The University of Colorado at Boulder Friends of the Libraries is kicking off the 2001-2002 season of programs with a public lecture by Professor David M. Armstrong, of CU's environmental, population and organismic biology department, at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 8.
Armstrong will speak on "What the Mice Know: Patterns in the Distribution of Colorado Mammals" in room M459 in Norlin Library. A reception will follow the talk.
Armstrong studies human impacts on native ecosystems and has authored many scholarly works on the conservation of wildlife in numerous geographical areas including Rocky Mountain forests, the Plains States and the northern interior of Mexico. His research has led him to believe that human beings have influenced the environment and caused more changes in distribution than the results of geological changes in the past.
Among Armstrong's professional associations are the Ecological Society of America, the Society for Conservation Biology and the Colorado Bat Society. He is a research associate at the Denver Museum of Natural History and an associate curator at the University of Colorado Museum.
Armstrong's presentation is part of the Friends of the Libraries' Treasures Series. The series was created four years ago to familiarize the public with the University of Colorado library system and inform citizens that they do not have to be enrolled at the university to obtain library borrowing privileges.
"Friends of the Libraries is a vital part of the University of Colorado Libraries' efforts to connect with the community," said Georgeanne Beck, newly elected president of the Friends of Libraries. "Our goal is to make sure that community members are aware of the treasures of the libraries that exist right in their back yards."
Beck encourages everyone to become a public patron by presenting a Colorado photo ID and Social Security card at Norlin Library's circulation desk. A donation of any size will qualify a donor as a Friend of the Libraries who can then receive invitations to the library's events, exhibits and lectures, and copies of the library's newsletter.
With an annual contribution of $50 or more, Colorado residents may obtain Friends' library privileges beyond those accorded to public patrons. These include "search" and "hold" features otherwise available only to students and university personnel, indefinite renewal (until requested by another library user) and recall of books checked out to another person. With a contribution of $100 or more the donor may designate the subject or library to which the funds will be allocated.
The Friends of Libraries hosts a number of activities throughout the year. Thursday's lecture is sponsored by The Daily Camera and free and open to he public. Entrance to Norlin Library will be through the west door. Free parking will be available in lot 380 east of Macky Auditorium. Access to the CU campus is at University Avenue and 17th Street. For more information, please call (303) 492-8275.