In recognition of National Library Week, Oklahoma City University’s Dulaney-Browne Library honored five people with awards Tuesday, including a longtime history professor who has provided new books for nearly three decades.
Larry Cobb, a history professor at OCU since 1981, was given the Library Supporter award for his 27 years of financial support for the purchase of new books on history. In that time, Cobb’s contributions have amounted to about $23,000 for more than 1,400 titles since 1989.
Library Director Victoria Swinney said Cobb’s support has reached hundreds of student patrons over the years. Each book purchased from his donations is based on his recommendation.
“Dr. Cobb has shown his passion for history and his enthusiasm to teach through his generous gifts,” Swinney said. “His donations have made it possible to order almost double the number of history books than what the library budget could cover alone.”
Cobb teaches world history, U.S. history since 1877 and warfare and popular culture. He also teaches for OCU in Singapore, offering a course he designed in 1989 titled “America, Economics, Geopolitics, and the Future.”
Other Dulaney-Browne Library awards and honorees included:
- Faculty Continuing Education award to library science professor Lee Webb for his work with web tools for the library website
- Staff Continuing Education award to circulation supervisor Laci Bowers for her work on a master’s degree in library and information science
- Library Improvement award to professor and monographs librarian Robert Dorman for the improved Leisure Reading area display, displays of new books on range-end signs, and thematic new book displays
- Library Customer Service award to circulation technician Anthony Edwards in recognition of his focus on positive experiences for students, including helping with technology and late-night cleaning sessions.
