Richard B. Russell Library
Focuses on political records and history.
Contains various collections, including videos and oral histories.
Walter J. Brown Media Library
Houses media resources useful for research.
Particularly rich in oral histories.
The speaker was a Special Collections Library Fellow.
Participated in a project to review items at their table.
Discussed thematic connections between documents.
Example of a miscategorized item:
Document of men in suits dumping something into a pond.
Initially guessed to be about liquor prohibition, but was actually about stocking a fish pond, correcting a mistaken classification.
Importance of accurate descriptors for easy item location within archives.
Suggested process for searching collections:
Search Collections button: Click without entering keywords to search all libraries simultaneously.
Important to note that librarians may have limited knowledge of search terms and themes.
Recent example of a collection acquisition:
The GC Adams Collection from Newton and Morgan County.
Represents historical agricultural significance of the Adams family.
Each collection entry contains:
Number of boxes and linear feet of the collection.
Biographical information on significant individuals.
In-person access procedure:
Researchers request specific boxes from vault.
Items housed in a restricted environment for preservation.
Alternatives for those unable to visit in person:
Utilize digitized collections online.
Need to limit search to digitized materials specifically.
Example of difficulties with accessing handwritten records:
Some documents are difficult to read; typescript versions are available for others.
Scheduled starting April 18, with presentations spanning a week.
Opportunity to discuss topics not covered in class discussions.
Requirements for topics:
Focus on more recent issues (last five years) impacting current affairs.
Allowance for historical context, if relevant.
Group work dynamic:
Comprise of 2-3 members per group.
Engagement of class is part of the presentation evaluation.
Suggestions include examining perspectives on recent changes in regulations (i.e., antibiotics for food animals).
Importance of understanding both sides of an issue to present a balanced view.
Group engagement tactics include prepared discussion questions to facilitate class conversations.
Discussion about whether to finalize groups now or wait until Monday.
Encourages students to network and identify potential classmates to work with.
Allowing five minutes for students to discuss and form groups.
Focuses on political records and history, collecting a wide range of materials pertaining to the political landscape of Georgia and the Southern United States.
Contains various collections, including videos, oral histories, letters, and documents that reflect significant political events and figures.
Houses an extensive array of media resources useful for research including film, audio recordings, and archival photographs.
Particularly rich in oral histories, which provide firsthand accounts and personal narratives that are invaluable for researchers studying cultural and historical context.
The speaker was a Special Collections Library Fellow, actively involved in managing and curating the library's unique collections.
Participated in a project to review items at their table, which involved assessing the significance and relevance of various documents.
Discussed thematic connections between documents to illuminate broader historical narratives.
Example of a miscategorized item: A document depicting men in suits dumping something into a pond was initially guessed to be about liquor prohibition but was later revealed to be about stocking a fish pond, emphasizing the necessity for accurate classification and discernment in cataloging processes.
Importance of accurate descriptors for easy item location within archives to assist researchers in efficiently retrieving information.
Suggested process for searching collections:
Search Collections button: Click without entering keywords to search all libraries simultaneously, streamlining the user's ability to find relevant materials across multiple sources.
Important to note that librarians may have limited knowledge of specific search terms and themes, suggesting that users be proactive in their inquiries.
Recent example of a collection acquisition:
The GC Adams Collection from Newton and Morgan County, which represents the historical agricultural significance of the Adams family, encompassing their contributions to farming practices and local economy.
Each collection entry contains detailed information such as:
Number of boxes and linear feet of the collection to provide an understanding of its size.
Biographical information on significant individuals associated with the collection to contextualize the materials.
In-person access procedure:
Researchers must request specific boxes from vault storage and adhere to regulations designed to preserve items housed in a restricted environment.
Alternatives for those unable to visit in person:
Utilize digitized collections available online, which require limiting searches to digitized materials specifically to obtain relevant results.
Example of difficulties with accessing handwritten records: Some documents may be incredibly difficult to read; thus, typescript versions are made available for enhanced accessibility.
Scheduled starting April 18, with presentations spanning a week and designed to foster deeper engagement with topical issues.
Opportunity to discuss topics not extensively covered in class discussions, enriching the learning experience.
Requirements for topics:
Must focus on more recent issues (last five years) impacting current affairs, allowing room for historical context where relevant to provide a comprehensive view.
Group work dynamic:
Comprised of 2-3 members per group, promoting collaboration and diverse perspectives.
Engagement of class is part of the presentation evaluation, stressing the importance of interactive and dynamic presentations.
Suggestions for topics include examining perspectives on recent changes in regulations, such as the usage of antibiotics for food animals, which is a relevant and controversial issue in agricultural practices.
Importance of understanding both sides of an issue to present a balanced view, ensuring that all relevant perspectives are considered during discussions.
Group engagement tactics include preparing discussion questions to facilitate class conversations and enhance participation.
Discussion about whether to finalize groups now or wait until Monday, considering the varying schedules and commitments of students.
Encourages students to network and identify potential classmates to work with, creating opportunities for collaboration beyond the classroom.
Allowing five minutes for students to engage in discussions and form groups, fostering a collaborative environment from the outset.