Long before FBI agents were searching digital files to find a match for a fingerprint found at a crime scene, Sir Frances Galton began studying fingerprints as a means of identification. The result was Finger Prints, an 1892 work that included the first fingerprint classification system.

Galton established two major points. First, an individual’s fingerprints are unique – the chance of two people having the same prints would be 1 in 64 billion. Second, fingerprints stay the same as a person ages.

An 1893 edition of Finger Prints is part of the collection that the International Association for Identification is entrusting the WVU Libraries with for the next decade.

The IAI selected the WVU Libraries as the official repository for its library holdings because of the University’s Forensic and Investigative Sciences academic program and the Forensic Science Initiative research and outreach program.

“We are thrilled our library was chosen to receive this collection,” Myra Lowe, Associate Dean of Libraries said. “The materials will be valuable additions to the Libraries’ resources in the subject area and will greatly enhance our ability to support student and faculty research.”

The collection is dedicated to the history of fingerprinting, crime scene analysis, and related sciences. Along with Galton’s landmark effort is a 1901 edition of Sir Edward Richard Henry’s Classification and Uses of Finger Prints.

A pioneer in the field, the British police officer led police in Bengal, India, to use fingerprint to identify criminals. He later become assistant commissioner of metropolitan police in London and then established the Britain’s first fingerprint files in 1901. Soon, the rest of Europe and North America incorporated the practice of using fingerprints to identify criminals.

The collection includes many similar items dating back to the earliest uses of fingerprints in criminal investigations in the United States. The IAI library also includes original notes from the earliest practitioners and developers of fingerprinting, arguably one of the most important tools available to the forensic scientist.

“It is somewhat analogous to having notes taken by Charles Darwin during his voyages on the HMS Beagle prior to his publishing On the Origins of Species,” said Clifton Bishop, Director of the Forensic and Investigative Sciences Program and Chair of the IAI Student Committee.

Bishop is a firm believer in knowing the history of significant developments within one’s field. He considers it critical that students understand why certain conclusions were drawn within their area and not simply accept things on blind faith.

“Often, you find that the questions asked by the early pioneers in a field are, with modifications, the same ones that are being asked today and knowing about their thoughts can make one better informed,” Bishop said.

In addition to the value of the material itself, IAI entrusting WVU with their collection is an important recognition of the University’s forensic program’s status.

“Locating their collection here further strengthens the important bonds between us,” Bishop said. “It is also a statement of IAI’s faith in us and in the continuance of our program that they have entrusted us with this collection.” – Morgantown Times

In the post, she will guide the group which represents librarians and staff from public, academic, K-12, and special libraries around the state.

“It’s very challenging and humbling to be president of this organization,” Pugh said. “The association represents libraries of all types and gives us an opportunity to work together toward common goals, which ultimately serve the citizens of West Virginia.”

Pugh comes aboard with a full agenda already on her plate. The WVLA succeeded last session in securing funding from the Legislature to acquire statewide electronic database licenses for hundreds of libraries.

Nationwide concerns exist about a disparity in access to electronic information. Nearly all public and K-12 libraries lack the extensive electronic resources available at most colleges and universities. College students grow accustomed to a wealth of easily retrievable information while on campus, but then after graduation, find that the information sources are not available outside the academic setting.

Pugh and others in the WVLA leadership see this statewide contract as part of a remedy to this societal problem. The goal now is to encourage the Legislature to continue funding. Pugh’s mission is to convey to state lawmakers the positive impact realized by the number of resources now available at public and school libraries.

“From kindergarten through the rest of your life, you should be able to have access to electronic or digital information,” Pugh said. “This project, being coordinated by the West Virginia Library Commission and funded by the Legislature, is one that I think will stay on the Association’s legislative agenda for a long time.”

WVU Libraries Dean Frances O’Brien called Pugh a devoted advocate for libraries and a knowledgeable professional. She expects 2005 to be a good year for libraries in the Mountain State with Pugh at the helm.

“Penny’s experience has earned her the respect of her colleagues across the state, and she will be very effective in leading collaborative efforts among the different types of libraries,” O’Brien said. “I believe her year as WVLA president will bring significant advances in library service to citizens of West Virginia.”

Myra Lowe, Associate Dean of the WVU Libraries, shared similar praise and optimism. She has supervised Pugh since she joined the staff as a reference librarian in 1989 and highly regards her efforts as a librarian.

Lowe called Pugh a leader at the WVU Libraries in terms of electronic resources, explaining that the libraries rely on Pugh’s judgment in identifying what electronic resources to purchase. She also stressed that Pugh runs a large and diverse department within the Libraries and is able to guide wide-ranging areas of responsibility effectively.

“I see Penny as an excellent leader,” Lowe said. “Her expertise has already been valuable and will continue to be.”

Pugh has previously served as Chair of the Academic Division of WVLA and as a member of the Executive Board. Prior to settling at WVU, Pugh was a librarian and library science instructor at Fairmont State College form 1986-1989. Pugh earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from WVU and her Masters in Library and Information Science from the University of Kentucky. She has been Head of Reference in the Downtown Campus Library since November 2000. – Morgantown Times