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SPRING 2015
CHAPTER ONE
FOR FRIENDS OF THE GEORGE A. SMATHERS LIBR ARIES AT THE UNIVERSIT Y OF FLORIDA
By Rebecca Jefferson
Head, Price Library of Judaica
Smathers Libraries
awarded National
Endowment for
the Humanities
Challenge Grant
The ability to preserve and study these
materials enables us to understand
the past and do better in today’s
multicultural, global society.
The George A. Smathers Libraries recently received a
prestigious National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)
Challenge Grant worth up to $500,000 to build a $2 million
endowment fund that will broaden access to humanities
resources relating to the Jewish experience in Florida, Latin
America and the Caribbean. The NEH will provide a $1 match
for every $3 donated so our challenge is to raise $1.5 million
in matching funds. This will strengthen and provide greater
emphasis on the conjunction of three of our preeminent
collections: the Isser and Rae Price Library of Judaica, the
Latin American and Caribbean Collection and the P.K. Yonge
Library of Florida History. Many disciplines at the University
of Florida will benefit from the acquisitions, digital collections,
outreach programs and research provided by this endowment.
The NEH Challenge Grant represents a second historic
award for the Libraries. The first was in 1977 when the NEH
inaugurated the Challenge Grant program for the purchase of
books and materials that established the Isser and Rae Price
Library of Judaica. Today, thanks to the generous support of
(Continued on page 2)
Challenge Grant (Continued)
its donors, the Price Library is known
as the best Jewish Studies research
collection in the southeastern United
States. This second Challenge Grant
recognizes that the Price Library of
Judaica and the University of Florida
are now singularly well suited to lead
a new national and international
effort to map, study and promote the
diversity of histories and cultures in
this hemisphere.
The annual interest generated by the
$2 million endowment will be used in
perpetuity to fund strategic acquisitions,
digitization, research and public
engagement projects. Thus, previously
hidden and/or threatened Jewish
heritage materials from Florida, Latin
America and the Caribbean that are
suitable for digitization will be acquired,
An example of a kind of rare, hidden item
that can be acquired for the collection
through the endowment:
Isaac Leib Peretz, Der Litwak, translated
into Germany by M. S. Brafmann, Verlag
Juedische Rundschau, Havana, Cuba, c.
1950. Between 1933 and 1945, around
75,000 Jews fled Germany for Latin
America and the Caribbean, including
Cuba. This extremely rare booklet was
produced by the German-Jewish refugee
community living in Havana.
2 Chapter One SPRING 2015
ensuring greater public
access and study, as well
as their preservation.
These materials will
be made much more
accessible and visible
as the Libraries—
with 38 national
and international
technology partners—
build and maintain a
new Jewish Diaspora
Digital Collection
at UF. Competitive
research fellowships
will be established for
Rebecca Jefferson explains the types of heritage materials
scholars and graduate
that the endowment will help acquire.
studentships to
stimulate new research
into Jewish history and
transform our knowledge about the
culture based on the collection. Wider
Jewish people of this region and greatly
and underserved audiences will learn
inform many other disciplines within
about the Jewish experience in this
the humanities,” Russell said.
region through expanded outreach
programs, including exhibitions, tours,
UF alumnus and Miami entrepreneur
lectures and publications.
Gary R. Gerson, who provided the first
funds to build the endowment, said
These ongoing activities will help
he feels certain the Jewish community
achieve two major goals for the
“will be interested in preserving the
Libraries. The first goal is to provide
history of diasporic influences made by
broader access to under-researched
Jewish people transplanted to Florida.”
historical materials to revolutionize
current scholarship and promote
To support this exciting challenge
greater knowledge and understanding.
award and contribute to the
The second goal is to lead national and
Endowment for Resources on Jewish
international efforts to inspire greater
Heritage in Florida, Latin America
study of the Jewish diaspora of Florida,
and the Caribbean fund, please
Latin America and the Caribbean and
contact Katie Boudreau, director of
the ways in which minority groups and
development at the George A. Smathers
individuals in these areas contribute to
Libraries at boudreau@ufl.edu or
the wider society.
(352) 273-2505. To discuss opportunities to donate materials to the Jewish
Judith Russell, dean of University
Diaspora Collection (JDoC) at UF,
Libraries, and Rebecca Jefferson, head
please contact Rebecca Jefferson at
of the Price Library of Judaica, are
JDOC@ufl.edu.
leading the effort. “We are excited to
be at the forefront of a project that will
EXHIBITS
Documenting Presence: Panama Canal Portraits
1909-1955
Through September 2015
Tampa International Airport Gallery
Restoring St. Augustine
August 17 – October 30, 2015
Smathers Gallery, Smathers Library 2nd floor
Artbound 2015 (Student-made artists’ books)
September – November 2015
Smathers Library Lobby
Women, Science and Children’s Literature
November 9 – December 13, 2015
Smathers Gallery, Smathers Library 2nd floor
Image from the Documenting Presence: Panama Canal
Portraits 1909-1955 exhibit
PBS documentary screening
Governor Farris Bryant: The Age of the Mind
–DAWN OF A NEW AGE IN FLORIDA HISTORY –
On April 23, the Smathers Libraries
screened the PBS documentary
chronicling Farris Bryant’s term as
governor of Florida from 1961-1965.
• The promotion of tourism in Florida
Age of the Mind traces the challenges of
the first half of the decade of the 1960s.
This film tells the story of Governor
Farris Bryant and his administration’s
impact on the State of Florida. It
includes new insights and reminds
us of how things we take for granted
now were rooted in controversy and
compromise in their creation. The film
highlights:
• The first
inventory of
state-owned
conservation lands
• Both sides of the highly charged
Civil Rights demonstrations in St.
Augustine
We need your support now!
• The impact of the Florida Turnpike
The first commitment for the Challenge Grant is to
raise $270,000 by June 30, 2015. With your help we
can reach our goal!
• The controversy of the influx of
Cubans seeking freedom
• Cape Canaveral’s role as America’s
stepping stone to space
• Bridging the gap between business
and bureaucracy
John E. Evans, Bryant’s press secretary,
gave a brief introduction to the film
content and background.
The film was
produced by
Governor
Bryant’s
daughter, Adair
Simon, with input
from his daughter
Cecilia Bryant. Both
lived through much
of its content in the
Governor’s Mansion.
Adair has since enjoyed
a successful film career
and Cecilia a successful
law career.
SPRING 2015 Chapter One 3
TRE A SURES f rom the LIBR ARIES’ COLLEC TIONS
What is it? This jar for holding leeches would
most often be found in a 19th century pharmacy
or apothecary, where leeches were sold to further
the common practice of bloodletting.
Bleeding was an important
feature of European medicine
since the ancient Greek
practice of balancing
the humors­—
someone who
suffered from an
access of blood (they
would be hot and wet)
would undergo bleeding
to bring the excess into
balance. In the 1820s and
1830s, European leeches were
so widely used in the practice
and removed from the French
swamps in such large numbers
that the population declined and
leech hunters had to widen their
searches across Europe. Americans
used leeches for medical practice
but they too had to turn to Europe for
supplies because American species were
not able to draw enough blood. This jar is
attributed to Samuel Alcock and Co. circa
1840 and has perforations in the lid to
allow air exchange.
Where is it? Health Center Science
Libraries, Nina Stoyan-Rosenzweig,
nstoyan@ufl.edu, (352) 219-1801.
What are they? Citrus labels, including these from the Jerry Chicone collection and the Chase & Company collection
were glued to packing crates for oranges and grapefruit to identify the growers and/or shippers and were used in Florida
primarily from the early 1900s until the early 1950s when crates were replaced with cardboard boxes. Always colorful and
often exotic or humorous, labels identified products or promoted a theme to attract customers and create brand loyalty.
Representations of birds, flowers, animals, bountiful harvests, Native Americans or a particular region
such as the Indian River were depicted in the labels. In recent
years the labels have experienced a surge in popularity with
collectors and unused inventories of labels have surfaced.
Where are they? P.K. Yonge Library of Florida
History, James Cusick, jgcusick@ufl.edu,
(352) 273-2778.
What is it? Young Cizcée Camean sent this postcard
to her friend Luisa to inquire about Luisa and her family,
for she has not heard from them in a while. She asked
Luisa for her portrait, and she asked Luisa to ask Flora
and Arcadia for their portraits too. She wanted Arcadia
to know that she hoped to meet her in Cuba one day.
Finally, she promised to send her portrait to all her
friends. From May 20, 1920.
Where is it? Latin American and Caribbean Collection,
Margarita Vargas-Betancourt, mvargasb@ufl.edu,
(352) 273-2692.
What is it? A dance card was used to record the names of partners for
individual dances at a formal party. The inside listed the type of each dance
and sometimes the name of the song. The card usually had the name of the
sponsoring organization and had a pencil attached by a cord. The expressions
“pencil me in” and “my dance card is full” originated from the practice of
using dance cards. This card documents a dance sponsored by the University
of Florida’s University German Club on December 2, 1911.
Where is it? University Archives, Peggy McBride, pmcbride@ufl.edu,
(352) 273-2643.
4 Chapter One SPRING 2015
SPRING 2015 Chapter One 5
The Planned Library West Colonnade…Building Future Memories
James and Leslie Rutherford library
student assistant scholarship winner
Nathan Evens won the spring 2015 James and Leslie
Rutherford Library Student Assistant Scholarship essay
competition. Nathan works in the Education Library
and is a sophomore majoring in marketing with a minor
in geography. He is from Bradenton and hopes to find
employment in the entertainment or media business. The
$500 scholarship is awarded during the fall and spring
semesters to a student assistant employed by the George A.
Smathers Libraries, based on an essay competition.
Students, faculty and other Gators
have crossed paths, struck up
conversations and stopped to share
ideas in the Library West colonnade
since it was built in 1967. Now millions
come through this special place on
campus every year. A larger and more
functional space is now needed to
accommodate the academic and social
activities of students and visitors today.
The approved design for the new
colonnade includes expanded seating
on benches and at tables equipped with
solar-powered charging stations. Solarpowered lights and ceiling fans will allow
its use in the evenings and in hot weather.
It will complement the upcoming
redesigned Plaza of the Americas
and provide an enhanced outdoor
environment for students to build
future memories at Library West, the
humanities and social sciences library.
Planned Library
West Colonnade
Nathan Evens with
Dean of University
Libraries Judith
Russell.
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARIES
Yes, I support the George A. Smathers Libraries at the University of Florida!
I want to join the Friends of the George A. Smathers Libraries at the following level:
c $15
c $50
Student Friend
Friend
c $125 Contributing Friend
Book Friend
Librarian’s Friend
c $1,000+ Dean’s Circle
I would like to use my annual membership in the following:
c The Howe Society #004773
c Stewards of Florida History #013861
OR
Planned Library
West Colonnade
Leave your legacy that millions of visitors can see each year.
Many opportunities are available for you to sponsor a table
or bench. Your gift will be recognized with a permanent
bronze plaque in honor of, in memory of, or in celebration of
a loved one or yourself. The name will be associated with the
University of Florida in perpetuity.
Sponsor a table for 5 for $8,500
Sponsor a table for 4 for $7,500
Sponsor a table for 2 for $5,000
Sponsor a bench for $5,000
Download the brochure at http://bit.ly/1FT5S5a.
6 Chapter One SPRING 2015
c $250
c $500
c Smathers Libraries Purchase Fund #008813
c Special & Area Studies Collections #005433
Latin American Collection #016045
Price Library of Judaica #000013
African Studies Collection #011223
Asian Studies Collection #016271
P.K. Yonge Library of FL History #013861
Baldwin Library of Historical
Children’s Literature #004010
Popular Cultures Collection #016107
Hanson Rare Book Collection #011265
Archives and Manuscripts #016735
Architecture Archives #017459
c Jewish Heritage Fund (NEH Challenge)
Sponsor the Gator sculpture for $100,000
Please inquire about naming opportunities for the colonnade
and the colonnade walkway. For information contact Katie
Boudreau at 352-273-2505 or boudreau@ufl.edu.
c Architecture & Fine Arts Library #008597
c Education Library #005967
c Health Science Center Libraries #004361
c Humanities & Social Sciences Library
(Library West) #012623
c Journalism & Comm. Collection #017269
c Map & Imagery Library #017267
c Music Collection #005387
c Marston Science Library #008591
c Digitization of UF Collections #014781
c Preservation #016209
c Panama Canal Museum Collection at UF
#016629
c Other
I want to leave a legacy:
c Please send information about making a planned gift/bequest
c I would like to know how to create a library endowment
c I would like to learn more about charitable annuity in my estate planning
c I would like to include the University of Florida Libraries in my bequest
AWARD WINNERS
Denise Beaubien Bennett, engineering
librarian at the Marston Science Library,
was selected for the Isadore Gilbert
Mudge Award, given by the Reference
and User Services Association (RUSA)
of the American Library Association.
The prestigious award offers $5,000 and
a citation to an individual who has made a distinguished
contribution to reference librarianship. She was chosen for
her instrumental shaping of the instructional program for
thousands of students in many disciplines, with a reputation
for inspired teaching and creation of many online and video
tutorials and presentation of workshops nationwide.
Peter McKay, business librarian, has
been selected as the winner of the
Gale Cengage Learning Excellence in
Business Librarianship Award. The
award offers $3,000 to a librarian
providing outstanding business reference
services. McKay won for his innovative
development of online business collection development,
instructional resources, service to the Business Reference
and Services Section of the American Library Association
and his invaluable contributions to the profession.
Name
Address
City
State
Home Phone
Zip
Business Phone
Method of Payment:
c I have enclosed a check payable to the UFF/Friends of the Libraries
#000223 OR designate the fund of your choice from the list at the left.
Employees of the University of Florida may wish to take advantage of the payroll
deduction process to provide their level of support.
c Check here for payroll deduction.
Please mail form to the Office of Development, University of Florida,
George A. Smathers Libraries, PO Box 117000, Gainesville, FL 32611-7000.
To make a gift with a credit card, please call the UF Foundation’s Gift
Processing toll-free number: 1-877-351-2377 OR fill in the information below
and mail directly to UF Foundation, Gift Processing Department, P.O. Box 14425,
Gainesville, FL 32604-2425.
c Visa c MasterCard c Discover c American Express
Account Number
Expiration Date
Name on Card
Signature
The University of Florida Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization. Gifts to UFF are eligible for a charitable contribution deduction.
For more information contact Katie Boudreau in the Development Office at
(352) 273-2505.
Thank you for your support!
SPRING 2015 Chapter One 7
GEORGE A. SMATHERS LIBRARIES
AT THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
Architecture & Fine Arts Library
Education Library • Health Science Center Libraries
Library West • Marston Science Library
Smathers Library
Judith C. Russell
Dean of University Libraries
Cecilia E. Botero
Associate Dean for Discovery and Access and
Fackler Director, Health Science Center Libraries
NON-PROFIT ORG
US POSTAGE PAID
Chapter One
George A. Smathers Libraries
PO Box 117000
Gainesville FL 32611-7000
GAINESVILLE FL
PERMIT NO 94
Brian W. Keith
Associate Dean for Administration and
Faculty Affairs
Patrick J. Reakes
Associate Dean for Scholarly Resources
and Services
Ben F. Walker
Assistant Dean for Digital Services and
Shared Collections
Katie Boudreau
Director of Development
Chapter One is published semi-annually and
distributed to friends of the libraries and selected
institutions. Questions and comments should be
addressed to the editor, Barbara Hood, at
(352) 273-2505, or bhood@ufl.edu.
http://cms.uflib.ufl.edu/giving/chap_one
MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN
As you saw in the cover article, the
George A. Smathers Libraries recently
received a prestigious National
Endowment for the Humanities
Challenge Grant, one of just 16
awarded nationally, to build an
endowment fund that will broaden
access to humanities resources relating
to the Jewish experience in Florida,
Latin America and the Caribbean. The
award provides a $1 match for every $3
donated so our challenge is to raise
$1.5 million in matching funds over
four years. Our first commitment
for the Challenge Grant is to raise
$270,000 by June 30th of this year.
We are seeking support to help us
reach our goal as the date draws near.
This is an opportunity for your gift
to have more impact and assist in
the development of this important
collection and make it accessible.
The Libraries continue to be sought
after spaces for students to convene.
Last August the Collaboration
Commons on the first floor of the
Marston Science Library added 700
seats and a variety of technologies.
Since then both Marston and Library
West have an increase in visitors over
the previous year. The increase in use
during the five month period from
September 2014 through January
2015 was approximately 37% for
Marston and 12% for Library West.
The increased demand for study space
has prompted the Libraries to add
additional seating where possible to
meet those needs.
The improved Library West colonnade
design will add additional outdoor
space with 294 seats at tables,
benches and low brick walls under
the colonnade and on adjoining
terraces. We look forward to being
able to provide this comfortable and
functional space to students and all
Gators who come to campus.
We hope you enjoy the new feature
“Treasures from the Libraries’
Collections.” Each department and
branch library
contains a
treasure trove
of materials
that are of
interest not only
as academic
resources, but
also because of
their intrinsic
Judith C. Russell
beauty, their
Dean of University
content, or the
Libraries
unique history of
the item. Each issue will feature four
to five items for you to discover and
includes a description and where they
can be found in the Libraries. Some are
also available online in the University
of Florida Digital Collections at http://
ufdc.uflib.ufl.edu.
As always, I invite you to visit the
Libraries and get to know them and
us personally. Please contact me at
jcrussell@ufl.edu or (352) 273-2505 to
arrange a tour at your convenience.