Oxford African American Study Center

The Online Authority on the African American Experience:

Do you know who refused to go to the back of the bus in August 1952, more than three years before Rosa Parks refused to do so?

Can you name the first black man and woman in the United States to travel to space?

Do you know in which famous jazz singer and bandleader's group Miles Davis debuted?

Can you name the first black woman millionaire in the United States and how she made her fortune?

Do you know which US President has been described as doing more for civil rights than any other president since Abraham Lincoln?

Can you name three important musical acts in hip-hop's early years?

Do you know which black infantry unit helped Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders capture San Juan Hill?

Can you name the founder of the city of Chicago?

Do you know where rap music originated?

Get your final answer at the Oxford African American Studies Center. Visit the Library Homepage to find it, on the "Articles" page under History.

Libraries and Art in Philly

Sylvia Rortvedt (ESS Associate Director) and Matt Todd (Collection Development Librarian) accompanied AL Fine Art faculty member Rebecca Kamen to view her exhibit Manuscript as Muse at the American Philosphical Society. Kamen's show was inspired by manuscript holdings of the APS, including Ben Franklin's Magic Circle of Circles, river diagrams by Luna Leopold as well as other examples of historical natural history.


[above, l-r: Rebecca Kamen, Sylvia Rortvedt, Matt Todd, Ron Brashear (Director of the Chemical Heritage Foundation), Madeline Copp (Librarian at the Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College]

The librarians were also interested to visit the APS vault and view some of the treasures of the collection, including Merriweather Lewis & William Clark's journals of their expedition to the Pacific, Benjamin Franklin's manuscript letters, and a copy of the Declaration of Independence in Jefferson's handwriting. The newly renovated and remodelled reading room was also a highlight.

The group also visited the nearby Chemical Heritage Foundation to view their new exhibit space and visit their very fine library [above].

Oscars!

You won't find a red carpet in the Library, but you can read up on Oscar:

All About Oscar: The History and Politics of the Academy Awards. PN1993.92 .L47 2003

70 Years of Oscar: The Official History of the Academy Awards. PN1993.92 .O82 1999

American Musical Film Song Encyclopedia. REF ML102.M68 H57 1999

President's Day

February 22nd is the 277th anniversary of George Washington's birth. Celebrate by reading up on the First President.

The General and Mrs Washington: The Untold Story of a Marriage and a Revolution. E312.19 .C47 2007


Experiencing Mount Vernon: Eywitness Accounts. E312.5 .E97 2006


The George Washington Collection: Fine and Decorative Arts at Mount Vernon. NK535.W37 C33 2006


Realistic Visionary: A Portrait of George Washington. E312 .H54 2006


The first American army : the untold story of George Washington and the men behind America’s first fight for freedom . E259 .C43 2005

Who was America's Best President Ever?

Find out what 65 US Historians thought in

CSPAN's Presidential Leadership Survey

Black History Month

February is Black History Month. Although the Alexandria Campus Library collects and provides access to black history books every month, this month you may want to explore some of the Library's holdings on such diverse topics as Martin Lutehr King, the civil rights movement, Ida B Wells, Josephine Baker, the Harlem Renaissance, African Americans in American sporting life, African American achievement in Higher Education and more.



Also, check out some of the interesting Black History Month programs on the Alexandria Campus by visiting the Events Calendar.

Lincoln Exhibit at LoC

he Library of Congress has mounted a special exhibit of material from the Library's collection related to Abraham Lincoln. "With Malice Towards None", the exhibit celebrating the 20oth anniversary of Lincoln's birth. Also, stop by the campus Library to view our exhibit on Lincoln (and Darwin, who was also born in 1809).

Support Virginia Libraries

In these troubled economic times, it is more important than ever to sustain and ensure funding to Virginia's libraries. Did you know that public library use actually dramatically increases as jobs are lost and incomes compromised?

It is important to support these vital community institutions.

Thye Virginia Library Association (VLA) is committed to supporting the mission of all Virginia's Libraries. You can help by visiting the Grassroots Legislative Action Center and registering to make your voice in support of libraries heard by your legislators.

By registering on this page (click on "Take Action") you can communicate with your legislators directly. The software will automatically identify your legislators, and for advocacy issues will provide forms of communication to be sent directly to your legislators. You can compose your own message to your representatives or use the ones provided.

Take Action! Support Libraries!