Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies

Dialogues in Diversity Event @ Russell Library

2013-04-11T10:26:00.003-04:00

Dialogues in Diversity: Red and Blue, Not Just Black and White: Politics and Diversity in GeorgiaThe Office of Institutional Diversity in partnership with the Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies invites you to a lunchtime discussion around diversity, demographics and politics.Demographic changes have direct implications on public policy and politics. The recent general

Sowing Success with Commissioner of Agriculture Tommy Irvin

2013-03-25T10:11:00.000-04:00

Few people could tell us more about agriculture in Georgia than Tommy Irvin. From his humble beginnings as the son of sharecroppers in White County, Irvin would go on to become Georgia’s Commissioner of Agriculture in 1968. Maintaining this post until his retirement in 2010, he would be the longest serving agriculture commissioner in the U.S. In the opening minutes of his interview for the

RBRL Donor Lorena Weeks Featured in PBS Series

2013-03-20T09:48:00.001-04:00

Russell Library donor and trailblazer for equity in the workplace, Lorena Weeks featured in new PBS series, Makers Lorena Weeks, a native of Wadley, Georgia won a landmark sex discrimination case against Southern Bell in 1969. Two years earlier, Weeks applied for a promotion at her longtime employer, for the position of a switchman, which promised an increase in pay and a significantly

First Person Project Day - April 19th

2013-03-14T11:43:00.001-04:00

Join the Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies for the First Person Project, a new oral history series documenting the experiences of everyday Georgians, on Friday, April 19, 2013 in the Richard B. Russell Building for Special Collections Libraries. Six sets of partners will be accepted for this First Person Project session, scheduled for Friday, April 19th between 9:

Spotlight on Tour at 2!

2013-03-05T13:50:00.001-05:00

A short video spotlighting the Special Collections Building's weekly Tour at 2, which takes place every Tuesday from 2:00-3:00PM, if featured on the UGA homepage today! Check it out below.

Reflections on Reflections

2013-02-21T09:00:00.000-05:00

My regular gig is cataloging monographs over at the UGA Main Library, but in early January I started interning here at the Russell Library to work on the Reflections on Georgia Politics Oral History Collection. It's an amazing collection of video interviews that gives researchers an in depth look at Georgia's modern political history from the people who served, or are still serving, the state.

New Developments in Oral History

2013-02-20T09:59:00.001-05:00

Here in the Media and Oral History Unit of the Richard B. Russell Library, we spend a lot of time thinking about the best ways to make our oral history interviews available to the public. Historically, researchers relied solely on printed transcripts of oral histories, and oral historians and archivists often destroyed the original audio recordings after transcribing an interview.

More from First Person

2013-01-25T10:47:00.002-05:00

In recent weeks we've been actively promoting our upcoming First Person Project day, coming up on Friday, February 8, 2013. I've received lots of calls from interested participants (yay!), many of whom have some questions about how the interview process works and how they should get started putting together questions. I wanted to take a moment here on the blog to answer some of these questions

The Right to Choose

2013-01-25T09:00:00.000-05:00

One of the most important figures of the 70s feminist movement may be unrecognizable by her real name. More commonly known as “Jane Roe,” Norma McCorvey shook up the social climate of the 70s when she agreed to be a plaintiff in the landmark case Roe v. Wade. In 1972, McCorvey filed a lawsuit claiming that Texas law criminalizing most abortions violated her constitutional rights. Setting a

Community Concern Gathering: Give Us Your 2 Cents!

2013-01-22T10:21:00.001-05:00

How should we build a strong vibrant community? What are the challenges to achieving this goal? On Tuesday, February 12th the Russell Forum for Civic Life in Georgia invites you to participate in a community forum to share ideas and concerns about how communities work (and don’t work) together to tackle tough public issues. Trained, nonpartisan moderators will guide the forum discussion.

Opening of the Ed L. Jenkins Papers

2013-01-11T08:30:00.000-05:00

The Russell Library is proud to announce the opening of the Ed L. Jenkins Papers. Ed Jenkins with Georgia's Peanut Princess, 1980. Ed L. Jenkins Papers, Russell Library. Edgar “Ed” L. Jenkins of Jasper, GA served as a Democratic member of the House of Representatives from 1977 until 1992. Jenkins started out as a country trial lawyer in Jasper, GA before entering the political arena. He

Call for Volunteers!

2013-01-09T11:17:00.003-05:00

The University of Georgia’s Richard B. Russell Building Special Collections Libraries is now accepting applications for participants in its docent program. The Docent Corps is a skilled group of volunteers who provide tours of the library galleries to visitors, ranging from fifth graders to adults. Docents are trained to highlight permanent and rotating exhibitions and to help increase

Hugh Gillis: Georgia's Longest Serving Lawmaker

2013-01-04T10:49:00.000-05:00

At the time of his retirement in 2004, Hugh Gillis was the longest serving member of the Georgia General Assembly. He passed away on New Year's Day 2013 at the age of 94. Gillis was born in Soperton, Georgia on September 6, 1918. He was the grandson of Treutlen County founder and state representative Neil Gillis, the son of state senator and highway commissioner Jim L. Gillis, and brother of

When the World Tuned In to Watch...

2013-01-03T10:54:00.001-05:00

When I began processing the Ed L. Jenkins Papers, I was excited to see that his collection included some papers related to the Iran-Contra Hearings. In 1987, in between advocating for trade and budget legislation, Jenkins found himself appointed to the House Select Committee to Investigate Covert Arms Transactions with Iran. Along with the Senate Select Committee on Secret Military Assistance to

First Person Project Celebrates Stories of Love

2012-12-11T11:07:00.000-05:00

Do you remember the first time you fell in love? This February the First Person Project, an oral history series documenting the experiences of everyday Georgians, invites participants to tackle the topic of love. How did you meet your spouse? What do you remember about your worst breakup or most awkward date? Find an interview partner and join us to record stories about love, loss, and

Out of Place?

2012-12-06T14:32:00.000-05:00

The Arrangement & Description Unit at the Russell Library have been processing the papers of Congressman Ed Jenkins for the past few months. Jenkins was a Democrat who served in the House of Representatives from 1977 to 1992 representing the Ninth District (Northwest Georgia). So far we have processed over half of the collection (we started out with over 300 boxes!) and have published the

All in the Family

2012-12-03T09:00:00.000-05:00

Sometimes collections end up being related to each other in more ways than one! We are fortunate at the Russell Library to receive collections from different families with roots in Georgia politics. Of these “related” collections, we are proud to announce the opening of: Walter Stovall Papers Stovall and McKay Family Papers E. Roy Lambert Papers Christine D. Lambert Papers W. Fred Orr and

Small and Mighty (2.0)

2012-11-30T15:52:00.000-05:00

The Russell Library is proud to announce that several small collections are now open for research. The newly-opened collections include: Jane Webb Smith Collection of "Baldy" Caricature Paul Broun, Sr. Collection of Jimmy Carter Presidential Campaign Memorabilia Wood and Associates Political Advertising Material W. Frank Barron Papers Cedar Creek Civic Association Records Georgia Public

Bittersweet Goodbye

2012-11-26T10:47:00.001-05:00

Note: In the post below Russell Library student worker/blogger Beatrice Pollard recounts the time she spent interning for the Obama presidential campaign in 2012, as well as how she spent election night 2012. The opinions expressed here do not in any way represent the views of the Russell Library, which is non-partisan in its mission and activities. This post is simply meant to reflect on the

Election Day on the Ground in Athens, GA

2012-11-15T13:21:00.000-05:00

Note: In the post below Russell Library student worker/blogger Lori Keong recounts how she and many of her fellow UGA students spent Election Day 2012. The opinions expressed by the variety of people Lori interviewed and gathered feedback from do not in any way represent the views of the Russell Library, which is non-partisan in its mission and activities. This post is simply meant to reflect on

Upcoming Events at Russell Library!

2012-10-30T12:51:00.002-04:00

We are entering the final week of our Ready, Steady, Vote! program series. Be sure to join us for these events at the Richard B. Russell Building for Special Collections Libraries. Free event parking is available in the Hull Street Deck. For more information, call (706) 542-5788. Thursday, November 1, 2012, 6:30PM-9:00PM Film Screening, The Candidate (1972) Auditorium, Room 271, Richard B.

Presidential Debates: Strategy & Importance

2012-10-16T10:01:00.001-04:00

Historically, the presidential debates have been the end of the road vehicle by which candidates nail down their positions on issues before voting begins—especially for independent voters—and attempt to solidify their claims of being the most reliable candidate to steer the nation. How effective are the debates though? According to Chris Cillizza from the Washington Post, unless a

Voting! (Some Reminders)

2012-10-11T08:30:00.000-04:00

Your vote is your voice in the governance of your city, county, state and country and the 2012 Election Day is just around the corner (Tuesday, November 6, 2012). As a citizen, you declare your rights and privileges with your vote and that single vote can make a difference! The following are a few reminders/tips to help you navigate procedures at the polls... When do I vote? Polls are open

Thoughts on Watergate

2012-10-10T14:19:00.000-04:00

My name is Krishna Patel and I anticipate earning my degree in international affairs and journalism from UGA by May 2013. I recently began working at the Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, and I am already hooked. The majority of my time has been spent looking through the seemingly infinite collection of documents from U.S. Senator Herman Talmadge. The collection is

The State of the Economy

2012-09-18T08:58:00.000-04:00

Just as the Arab Spring attuned the collective imagination of the world to the possibilities of revolt and protest, the world slowed its tracks about a year ago to watch its economic institutions beset by masses of Guy Fawkes masks and discontented people bearing signs of the 99% vs. the 1%--the haves and have-nots. Even here in Athens-Clarke county, people in North Campus pitched their tents,