Huh? A Routine Policy of Quote Approval?

Read David Carr's take on the desire of some affluent sources to require reporters and journalists to pre-approve their quotes – before they'll grant access.

Carr's piece, "The Puppetry of Quotation Approval," is here. Let's discuss what you think. Your brief and well-expressed posts are due here by 2:30 p.m. Thursday, 28 Feb.

Mezzanine A

Lily Tayne

Amber Singletary

J.D. William’s Library Unseen Collections

Did you know the J.D. Williams Library has a hidden floor that contains original theses dating back to the mid 1900’s?  Mezzanine A, with an entrance near Starbucks, has over 5,500 theses shelved. If in search of research or support on a specific topic one is bound to find a primary source here.

            “In mezzanine A, we have topics ranging from chemical engineering to journalism,” said Alex Watson, a reference librarian. 

Before venturing to this hidden space, it is recommended to visit the library’s website and search for a topic in the online database. Once searched, every original work, based on the desired topic, will appear on the screen for you to sift through to find an appropriate source.

If used correctly, this unused area, may be one man’s treasure. 

Chancellor Khayat's Special Portrait

Brandon Skaggs and Jeffrey Wright
University, Miss. – Hanging throughout the front entrance of the J.D. Williams Library as well as the stairwell leading to the Archives and Special Collections, are portraits of the past chancellors of the University of Mississippi.  Each former chancellor is memorialized with an oil portrait. 

Since a majority of the chancellors have passed on, the library rarely has to take criticism about one of the former chancellor’s portraits, but that is not the case with Robert Khayat, the 15^th Chancellor at UM. 

Alex Watson, librarian for the Journalism Department, said, “Dr. Khayat was unhappy with the lighting of his portrait and requested that something be done to fix the issue.”  The portrait was then moved to an entering patron's immediate left.  But, the lighting was not ideal for the portrait, and Khayat asked for that issue to also be addressed. While the request was a minor inconvenience Watson noted, “It was actually a good thing.  The lighting where [the portrait] hangs needed to be rewired anyway.” However, when it was pointed out to Watson that the lighting for the portrait was currently not working, he simply smirked and said, “We usually only fix it when we know he’s coming.”

The BB King Archives in JD Williams Library

Did you know the J.D. Williams Library has an archives section on the third floor? It contains

collections of papers, books, and records from literature, music, etc. These valuables were donated by

historical figures for our use.

B.B. King donated his records and collection of music. In the blue’s section, there is a book of

everything that he donated. It has some recordings in different languages. According to Greg Johnson,

head of blues department in the archives, he has many recordings in jazz, blues, country, world albums

to learn many languages.

           “In the ‘70s he went on a world tour and wanted to be able to say phrases like thank you and

have goodnight in the native language,” said Johnson.

The archives department requires use of collections inside the department.

Alexandra Harper

and

Kim Vassar 

DID YOU KNOW ?

Khadijah Lacey 

Chandler Lewis 

February 26, 2013

Jour 271

Have you ever wondered where you can find an old hard copy of the Daily Mississippian and other local newspapers? 

Hidden on the first floor of the library, there is a small, well lit room full of old copies of the local newspapers.

 “The newspapers are kept in this warm room to prevent the paper from disintegrating too fast. The papers are turning yellow because they are old and the paper that it is printed on is old.”

Librarians have obtained every single newspaper that has been published since the newspaper stop issuing their papers to them on microfilm. In this room, the newspapers are filled with daily events that have occurred in Oxford and on the campus of Ole Miss. 

Some of the newspapers that are in this room are the Daily Mississippian and the Oxford Eagle. The room is accessible to the public and could be a very useful source for anyone who needs information about local events that have happened. 

      

J.D. Williams Library Obituary Collection

By  Amanda Wilson 

& Jared Senseman

Obituaries offered in J.D. Williams Library for Journalistic Research  

The Ole Miss library provides a way to view obituaries dating back to 1872. It is located on the third floor and also has a link online to view scanned obituaries in PDF format. Obituaries can be great sources historic research, as much of the time they are hard to find. 

The Ole Miss Libraries Digital Collections, specifically the Aldrich Collection, is the home to hundreds of obituaries dating back to over 100 years ago.  One of the oldest obituaries contained by the Libraries Digital Collections, belongs to Hattie H. Jones who died in 1872.

“Many journalists often come to the Library to ask for obituaries from various people,” head of archives and special collections, Jennifer Ford says.

The collection also holds the obituary of important alumni from the university. 

J.D. Williams Library’s Unseen Collection

J.D. Williams Library’s Unseen Collection

Did you know the J.D. Williams Library has a hidden floor that contains original theses dating back to the mid 1900’s?  Mezzanine A, with an entrance near Starbucks, has over 5,500 theses shelved. If in search of research or support on a specific topic one is bound to find a primary source here.

            “In mezzanine A, we have topics ranging from chemical engineering to journalism,” said Alex Watson, a reference librarian. 

Before venturing to this hidden space, it is recommended to visit the library’s website and search for a topic in the online database. Once searched, every original work, based on the desired topic, will appear on the screen for you to sift through to find an appropriate source.

If used correctly, this unused area, may be one man or woman’s treasure. 

Preserving the Past: Jalawan, Brandenburg

With today’s technology, it could take fewer than 10 years for the newspaper to become extinct.

For journalists seeking old newspapers that have not been published online, microfilm is the best option.

Many public libraries have thousands of canisters of microfilm—photo negatives of  past newspapers. With a machine you can pop in the film of a newspaper from as far back as the 1800s.

“The only way [a 1913 edition of a newspaper] would be available online is if a university put it up, or if a newspaper itself had put up online archives going back that far,” said Alex Watson, a librarian at the University of Mississippi. “But generally speaking with smaller newspapers—those are not going to be available online.”

Preserving The Past: Jalawan, Brandonberg

With today’s technology, it could take fewer than 10 years for the newspaper to become extinct.

For journalists seeking old newspapers that have not been published online, microfilm is the best option.

Many public libraries have thousands of canisters of microfilm—photo negatives of  past newspapers. With a machine you can pop in the film of a newspaper from as far back as the 1800s.

“The only way [a 1913 edition of a newspaper] would be available online is if a university put it up, or if a newspaper itself had put up online archives going back that far,” said Alex Watson, a librarian at the University of Mississippi. “But generally speaking with smaller newspapers—those are not going to be available online.”

This might be the only medium in which these newspapers are preserved anymore, but many newspapers have stopped sending in microfilm versions of their newspaper to libraries. 

Let the Library help you with your research!

Quaker Hefner

Zach Schwartzman

News Story 3

Are you aware of the vast collection of microfilm available to you as a research tool?

The J.D. Williams Library microfilm archives are accessible to students through the library’s reference department.  Microfilm allows for broad and extensive research to be done using a collection of old, published newspapers.  Today’s technology allows for most newspaper archives to be found online, causing the demand for microfilm to decline.

“Sadly, microfilm is a second to online research, but it is not outdated,” said Alex Watson, reference librarian.

J.D. William Library houses a vast collection of microfilm.  Currently available are 109 non-Mississippi newspapers and 429 Mississippi newspapers including the Oxford Eagle.  The library has four machines that read and print microfilm and other micro formats. 

A large collection of microfilm is waiting...

Microfilm machines allow you to read and print old newspapers!

Library Secrets Exposed! Machael and Mallory

Library newspaper secrets exposed!

Did you know the library has a room filled with old newspapers? It is located on the first floor of the library. There is a flaw to this room though that most people do not know.

Microfilm copies of newspapers used to made. 

“However, the Oxford Eagle stopped doing this because it was expensive,” said Alex Watson, librarian. “Now, they only keep print copies of the papers.”

The room these papers are kept in has no way of preserving them. If someone comes to check a fact in a few years from the papers you may not be able to read them anymore because of the yellowing. In a few years you won’t be able to see letters send to the editor (Oxford Eagle).  

Communication Sciences and Disorders

Amber Singletary

OXFORD - Miss.

               

The Communication Sciences and Disorder department at the University of Mississippi uses computer technologies and software to help with the success of the students.

            The Department uses PowerPoint’s, various types of academic and clinical software, and Augmentative and Alternative communication devices. These devices are to assist students with audio disabilities such as hearing and speaking.

            The Chair of the Communication Services and Disorders department, Lenette Ivy, says “I think we have some of the best and brightest students.” There are 54 students enrolled in the program that can choose between partaking in either the part time or full time program.

            The department deals with preschool, school age children, college students, and even adults. The students in the program go out into the community and work with a variety of different populations.

            “We have had 100% employment of our graduates in a variety of settings for the past 6 years,” says Ivy.

            These many different job opportunities come from different places such as schools, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, private practice, early intervention, rehabilitation centers, and outpatient care.

           

            

            

Oxford Commerce Reflects Diversity Changes

A recent study shows that diversity is on the rise at Ole Miss, and Lafayette County isn’t far behind.

Recent data showing rising rates of diversity on the Ole Miss campus has lead to changes in commerce for the Oxford/Lafayette county area, sources say.

Max Hipp, president of the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of commerce, believes that although the community as a whole is the same, its commercial demands have shown changes.

“With an ever growing diversity of County residents coming from all over the
U. S., I would say that the diversity of students has not changed the community,” he said in an email interview. “However, it has created pockets of outreach and awareness for certain groups who might need our help or assistance.”

Hipp stated that Oxford has always done a great job of accepting diversity that is brought in by the University.

“The Oxford-Lafayette Community has always accepted the diversity within the University of Mississippi student population.” He said. “The University is also doing a very good job of supporting foreign students by offering language assistance as well as meeting other needs.”

Hipp stated that he believed the reason diversity was climbing for the Oxford/Lafayette area was because students who initially come just for an education through Ole Miss, often get jobs here and eventually decide to stay.

“Many of the students who do come here, try to find more ways to live and work here.  I think this fact is the same for all students, including minorities,” he said.

Max Hipp can be reached at max@oxfordms.com  

Archives and Special Collections adds the Bill Miles Collection

University, Miss. – Very few, if any, outside Itawamba County could tell you who Bill Miles is.  But this man played a valuable part in not only North Mississippi history but also in the history of the University of Mississippi.  The most recent addition to the Online Collections and Archives is the Bill Miles Collection.

“It is a wonderful addition to the archives because there were so many layers to Bill Miles,” said Leigh McWhite, Political Papers Archivist.  “He was not only a journalist, but also founded his own advertising and public relations firm, before serving 12 years in the Mississippi House of Representatives, holding the important Chair of Transportation.”

Bill Miles held many different roles throughout his life.  Following graduation from Ole Miss, he spent time working in Tupelo as a reporter and photographer.  The collection contains much of his work as a photographer working for various North Mississippi publications.  During this time, Miles covered the Integration of the University of Mississippi.  “Certainly his most recognizable work as a photographer came from his coverage of the Integration of the Ole Miss,” said McWhite.   

During his coverage of James Meredith’s enrollment, he took some of the most iconic and lasting photos of the event.  Included in the collection are his photographs of James Meredith with Justice Department attorney John Doar walking to the Lyceum to enroll Meredith.  The collection also includes the photo he took of Meredith and Doar riding in a car driven by a Border Patrol Agent, as they were making their way to enroll Meredith, as well as the picture he took of Lt. Governor Paul Johnson riding in a car on his way to attempt to stop Meredith from enrolling. 

In addition to covering the integration, Miles also took the photograph of Meredith’s receiving his diploma from Chancellor J.D. Williams.  The photo was not released as it was taken for political purposes, but “it is one of the most noteworthy pieces in the collection,” according to McWhite.

In addition to working in journalism, he started the advertising and public relations firm, Bristow-Miles, Inc. in Tupelo, Miss in 1963.  The firm would later be known as Bill Miles Associates.  This decision is significant because his firm was the only one of its kind in North Mississippi.  The collection includes his client files that he kept from these days.  Amongst his clients was Zach Stewart, the longtime highway commissioner of North Mississippi.  The collection contains his client file including photographs from one of the biggest days in Stewarts career, the opening of Highway 78. 

“Also in the collection is the client file of Miles’ best known client, Jamie Whiten,” said McWhite.  Whitten was first elected to the House of Representatives during a special election in 1941.  He served uninterruptedly until his retirement in 1995, which at the time was the longest anyone had served in the House of Representatives.

Bill Miles Collection can be found online on the J.D. Williams Library page on the Ole Miss’ website.  The collection contains many historical photographs, many with Miles own commentary, and will soon add the diary that Miles kept daily while serving in the Mississippi House of Representatives.

The Bill Miles Collection

“Mississippi House passes bill for armed teachers in schools”

A Mississippi bill allowing public school staff members to carry firearms was passed through the Mississippi House of Representatives on Wednesday.

The bill allows any Mississippi school faculty member the right to carry a firearm throughout the school. There is not limit to the number of staff members allowed weapons.

“All this bill does is allow the school districts to set up a policy for teachers or any faculty members to serve as extra security guards while they are working at school,” said Bubba Carpenter, author of the bill. “There are four other states already enforcing something like this.”

Each teacher will be subject to approval by the head officials of the school before they are granted permission to carry a firearm.

“I’m not trying to put guns in every teachers hands,” Carpenter said. “I just want to provide the option to help protect our kids while they are in school so they feel safe.”

The bill states that the identities of those armed will be withheld.

“It’s kind of the unknown,” Carpenter said. “Of course, they would go through training so that if they had to respond they would know what the proper procedure would be.”

According to Carpenter, the reason the bill does not limit the number of faculty members who can carry a weapon is to increase the safety.

“It’s just another level of protection for our students,” Carpenters said. “My local school has a resource officer, but he is only one man. If he is absent one day, we need another faculty member in place.”

            Carpenter said the Pearl High School shooting in 1996 was a main focus in writing the bill.

            “The Pearl High School assistant principal had a gun in his car on the day of the shooting that he used to stop the shooter,” Carpenter said. “He was not supposed to have a gun at school, but he received a reward for being a hero.”

            Philip Gunn, speaker of the Mississippi House of Representatives, said the bill must pass through the Mississippi Senate before anything further will be discussed.

            “I don’t know that this is going to be the final statement on this issue,” Gunn said. “But, it at least is bring the issue of school safety to conversation.”

            If the bill passes through the Mississippi Senate, it will take effect at the start of the next calendar year.

The Oxford school district has not addressed what actions will be taken in response to the bill.

Ole Miss engineering students change lives in Togo, Africa

University of Mississippi engineering students and faculty traveled to the remote village of Lome in Togo Africa to help improve the lifestyle of the local natives.

“The trip to Lome was a fantastic experience…” said UM chapters of Engineers Without Borders president, Mark Barger.

            The UM chapter of the Engineers Without Borders was established approximately three years ago. Their purpose is to partner with suffering communities in hope of improving their lifestyle through environmentally sound and economically sustainable engineering projects, while developing the skills of engineering students at the university.

“EWB is a fantastic group of people with brilliant ideas focused on a common humanitarian/infrastructure project,” said Barger.

EWB travels to different areas building greenhouse crops, schools, treated potable water, fish and poultry management systems, irrigation systems, wastewater systems, and solid-waste systems to communities in need of lifestyle improvement.

Baptist minister Kokou Loko of Togo, had reached out to EWB and expressed the need of help for his people. Marni Kendricks, the EWB faculty adviser, agreed to help.

“The purpose of this trip is to conduct an official community needs assessment in accordance with the EWB-USA model of exploration and evaluation,” said Kendricks.

The students and faculty of EWB traveled to Togo, Africa to begin making plans for the people of Togo.

“We hope to be able to accomplish a few significant things, i.e., determine what the villagers think are their greatest needs that can be solved by EWB, forge acceptable partnership arrangements with the village leaders and create a proposed 5-10 year plan for phased-in infrastructure improvements for the village,” said Kendricks.

The agreement with communities and EWB is as follows; EWB will fund 90% of expenses, however, the community or village will have to fund the remaining 10%. This raised many problems seeing that the average family in Togo only makes between $40 and $70 a month. 

EWB has recently agreed to help Hedome Village, a small village in Togo, Africa that is in need of a school.

“It turned out that the community which met all of EWB- USA's partnering requirements, as well as, won our hearts have a most pressing need for a school,” said senior geological engineer major and EWB vice president, Elsie Okoye.

EWB has made plans to go back to Togo to start building the school, as well as, other needed systems in August.

“If all goes well we will have a small travel team go back to Togo in August, only this time to actually build the school we have been working so hard on,” said EWB member, Maddie Costelli.