Friends of the Libraries :
- Author:
- State University of New York at Albany. Friends of the Libraries.
- Call Number:
- MSS UA-580.20.01 local
- Abstract:
- This collection documents the administrative records and community outreach efforts of the Friends of the Libraries. It has the organization's monthly meeting agendas and minutes as well as fliers for monthly talks, annual book sales, and materials about community outings. There are VHS tapes with recordings of talks held in conjunction with the celebration of the University sesquicentennial. The collection also contains two large scrapbooks that President Anne Roberts created. The scrapbooks document outreach events of the Friends of the Libraries. These include the annual book sale as well as academic talks with prominent professors of the University, such as Sung Bok Kim of the History Department and Bernard Vonnegut of the Atmospheric Science Department. The scrapbooks also contain information on Friends of the Libraries outings, with photos of Olana and Sagamor as well as fliers and RSVP forms. The scrapbooks also include information about donations and library support.
- Historical Note:
- In 1981, Anne Roberts, Assistant Director of Libraries at the University at Albany, brought together a group of faculty and staff interested in supporting the libraries and this group formally became the Friends of the Libraries the following year. The group welcomed alumni, community residents, current and retired faculty members, and anyone interested in the future of the University Libraries. The organization sponsored gifts and donations to the University Libraries. As part of its efforts, the Friends of the Libraries preserved stained glass windows in Dewey Library and murals in the downtown campus buildings. The Friends of the Libraries created the Alice Hastings Murphy Scholarship to provide for student library employees and full-time library staff members who want to become librarians and named it for the former Director of Libraries from 1956 to 1970. The annual book sale every fall funded student scholarships and awards. The Friends of the Libraries also promoted community outreach. It held open talks called Wednesday Wanderings where professors and local, prominent figures spoke about the history of Albany, their own research, and other interesting topics. The organization also went on historic outings in the Capital District, Historic Hudson Valley and beyond, including Olana, Hyde Park, Mohonk Mountain House, Lake George, and the Glimmerglass Opera. The Friends of the Libraries remained active until 2006. Presidents included: Alice Hastings Murphy (1982-1985, 1992-1999), Ruth Abele (1985-1986), Ben-Ami Lipetz (1986-1988, 2003-2006), Kenneth Doran (1988-1992), and Charles Ciaccio (1999-2003). The Library Liasons included Anne Roberts (1981-1986, 1988), Bonita Bryant (1986-1990), Dorothy Christiansen (1989-2002), Roberta Armstrong (2002-2006), and Geoff Williams (2006).
- Physical Description:
- 3.3 cu ft
- Access Terms:
- Access to this record group is unrestricted.
- Notes:
- Friends of the Libraries Records, 1981-2006. M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University at Albany, State University of New York.
- Subjects:
- Library fund raising United States, Library outreach programs United States, Friends of the library United States, Friends of the library, Library fund raising, and Library outreach programs
- Genres/Forms:
- Agendas (administrative records) aat, Budgets. aat, Correspondence. aat, Files by subject. aat, Fliers (printed matter) aat, Minutes. aat, Fliers (printed material) aat, Photographs. aat, and Scrapbooks. aat
- Corporate Names:
- State University of New York at Albany, State University of New York at Albany. Friends of the Libraries, State University of New York at Albany. University Libraries, State University of New York at Albany, and State University of New York at Albany. University Libraries
- Geographic Terms:
- Albany (N.Y.), New York (State) Albany, and United States
Access
Rare books do not circulate
These materials must be viewed onsite in the Special Collections Reading Room.
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