This blog post was written by Processing Archivist Thomas DeShong.
Introduction
Today, as we celebrate the beginning of the spring semester, we take time to reflect on what lies ahead for the Poage Legislative Library. Much like our students, the staff are anxious for the fresh start as well as new opportunities.
Classes
Less than two weeks from now, we will have the privilege of hosting a graduate seminar studying the history of the Cold War. Professors Stephen Sloan and Julie deGraffenreid will lecture in the GRC conference room before archivists Amanda Fisher and Thomas DeShong lead a discussion about the Cold War sources available at Poage. Later in the semester, Dr. Julie Holcomb of the Museum Studies Department will bring a class to Poage for a behind-the-scenes tour and a hands-on archiving activity. Staff will also be reaching out to various departments across campus to promote visitation and usage.
Events
On Thursday, February 6th, the Poage is co-sponsoring an event entitled “Investigating Impeachment: Context, Congress, and the Constitution.” Four panelists – former Representative Alan Steelman, former Representative Chet Edwards, history professor Dr. Stephen Sloan, and law professor Dr. Rory Ryan – will come together and discuss the impeachment hearings of Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton. Afterwards, panelists will draw similarities to President Trump’s impeachment by the House and will open the floor for discussion. The panel will be held at Cashion Academic Building on the fifth floor from 3:30-5:00. Refreshments will be served.
On February 14th, members of the Poage staff will join one our sister collections, The Texas Collection, which is hosting the Heart of Texas Regional History Fair. Poage staff will be serving as judges for several categories and will be presenting a special award to the best papers from the junior and senior divisions that demonstrate how citizens are involved in the democratic process. Please contact the History Fair Coordinator Rachel DeShong at Rachel_DeShong@baylor.edu if you are interested in volunteering as a judge.
The Graduate Research Center will also be hosting several events throughout the semester. The Graduate Resource Fair will be held in the Pattie Orr Graduate Research Commons (the Incubator) at a date to be determined. On April 2, graduate students will participate in a Three Minute Thesis event in which students summarize the outline of their thesis in, you guessed it, three minutes. Later in May, the GRC will also host the Dissertation Writing Lab for doctoral students. More details on these events will be shared as they draw near.
Processing
In the archives, our archivists and students continue to diligently process our existing archival collections. The finding aids for the Clark Thompson papers and the Donald Adams papers should be reviewed and posted online later this month. Collections currently being processed include the O.C. Fisher papers, the Jack Hightower papers, the Lola Hopper collection, and the W. R. “Bob” Poage U.S. Government papers.
Professional Development
Spring is also the time of year when many library and archival organizations hold their annual conferences. All Poage staff will be attending at least one professional development opportunity this spring. Our GRC and Library Manager, Jonathan Tomes, will be attending the American Library Association’s (ALA) Mid-Winter Conference in Philadelphia, PA later this month (January 23-29). Director Mary Goolsby will be participating in the Association of Centers for the Study of Congress (ACSC) annual meeting held in Starkville, MS April 21-25. On May 20-23, Collection Services Archivist Amanda Fisher and Processing Archivist Thomas DeShong will attend the Society of Southwest Archivists (SSA) annual conference in Denton, just up the road from Waco.
Renovations
Upon returning from Christmas break, staff were excited to see renovations winding down for the GRC conference room as well as the Interfaith Reading Room. These spaces are now updated to match the rest of the library.
Summer Teaching Fellow
On April 7th at 3:30, all 2019 Summer Teaching Fellows will meet in the Viz Studio of the GRC to give a summary of their research from last year. Come hear Dr. Stephanie Boddie, Poage’s Summer Fellow, will present her research. Applications for the Summer 2020 Teaching Fellowships are due April 17. Winners will be notified on May 1, 2020.
Conclusion
The slates are wiped clean (metaphorically), the calendars are filling up (literally), and the Spring 2020 semester has officially begun. We are, once again, excited for what the upcoming months have to offer. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and our blog to stay up-to-date on the latest developments surrounding your Poage Legislative Library.
Calendar of Important Dates
January
13 First Day of Classes
20 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (Poage closed)
22 Dr. Sloan’s and Dr. deGraffenreid’s Cold War seminar
23-29 Jonathan attending ALA Mid-Winter Conference in Philadelphia, PA
February
6 “Investigating Impeachment: Context, Congress, and the Constitution”
14 Heart of Texas Regional History Fair
March
9-13 Spring Break (Poage open)
April
2 Three Minute Thesis Event
7 2019 Summer Teaching Fellows Reports
10-13 Easter Break (Poage closed)
14 Dr. Holcomb’s Museum Studies class
17 Applications due for Summer 2020 Teaching Fellows
19 Tommy representing Poage at the Austin Archives Bazaar
21 Diadeloso (Poage open)
21-25 Mary attending ACSC Annual Conference in Starkville, MS
May
1 Final Day of Classes
1 Summer 2020 Teaching Fellows will be notified
20-23 Amanda and Tommy attending SSA Annual Conference in Denton, TX
TBD Dissertation Writing Lab