African American Newspapers bannerThe Latest in Database News Honors Black History
The latest Database News post, “Celebrating African American History in Newspapers,” provides background and access to the new interface of African American Newspapers Series 1, 1827-1998. The archive is based upon James P. Danky’s African-American Newspapers and Periodicals and offers full text from more than 270 newspapers from 35 states. The new interface, introduced last fall, allows for keyword searches across the full text of stories, or limited to headlines, and more. Check out the post for additional information or to link to the database, and thanks to Beth Juhl, Web Services Librarian, for a great 365 McIlroy post!

EuniqueJonesGibsonFlyerLibraries Host Creator of “Because of Them, We Can”
Have you seen the flyers around Mullins with a young Daisy Bates next to a quote that reads, “No man or woman who tries to pursue and ideal in his or her own way is without enemies”?  Bates was a Civil Rights crusader, among her many accomplishments, and her appearance as an icon in the Because of Them, We Can campaign is a perfect fit. The campaign gives children a visual connection to Black history and a way to “honor the legacy of their ancestors through their own individual pursuit of greatness.” Meet the campaign’s creator when the Libraries host “An Evening with Eunique Jones Gibson,” next Thursday, 2/25, at 6:30pm in the Walton Reading Room. And check out Joshua Youngblood’s Daisy Gatson Bates Day Facebook post for more info on this inspirational public figure, alongside a few photos of Bates, too!

Tape from Ozark Folksong Collection, by Russell CothrenThe Ozark Folksong Collection is Having a Moment
ICYMI last week, the Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association has selected the Ozark Folksong Collection for its Best Electronic Reference Site Award.  And, did you see that the collection was featured in an episode of University of Arkansas’s Short Takes, titled “Preserving Ozark Voices”?  Next up, a blog post detailing some of the African American performances and connections in the collection from Special Collection will help us commemorate Black History Month – stay tuned to 365 McIlroy for more.

Photo of Edward Durell Stone at Work, from the Arkansas Architectural ArchivesLibraries’ Special Collections Highlighted in Local Media Outlets
Joshua Youngblood, Research and Outreach Services Librarian, was interviewed recently for Ozarks at Large, about the Libraries’ acquisition of the first 22 years of the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival’s archives.  You can listen to the full interview online. Also, the Edward Durrell Stone Papers, and our own Catherine Wallack, Architectural Records Archivist, were both featured in an article titled “Standing on the Shoulders of Giants.”  The article is about the heritage of design in Northwest Arkansas and appears in the Winter 2016 issue of The Idle Class, focused on Architecture and Urbanism.  Great work, Joshua and Cat!

Reminders and Such:

  • Early Voting Underway for the March 1, 2016 Preferential Primary and Nonpartisan Judicial General Election at 6 locations in Washington County.
  • Celebrate the Lunar New Year: the Libraries are showcasing popular novels written in Chinese languages: check out the virtual display on Facebook or Pinterest. (Thank you, Sarah Spiegel and team for your work on the virtual book displays!)
  • Lives Transformed: the People of Southland College is now on view in Mullins Library’s Walton Reading Room. Curated and designed by Special Collections’ exhibit committee, the exhibit features materials from the Southland College Papers (MC 577).
  • Najee Dorsey’s Remixed: Something Ole, Sum Nu Roux is now on view in Mullins Library through March. Check out the online gallery for more info, and tag #najeeremixed on social media to let us know which pieces are your favorites.
  • FYI: Chancellor Steinmetz recently sat down with KUAF for an interview, and he talks about the first time he called the hogs.


Out of Office Notices

Name Will be Out Need Anything, Please Contact (479-575-XXXX)
Patricia Kirkwood From 1/29 Richard Sakul, 5-2480 / Lora Lennertz, 5-5545
Debra Cheval 3/16-3/21 Brian Curtis / Renee Rogers

Calendar of Libraries’ Events – Mark Your Personal Calendars!

Date Event
2/24 Save the Date: Serials Librarian candidate interviews
2/25 An Evening with Eunique Jones Gibson, 6:30pm, Walton Reading Room
2/26 Save the Date: Serials Librarian candidate interviews
3/1 ALA’s diversity research grant applications due
3/3 The Libraries Welcome Elena Foulis, 3-5pm, Walton Reading Room
4/1 2016 Small Works on Paper on View in Mullins (through April)
5/19 Staff Appreciation Picnic, 11:30-1:00pm at Donald W. Reynolds Stadium