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Odum Library Blog

Odum Library Blog

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Learn, Study, Discover

What should you read next?

by Jessie Whitten on September 25, 2018 in Collection, Neat Stuff, Odum Library

Cover art of Under Swiss Protection

Under Swiss Protection by Editors Agnes Hirschi and Charlotte Schallie.

Through the lens of Jewish eyewitness testimonies, this book retraces Carl Lutz’s diplomatic wartime extensive rescue operations in Budapest, Hungary between March 1944 and February 1945.

“It reads like a smooth page-turner, but it’s a piece of history. Very vivid pictures of the times and the mindset. As unbiased as possible without taking a stand of those confusing and unbelievable times!” – Eva Grausz, Amazon.com

Cover art of The Rise of Victimhood Culture

The Rise of Victimhood Culture by Bradley Campbell & Jason Manning
This book offers a framework for understanding recent moral conflicts at U.S. universities, which have bled into society at large. They are clashes between a new moral culture—victimhood culture—and a more traditional culture of dignity. As students increasingly demand trigger warnings and “safe spaces,” many young people are quick to police the words and deeds of others.

“Fantastic overview of the changes to moral culture on college campuses. Campbell and Manning advance the fascinating and provocative thesis that the tantrum behavior we’re seeing on today’s college campuses reflects transition from a dignity culture to a self-obsessed victimhood culture.” – Consumer #142, Amazon.com

Cover art of Cuba on the Verge

Cuba on the Verge Edited by Leila Guerriero

This book is an account of – and a unique glimpse at – Cuba’s moment of upheaval and reinvention whose effects promise to reverberate across years and nation. We know Cuba is changing, but from what and into what? What does this change mean for the Cuban people as well as for the rest of the world?

“One of the more comprehensive and impressive books to attempt to capture the mystery and paradox that is Cuba. The collection of voices in this book offer insightful perspectives into a country in transition and stasis.” Lagun NE, Amazon.com

African American History Materials at Valdosta State University Archives and Special Collections

by Dallas Suttles on January 8, 2016 in Collection

blackhistory_lgooThis year to celebrate Martin Luther King’s Birthday and Black History Month we present “African American History Materials in the Valdosta State University Archives.” The VSU Archives and Special Collections has a variety of resources to explore African American History:

    • Newspapers created by African Americans and Civil Rights Activists
    • Writings and Publications by civil rights journalists, one of whom participated in sit ins and freedom rides
    • Rare books from the 19th and early 20th century by African American Authors
    • Interviews and photographs of South Georgia citizens exploring 20th century race issues as part of our Folklife Collection.
    • Bills of Sale for Slaves
    • Speeches on Slavery from the mid 1800’s
    • Pictures and Stories of one family’s educational history

Check out the display case on the first floor of Odum Library to view a selection of these holdings. 

Online Resources from the Archives

Folk Artist Joycelyn Hairston

by Emily Rogers on August 6, 2015 in Archives & Special Collections, Collection, Odum Library

The Odum Library’s rotating gallery is featuring the art of Joycelyn Hairston of South Carolina.  Ms. Hairston is a folk artist who has shown her work throughout the Southeast.

As a member of one of Atlanta’s founding families, Joycelyn Hairston continues the family commitment to community and creativity. She paints what she knows and loves–gifts of grace, warm traditions and sincere hospitality–simple presentations on the complexities of life.

Joycelyn’s passions for architectural art history, historic renovation and restoration, and the creative celebration of everyday life are apparent in her works. She is most known for her deeply respectful heritage scenes and has a growing client base desiring her large abstracts. The range of her subject matter is personal and inventive and often exhibits humor. Her works are available for viewing on television, in museums, in public spaces and facilities, at institutions, through private collectors, and in her working studio. Joycelyn’s paintings exude a sense of pride and contentment. Many are created with colorful, unique brushwork.

Wherever she goes, her heart, eyes and mind are open to the ever abundant opportunities to capture special images in paint. She accepts private commissions, sells original oils and acrylics. Joycelyn’s art brings her friends who share her passion for color, creativity, and life. Joycelyn combines her southern heritage and love of people with her artistic talents in all her works.

Andrew Tatler-Burgess

by Maureen Puffer-Rothenberg on October 7, 2013 in Archives & Special Collections, Collection

Artist and collector Andrew Tatler-Burgess studied art in Holland at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in The Hague, and has worked as a professional artist for over two decades. He now resides in Pelham, Georgia. Several of his paintings are now on display on Odum Library’s 2nd floor gallery.

Using oils and acrylic, Tatler-Burgess captures his subjects in vivid colors and light. The 2005 film Memoirs of a Geisha inspired his personal favorite piece, The Geisha. “Her stoic façade projects intimacy to her client and hides her true emotions.”

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The Geisha

Working under the pen-name “Wallen,” Tatler-Burgess has also painted the out-of-the-way locales and waterways of the Florida countryside.

IMG_0383

Odum Library Archives and Special Collections houses many rare antique books, maps, art, Chinese ceramics, and medieval illuminated manuscripts– including pieces dating back to the middle of the 15th century– which were once part of Tatler-Burgess’ extensive personal collection.

Celebrate National Poetry Month!

by Emily Rogers on April 16, 2012 in Collection, Government Documents, Odum Library, Reference

April is National Poetry Month, and you can find many books of and about poetry at Odum Library as well as web sites about poetry month through GALILEO, organizations such as the Poetry Foundation, and even the U.S. government!

Poetry collections at Odum Library include books by current U.S. Poet Laureate Philip Levine, Mary Oliver, and Donald Hall, among many others. You can also borrow and listen to recordings of poets such as Langston Hughes and Paul Laurence Dunbar reading their poetry.

 

Read about Georgia’s Poet Laureate, David Bottoms, and more poets from Georgia in this feature from the New Georgia Encyclopedia.

The U.S. government might seem like a surprising source for poetry, but there are great poetry sites available from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Library of Congress. The American Memory Project from the Library of Congress has made available for online viewing the notebooks of the U.S. poet Walt Whitman.

There’s even a mobile app for poetry available from Poets.org (the Academy of American Poets), so now you can have poetry instantly available for Poem in Your Pocket Day on April 26th, or any time you need a poem in your life.

Hey, bossypants! NYTimes Bestsellers Available

by Ginger Williams on August 5, 2011 in Collection, Neat Stuff

Summer is almost over. Have you read a good book lately? We have many of the New York Times bestsellers available for you to check out today. Many of them are in our Popular Books collection by the second floor copy room. Stop by to browse and to see the new, beautiful artwork we’ve brought into the library.

Remember that faculty, staff, students, and community borrowers can check books out at Odum Library. If you don’t know what to read next, here are a few titles to get you started:

Fiction

  • The Help by Kathryn Stockett (3rd floor shelves, PS3619.T636 H45 2009)
  • The Confession by John Grisham (2nd floor Popular Books, PS3557.R5355 C66 2010)
  • Hell’s Corner by David Baldacci (2nd floor Popular Books, PS3552.A446 H46 2010)
  • A Clash of Kings by George R. R. Martin (3rd floor shelves, PS3563.A7239 C58 1999)
  • Whiplash by Catherine Coulter (2nd floor Popular Books, PS3553.O843 W47 2010)
  • Sizzling Sixteen by janet Evanovich (2nd floor Popular Books, PS3555.V2126 S59 2010)
  • Tough Customer by Sandra Brown (2nd floor Popular Books, PS3552.R718 T68 2010)
  • Family Ties by Danielle Steel (2nd floor Popular Books, PS3569.T33828 F36 2010)
  • A Feast for Crows by George R. R. Martin (3rd floor shelves, PS3563.A7239 F39 2005)
  • The Rembrandt Affair by Daniel Silva (2nd floor Popular Books, PS3619.I5443 R46 2010)
  • Spider Bones by Kathy Reichs (2nd floor Popular Books, PS3568.E476345 S65 2010b)

Non-fiction

New Franzen, Sedaris, and Many More

by Maureen Puffer-Rothenberg on November 9, 2010 in Collection, Odum Library

We’ve added new titles to our POPULAR shelves, including

Jonathan Franzen’s Freedom,

Nancy Grace’s Death on the D-List,

Terry McMillan’s Getting to Happy, and

Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk by David Sedaris.

Popular books are located on the 2nd floor next to Copier Room #2621.

Do You Read At All?

by Maureen Puffer-Rothenberg on November 19, 2009 in Collection, Odum Library

Penguin USA has posted a trailer about the top ten “essential” literary classics, suggesting you can’t impress women at parties if you don’t know your literature.

Before you attend any holiday soirees you might want to check these out:

Inferno by Dante Alighieri

Walden by Henry David Thoreau (also available here to read online)

Oedipus Rex in The Complete Plays of Sophocles (you can read it here online or watch a 1984 British production of the play featuring Sir John Gielgud)

The Odyssey of Homer (read it online here)

Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice (online here)

Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre (online here)

Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis

Moby Dick, or, The Whale by Herman Melville (read it here online)

William Shakespeare’s Hamlet (watch the 1948 production directed by Sir Laurence Olivier here)

Of Mice and Men in The Short Novels of John Steinbeck

Conversely you could take a shortcut and check out Pierre Bayard’s How to Talk About Books You Haven’t Read.

woman reading

Yada Yada Yada

by Maureen Puffer-Rothenberg on September 8, 2009 in Collection, Odum Library

We have the complete television series Seinfeld on DVD, with commentaries and other extras, available to check out from the FAMC.

To help you choose from among the 33 Seinfeld DVDs (they circulate individually), there’s a comprehensive description of the set here at DVD Talk. As of this writing only Season Four is checked out.

FAMC means “Fine Arts Materials Collection,” located at the main Circulation desk on the first floor. You can ask for anything with an “FAMC” or “FAMC-AV” call number there.


Archival photo of Jerry Seinfeld


(Almost) Daily Photo

by Laura Wright on June 30, 2009 in (Almost) Daily Photo, Collection

Reference Legal Books, call numbers REF (K-KJC), are located on the second floor on the far side of the atrium.