Ohio University Libraries News and Events

Library historian Mary Ellen Armentrout will give an illustrated talk to the Friends of the Libraries of Ohio University on Monday, November 7 at 3:30 p.m. Her topic will be “The Carnegie Libraries of Ohio.” The program will be held in the Friends of the Library Room (Alden 319).

Armentrout is the author of Carnegie Libraries of Ohio: Our Cultural Heritage (2003). There were 111 libraries across Ohio that received grants from industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie in the early 20th century, and approximately 100 still stand. According to Armenntrout, the number built included eight academic libraries.

2005 marks the centennial year for the Carnegie Library built for Ohio University and the Athens community. The building, now Ohio University’s Scripps Hall, ceased operation as a library with the opening of the university’s Chubb Library in 1931.

Along with Athens, other southern and eastern Ohio communities with Carnegie Libraries include Cambridge, Chillicothe, Marietta, Middleport, Pomeroy, Portsmouth, and Zanesville.

“Along with her talk, Armentrout will be mounting an exhibit on Carnegie Libraries in Ohio that will remain in place until late December,” states George Bain, Executive Secretary of the Friends. “The exhibit will be in the lounge area of the fourth floor of Alden Library.”

The Friends of the Libraries of Ohio University, now more than a quarter century old, were established in 1979 to support the Libraries.

The Friends of the Libraries of Ohio University will begin their Spring Book Sale on Thursday, October 13 from 7-9 p.m. “At that time, most books will be priced at $2 each for people who like the very best selection,” explains George Bain, Executive Secretary for the Friends.

Sale hours on Friday, October 14 will be 10 am-6 pm and from 10 am-4 pm on Saturday, October 15. Most books will be priced at $1 each on Friday and Saturday. Prices will be reduced to $3 per plastic bag after 1 pm on Saturday.

The sale is open to the public and will be held on the fourth floor of Alden Library near the Circulation desk.

The Friends of the Libraries of Ohio University, now more than a quarter century old, were established in 1979 to provide additional support for strengthening the Libraries and its collections and services.

In 1972 Beverly Price (Jones) wrote a report at the behest of Ohio University President Claude Sowle. The document produced was titled, “The Status of Women at Ohio University,” and it was instrumental in changing the “practice and culture” of the work environment for women at the University.

At 7:00 P.M. Wednesday, October 12, Ms. Jones will share her experiences in researching, preparing, submitting, defending, and implementing the recommendations contained in what has come to be known as, “The Price Report.” Her presentation is sponsored by the Friends of the Libraries of Ohio University and the Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections in celebration of Archives Week 2005, and will be held in Walter Hall Room 145.

Since departing OU with an MBA in 1975, Beverly (Price) Jones has worked as an attorney for the Securities and Exchange Commission, the law firm of Wickwire, Gavin and Gibbs, and as special legal counsel to the firm of Adams & Reese. In addition she has served as Vice President of External Affairs and Policy for CNG, a Fortune 500 energy and utility company. Today Ms. Jones is president of ClearWays Consulting, LLC, a company that, “works with accomplished attorneys and other professionals to bring new direction and energy to their work lives.”

For additional information about this event, please contact William Kimok, Ohio University Archivist and Records Manager,593-2712 or kimok@ohio.edu