Fall 2023 Newsletter

 

Student thankful for scholarship, skills gleaned from transcribing oral histories

The student assistants from the Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library (SWC/SCL) over the years have pursued many different career paths and used the seemingly niche collections to parallel and nurture their studies and endeavors. Some parallels are obvious in the case of history majors or agricultural careers right here in Lubbock. However, for one student, it goes even further, taking inspiration all the way to Italy into the world of opera. 

Brynnan Brooks is a Junior at Texas Tech majoring in vocal performance and a recent recipient of the W.B. Rushing Scholarship. For Brooks, this scholarship and her job with the SWC have both had important impacts. 

“Right now, they're doing rehearsals for the opera, and that is every single night from 7 to 10,” says Brooks. “That is when most students work. It's been really helpful to have a job that works with my school schedule and to have a scholarship to supplement it.” 

Brooks highlights a unique problem in how music majors have to balance the rehearsal regimen with classes and the ability to afford continuing education. The financial assistance and the library's flexibility with Brooks' pursuits have mitigated a substantial burden on her career at Texas Tech. 

But beyond the financial component, her time with SWC transcribing interviews has given her skills unexpectedly appliable to the world of opera.  

“In some of the interviews, they speak Spanish. And I don't speak any Spanish, but having diction classes, it's been extra practice to hear the sounds even if I don't know what they mean and figure them out,” she said. 

As her transcribing interviews as a form of music exercise indicates, Brooks lives and breathes music. She aspired to work in musical theatre throughout high school, and that passion has led her to study and perform abroad in Italy.  Brooks says singing opera in an Italian locale grew her appreciation for opera as she was able to sing to an audience that deeply understands the language. 

She hopes to someday utilize her skills in a variety of interests, such as marketing, teaching or on the stage. Whatever the path may be, she says she is grateful for the W.B. Rushing Scholarship and the Southwest Collection for providing her the opportunity to reach her crescendo. 

-By Marcos Rubio

Texas Board Honors SWC/SCL's Weaver, Monroe with 2023 Archival Awards

The Texas Historical Records Advisory Board (THRAB) presented the Archival Award of Excellence (Individual) to Robert Weaver, assistant archivist at the Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library.  The board presented the David B. Gracy II Award for Distinguished Archival Service to Monte Monroe, archivist at the SWC/SCL.

According to THRAB, Weaver has provided support and guidance in a variety of areas key to moving the profession forward. As a writer, editor, peer reviewer and educator, he has promoted archival work and demonstrated the role of archives in Texas history.

The Gracy award recognizes an individual or organization that has provided outstanding leadership, service and/or contribution to the archival profession in Texas. Monroe was honored for his advocacy for archives; his work at the Southwest Collection; through his leadership roles and service on the Texas State Historical Association's Archives Committee, Western Historical Association board and THRAB; and as the first archivist appointed Texas State Historian.  Monroe is currently serving his third term in the gubernatorial appointment.

The awards were presented at THRAB's meeting Oct. 13 on the Texas Tech campus.

THRAB serves as an advisory body for historical records planning and supports efforts to preserve and provide access to archival collections throughout the state. Funding for THRAB is provided by the National Historical Publications Records Commission (NHPRC), the grant-making arm of the National Archives and Records Administration. The state archivist is appointed by the governor to preside over the nine-member board. 

 

Newspaper collection continues to grow

The Southwest Collection/Special Collection Library boasts the largest archive of digital newspapers from West Texas, and with recent key acquisitions, that number continues to climb.

The team is currently working to digitize issues of the Midland Reporter-Telegram and will soon be working toward digitizing microfilm issues of the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal up through the 2010s.

Other acquisitions include the Snyder Daily News, Wichita Falls Times Record News, Burkburnett Star, Stratford Star, Winters Enterprise, Floyd County Hesperian-Beacon, and Briscoe County News, to name a few.

Once items are digitized, they are easily searchable online via keywords, said Austin Allison, assistant librarian and head of the digital newspaper collection. “The majority of the digital text is searchable, for instance, by a particular name,” he said.

The team of three full-time employees plus a couple of student assistants recently passed the milestone of 360,000 newspaper issues that are now digitized and therefore searchable and downloadable.

Allison said he has seen many intriguing stories in newspapers over the years while digitizing West Texas history. In the Devil's River News, for instance, he learned about the Caverns of Sonora and how the signature Butterfly formation was permanently vandalized and broken in 2006.

Muleshoe native Allison also said searching his name in the Muleshoe Journal archives would return a few fun and slightly embarrassing items. “You might see my old letters to Santa,” he said. “And maybe a very young me in a Halloween costume.”

-by Julie Barnett

University Library Resources for Alumni

Many alumni want to continue to use the University Library's research resources after they graduate. Unfortunately, due to contracts with vendors, only current students, faculty and staff have access to the full range of resources. However, alumni can still use the library's OneSearch tool to find the materials they need.

Once you have found the items you need, you can request them through Interlibrary Loan (ILL). ILL is a service that allows libraries to share books and other materials with each other. To request an item through ILL, contact your local community library. They will help you with the request.  

There is usually a small fee to cover the shipping and handling costs of requested materials. You will also be responsible for returning the item to your library on time.

Here are the steps on how to use ILL to request a resource from the Texas Tech University Library:

1.  Contact your local community library.
2.  Ask the personnel of the library for help requesting an item through ILL.
3.  Provide the information you obtained from OneSearch — the research resource you are needing.
4.  If the item is available to your local library, they will notify you when the item arrives there.
5.  You can then pick up the item and check it out.

ILL is a great way for alumni to continue to access the research resources you were accustomed to during your time at Texas Tech.

Tips for using ILL:

- Be as specific as possible when requesting an item. The more information you can provide, the more likely the librarian will be able to find the item for you.
- If you need an item by a certain date, let the librarian know. They may be able to expedite the request if necessary.
- Be patient. It can take a few days or weeks for an item to arrive through ILL.
- Return the item to your local library on time. Late returns may result in fines.
- If you have any questions about ILL, please ask your local community library.

-by Brad Davis