Each year, with the leadership of Lovett, the OU Libraries Western History Collections creates an Arbor Week display in Bizzell Memorial Library. This year’s display, "Transforming the Oklahoma Prairie: More than a Century of Trees – from David Ross Boyd to David L. Boren," is in the Monnet Hall reading room from March 28 through April 1.

“John Lovett has educated the entire university community about the importance of planting trees on OU’s campuses and the leadership role played by the University of Oklahoma in the planting of trees on campuses all across the state,” said OU President David L. Boren. “He has deepened our understanding of stewardship.”

Lovett is Director of Special Collections and curator of the Western History Collections. He began his career at OU in 1990 as a photographic archivist in the Western History Collections of OU Libraries. Since joining the staff at OU, he also has served as librarian and assistant curator, as well as serving as an adjunct professor in the School of Library and Information Studies.

In addition to his duties to OU Libraries, Mr. Lovett has served on the Books that Inspire exhibit committee.

He has co-authored "Path to Excellence: Building the University of Oklahoma, 1890-2015," a book that showcases both historical and contemporary photographs of the university. His books also include "Life at the Kiowa, Comanche, and Wichita Agency: The Photographs of Annette Ross Hume," which has achieved the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum Wrangler award for being the outstanding photography book of 2010.

Mr. Lovett earned his bachelor’s degree in history and his master’s degree in library science, both from OU.

The Western History Collections is a special collection within the OU Libraries system. Its purpose is to enhance the University Libraries general collection on the history of the American West; to support the research and teaching programs of OU; and to provide opportunities for research through the acquisition, preservation, and access of materials relating to the development of the Trans-Mississippi West and Native American cultures.

OU first recognized Arbor Week in 1997 with the dedication of David A. Burr Park, honoring the late vice president for university affairs. Oklahoma celebrates Arbor Week earlier than some communities nationwide because of different planting times. This year, National Arbor Day is April 29, while Oklahoma’s Arbor Week is March 20 to 26.