Encyclopedia. 21 v. Grolier 1991," in 1991 Annual Encyclopedia Update. Reference Books Bulletin, [Booklist], October 1, 1991, p. 352-353.

Coutts, Brian E. with John B. Richard. "Best Reference Books of 1990," Library Journal, April 15, 1991, 39-46.

Coutts, Brian E. "Ethnics in American Society," Reference Books Bulletin [Booklist], July, 1990, 2109-2112.

Coutts, Brian E., et al. "Reference Books of 1988," Library Journal, April 15, 1989, 37-41.

Coutts, Brian E. "William Langer's Encyclopedia of World History," RSR (Reference Services Review), Winter, 1987, 79-84.

Coutts, Brian E. "Flax and Hemp in Spanish Louisiana, 1777-1783," Louisiana History: The Journal of the Louisiana Historical Association 26, no. 2 (1985): 129-39. 

Coutts, Brian E. "Newspaper Preferences of Southern ARL Libraries: A Survey," Southeastern Librarian, 31, no. 3 (1984): 76-79.

Reviews

More than 200 reviews since 1981 in the following journals: ARBA: American Reference Books Annual, Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin, Choice, The Eighteenth Century, Journal of Southern History, Library Journal, LISA: Library and Information Science Annual, Louisiana History, and the Bowling Green Daily News.

Public Service

Professional

American Library Association (1981- )

• American Libraries
• Advisory Board, (2011-2013)
• Reference Books Bulletin
• Editorial Board (1987-1989; 1989-1991)
• Executive Committee (1988-1990)
• Chairman, Planning Committee for 1989 Dallas Convention
• Moderator, Special Session, Encyclopedia Publishing in the 1990’s and Beyond (June 1989)
• Encyclopedia Reviews Task Force (1990-1992)

Association of College and Research Libraries (1981- )

• Canadian Studies Discussion Group (1988-1992)
• Chair-Elect (1990)Chair (1991)
• Membership Committee (2008 - 2010; 2011 - 2013)
• Publications Committee (1992-1994; 1995-1997)
• Search Committee for New Editor, College & Research Libraries (1995)
• Search Committee for Editor, Rare Books and Manuscripts Librarianship (1995)
• Publications Committee (1998-2000; 2001- 2005; 2007-2010)
  • Chair (1998-2000)
• New Publications Advisory Board (1992-1995; 1995-1998; 1998-2000)
• Choice Editorial Board (1998-2000)
• College and Research Libraries Editorial Board (1998-2000)
• College and Research Libraries News Editorial Board (1998-2005 )
  • Chair (2001-2003; 2003-2005 )
• Publications in Librarianship (PIL Series) Editorial Board (1998-2000)
• Rare Books and Manuscript Librarianship, Editorial Board (1998-2000)
• RCL: Resources for College Libraries Editorial Board (2005- 2010)
  • Chair (2007- 2010)

Law and Political Science Section (LPSS)/Politics, Policy and International Relations (PPIR)

• Communication and Publication Committee, 2014-2016, 2016-2018
• Executive Committee, (Member at Large 2007-2009, 2010-2012)
• Marta Lange-CQ Award Committee, (2004-2008)
  • Chair (2006- 2008)
• Membership Committee
• Chair (2008-2010; 2011-2012)
• Nominating Committee (2009-2011)
• Publications Committee (2000-2004)
• Program Planning Committee for Toronto 2003
• Program Planning Committee for Orlando 2004
• Program Planning Committee for New Orleans 2006
• Program Planning Committee for Washington, DC 2007
• Program Planning Committee for New Orleans 2011
• Program Planning Committee for Las Vegas, 2014
• Co-Chair, Program Planning Committee for Orlando, 2016
• Chair, Program Planning Committee for Chicago, 2017

 

Benjamin Franklin Awards, Independent Book Publishers Association (formerly PMA)

• Judge, Reference Category (1995-1997)
• Judge, Travel Essay: Content (1998)
• Judge, Travel Essay: Design (2000)
• Judge, Reference: Design (2001-2005 )
• Judge, Travel: Content (2006)
• Judge, Travel: Content (2011)
• Judge, GLBT (2012)
• Judge, Travel: Content (2013)
• Judge, Travel: Content (2014)
• Judge, GLBT: Content (2015)
• Judge, Reference: Content (2016)
• Judge (2017)

National Endowment for the Humanities

• Grant Reviewer, Translation Series (1994-1995; 2000- )

 

Louisiana Historical Association (1972- )

• Manuscripts Reviewer (1986-1990)
• Book Reviewer

Academic Library Judge, 2010 Library blogs of the Year (sponsored by Salem Press)

IGI Global Series in Library Information Science

• Editorial Advisory Board (2010-

For WKU

• Spanish Film Festival Committee, 2016 -
• Digital Measures Workgroup, 2016 -
• SACS-DOC Steering Committee, 2013 - 2015
• Year of Ecuador Commitee, 2013 - 2015
• Tracing the Unexplored Committee, 2013 -
• Faculty Credentials Committee for SACS Reaffirmation, 2013 - 2015
• Faculty Governance Committee, 2011 - 2014
• Canadian Studies Committee, 1991 - 2011
• International Education Council
• Latin American Studies Committee
• Task Force on Global Business Education
• Global Encounters Task Force
• Asian Studies Committee, 1987-1991
• Faculty Research Committee, 1988-1990
• Advisory Committees to the Faculty Regent, 1988-1990

For University Libraries

• Library Leadership Council, 2011-
• Council of Library Department Heads, 1991-2011
• Chair, WKU Libraries QTAG Grants Committee, 2016 -
• Chair, Fine Arts Committee
• Chair, Leisure Reading Committee
• Chair, Leisure Magazines Committee
• Chair, Leisure Films Committee
• Chair, Search Committee for DLSC Department Head
• Chair, Search Committee for DLTS Department Head
• Chair, Search Committee for Marketing Coordinator
• Chair, DLSC Tenure Committee, 2009
• Chair, Search Committee for Community Outreach Manager
• Chair, Faculty Awards Committee, 2014-
• Member, Search Committee for Community Outreach Manager, 2015
• Member, Margie Helm Awards Committee
• Member, Sara Tyler Merit Award Committee
• Member, Search Committee for Marketing Coordinator, 2008
• Library Café Committee
• Member, One Book-One Campus-One Community Committee
• Moderator, Far Away Places with Strange Sounding Names Series at Barnes & Noble, 2000-
• Moderator, Kentucky Live! Southern Culture At Its Best Series at Barnes & Noble, 2002-
• Chair, Committee on Weeding and Storage, 1988-1990
• Chair, Serials Review Committee, 1987-1991
• Chair, Task Force on University Libraries Goals, 1987
• Chair, Task Force on DLPS Goals, 1987
• Member, Search Committee for Extended Campus Librarian, 1987-88
• Member, Search Committee for Humanities Reference Librarian, 1987-88
• Member, Search Committee for Business Reference Librarian, 1988
• Task Force on New Library Building, 1987
• Task Force on the Delivery of Library Services to Extended Campus Students, 1986-1987
• Task Force on Establishing Library Services to Support Economic Development, 1987-88
• Extended Campus Library Services Committee, 1988-1991
• Grants Research and Development Group--Extended Campus, 1988-1990
• Western Implimentation Group
  OPAC Subgroup, 1998
• Joint Faculty Awards Committee (Library and Media), 1988

I have written or compiled the following materials, available on the World Wide Web:

• History on the Web
• Kentucky Information in Cyberspace
• Travel on the World Wide Web
• Research Guide for the Department of History
• KERA: Resources on the Kentucky Education Reform Act
• Gay & Lesbian Studies: Online Resources
• International Year of Ecuador, WKU Libraries Bibliography, 2014-2015
• International Year of South Africa, WKU Libraries Bibliography, 2015-2016
• International Year of South Korea, WKU Libraries Bibliography, 2016-2017

• ALA, RUSA Isadore Gilbert Mudge Award, 2017
• ACRL, LPSS Marta Lange/SAGE-CQ Press Award, 2014
• LSU, School of Library Information Science, Alumnus of the Year, 2013
• WKU Libraries Award for Public Service (2010)
• Who's Who in the World (2010, 27th ed., 2014, 30th ed.)
• Who's Who in America (2009, 63rd ed.-2016, 70th Platinum Ed.)
• Government of Canada Library Grants (1990, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011)
• WKU Academic Services Award for Research (2005)
• WKU Academic Services Award for Public Services (2000)
• ALA, RUSA Louis Shores-Oryx Press Award (1999)
• WKU Academic Services Award for Research (1994)
• Faculty Research Grant for Research in Belize (1993)
• WKU Academic Services Award for Research (1991)
• Government of Quebec Library Grant (1990)
• Faculty Research Grant for Research in Central America (1990)
• Foundation Spain-USA Travel Grant (1988)
• Beta Phi Mu (1983)
• University of Calgary Bursary for Research in Mexico (1972)

Read the article featuring Brian E. Coutts on Western Scholar.

Check out "An LPSS Member to Know: Brian Coutts" in the Spring 2011 LPSS Newsletter.

Read "An interview with Librarian, Researcher, Reviewer, Author, Board Member, & Award Winner Brian Coutts".

Interview with Brian E. Coutts: Folklife Archives, Manuscripts &; Coutts, Brian E.; and Miller, Lisa Karen, "Interview with Brian E. Coutts (FA 756)" (2013). FA Oral Histories. Paper 71. http://digitalcommons.wku.edu/dlsc_fa_oral_hist/71