Friends of the Libraries Going Full SteamBy Gerald D. SaxonSince the fall 2001 issue of UTA Library Notes, the Friends of the UTA Libraries have been busy sponsoring programs and bringing to an end a successful telefund campaign focusing on the Virginia Garrett Cartographic History Endowment (visit this page for details). Daniel Kauth, Friends’ president, and a number of Friends’ committees have been energizing the organization by planning and hosting programs, finding ways to build membership, and supporting library development and promotional efforts such as the Adopt-A-Journal program and new awards for faculty and library staff.
On December 7, 2001, author Neila Skinner Petrick presented “Jane Long of Texas Celebrates the Holidays on the Frontier” to an enthusiastic holiday crowd. Petrick is the author of the biography Jane Long of Texas, 1798-1880 and a popular speaker. She discussed the early holiday celebrations that Jane Long, one of the first Anglo American women in Texas, celebrated on the harsh and primitive Texas frontier in the 1820s and 1830s. The UTA String Quartet performed holiday favorites after her presentation, and the Friends hosted a holiday feast during the reception. The program left everyone in a joyous mood!
On February 15, 2002, the Friends sponsored a meeting with Allan Saxe as the special guest speaker. Saxe, associate professor of political science at UTA and a popular local personality, talked about the research and conclusions in his new book entitled Politics of Arlington Texas. A packed house, including Arlington Mayor Elsie Odom and his wife, attended the presentation to hear Saxe recount the history of Arlington politics since WWII. After his presentation and during the reception, Saxe autographed copies of his book that the Friends sold to attendees at a discount.
Ron Davis was the Friends’ speaker for a meeting held on March 15th. Davis, a retired SMU professor of history and author of a new biography of actor John Wayne entitled Duke: The Life and Image of John Wayne, talked about Wayne’s decade-long effort in the 1950s to produce, finance, direct, and star in the film The Alamo. The film was released in 1961, and, at the time, was the most expensive Hollywood movie ever made. Davis regaled the audience with tales of Wayne, his mentor John Ford, and the reaction the film received from the public and the movie industry. During the reception, Davis autographed the Wayne biography for Friends’ members.
The Friends of the UTA Libraries were organized in 1987 to help support the University Libraries in their drive toward excellence. The Friends sponsor public programs like the ones discussed above, assist the Libraries enhance services and collections, and build outreach programs in the community. Friends’ membership start at $10 for students and $45 for the general public. For more information about the Friends, please email Betty Wood or contact her by phone at 817-272-7421 or fax 817-272-5797. |
UTA Library Notes, vol 8 no 1 Spring 2002 |