Category Archive for Library Friends
November 10, 2007
New Book Traces Pictorial History of the University of Tennessee
A deep and forgotten history of UT comes to light
A new book about the University of Tennessee provides images of its 200-year history, from its earliest days as Blount College in 1794 to present. The book, called University of Tennessee was published as part of Arcadia Press' Campus History Series. It was written by Aaron Purcell, who served as University Archivist from 2000-2007 and earned a PhD in history from UT in 2006.
The book uses photographs from the rich holdings of the University Archives to trace the development of the University of Tennessee. Included are seldom seen images of buildings, students, faculty, famous alumni, campus activities, athletic teams, student and university publications, handwritten documents, and statewide programs in action.
The military heritage of UT, especially the school's role during the Civil War is detailed, as is information on past university traditions, many of which have been forgotten. The book recounts the importance of the university as a land-grant institution, as per the Morrill Act of 1862, and how that statewide mission of service continues into the twenty-first century.
The university's role in nationally significant programs like the Summer School of the South are also covered in this book. All campuses and centers across the state, not just the growth and activities of the Knoxville campus, are explored.
All proceeds for the book will be donated to the University Libraries. For more about the book, visit its page at Arcadia Press.
Posted by Laura Purcell at 03:18 PM in Events, Library Friends
September 17, 2007
UT Libraries Mark Three Anniversaries with 'Remarkable' Celebration
The University of Tennessee Libraries is marking three anniversaries this year and inviting students, faculty, staff and the public to a celebration on Oct. 26.
"A Remarkable Time: Celebrating the Past, Anticipating the Future" will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Jack E. Reese Galleria of the John C. Hodges Library.
The celebration will include music, food and a book sale. A program in the auditorium will begin shortly after 6 p.m.
Bruce Wheeler, professor emeritus of history, will speak about the history of the university and, specifically, its libraries. The event will be emceed by Sylvia Peters, teacher, education advocate and founding partner of the Edison Project, which provides curriculum and other educational tools to schools across the U.S. and the United Kingdom.
Bill Bass, professor emeritus of anthropology and founder of "The Body Farm," will be a special guest and oversee the auctioning off of an opportunity for someone's name to be used as a character in one of his upcoming novels.
The event is sponsored by the Lancaster Lecture Fund. People interested in attending should RSVP by calling (865) 974-0037.
This year, UT Libraries is marking the 20th anniversary of the renovation of the John C. Hodges Library, the 75th anniversary of the James D. Hoskins Library and the 100th anniversary of UT as a land-grant Federal Depository Library.
"UT Libraries has grown with the University of Tennessee, and in many ways enabled and supported the university's rise to a major research institution. By celebrating these milestone anniversaries, we can take a moment to remember the many books read, papers and dissertations written and ideas explored here. I am honored to be able to salute the rich past of UT Libraries and look forward to continued enlightenment and discovery," said Barbara I. Dewey, dean of libraries.
UT Libraries consists of UT Knoxville, College of Law, Preston Medical, UT Health Science Center and UT Space Institute libraries.
Hoskins Library, at first named the Central Library, opened in 1931. The Hodges Undergraduate Library originally opened in 1969 as a four-story building.
As the campus and student enrollment grew, the UT Board of Trustees decided in 1983 to add 250,000 square feet to Hodges Library. The giant renovation -- which was largely new construction -- began the next year, and the new Hodges reopened in 1987 as the state's largest library. Construction cost about $29 million.
In 1907, UT's small library was located in the Old College building, but even as it opened its doors, university officials were planning a new library. Based on the expected growth, the federal government designated UT as a Federal Government Depository, which means the library provides the public free access to government documents and information. In conjunction with this anniversary, the library is holding an essay contest for students. The deadline is Oct. 30. For more information, go to http://www.lib.utk.edu/refs/govdocs100/essay-info.html.
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Contacts:
Elizabeth Davis, UT media relations, (865) 974-5179, elizabeth.davis@tennessee.edu
Blue Dean, UT Libraries, (865) 974-0037, bluedean@utk.edu
Posted by Laura Purcell at 09:44 AM in Events, Library Friends
April 11, 2007
Tennessee Reads features Natural Histories: Stories from the Tennessee Valley
Tennessee Reads features Natural Histories: Stories from the Tennessee Valley
by Stephen Lyn Bales
Monday, April 30 2007 Carpe Librum Booksellers
Natural Histories is a collection of essays by naturalist Stephen Lyn Bales. Each chapter in the book showcases a particular animal or plant and each narrative touches the Tennessee Valley in some way. Historical episodes are brought vividly to life, such as the saga of the Lost State of Franklin, the devastation of the Trail of Tears, and the planting of a Moon Tree at Sycamore Shoals in Elizabethton. The book is arranged according to the seasonal cycles of the valley and illustrated with the author's own striking line drawings.
This Tennessee Reads event will be held at Carpe Librum Booksellers, 5113A Kingston Pike (next to the Gourmet's Market in Bearden). The event is sponsored by the University of Tennessee Press, the UT Library Friends, WUOT and Carpe Librum Booksellers.
Posted by at 12:03 PM in Library Friends
October 06, 2006
Tennessee Reads Features Coldhearted River Author Kim Trevathan
Trevathan to read October 26 at 6:30 p.m. at Carpe Librum Booksellers
Join the UT Library Friends on Thursday, October 26 at 6:30 p.m. to hear author Kim Trevathan discuss his latest book Coldhearted River: A Canoe Odyssey down the Cumberland.
Coldhearted River is Kim Trevathan's account of canoeing the Cumberland River, 696 miles from its headwaters near Harlan, Kentucky to Paducah. The once wild river, named because it was as "crooked as the Duke of Cumberland," is now tamed by a series of TVA dams and is comprised of many large, recreational lakes.
The book documents Trevathan's journey along the Cumberland through storms, mosquitoes and curious characters; his tiny canoe surviving the wakes of large, powerful motorboats. Photographer Randy Russell, whose images are included in the book, accompanied Trevathan.
Trevathan's last book, Paddling the Tennessee River: A Voyage on Easy Water, depicted the author's canoe journey along the Tennessee with this dog, Jasper.
Trevathan's talk will also include video footage of the journey, including shots of cows invading the campsite and unusual alters in Kentucky.
This Tennessee Reads event will be held at Carpe Librum Booksellers, 5113A Kingston Pike (next to Gourmet's Market in Bearden), on Thursday, October 26. The reading begins at 6:30 p.m. and refreshments will be served. The event is sponsored by the University of Tennessee Press, the UT Library Friends, Carpe Librum Booksellers and WUOT.
Posted by Laura Purcell at 01:28 PM in Library Friends