Miniature Book Exhibit

Gorgas Library, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 

February 15 – April 15

For centuries individuals have been collecting miniature books.  To promote knowledge of these tiny treasures, the Miniature Book Society has created a national traveling exhibit showcasing modern masterpieces as well as historic examples.  Gorgas Library on the campus of the University of Alabama will be the site of the exhibit February 15 – April 15, 2012.  The exhibit is sponsored by University Libraries and the Alabama Center for the Book.

The traveling exhibit also includes books from the Miniature Book Society’s annual competition.  Two University of Alabama students from the School of Library and Information Studies Book Arts Program entered the 2011 competition. Their books will be featured in the collection.

Mary Elizabeth Watson’s book, CAT TALK, measures 3” x 2 5/8” and features images hand drawn and printed from photographic plates.

Timothy Winkler’s book, JUMBLE, 3” x 3” in size, is a letterpress book printed with polymer plates and linocuts.  The design is meant to represent a chaotic “mess” of ideas.  Winkler is both author and illustrator.

To accompany the exhibit, four additional display cases will be filled with 22 miniature books from W.S. Hoole Special Collections Library’s Book Arts Collection and information about the art of collecting miniature books.

In the United States, a miniature book is usually considered to be one which is no more than three inches in height, width, or thickness.  These petite jewels can be very valuable. Earlier this year, a miniature book from 1749, ‘T Oranje Geslagt, was priced at $20,000 on a bookseller’s website.

The exhibit is open to the public and can be viewed during regular library hours:  Monday-Thursday:  7:30 am – 2:00 am, Friday:  7:30 am – 6:00 pm, Saturday:  10:00 am – 6:00 pm and Sunday:  12:00 pm – 2:00 am.  For holiday closings and exceptions, visit:   http://www.lib.ua.edu/spring2012 or call (205) 348-1416.

If you are visiting campus during the week between 7:00 am and 6 pm, there are three parking decks you may park in as a visitor:  Ferguson Center, Campus Drive, and North ten Hoor.  After 6 pm and on weekends a parking permit is not required and visitors may park behind Gorgas Library on Campus Drive.  For additional parking information visit:  http://bamaparking.ua.edu/pages/visitor-parking.html  or call (205) 348-5471.

Save the Date

Cullen Murphy
Lecture, Book Signing, and Reception
February 22, 2012, 2:30 p.m.
Gorgas Library Room 205

Click here for more information.

Alabama Center for the Book Gathering

You are invited to an Alabama Center for the Book Gathering

Alabama Special Collections and Archives for the 21st Century

Saturday, March 3, 2012 ∙ 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Amelia Gayle Gorgas Library, 711 Capstone Drive, room 205 

The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL

Co-Sponsors:  University of Alabama Libraries, the School of Library & Information Studies, and the College of Communication & Information Sciences

This day-long meeting will engage individuals and institutions state-wide interested in sharing information about its many public and private archives and special collections. The meeting creates opportunities for librarians, curators, archivists, book artists, museum administrators and collectors to share their thoughts on defining and redefining collecting, compare notes on physical and virtual exhibitions, and have a fruitful dialog about opportunities and options for special collections over the next two to five years.

2009 MacArthur Fellow Timothy Barrett, from the University of Iowa, will speak about his work in studying under what conditions ancient papers survive and thrive.

For a change in pace, renowned book artist Tim Ely will discuss his one-of-a kind painted books, written in his own language and inspired by thoughts of alien worlds.

Kenneth Gaddy, director of the Paul W. Bryant Museum, will give insight to physical and virtual exhibits.

John Cole, director of the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, will conclude the afternoon with his thoughts on how special collections will evolve over the next five years.

Around these centerpiece presentations we will, with your participation, attempt to identify some of the many unique Alabama archive and special collections.

*If you are interested in presenting, up to five minutes, about your special collection, please contact Dr. Bob Riter, rbriter@slis.ua.edu. In your email, please include a brief description about your collection including the title, venue, and address.

SCHEDULE:

8:30 Coffee and Introductions

9:00 Welcome – Dr. Louis Pitschmann, Dean of University of Alabama Libraries, and Dr. Heidi Julien, Director of the School of Library & Information Studies, University of Alabama

9:15–10:00 On The Longevity of Paper, Timothy Barrett, University of Iowa

10:00–10:30 Coffee Break

10:30–11:30 Defining Archives and Special Collections—Who Are We? A series of 5-minute speed talks moderated by Dr. Bob Riter and Professor Steve Miller, School of Library and Information Studies, University of Alabama*

11:30–12:30 Defining, and Redefining Collecting, moderated by Bill and Vicky Stewart of Vamp & Tramp, Booksellers, Birmingham, Alabama

12:30–1:30 Box Lunch

1:30–2:15 On Imagination and The 21st-Century Book, Tim Ely, Book Artist from Colfax, Washington, Introduced by Mary Ann Sampson, Ragland

2:15–3:00 Physical and Virtual Exhibitions, moderated by Kenneth Gaddy, Director, Paul W. Bryant Museum, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Introduced by Steven MacCall

3:00-3:20 Break

3:20–4:30 Opportunities and Options for Special Collections and Archives Over the Next 3–5 Years, a presentation by John Cole, Director of the Center of the Book in the Library of Congress, Introduced by Dean Louis Pitschmann

4:30 Final Observations by Dean Louis Pitschmann

Click here to download the 2012 Registration Form.

Save the Date: Alabama Center for the Book Gathering

Alabama Special Collections and Archives for the 21st Century
Saturday, March 3, 2012 ∙ 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Amelia Gayle Gorgas Library, 711 Capstone Drive, room 205
The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL
Co-Sponsors:  University of Alabama Libraries, the School of Library & Information Studies, and the College of Communication & Information Sciences
This day-long meeting will engage individuals and institutions state-wide interested in sharing information about its many public and private archives and special collections. The meeting creates opportunities for librarians, curators, archivists, book artists, museum administrators and collectors to share their thoughts on defining and redefining collecting, compare notes on physical and virtual exhibitions, and have a fruitful dialog about opportunities and options for special collections over the next two to five years.
*       2009 MacArthur Fellow Timothy Barrett, from the University of Iowa, will speak about his work in studying under what conditions ancient papers survive and thrive.
*       For a change in pace, renowned book artist Tim Ely will discuss his one-of-a kind painted books, written in his own language and inspired by thoughts of alien worlds.
Other speakers are being confirmed this week.
A schedule of events and a reservation form will be forthcoming.
Reservations will be limited to 80 participants.  Registration fee:  $20.00 per person. (Includes lunch and refreshments)

 

 

The Authentic Animal: Reading and Talk with Dave Madden

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

W. S. Hoole Special Collections Library, Second Floor, Mary Harmon Bryant Hall,                 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

UA assistant professor in the Creative Writing Department, Dave Madden, will read from his new book, The Authentic Animal:  Inside the Odd and Obsessive World of Taxidermy (St. Martin’s Press, 2011).  A reception and signing will take place before and after the talk.

Publisher’s Weekly says that The Authentic Animal “muses with verve and wit on the relationships between human and animal, art and artifact, as well as on the collector’s obsession.”  Kirkus Reviews calls the book a “readable, sometimes chilling tour of an intriguing subculture.”  And booklist sees “genuine curiosity, respect, depth, and wit,” in the writing of “this remarkably entertaining and thought-provoking book.”

Everyone is invited!

http://www.lib.ua.edu/libraries/hoole/happenings/events.htm

Contact:  Jessica Lacher-Feldman, 348-0506

Steady Growth, Investment Raise Rankings of UA Libraries

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — First-class universities need strong libraries to power teaching and research, much as large steamships need big engines. As recent rankings show, The University of Alabama Libraries are growing in quality and support and are prepared to power academic pursuits at the Capstone in the 21st century.

Statistics compiled by the Association of Research Libraries show that University Libraries have risen in the rankings in several key areas, including investment and in overall criteria. Since 2003, UA Libraries have moved from 97 to 56 among all criteria for the ARL’s member libraries, which include the top private- and public-university libraries in the United States and Canada.

Among public universities, UA Libraries have risen from 61 to 32 since 2003. Among the 23 ARL members in the Southern University Group, including the University of Florida, University of North Carolina and University of Georgia – UA’s ranking has risen from 21 to 12.

As for investment in libraries, UA has risen from 92 to 76 overall and from 56 to 41 among public universities. In the Southern University Group, the ranking has risen from 18 to 15.

“This recognition of our libraries reflects our commitment to providing the best academic and research materials for our students and our faculty,” said Dr. Judy Bonner, UA executive vice president and provost. “We are proud of the tremendous effort Dean (Louis A.) Pitschmann and all our librarians have made to improve the quality of our libraries.”

“The rise in investment stands as a key benchmark for the University,” said Pitschmann, UA dean of libraries.

“What these numbers represent is the University’s commitment to investing in a library that is commensurate with the quality of the teaching and research that is currently taking place at the University,” Pitschmann said. “Without this level of funding, we could not put in place the type of library UA’s current programs and priorities require.”

The increase in rankings, for both investment and for overall criteria, represents the University’s efforts to improve access to materials for both students and faculty engaged in cutting-edge research. He notes that in 2003, University Libraries provided access to 23,000 periodicals for scholarly research; in 2011, the University community has access to more than 88,000 unique titles – almost all of them in electronic formats.

“An estimated 90 percent of the electronic information that one can access through the Internet needed for higher education is not free,” Pitschmann said. “Libraries must license and purchase that material. Thanks to funding from the University and donors, we’ve been able to move the library to higher qualitative levels.”

As investment has increased, so has University Libraries’ commitment to augmenting the life of UA’s scholarly community, including undergraduates.The new Scout unified resource discovery interface from EBSCO, for example, allows students and faculty to search for articles and information simultaneously among electronic resources and catalogs of printed materials.

Librarians also have sought to acquire access to materials undergraduates can use for class assignments and original research. The result: Staff members have not only improved the quantity of material available but also the quality of the collection.

“We’ve moved to a totally different qualitative level that would have been impossible without the funding increases we’ve received,” Pitschmann said. “This funding also has allowed us to hire more staff. We have a very strong and committed library faculty who are developing the collections and developing new forms of access to the electronic information.”

Membership in the Association of Research Libraries is based on meeting high standards for libraries in research institutions. In Alabama, UA and Auburn are the only two members of ARL.

Other members include Harvard, Yale, the University of Florida, Florida State University, the University of Tennessee, the University of Georgia and Louisiana State University. Membership in ARL is a strong indicator of UA’s strengthening position as a major U.S. research institution and benefits the University in several ways.

“Membership allows us to work with and collaborate with some of the largest and oldest research libraries in the United States and Canada, and it assures us that we stay current with trends and opportunities that will support the University’s teaching, research and outreach agenda,” Pitschmann said.

Pitschmann also says the rankings reflect the commitment of UA President Robert E. Witt and Provost Bonner to improving the quality of the University as a community of scholars.

“Dr. Witt and Dr. Bonner have shown exceptional support for the libraries, and our growth is directly attributable to their support,” Pitschmann said.

http://uanews.ua.edu/2011/10/steady-growth-investment-raise-rankings-of-ua-libraries/

The University of Alabama, a student-centered research university, is experiencing significant growth in both enrollment and academic quality. This growth, which is positively impacting the campus and the state’s economy, is in keeping with UA’s vision to be the university of choice for the best and brightest students. UA, the state’s flagship university, is an academic community united in its commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all Alabamians.

CONTACT: Richard LeComte, media relations, rllecomte@ur.ua.edu, 205/348-3782
SOURCE: Donna Adcock, UA Libraries, 205/348-1416, dbadcock@lib.ua.edu

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alabama Center for the Book Represented at the 2011 National Book Festival

An unprecedented 112 authors, poets and illustrators spoke and met with their readers at the 2011 National Book Festival, sponsored by the Library of Congress. An estimated 200,000 gathered on the National Mall for the first-ever two-day festival. The event held Saturday, Sept. 24 and Sunday, Sept. 25 offered more authors and activities for young readers than ever before.


President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, the first lady, were the honorary chairs of the event. The distinguished benefactor of the event, David M. Rubenstein, co-chaired the National Book Festival Board with Dr. James H. Billington, the Librarian of Congress.


The Alabama Center for the Book was represented at the Pavilion of the States tent. Posters, bookmarks and brochures providing information about our state’s writers and the Alabama Center for the Book were given to thousands of young people and their parents. Each state along with the District of Columbia and the U.S. territories was represented.


In addition, a poplar pavilion feature was “Discover Great Places Through Reading”. A free map of the United States was presented at each table for an appropriate state sticker or stamp. A reading list of 52 books for young people with recommendations from each state was located on the back of the map. Alabama’s selection this year was To Kill a Mockingbird. Youngsters and adults alike were thrilled to receive a bright shinny silver sticker with a picture of a mockingbird.