. . . A Look At Librarians Through Film
http://hollywoodlibrarian.com/about.html
Monday, July 30, 2007
Friday, July 27, 2007
"Norma Rae" donates her papers to Alamance Community College
North Carolina Community College System
For Immediate Release
“Norma Rae” donates her papers to Alamance Community College
Alamance alum Leslie Thompson helps catalog donation
By Peggy Beach, System Office, Public Affairs
Crystal Lee Sutton, the real-life inspiration behind Sally Field’s character in the film Norma Rae, has donated her unionization papers and memorabilia to Alamance Community College. Sutton was fired from J.P. Stevens in 1974 for trying to unionize the plant in Roanoke Rapids, and her story was told in the 1979 Oscar-winning film.
At a June reception in her honor, Sutton, who now lives in Alamance County, said she made the donation because of the college’s efforts in retraining laid-off textile workers. "Thank God for Alamance Community College, where even the working poor can come, get financial assistance, and get a new start in life," she said. Sutton took nursing courses at Alamance in 1988. Her daughter-in-law, Cathy Jordan, is a secretary in the college’s literacy department.
Leslie Thompson, an Alamance graduate and rising senior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, will catalog the new collection. She attended the reception along with Sherri Singer, head of the social and behavioral sciences department at Alamance, Dr. Sam Powell, college trustee and Dr. Martin Nadelman, college president.
Powell officially accepted the Crystal Lee Sutton collection on behalf of
the college. "This collection will inspire current and future students,
many who themselves have had direct or indirect connections to the
textile industry," he said.
Thompson presented Sutton with a framed, handwritten letter from
women's activist Gloria Steinem, with whom Sutton became friends in
the 1980s during the latter's speaking engagements.
"We admire her courage, we admire her convictions, and we admire her spirit," said Nadelman. "She is a champion not only of the working class but also of all who inspire to improve the lives of others."
In the early 1970s, Sutton was 33 and working at the J.P. Stevens plant where she was making $2.65 an hour folding towels. The poor working conditions she and her fellow employees suffered compelled her to join forces with Eli Zivkovich, a union organizer, and attempt to unionize the J.P. Stevens employees.
"Management and others treated me as if I had leprosy," said Sutton. She received threats and was finally fired from her job. But before she left, she took one final stand, filmed verbatim in Norma Rae. "I took a piece of cardboard and wrote the word UNION on it in big letters, got up on my work table, and slowly turned it around. The workers started cutting their machines off and giving me the victory sign. All of a sudden the plant was very quiet..."
Sutton was physically removed from the plant by police, but the result of her actions was monumental. The Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union (ACTWU) won the right to represent the workers at the plant and Sutton became an organizer for the union. In 1977, Sutton was awarded back wages and her job was reinstated by court order, although she chose to return to work for just two days. She subsequently became a speaker on behalf of the ACTWU and was profiled in interviews on Good Morning America, in The New York Times Magazine, and countless other national and international publications during the late 1970s and early 1980s. The Crystal Lee Sutton Awards, established in her name and presented by the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, recognizes individuals and organizations whose efforts have contributed to presenting positive images of working people to the American public.
Thompson, who is working closely with Sutton while cataloguing the collection, said that she took a lot of history courses with Singer while studying at Alamance.
“When the collection came in, she (Singer) called me and asked me to look at it,” said Thompson. “I was very excited. It fell in with what I studied about the workers rights movement.”
Thompson plans to interview Sutton for an oral history to include in the collection. Sutton said that she began collecting material since 1973, when she began her crusade for unionization. “She documented everything and I do mean everything,” said Thompson. Included in the collection are letters, videos, awards, certificates, newspaper articles, and calendars. “There are photos of her with Gloria Steinem and also a copy of the documentary she did with Ms. Steinem and PBS in 1974,” said Thompson. “She was very thorough.”
Thompson said that when the catalog is complete, it will likely be available not only at the library at Alamance Community College but also on NC ECHO. NC ECHO, Exploring Cultural Heritage Online, is the state’s Internet doorway to the special collections of North Carolina’s libraries, archives, museums, historic sites and other cultural institutions.
Thompson received a grant from the university to catalog the collection and is planning to write her honors thesis on the project. She is planning to go to graduate school at UNC-CH and eventually hopes to teach at a university or a community college. “Community college is a great place to get a start on your education,” she said. “I am 33 and I have four kids so Alamance Community College was the best way for me to begin my education.”
Contact: Peggy Beach, North Carolina Community College System, Public Affairs, 919-807-6964, beachm@nccommunitycolleges.edu
For Immediate Release
“Norma Rae” donates her papers to Alamance Community College
Alamance alum Leslie Thompson helps catalog donation
By Peggy Beach, System Office, Public Affairs
Crystal Lee Sutton, the real-life inspiration behind Sally Field’s character in the film Norma Rae, has donated her unionization papers and memorabilia to Alamance Community College. Sutton was fired from J.P. Stevens in 1974 for trying to unionize the plant in Roanoke Rapids, and her story was told in the 1979 Oscar-winning film.
At a June reception in her honor, Sutton, who now lives in Alamance County, said she made the donation because of the college’s efforts in retraining laid-off textile workers. "Thank God for Alamance Community College, where even the working poor can come, get financial assistance, and get a new start in life," she said. Sutton took nursing courses at Alamance in 1988. Her daughter-in-law, Cathy Jordan, is a secretary in the college’s literacy department.
Leslie Thompson, an Alamance graduate and rising senior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, will catalog the new collection. She attended the reception along with Sherri Singer, head of the social and behavioral sciences department at Alamance, Dr. Sam Powell, college trustee and Dr. Martin Nadelman, college president.
Powell officially accepted the Crystal Lee Sutton collection on behalf of
the college. "This collection will inspire current and future students,
many who themselves have had direct or indirect connections to the
textile industry," he said.
Thompson presented Sutton with a framed, handwritten letter from
women's activist Gloria Steinem, with whom Sutton became friends in
the 1980s during the latter's speaking engagements.
"We admire her courage, we admire her convictions, and we admire her spirit," said Nadelman. "She is a champion not only of the working class but also of all who inspire to improve the lives of others."
In the early 1970s, Sutton was 33 and working at the J.P. Stevens plant where she was making $2.65 an hour folding towels. The poor working conditions she and her fellow employees suffered compelled her to join forces with Eli Zivkovich, a union organizer, and attempt to unionize the J.P. Stevens employees.
"Management and others treated me as if I had leprosy," said Sutton. She received threats and was finally fired from her job. But before she left, she took one final stand, filmed verbatim in Norma Rae. "I took a piece of cardboard and wrote the word UNION on it in big letters, got up on my work table, and slowly turned it around. The workers started cutting their machines off and giving me the victory sign. All of a sudden the plant was very quiet..."
Sutton was physically removed from the plant by police, but the result of her actions was monumental. The Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union (ACTWU) won the right to represent the workers at the plant and Sutton became an organizer for the union. In 1977, Sutton was awarded back wages and her job was reinstated by court order, although she chose to return to work for just two days. She subsequently became a speaker on behalf of the ACTWU and was profiled in interviews on Good Morning America, in The New York Times Magazine, and countless other national and international publications during the late 1970s and early 1980s. The Crystal Lee Sutton Awards, established in her name and presented by the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, recognizes individuals and organizations whose efforts have contributed to presenting positive images of working people to the American public.
Thompson, who is working closely with Sutton while cataloguing the collection, said that she took a lot of history courses with Singer while studying at Alamance.
“When the collection came in, she (Singer) called me and asked me to look at it,” said Thompson. “I was very excited. It fell in with what I studied about the workers rights movement.”
Thompson plans to interview Sutton for an oral history to include in the collection. Sutton said that she began collecting material since 1973, when she began her crusade for unionization. “She documented everything and I do mean everything,” said Thompson. Included in the collection are letters, videos, awards, certificates, newspaper articles, and calendars. “There are photos of her with Gloria Steinem and also a copy of the documentary she did with Ms. Steinem and PBS in 1974,” said Thompson. “She was very thorough.”
Thompson said that when the catalog is complete, it will likely be available not only at the library at Alamance Community College but also on NC ECHO. NC ECHO, Exploring Cultural Heritage Online, is the state’s Internet doorway to the special collections of North Carolina’s libraries, archives, museums, historic sites and other cultural institutions.
Thompson received a grant from the university to catalog the collection and is planning to write her honors thesis on the project. She is planning to go to graduate school at UNC-CH and eventually hopes to teach at a university or a community college. “Community college is a great place to get a start on your education,” she said. “I am 33 and I have four kids so Alamance Community College was the best way for me to begin my education.”
Contact: Peggy Beach, North Carolina Community College System, Public Affairs, 919-807-6964, beachm@nccommunitycolleges.edu
Monday, July 23, 2007
Credo Reference - Credible Sources
Credo Reference is the GTCC Library's newest online resource. Credo is a complete reference collection from over 50 publishers that is completely full-text and searchable. It also contains images, sound files, data, maps and more. Search through dictionaries (many bilingual), biographies, maps, encyclopedias, etc. - all from reputable sources. The entire content of Credo can be searched from their site. And, the Library catalog includes records that link to the full-text of Credo resources too.
Book Review - "What is the What"
If you had the chance to look into a person’s soul, their past, would you want to remember what you see? In the case of Valentino Achak Deng, you would probably try to forget, but he must live with the memories every day of his life. In the novel What is the What by Dave Eggers, the story of a boy ripped from his family and home in war-torn This book follows Valentino, whose given name was Achak Achak, from his village in Marial Bai to the 13 years he spent in Ethiopian and Kenyan refugee camps and finally to Atlanta, Georgia, the latest stop on his journey. As one of the Lost Boys, he walked across Sudan’s harsh landscapes with thousands of other boys in search of a safe haven after his village was raided and destroyed, watching those around him die of exhaustion, diseases, and even in the jaws of wild beasts. He often went days without food, water, or shelter, and when food was available the portions were meager. Not knowing the fate of his family and having little hope of ever returning to his village, Valentino struggled with his will to live, and even attempted to take his own life. He eventually came to Kakuma, a refugee camp in
The purpose of What is the What is perhaps the most important thing to remember after reading it. In Valentino’s own words, “this book was born out of the desire on the part of myself and the author to reach out to others to help them understand the atrocities many successive governments of
To learn more, visit the Valentino Achak Deng website.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Book Review-Stephen King's Blaze
Just in time for the heat of summer-the GTCC Jamestown Campus LRC has landed Stephen King's Blaze in the latest batch of bestsellers.
Blaze is one of the titles King wrote long ago under the pseudonym Richard Bachman early in his career, to distinguish the novels he was writing from the short stories he was cranking out for what are politely referred to as "gentlemen's magazines" under his real name. It was never published and languished in the Folger Library at the University of Maine in the Stephen King collection there for well over thirty years. King returned to it after becoming involved with a publisher called Hard Case Crime, a small press dedicated to reviving old-style paperback crime novels.
Blaze is the tale of a small-time thug named Clayton Blaisdell, Jr., who is long on brawn and short on brains. Blaze is a nickname he aquires while growing up in Hetton House, an orphanage for wards of the state. Blaze shows signs of promise as a kid even after the early death of his mother, an event that leaves him at the mercy of his alcoholic, abusive father. One day his father in a fit of drunken rage picks up young Clayton and throws him down the stairs, then repeats the act a couple more times for good measure. This event leaves Clayton with a large hole in his forehead and not functioning on all cylinders. The authorities take Blaze away from his father and put him at Hetton House, where Blaze remains until his young adulthood. As the story unfolds in flashbacks, we see that the situation at Hetton House is not a vast improvement over living with his father.
Clayton eventually leaves the warm confines of Hetton House and drifts into a life of small-time crime, usually recruited as muscle by whatever clever type needs a big (6 foot 7 inch) and strong guy for his next nefarious enterprise. Blaze follows this pattern for a few years, fluctuating between low level crime jobs, jail, and a few attempts to go straight. Then he meets George, and everything changes.
George Rackley is a thief and small-time con man who sees in Blaze a willing and not-to-bright partner who can follow orders without asking to many questions. He and Blaze form a partnership that is generally successful for both-George has a steady associate and bodyguard, and Blaze has someone to do his thinking for him and look after him.
Eventually one of their capers goes awry and George heads uptsate to do some hard time. He emerges from prison with a new idea, bordering on obessesion-getting the one big score that will enable mean an end to the cycle of small jobs and jail terms. Blaze opens not long after George has been killed in a knife fight, leaving Blaze on his own to carry on with George's plan for the one big score.
I found Blaze to be a nice, tightly written crime story that is also working as a lower-class tragedy. King has real gift for telling stories about losers for whom time and circumstance are ever the enemy, always slamming the door shut just when it looks like something may finally happen to make a positive change in what has been a very hard life. The story deliberately echoes Of Mice and Men, albeit with a darker twist. The scenario for the big score could have have been cloying, but King handles it cleanly without descending into pathos. Blaze may be a good guy at heart, but he is still doing the wrong thing. It is hard not to sympathize with him; it is hard to forgive some of his actions as well.
Well-written, well characterized, and well-plotted, Blaze succeeds on every level. Need noir, here's your fix. Enjoy!
Blaze is one of the titles King wrote long ago under the pseudonym Richard Bachman early in his career, to distinguish the novels he was writing from the short stories he was cranking out for what are politely referred to as "gentlemen's magazines" under his real name. It was never published and languished in the Folger Library at the University of Maine in the Stephen King collection there for well over thirty years. King returned to it after becoming involved with a publisher called Hard Case Crime, a small press dedicated to reviving old-style paperback crime novels.
Blaze is the tale of a small-time thug named Clayton Blaisdell, Jr., who is long on brawn and short on brains. Blaze is a nickname he aquires while growing up in Hetton House, an orphanage for wards of the state. Blaze shows signs of promise as a kid even after the early death of his mother, an event that leaves him at the mercy of his alcoholic, abusive father. One day his father in a fit of drunken rage picks up young Clayton and throws him down the stairs, then repeats the act a couple more times for good measure. This event leaves Clayton with a large hole in his forehead and not functioning on all cylinders. The authorities take Blaze away from his father and put him at Hetton House, where Blaze remains until his young adulthood. As the story unfolds in flashbacks, we see that the situation at Hetton House is not a vast improvement over living with his father.
Clayton eventually leaves the warm confines of Hetton House and drifts into a life of small-time crime, usually recruited as muscle by whatever clever type needs a big (6 foot 7 inch) and strong guy for his next nefarious enterprise. Blaze follows this pattern for a few years, fluctuating between low level crime jobs, jail, and a few attempts to go straight. Then he meets George, and everything changes.
George Rackley is a thief and small-time con man who sees in Blaze a willing and not-to-bright partner who can follow orders without asking to many questions. He and Blaze form a partnership that is generally successful for both-George has a steady associate and bodyguard, and Blaze has someone to do his thinking for him and look after him.
Eventually one of their capers goes awry and George heads uptsate to do some hard time. He emerges from prison with a new idea, bordering on obessesion-getting the one big score that will enable mean an end to the cycle of small jobs and jail terms. Blaze opens not long after George has been killed in a knife fight, leaving Blaze on his own to carry on with George's plan for the one big score.
I found Blaze to be a nice, tightly written crime story that is also working as a lower-class tragedy. King has real gift for telling stories about losers for whom time and circumstance are ever the enemy, always slamming the door shut just when it looks like something may finally happen to make a positive change in what has been a very hard life. The story deliberately echoes Of Mice and Men, albeit with a darker twist. The scenario for the big score could have have been cloying, but King handles it cleanly without descending into pathos. Blaze may be a good guy at heart, but he is still doing the wrong thing. It is hard not to sympathize with him; it is hard to forgive some of his actions as well.
Well-written, well characterized, and well-plotted, Blaze succeeds on every level. Need noir, here's your fix. Enjoy!
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Monday, July 09, 2007
Friends of the GTCC Library
Join the Friends of the GTCC Library. The purpose of the Friends is to promote an interest in the GTCC Libraries among college faculty, students, alumni, and members of the community.
The group works to enhance the facilities and resources of the library through
Become a member!
Membership is open to all individuals and organizations who share in the purpose of the Friends.
Membership is for one academic year.
Membership categories and dues are:
The GTCC Foundation is the recipient and custodian of all funds and gifts.
Donations will be made to the GTCC Library.
What do I get by becoming a member?
The group works to enhance the facilities and resources of the library through
- exhibits
- programs
- special projects
- publications
- other appropriate means
Become a member!
Membership is open to all individuals and organizations who share in the purpose of the Friends.
Membership is for one academic year.
Membership categories and dues are:
- a. Student Pal- $5.00
- b. Friend - $25.00
- c. Advocate -$50.00
- d. Champion- $125
The GTCC Foundation is the recipient and custodian of all funds and gifts.
Donations will be made to the GTCC Library.
What do I get by becoming a member?
- Well, satisfaction that you are helping us!
- Travel opportunities.
- Notification of programs.
- A T-shirt with our bookworm logo in the size of your choice.
- Access to the library's online information resources.
Saturday, July 07, 2007
New librarian at GTCC Jamestown
On July 2, 2007, your library staff welcomed Alisha Webb as our newest team member. Alisha's primary duties are to provide reference and library instruction to users of your Jamestown Campus library. Alisha's MLIS is recently from UNC Greensboro.
One of Alisha's goals is to build relationships especially with faculty so they and we can help as many of our students stay On Course. I will remind everyone for Alisha that we are here to provide, among other things
Alisha's extension is 2287. Her hours are 9am-1pm Monday-Friday.
Welcome, Alisha!
One of Alisha's goals is to build relationships especially with faculty so they and we can help as many of our students stay On Course. I will remind everyone for Alisha that we are here to provide, among other things
- formal information literacy instruction in a classroom setting,
- online subject guides to help students complete their research work successfully and quickly, and
- one-on-one help.
Alisha's extension is 2287. Her hours are 9am-1pm Monday-Friday.
Welcome, Alisha!
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