~ ~IBRARY HORIZONS A Newsletter of The University of Alabama Libraries FALL 2010, VOL. 25, NO. 2 UA Libraries Acquires Extensive Collection of American Historical Documents, Photos and Books The University of Alabama Libraries has acquired one of the most exten- sive collections of Americana and Southern history in private hands: the A. S. Williams III Americana Collec- tion with an emphasis on the history and culture of the South. For more than 40 years, Williams, a Eufaula native and UA alumnus, collected rare Americana, primarily books, manuscripts and photographs relating to the history of the United States. “Much of the content of the Williams Collection is unique and hence not available at other libraries or through online sources,” said Dr. George C. Rable, Charles Summersell chair in (l to r) Dr. Robert E. Witt, president of The University of Alabama, Southern history at UA. “The Mr. A.S. Williams III and Dr. Louis A. Pitschmann, dean of University Libraries, Williams Collection will support a after the presentation ceremony in the Pearce Foyer of the Gorgas Library. vast array of research projects based on manuscript, print and visual special collections, particularly those Starting with his Presidential materials.” pertaining to the South and the histo- Collection, Williams acquired books ry of photography, to a new level of written by and about the presidents, Valued at more than $12 million, the excellence and national prominence,” as well as books they signed or collection was formally accepted in said Dr. Louis A. Pitschmann, dean of inscribed. He eventually expanded June at a presentation ceremony libraries. “We are honored that Mr. this collection by acquiring one or attended by Williams, his family Williams has agreed to entrust us with more documents written or signed by members, and UA President Dr. his remarkable collection.” every former president. Robert E. Witt. President Witt addressed the large gathering and The collection represents a lifetime of He later broadened his scope to thanked Williams for his extraordinary avid collecting by Williams, former include material related to the history collection and generosity. executive vice president and treasurer of Alabama and the South in general. of Protective Life Corp. A trip to The collection contains unpublished “The Williams Collection builds on Williamsburg, Va., in the early 1960s existing strengths and brings our sparked his passion for collecting. See “Collection” on page 9 LIBRARY HORIZONS • 1 Message From the Dean LIBRARY HORIZONS A NEWSLETTER OF THE It’s a new day at the University of UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA LIBRARIES Alabama! A record enrollment of FALL 2010, VOL. 25, NO. 2 over 30,000, a national football Editor: Donna Adcock championship, continued unprece- Content for articles in this issue dented improvements in the was provided by: Donna Adcock, campus infrastructure and facili- Jessica Lacher-Feldman, Guy Lamolinara, Richard LeComte, ties, and record donations to the Louis A. Pitschmann, John Sandy, University Libraries. There is a Lindley Shedd distinct feeling of excitement and Photography credits: Donna vitality in the air. Adcock, Jeff Hanson, Robin McDonald, Barry Sartain Ongoing improvements in the Image credits: Jason Battles, SMC Staff, Tom Wilson, Jessie Weaver University Libraries have led to the Libraries’ highest rankings to Library Leadership Board *Linda Hinson Bachus date in a broad range of assess- Carolyn F. Boone ment indices tracked by the Asso- *Rick Bragg F. Dixon Brooke, Jr. ciation of Research Libraries. For Calvin Brown example, the UA Libraries now Dr. Louis A. Pitschmann, Celeste Burnum th Linda Stanley Champion rank 66 out of 114 university Dean of Libraries Jennie C. Cowart libraries qualifying for ARL mem- Dr. John W. Crowley Julie H. Friedman bership and 37th among 68 public enhanced their ability to advance Annie Hunter Galloway Ann W. Givan university libraries in the ARL. and achieve their academic goals. Dedie Russell Hendrix These rankings compare to 97th Harold Herring st Glenda Garner Hogg and 61 , respectively, in 2003. Today, the University Libraries’ Christine S. Hollingsworth collections provide more digital Tonjanita Johnson B. Rex Jones While the ARL assesses quality access to scholarly books and jour- John H. Josey using a broad range of quantita- nals than was ever possible in the Dorothy “Dorie” King Jessica Lacher-Feldman tive measures, such as expendi- “print-only” era. We would need Amy Rankin Loftin tures, volumes added, and number Shirley McCrary to nearly double current library James Hill McLemore of subscriptions, the true measure space if our digital content were John T. Murdock Rick Paler of a research library’s quality and paper based occupying literally Mary Bess Paluzzi return on investment is its value to miles of shelves. Likewise, the pro- J. Wray Pearce Lois Robertson students and faculty. Our online ductivity software and e-learning William Rodrigues services and resources continue to tools that the Libraries’ computers John V. Rucker The Hon. R. Timothy Russell experience increased use, and our offer students ensure that all stu- Karen L. St. Clair facilities are consistently at capaci- dents have equal opportunities to *Terry L. Saban Margaret Burdick Smith ty, with all available seats taken at explore and learn and compete Rhoda Graves Smith several points during the day. Eleanor Streit locally, nationally, and globally. *Gay Joseph Talese Faculty members and students Howard M. Tepper Dawn Theune alike continue to report that These technology-driven advances Phyllis J. Todd ongoing improvements to our notwithstanding, one of the most Susan S. Tolbert Carla Ventress facilities and the vastly expanded significant developments in the William Walker, Jr. print and digital collections and University Libraries in recent years Dr. Sarah Woolfolk Wiggins computer-assisted learning and *Honorary Members research support have markedly See “Message” on page 4 2 • THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA LIBRARIES UA Libraries ARL Membership Ranking Alabama's Annual Member Ranking Among All ARL Institutions (out of 114) 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Improves National 97 I 90 I 84 I 87 I 89 I 79 I 66 Rankings Alabama's Annual Member Ranking Among Public ARL Institutions (out of 68) 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 According to annual rankings 61 I 57 I 50 I 53 55 I 46 I 37 released by the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), The Alabama's Annual Member Ranking Among Public SUG Institutions (out of 23) 2003 2004 200~_j 2006 2007 2008 2009 University of Alabama Libraries, 21 20 18 19 19 18 13 under the leadership of Dean Louis Pitschmann, has improved ARL Member Ranking its national ranking over the past 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 seven years, moving from 97th to 0 66th out of 114 university 20 libraries in the U.S. and Canada. --Alabama's Annual Member Ranking 37 AmongPublicSUG lnstitutions(outof This success has also translated to 40 f------------------------::::..,,,,..oe:::..-=-'- 23) the Libraries’ ranking among --Alabama's Annual Member Ranking AmongPublicARL Institutions(out of publicly-funded university libraries 60 68) 66--Alabama'sAnnual Member Ranking in the U.S. and the Southern AmongAII ARL Institutions (out of University Group Libraries 80 114) (SUG). 100 120 University students from across campus gathered in Gorgas 205 last April to participate in the third annual Media Night hosted by the Lillie Florence Jones Sanford Media Resource and Design Center. Student creators representing many departments, majors and programs presented their personal work of video, audio and digital art. UA student, Jessie Weaver, entered her image House on Ash Tree Lane. The SMC provides UA students with a leading-edge facility for International students visit with Dr. Cynthia Miller, music, fine digital media production and was funded through a generous & performing arts collections coordinator, at last year’s Friday gift from Dr. and Mrs. Arthur R. Taylor Jr. of Demopolis in Coffee Hour. UA Libraries co-sponsors the coffee each fall during honor of Mrs. Taylor’s grandmother, Lillie Florence Jones International Education Week. IEW is celebrated world-wide Sanford. during the third week of November. LIBRARY HORIZONS • 3 Current News and Events Alabama Center for the Book “Message” Moves to University of Alabama continued from page 2 is the acquisition of the A. S. Libraries Williams III Americana Collection. Comprised of some 20,000 books, The Alabama Center for the pamphlets, and maps as well as Book (www.alabamacenterforthe- nearly an equal number of unpub- [email protected]) has a new lished historical photographs, home, moving to the University diaries, letters, documents, and of Alabama Libraries from the business and financial records from Caroline Marshall Draughon the late 17th century to the late Center for the Arts & Humanities 1940s, the Williams Collection at Auburn University. catapults to national prominence the Libraries’ existing collections “The Center for the Book in the of rare and one-of-a-kind teaching Library of Congress looks forward and research materials. to continued support for its affili- ate center in Alabama in its new The progress the University location,” said John Y. Cole, Libraries continues to make director of the Center for the The Center for the Book would, of course, not be possible Book at the Library of Congress. (www.loc.gov/cfbook/) was without the strong support of the “Jay Lamar at Auburn has done established by Congress in 1977 University and that of the an extraordinary job as director of “to use the resources and prestige Libraries’ growing number of the center. We look forward to of the Library of Congress to pro- donors. Nor would our progress in working with new director Louis mote books, reading, literacy and service quality and national rank- Pitschmann.” libraries.” ings have been achieved without the commitment of the Libraries’ Pitschmann praised the programs --- staff to develop and implement the begun by Lamar and her staff: Excerpts from a news release by Guy various improvements outlined in “Over the past decade Jay and her Lamolinara, The Center for the Book at the Library of Congress this issue of Library Horizons.