Finding it first : the almost lost John R. Steelman dissertation

Back in 2008 I received a grant from the University of Montevallo to research John R. Steelman.  From 1928 - 1934, Dr. Steelman taught at Alabama College for Women, now known as the University of Montevallo.  I was curious about why he came to Montevallo to teach sociology and how did he go from professor to become the first modern day Chief of Staff to President Truman?

One of the first steps in my research was to attempt to locate a copy of his dissertation. The  University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's library appeared to be the only library with a record for his dissertation.  When I requested the dissertation through interlibrary loan, I received a message from Chapel Hill that  only one copy was in existence and they did not want to lend the copy. Instead, the library volunteered to digitize the entire dissertation and make it available on the Internet Archive site.

My interlibrary loan request for Dr. Steelman's dissertation written in 1928, 'A Study of Mob Action in the South' prompted the library to digitize the sole remaining print copy in existence.  What an exciting moment for a librarian!

You can read about my request in the blog entry by Harry McKown called 'Hobo to Presidential Advisor.'

As of today, 2098 researchers have viewed Dr. Steelman's dissertation on the Internet Archive.

The University of Montevallo offers a new course, Digital History.  The students in the course create digital projects using primary sources from the University of Montevallo's Annie Crawford Milner Archives.  One of the digital projects  'The Remarkable Rise of John R. Steelman'  provides details from primary source material in our archives, about Dr. Steelman's career in education, politics and his role in race relations in Alabama.  

I hope you will enjoy viewing the students work.

Kathleen Lowe
Director of Carmichael Library

New book from Pat R. Scales, UM graduate is out!

Pat R. Scales' new book  Books Under Fire: a Hit List of Banned and Challenged Children's Books, is one of three Top-Selling books published by the America Library Association.
 (American Libraries, June 2015).

Pat is a graduate of the University of Montevallo. Some of her other books include Teaching Banned Books: Twelve Guides for Young Readers and Protecting Intellectual Freedom in Your School Library.

Her newest book is receiving excellent reviews.  Michael Cart of Booklist writes

" Books under Fire contains a veritable arsenal of information to employ when the book challenger comes knocking at the library’s door. The heart of the book is a copiously annotated list of 34 often challenged children’s books or series. "  Booklist, March 15, 2105.

Librarians can face challenges and requests to ban reading material in the library. Pat gives advise and clear direction on how to handle threats to freedom of speech and choice. Her new book is an invaluable tool for teachers, librarians and school administrators.

Summer I Library Hours

Today marks the end of our May Term hours. We will reopen Tuesday, May 26th, from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. On Wednesday, we will begin the Summer I and Summer II schedule listed below. The only exceptions to this schedule are June 29th (8 a.m. - 5 p.m.) and July 3rd (closed). Operating hours for the entire year can be found on Carmichael Library's website (http://libguides.montevallo.edu/index).

Summer I and II 2015 Hours (May 27 - July 31)

Sunday	2:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Monday	7:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday	7:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday	7:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Thursday	7:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Friday	7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday	CLOSED

Finals Week Library Hours

Carmichael Library has announced extended hours during the upcoming finals week. They are:

• Saturday, April 25, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.

• Sunday, April 26, from  2:00 p.m. until 2 a.m.

• Monday, April 27, from 7:30 a.m. until 2 a.m.

• Tuesday, April 28, from 7:30 a.m. until 2 a.m.

• Wednesday, April 29, from 7:30 a.m. until 2 a.m.

• Thursday, April 30, from 7:30 a.m. until 11 p.m.

• Friday, May 1, from 7:30 a.m. until 5 p.m.

The ever-popular Cereal Night will take place on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights starting at around 8 p.m. What’s your favorite, and will the milk and cereal ever come out even? (This will NOT be on the final!)

National Library Week

Please join Carmichael Library in celebrating National Library Week, April 12 - 18, 2015. National Library Week is a time to pause and celebrate the contributions of our nation's libraries and library workers and to promote library use. 

For me, the public library is like a home away from home.  I grew up spending hours in the local public library in rural Pennsylvania.  My mother returned to college when I was in third grade.  I spent hours in her college library while she was in class.  It is no wonder that I now work in a library!  Even after spending a long week working in the Carmichael Library, almost every weekend, I go to the Hoover Public Library.  I am in awe of all the good things a public library can add to the community. 

I hope you will watch this YouTube video and see and listen to how libraries can bring hope and happiness to a campus and community. 

I welcome you to share your story about how libraries have impacted your life.