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2009 Merl E. Reed Fellowship in Southern Labor History – Award Winners 

Three recipients were recently selected to receive the Merl E. Reed Fellowship in Southern Labor History:  

·         Matthew Dimick, graduate student in the Department of Sociology at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. His research topic is “Labor Law and Union Democracy: A British-U.S. Comparison.”

·         Jordan Patty, processing archivist and librarian at George Mason University Libraries Special Collections and Archives. His research topic is “Public Transit, Ownership and Labor in the United States, 1935-1975.”

·         Benjamin van der Horst, recent graduate of Emory University’s Department of History (MA). His research topic is “Delta Air Lines and Eastern Airlines: a case study of deregulation in the airline industry.” 

Each of these projects will require substantial research using the collections in the Southern Labor Archives. This year’s winners were chosen by a review committee composed of Ian Fletcher (History Department, Georgia State University), Robert Woodrum (History Department, Clark Atlanta University), Traci Drummond (Archivist, Southern Labor Archives, Georgia State University Library), and Stephen Zietz (Head, Special Collections and Archives, Georgia State University Library).

The Merl E. Reed Fellowship in Southern Labor History was established in 2000 to honor Dr. Merl Reed, professor, scholar and founder of the archives, for his many contributions to education and labor history. A fellowship of $250-$500 is awarded annually to individuals whose research in the Southern Labor Archives will lead to a book, article, dissertation, or other substantive product. In return, recipients will make a presentation about their research to the Georgia State University community within one academic year after receiving the award. Faculty members, graduate students, upper-level undergraduates, and recognized independent scholars and artists are encouraged to apply.

To be considered for the 2010 Merl E. Reed Fellowship in Southern Labor History, applicants should submit on or before November 30, 2009. Please contact Traci Drummond (tdrummond@gsu.edu) with any questions or for more information. 

The Georgia State University Library’s Johnny Mercer Collection website has been redesigned in honor of the Johnny Mercer Centennial. The website includes information on the manuscript and oral history collections, song and discography databases, and internet resources related to Mercer, his collaborators, and the popular music of his era.

The Popular Music and Culture Archives is presenting a series of radio programs during the month of June that highlight aspects of Johnny Mercer’s music and career. The programs will be broadcast on WRAS-Atlanta, 88.5 FM on Sundays, June 14 and 21, 2009, from 4-6 p.m.  These programs will feature Mercer’s musical output as a vocalist, as well as rebroadcasts of Mercer on vintage radio shows such as the Camel Caravan and Chesterfield Music Shop. 

For more information, please contact:
Kevin Fleming
Popular Music and Culture Archivist
Special Collections and Archives
Georgia State University Library
404-413-2891
kfleming@gsu.edu

April 15, 2009 marked the First Annual Student Employee of the Year Award. The library’s own, Miranda Rhynes was the campus winner out of 26 nominations. Miranda has been with IS&T Department for almost 4 years in various student positions and now supervises the technical student assistants in the University Library and other computer labs on campus. Nominated by Daniel Bragg with glowing comments from several library employees, Miranda’s professionalism and respect that she shows to others was noted.

Congratulations to Miranda for receiving the First Annual Student Employee of the Year Award.

Going out of town after classes finish?  Need something to listen to on the long flight or drive?

We’ve just posted a guide to finding audiobooks for free, both in the library (we have a small collection on CD) and online.  Before you shell out to Amazon or Audible for listening material, take a look!

Audiobooks Guide

Western Illinois University Libraries is offering its new “Text Me” service, through which students can text reference call numbers to their mobile phones. Would you like to see this here?

Are you a Eudora Welty fan?  If not, you could be!  The 100th anniversary of her birthday is Monday, April 13, 2009.  To help celebrate, the University Library’s Special Collections & Archives has an exhibit of rare books, manuscripts, artifacts, and audio recordings for your viewing and listening pleasure.

“Winning Hearts”:  A Eudora Welty Centennial Exhibition
University Library Special Collections Department
Library South 8th floor
April 8-16
9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Monday-Friday

Featuring rare books, manuscripts, and artifacts from the Rare Book Collection

Library Graduate School and Distance Learning Information Session

The Personnel Development Committee of Georgia State University Library will host an information session on Library Graduate School and Distance Learning on April 15, 2009, from 2:00-3:00 PM. The session will be held in the Colloquium Room on Library South 8 of the GSU Library.

Speakers for the event include current and recently-graduated students from the following programs:

• David Minchew, currently enrolled in the MLIS program at Emory University in conjunction with University of North Texas and the Atlanta University Center’s Robert W. Woodruff Library
• Denise Dimsdale, currently enrolled in the MLIS program at Valdosta State University            
• Ashley Dupuy, currently enrolled in the University of Alabama’s distance LIS program
• Jason Puckett, recent graduate of Florida State University’s distance LIS program

Speakers will discuss their experiences and will take questions from those interested in learning more about Library and Information Science programs that offer distance education.  Laura Burtle, Associate University Librarian for Learning and Technology Initiatives, will also discuss the qualities and experience libraries are look for when hiring librarians.

Students and employees from area universities, libraries, and archives are welcome to join us for this session.

The GSU Library is located at 100 Decatur Street, SE, Atlanta, Georgia 30303 and is within walking distance from both the Five Points and Georgia State MARTA stations. Questions about the event should be directed to Personnel Development Committee co-chairs Traci Drummond (tdrummond@gsu.edu or 404.413.2886) or Joel Glogowski (jglogowski@gsu.edu or 404.413.2806).

Joseph Jacobs Labor Scholarship

Southern Labor Archives, Georgia State University Library

and Georgia State University Labor Studies Department

The Joseph Jacobs Labor Scholarship Fund was established in 1983 to honor Joseph Jacobs, a long-time labor attorney who represented unions in Georgia, by the Organized Labor and Workmen’s Circle Awards Committee and the North Georgia Building and Construction Trades Council.

One Scholarship will be awarded in the amount of $1000.00. The scholarship award check will be made out to Georgia State University and the student.

Specific Requirements

The Scholarship recipient must be admitted to or enrolled in Georgia State University and be a student in good standing. S/he must also be a member of a Georgia AFL-CIO affiliate labor organization or the spouse, child, or grandchild of a member.

• The topic of the essay is “The Significance of the Labor Movement in My Life.”
• The length of the essay shall be between 300 and 500 words in length
• The essay shall be typewritten, double-spaced, and submitted on plain white 8 ½” x 11” paper.
• The essay shall be accompanied by a cover sheet containing the following information:
• Student’s name, age, home address, grade level, school presently attending, GPA and union affiliation (self or family member)
• If currently enrolled at Georgia State University, a copy of a GSU transcript is required.
• If not currently enrolled at Georgia State University, a statement from a school counselor or principal attesting to the fact that the student submitting the essay is admitted to Georgia State University – such as an acceptance letter or proof of enrollment.

For 2009-2010, two copies of the essay and cover sheet must be postmarked no later than June 15, 2009 and sent to the following addresses:

For more information, please contact Traci Drummond, Archivist, Southern Labor Archives, at  404.413.2880 or archives@gsu.edu, subject: Joseph Jacobs Scholarship.

VHS and DVD items can now be renewed online. Check out period is still 7 days. You must renew before the due date.  If the item is recalled, you will not be able to renew the item.