Join other library supporters at the 18th annual “Love Your Libraries” Fun Run, sponsored by Comcast and hosted by the University of Tennessee Graduate Student Senate. The 5K race and fun walk will take place Saturday, March 20, 2010. Registration is from 6:45 to 7:45 a.m. in Circle Park on the UT campus, and the race begins at 8:00 a.m. Proceeds benefit the University of Tennessee Libraries.

The Graduate Student Senate hosted its first race to benefit the UT Libraries in 1992. Proceeds from the race assist the libraries in purchasing much-needed electronic resources, books, equipment, and other items critical for student success at the University of Tennessee.

Each year, corporate sponsors throughout the Knoxville community help make the Fun Run possible with charitable gifts. Once again Comcast, our title sponsor, will provide financial support and airtime on their cable television network to advertise the event. Another major donor, Rivr Media, will assist with publicity. Other sponsors include: the UT Federal Credit Union, UT Book and Supply Stores, Brandons Awards and Engraving, Miche Bags, Dr. William Kim Salmons DDS, Pimento’s Cafe & Market, Salon Azure, and Runners Market.

The race is sanctioned and emceed by the Knoxville Track Club. An awards ceremony will follow the race. Awards will be given to the top three runners overall, 1st Masters (40+) and 1st Grand Masters (50+), male and female — as well as awards given by age and gender. The Fastest UT Runner (student, faculty, or staff) and the Best Team (organization with most registrants) also will be recognized. Awards must be picked up on race day; they will not be mailed. Fun Run t-shirts are guaranteed to all pre-registered runners. Shirts will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis on race day.

Pre-registrations must be postmarked by March 13. Entry forms are available here. Check out the race route.

Help us spread the word. Please print and display our poster.

For more information, contact the Graduate Student Senate (gss@utk.edu or 865-974-2377).

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.

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

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