Friends of the Libraries Records, 1981-2006

Summary

Abstract:
The Friends of the Libraries Records contain the day-to-day activities of this University at Albany organization comprised of faculty, staff, alumni, and community members.
Extent:
5 cubic ft.
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Identification of specific item, series, box, folder, 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.

Background

Scope and content:

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 University's celebration of its sesquicentennial.

The collection also contains two large scrapbooks that President Anne Roberts created. The scrapbooks document the Friends of the Libraries outreach events. These include the annual book sale as well as academic talks with prominent professors of the University, such as the History Departments Sung Bok Kim and the Atmospheric Science Departments Bernard Vonnegut. 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.

Biographical / historical:

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 Dewey Library's stained glass windows 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 Friends of the Libraries' 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 Albanys history, 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 group ended in 2006.

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).

Acquisition information:
Anne Roberts, University Library Liason to the Friends of the Library, initially donated the scrapbooks in 1989. Former President Ben-Ami Lipetz donated the majority of remaining materials in 2006, with the exception of Series 3 which was transferred by Lorre Smith in 2016.
Processing information:

Processed in 2012 by Katherine Demetri.

Arrangement:

Arranged into 3 series. Series 1 and 2 are ordered alphabetically, while Series 3 maintains the original order of the final 2016 donation.

Physical location:
The materials are located onsite in the department.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Access to this record group is unrestricted.

Terms of access:

The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of copyright. Whenever possible, the M.E. Grenander Department of Special Collections and Archives will provide information about copyright owners and other restrictions, but the legal determination ultimately rests with the researcher. Requests for permission to publish material from this collection should be discussed with the Head of Special Collections and Archives.

Preferred citation:

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Identification of specific item, series, box, folder, 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.

Location of this collection:
M. E. Grenander Department of Special Collections & Archives
Science Library 350
1400 Washington Ave
Albany, NY 12222, United States
Link to repository site
Contact:
518-437-3933