Author

Author

Grassroots Patrons of IU East

Grassroots Patrons of IU East

, Jesse Whitton, outreach
On October 16, 1974, the Pioneer Press (v. 2, no. 3) noted that work was “nearly 99% done on the new IU East campus. All that is left is to install the bookshelves in the library and bookstore and sort out some carpeting issues.” (The first building would not be called Whitewater Hall until 1992). Within 3 months, students would be using the new classrooms, faculty and staff would be set up in their new offices, and everyone would be walking past the wall opposite the administrative offices displaying glossy white tiles with little black marks across the middle of them and a plaque at the top that reads “Grassroots Patrons.” From afar these more than 800 tiles all look … Continued
Archeology and Intercultural Dialogue

Archeology and Intercultural Dialogue

, , Library Resources, Matt Dilworth
In recent blogs, library tools related to archeology and sustainability have been explored, in support of a documentary film and a presentation by assistant professor of anthropology Dr. Aaron Comstock, given on November 10.  The video, Common Ground: The Story of Bears Ears documents the many competing concerns over the Bears Ears monument in Utah, including the preservation of  art and historical artifacts (materials of outsized importance in understanding pre-literate native cultures), conservation, the development of energy and rare resources, and providing space to live.  The need for input from all shareholders, particularly from Native Americans, is a primary and ongoing concern. In his work, Aaron Comstock has sought to foster dialogue with and inclusion of Native American stakeholders in … Continued
Graves: lost and found

Graves: lost and found

, , Frances Yates, Jesse Whitton, outreach, Uncategorized
Photographing graves that family and others have not visited due to time, location, or other factors is currently a focused extension of the Home is History: Dead Tell Tales project. For Graves: Lost and Found, IU East Assistant Archivist Jesse Whitton is visiting cemeteries throughout the counties IU East serves, and fulfilling requests for photographs that are posted at Find a Grave. The idea for Graves: Lost and Found developed from Jesse’s collaboration with IU East library director and Home is History project coordinator Frances Yates, along with Union County Middle School English teacher Emily Snyder. Jesse assisted 8th grade students with locating graves that have had photo requests via Find-A-Grave. Despite not knowing section numbers and there being 4,647 … Continued
Cheers for Archeology

Cheers for Archeology

, , Library Resources, Matt Dilworth
Archeology Month highlights the importance of studying human activity and culture through time.  The fields of archeology, ethnology, anthropology, and folklore can offer insight to modern problems and context to societal behavior patterns.  The state of Indiana’s focus for Archeology Month this year was on the production and use of alcohol in Indiana. The Campus Library has many resources available about a variety of archeological topics. One major source is the Wiley Online Library, which offers dozens of journals and other sources on anthropological topics. Another resource is JSTOR, which has a slightly smaller selection of journals but a much deeper historical perspective.  Thousands of hours of streaming video are available through Ethnographic Video Online including ethnographic films (both traditional … Continued
Celebrating family history

Celebrating family history

, , Frances Yates, Library Resources
The U.S. Senate passed a resolution in 2001 to establish October as Family History Month. In the FamilySearch blog “Why We Need Family History Now More Than Ever” Rachel Coleman explains that “Knowing our cultural background and where we came from can help us develop a strong sense of who we really are. The way we relate to our family stories and create our own narratives about ourselves helps establish our unique, authentic core identity.” She also discusses the benefits of family history sharing in terms of connection, resilience, selflessness and self-worth. FamilySearch.org is the largest free genealogical database in the world, containing more than 3 billion names. In addition to research, they offer an option to create a free … Continued