Central University Libraries New, Events and Exhibits

Jamie Ford Presents “Songs of Willow Frost”

You are cordially invited to attend a lecture by Frank J. Williams.

Abraham Lincoln: An Evolving Commander in Chief

Date: September 12, 2013, 6:00 pm
Location: SMU, Dallas Hall, McCord Auditorium

During his presidency, Abraham Lincoln refused to maintain a static perspective on the issues facing him and the nation. Instead, he regularly reassessed matters in order to accomplish what he believed was best for the country. As commander in chief during the Civil War, he faced almost insurmountable problems. But his willingness to reconsider and change is part of what made Lincoln controversial, admirable, and ultimately successful.

We welcome for this lecture Frank J. Williams, retired Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Rhode Island. Williams is widely known for his knowledge of Lincoln. A prolific author and speaker, he and his wife have created the Frank and Virginia Williams Collection of Lincolniana, one of the largest such collections in the country, dedicated to preserving materials related to Lincoln and his presidency and promoting a greater public awareness of his legacy.

Jointly sponsored by the Center for Presidential History, the Friends of the SMU Libraries, and the DeGolyer Library, in conjunction with the fall exhibit, “Hail to the Chief: Presidential History in Word and Image,” at the DeGolyer Library through October 4, 2013.

Update 9/5/2013: Due to an overwhelming response, we have reached the capacity of the McCord Auditorium in Dallas Hall for Frank J. Williams lecture Abraham Lincoln: An Evolving Commander in Chief and can no longer accept reservations for this event.”

Image: President-Elect Abraham Lincoln, by Alexander Gardner, February 24, 1861, DeGolyer Library, Ag2005.0004

Join us to learn how the library can help you!

Drop-in tours will be on the half hour from 4:30 – 6:30 pm.  Go on a tour to enter a drawing for fabulous door prizes, including a Kindle Fire!

See the best places to study in Fondren and get a behind-the-scenes look at library digitization.  We’ll have free refreshments and entertainment.

The Friends of the SMU Libraries invite you to a lecture and book signing with James Reston Jr., author of The Accidental Victim: JFK, Lee Harvey Oswald, and the Real Target in Dallas.

Date: Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Time: 6 pm – Reception 6:30 pm
Location: Hughes-Trigg Ballroom, 3140 Dyer St. SMU Campus

James Reston Jr. is the author of 15 books, three plays, and numerous articles in national magazines. In 1976-­‐77, he was David Frost’s Watergate adviser for the famous Frost/Nixon interviews. His shocking new book The Accidental Victim puts forth controversial theory that Texas Governor John Connally was the intended target of Lee Harvey Oswald.

Watch him on the Today Show, Sept. 12th.

Books will be available for purchase at event.  This event is free and open to the public, but space is limited. Please RSVP at www.smu.edu/friends or call 214-768-3225.

SMU’s Central University Libraries will greet new and returning students with much needed cold water and campus maps, 10am-2pm, during the first two days of school.  Stop by our tent in front of Fondren Library and let us introduce you to the subject specialist librarian for your major (or to ALL the librarians for those who have yet to choose a major!). Remember that Fondren Library has been voted Best Place to Study on Campus for the last several years!

Where: Fondren Library
When: Monday, August 26th and Tuesday, August 27th from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Gadgets, Gags, and Gumption: Modernity in the Silent Film Comedy

Time: 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Date: Friday, August 30th, 2013
Location: Dallas Hall 306 (McCord Auditorium)
Guest Speaker: Pam Pagels, Hamon Arts Library Music Librarian

Scene from Electric HouseVirginia Fox & Buster Keaton
(view web source)

Date: Thursday, August 29
Time: 5:00 pm
Location: Umphrey Lee, Martha Proctor Mack Grand Ballroom (view campus map)

* Seating is first come, first serve. We highly suggest that you arrive early.

 More about the event:

Common Reading Program is an established start-of-school tradition at SMU. Every year the incoming class is assigned a book to read before the start of the fall semester. Faculty, staff and student leaders host small group conversations about issues and themes found in the book. This year’s book is The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore.

The book is about two kids with the same name living in the same decaying city. One grew up to be a Rhodes Scholar, decorated combat veteran, White House Fellow, and business leader. The other is serving a life sentence in prison for felony murder. Here is the story of two boys and the journey of a generation.

The Friends of the SMU Libraries are proud to co-sponsor this program. Please join us on Thursday, August 29, 2013 as New York Times Bestselling author Wes Moore talks to the class of 2017 and the SMU community about The Other Wes Moore.

The book is available at SMU Barnes and Noble.