by Kathelene McCarty Smith
The Martha Blakeney Hodges Special Collections and University Archives (SCUA) is excited to announce its 50th anniversary year in the UNC Greensboro University Libraries. In 1972, Emmy Mills, as the first Special Collections Librarian, organized the holding which were previously placed in the care of the University into a new department. Under her direction, SCUA began building an important collection of rare materials to support the research and instructional programs of the University. The construction of the large library tower in 1973 allowed for further expansion of the collections and created the opportunity for the designation of a “Special Collections Room” located on the second floor of the original Jackson Library building. The department continued to grow throughout the years and now includes many collections of distinction in the areas of rare books, manuscripts, the Women Veterans Historical Project, and University Archives. This year, we are commemorating our department’s anniversary through online programming, such as our noon Lecture Series and “First Fridays,” which highlight our collections, exhibits, and more; social media announcements; special features in SCUA’s Quarterly Review Newsletter and UNC Greensboro’s Campus Weekly, and “SCUA” moments at the monthly Vanguard Virtual Series. Join us in our celebration of this momentous year by attending as many of these great events as possible. (link to event calendar) We look forward to seeing you there!