As a seventh grader nearly thirty-five years ago, I used to watch She-Ra: Princess of Power after school every day. I was thrilled to find that Netflix had a new rebooted version titled She-Ra and the Princesses of Power. I have been watching the reboot and I found it much better than the original version, with the characters having more diverse backgrounds and backstories.
In the reboot, a former soldier of the evil Horde, Adora is trying to find her identity and purpose in life on the planet Etheria after coming upon a magic sword which transforms her into the mighty warrior She-Ra. Helping her on her journey are Princess Glimmer and Bow who are fighting in a rebellion against the Horde.
One of the characters, Bow an archer and technology whiz, grew up in the Library of the Whispering Woods with his two fathers George and Lance, the library’s historians/archivists. This is featured in the second season episode “Reunion,” when Bow secretly runs off to visit his fathers. Adora (She-Ra) and Glimmer follow Bow’s tracks and find him in the archives, where they learn unique artifacts and ancient pottery. Not giving much more away, this is an episode I consider to be a favorite because it features a library and archive complete with artifacts and rare books. The vase and other pottery on display there remind me of the ancient Cypriot pottery in ODU Special Collections’ Dudley Cooper collection that is on display in our Reading Room in Perry Library.
ODU Professor Jared Benton’s Ancient Arts and Archaeology class visited the Libraries’ Special Collections and University Archives to analyze ancient Cypress pottery
It was a great thrill to watch this episode, because I work in an archives department within a university library, and I like seeing libraries and archives being represented animatedly. If you are binging on Netflix during the stay-at-home order and are into libraries and archives, you might want to watch this!
While we are currently dealing with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic across the world today, back in the 1980s another virus epidemic had people scared – the AIDS (HIV) epidemic. While the COVID-19 is believed to have jumped species from bats to humans, HIV is believed to have jumped from chimpanzees to humans. Similar to COVID-19, HIV first presented itself in 1981 as a rare lung infection. Unlike COVID-19 which is believed to be worst on older generations, HIV was first diagnosed in younger gay men. At the same time, some gay men in New York and California also experienced an aggressive form of cancer. The link between these cases eventually became apparent and in 1981 the disease was dubbed Gay Related Immune Deficiency (GRID). The disease was later linked to IV drug users, hemophiliacs, and Haitians, and by September 1982 the CDC had renamed the disease AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). In 1986, the virus that causes AIDS was officially named HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus).
The disease first made headlines in Our Own in July 1981 in a very brief article titled “New Pneumonia Linked to Gay Lifestyle.”
Because of it’s initial link to gay men and other disenfranchised groups, the disease carried much stigma, even though the disease itself did not discriminate one group from another. Nearly half of all the cases in 1981 ended in death. While no cure was ever found for the disease, contracting HIV is no longer the death sentence it was once considered. There are currently drugs on the market that make living with the disease manageable and also drugs that help prevent its spread.
February 1987 issue of Our Own
For anyone looking to learn the history and response of the AIDS epidemic in Hampton Roads, there are several articles in Our Own Community Press. These include articles about the initial rise of the disease, the formation of the Tidewater AIDS Crisis Taskforce (TACT), the politics and stigma of AIDS, and even photos of the AIDS quilt that was created to memorialize those who died from the disease.
by Allan Blank Curator of Music Special Collections Lara Canner
With massive closures occurring all over the country due to COVID-19 (Coronavirus), what happens if the repository you rely upon shuts its doors to researchers? Does scholarly work stop until archives, libraries, universities and museums re-open? Perhaps the answer to these questions is: simply changing tactics.
Have you tried contacting your local repository?
Many archives, Old Dominion University Special Collections included, have decided to virtually open their doors to patrons. We are providing distance research and available to answer questions via chat, or email. While, we are not allowed back on campus during this troubling time, we are very much here for our researchers.
Please contact Special Collections and University Archives with your archival inquiries by emailing: libspecialcollections@odu.edu
Archives, through the years, have seen a rise in virtual patrons. Those looking to access historical records via the internet, without the need to physically visit a repository. Old Dominion Special Collections and University Archives have over twenty digital collections with hundreds of records, just to fill this need. We are even digitizing more materials as I speak. Photographs, oral histories, specialized newspapers, music, video, and military collections can all be found by visiting: https://dc.lib.odu.edu/
Old Dominion University Libraries have an extensive collection of online journals available to our users. Ranging from Abstracts in Social Gerontology to the Wall Street Journal and a staggering number of subjects in between. However, you have only ever seen the reference book needed for your research at one repository, which happens to be closed…what now? Are you positive that book can only be found at one institution? WorldCat is a catalogue containing manuscript listing from all OCLC members (basically all, or most libraries). Chances are, this database can link you to another copy of the book you seek, even digital copies. Please visit our alphabetical list of databases here: http://guides.lib.odu.edu/az.php?a=w
Wanting to connect researchers to Old Dominion University scholars resulted in the libraries creating ODU Digital Commons. An online space where researchers can download professional papers from Old Dominion University faculty and students. The Digital Commons boast over eleven thousand papers from over nine hundred disciplines: https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/
Have you tried reaching out to others in your field?
Unsure what to do, or how to find sources now that most of us are confined to our homes? It may be time to network. Email, FaceTime, use social media, simply reach out to those whose work you are acquainted with, or admire for professional advice. Recently, I spoke with the director of an archive who I met briefly at a conference. She gave me advice on projects, study guides and professional development trainings to watch while teleworking. One recommendation she had, which might benefit the historical researchers out there was the American Historical Association’s Resources for Historical Researchers: https://www.historians.org/jobs-and-professional-development/professional-life/resources-for-historical-researchers
Have you tried preparing for when archives reopen?
To hit the ground running when research institutes do
re-open, taking the time now to prepare can make all the difference. Creating
detailed outlines, informational spreadsheets and compiling lists of
collections to later view, will mean that your research will go much more
smoothly.
Speaking from personal experience, prepared researchers are always my favorites. These patrons email weeks prior to their visit (asking what times are the best to visit), they have organized lists of the collections that they want to view (saving everyone time) and know library polices (such as no food or drink…so sadly no Starbucks in Special Collections). This also gives the archivists time to prepare and provide the best service. To prepare for ODU Special Collections and University Archives re-opening, please visit our list of finding aids: http://www.lib.odu.edu/archon/
Have you tried relaxing?
The world is at a stand-still due to a devastating illness. The stress of confinement, employment and factors outside of one’s control. Perhaps, the answer is to take some time to read a novel, ride a bike (while social distancing, of course!), virtually watch a symphony and most importantly take care of yourself. Really, I have found that the best points in my papers have come after walks. Literally, stepping away from work has given me the clarity to write more persuasively.
While I’m very much looking forward to the moment my
repository re-opens its doors, now is the time to take care of ourselves.
Research can wait.
For the most up-to-date information concerning Old Dominion University Libraries response to the COVID-19 virus, please view the following link: https://guides.lib.odu.edu/coronavirus
Courtesy of ODU Special Collections and University Archives
Old Dominion Men’s basketball continues to plan ahead and look forward for the future of the program.“DEFENDING OUR HOUSE” is written in bold on the cover of the 2007-2008 ODU Basketball media guide. Ten years ago, head coach Blaine Taylor and his staff brought in Kent Bazemore from Kelford North Carolina, averaging 18.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 3.2 steals per game as a senior at Bertie High School. He was also named Northeast North Carolina Coastal Conference Player of the Year. Having an astonishing high school career, Bazemore’s future ahead of him looked to be promising coming into a great college program here at ODU. The ability to bring intensity to the game and play both sides on the court showed that Bazemore was more than an average high school player.
Coach Blaine showed great interest in Bazemore’s performance. He had stated that his “physical toughness and continued strength improvement will allow him to reach his vast potential.” Being redshirted 2007-2008 season, Bazemore was able to get an extra year to improve his game on the court and transition smoothly to the collegiate level. As a sophomore he was moved into the starting lineup for the Monarchs. Bazemore played a great role for the men’s conference championship season. Known for being a high flyer and a lockdown defender, Kent was a force in the Colonial Athletic Association regular season. He was named to the CAA All-Defensive Team averaging 8.5 points, 3.4 assists and 4.2 rebounds.
Kent also contributed to another conference championship the following year. During his junior season the monarchs made the NCAA Tournament which ended with a two point loss to Butler University. Butler finished runner up behind UCONN in the 2011 NCAA Championship match. Bazemore was named CAA Defensive Player of the year and the most outstanding men’s college basketball defender in NCAA Division I (Lefty Driesell Award). He now is currently a professional athlete for the Atlanta Hawks and averaged 11 points, 2.4 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game during the 2016-2017 NBA season. Old Dominion has retired the number 24 and introduced Kent Bazemore into the athletic ring of honor in 2016. Bazemore’s work ethic and college legacy will always be remembered here at Old Dominion.
Courtesy of ODU Special Collections & University Archives
Old Dominion basketball produces great talent and competitive athletes who are willing to put in extra hours at the gym in order to perfect their craft. As the next season approaches, I look forward to seeing the up-and-coming athletes here make history and add more archival material to special collections.
-Written by ODU Special Collections student assistant Jordon Wanzer
Ever wonder what’s hiding in all those books and boxes that archivists keep locked away in the dark? Well, this is the blog for you! We’ll be sharing photos, documents, interesting historical facts, and funny (maybe even embarrassing) stories about researching and working in the ODU Libraries Special Collections and University Archives. Stay tuned!
Not actual depiction of ODU Libraries’ special collections department, but you get the idea.
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Accept
