What’s New in Special Collections: Spring Edition

Spring Break is almost upon us and, for most students, it will bring relaxation, fun, and sunshine, but for those of you striving to get ahead on your end of semester papers and projects or already feeling a little behind, Spring Break can be more ‘meh’ than ‘WOW.’ If you find yourself in Reese Library during spring break be sure to view our new term paper and research display just outside the elevator on the third floor. With books on historical research and deciphering handwriting, this display is especially useful for history papers and projects. Ask in Special Collections (also on the third floor) if you would like to view any of the materials in the case.

The Special Collections digital collection has also gained a new resource: The Bicentennial of Nursing 1733-1933 (By E. Alma Brown). This unusual item contains an informative (and occasionally humorous) account of the history of nursing along with bicentennial event photographs from 1933. Our nursing theme is further explored in the History of Nursing in Augusta display located outside of Special Collections which features photographs, books, and reports selected from our historical nursing collection.

There are several reasons to visit the third floor of the Reese Library this spring — a quiet place to study, to use the computers, or attend a class — but don’t forget that we in Special Collections are here to help with your historical research or just to help you find something new and interesting about the history of the Arsenal, the city, or the university.

Happy New Year and Get Ready for Change!

The new year in Special Collections will bring with it more changes than just the university name on the stationary. Our department has undergone some adjustments in both staff and hours. Our student assistant Tiffany Gregg

has moved on, leaving us slightly sad but all the better for the time she spent in our department. In her place Judy McAlhany will be joining us on Wednesdays and some Saturdays to share her years of research experience, special interest in genealogy, and knowledge of local history.

Our hours have been expanded to include the first Saturday of every month starting on February 2nd with a kick-off talk by Dr. Russell Brown, editor of the Augusta-Richmond County Journal. If you have you ever considered sharing your local history research, please come by and learn a little bit about publishing in this journal. or just take advantage of this opportunity to met some other local historians. The talk will be held from 11am-1pm on February 2nd on the third floor of the library in Special Collections.

In preparation for “Pride and Passion: The African-American Baseball Experience” events starting on January 18th, Special Collections is currently displaying baseball material from our department. In the display case by the third floor elevator, you’ll be able to view historic articles from the Augusta Focus and find information about the “Pride and Passion” exhibit and events.

Our second baseball display is located outside the entrance to Special Collections and features books on Ty Cobb, Georgia baseball legend and Augusta resident. The display includes biographical information, a photo of his Augusta home, and information about the Ty Cobb Educational Foundation which provides scholarships to Georgia students.

Both of these displays will be available through the end of January.

As always, we can be reached by email at spcoll@aug.edu or by phone at 706-667-4904 if you have questions or would like to schedule an appointment.

Happy New Year from the Special Collections staff!

What’s New in Special Collections in 2013

The new year will bring some exciting changes in Special Collections. First, Mrs. Judy McAlhany will be joining Special Collections as part-time staff in January 2013. While still involved in the Augusta-Richmond County Historical Society, Judy will be attached to Special Collections on Wednesdays starting January 2nd as an unofficial genealogy advisor. Judy will be on hand most Wednesdays to assist genealogy patrons and to share her knowledge of local history.

Secondly, Special Collections will have official Saturday hours starting February 2nd. Special Collections will be open the first Saturday of every month (barring Library closures) from 9 to 5. A special kickoff event is planned. Dr. Russell Brown, editor of the Augusta-Richmond County Journal, will be doing a writer’s workshop to discuss the journal’s writer’s guidelines and to critique any possible submissions for the Journal. This is a great opportunity for history students and faculty (as well as amateur historians) to learn more about sharing their research. Be on the lookout for more information in early January.

Our last day before winter break will be December 21st and we will return on January 2nd. As always, we can be reached by email at spcoll@aug.edu or by phone at 706-667-4904 if you have questions or would like to schedule an appointment.

Happy Holidays from the Special Collections staff!

October Displays

October is a busy month in Special Collections. In addition to the fabulous Georgia Archives Month display in the main lobby of Reese Library (designed by our Outreach Librarian, Autumn, and the outreach assistant Matthew), we are also featuring a Haunted Augusta display just outside of Special Collections on the third floor. The display features photos from our digital image archive accompanied by a selection of ghost stories and legends that are associated with those places. Space was limited, so we could only cover a few highlights of Augusta’s haunted history. If you are interested in learning more, the resources in the display case will give you a place to start and a visit to special collections can take your research to the next level. Several of the books can be located in our 3rd floor stacks and are available for check-out.

Georgia Archives Month

In celebration of Georgia Archives Month, Dr. Christopher Murphy (professor emeritus of Anthropology) and Mr. Bill Wells (local historian) will speak on October 18th and 19th. Dr. Murphy will discuss the evolution of the campus from the Augusta Arsenal to the present day university on Thursday the 18th in University Hall Room 160. Mr. Wells will takes us back in time to get a glimpse of the daily life of the Arsenal on Friday the 19th in the Arsenal Quad. Both events are free and open to the public. We hope to see you there!