UTA Libraries Donor Recognition Reception

In July 2000 the UTA Libraries hosted a reception for recent donors to the Libraries. The guest speaker was Dr. Thomas Staley, Director of the Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center at the University of Texas at Austin. He is a Professor of English and holds the Harry Hunt Ransom chair in Liberal Arts. The Ransom Center is considered to be one of the finest special collections libraries in the world, specializing in the collection of manuscripts, photographs, films, books and journals, artworks, and materials in other formats that document the history and literary achievements of Western society in the 19th and 20th centuries. Staley, who is also a prolific author on several modern literature subjects, spoke persuasively on the importance of private donors to collections in libraries. Current and former donors to the UTA Libraries were invited to attend the July 21 talk and reception.

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Left to right, Dr. Tom Staley, Dr. Robert Witt, and Jenkins Garrett.

The "margin of value" Staley emphasized is particularly important when collecting primary source material, essential to authroitative scholarship. The Jenkins and Virginia Garrett donations of Texana and and maps figured highly in his illustrations of the scholarly value of such donations.

Dr. Robert Witt was equally persuasive as he discussed his vision of the role of libraries as they grow to meet the needs of the university community and beyond.

Virginia Garrett thanks Dr. Staley for his talk.

Mary Ellen Emory and Stephen Stillwell.

Ellen Francaviglia and Gerald Saxon share a laugh at the donor reception.

Dr. Thomas Staley holds the Harry Hunt Ransom chair in Liberal Arts, and is a prolific author in several modern literture subjects.

Virginia Garrett and Tom Wilding.