Sustaining Arizona’s Communities through Historical Newspapers

Newspapers have played critical roles in society by sharing day-to-day news and featuring stories of the people in their communities, and by illuminating issues and instigating change. How have newspapers sustained Arizona's communities? How have they acted as community conscience and social glue in relation to culture, language, ecology, and labor?

Join us for a symposium to learn about Arizona's historical newspapers! Hear from students, scholars, and librarians about the importance of preserving these rich resources and how to use them in your research and communities. Hosted by the University of Arizona Libraries and the University of Arizona Public History Collaborative, this free symposium will be held in person and on Zoom. Registration for in person attendance is required by April 5 and by April 10 for online attendance.

We are pleased to welcome our guest speaker, Shelly C. Lowe (Navajo), Chair, National Endowment for the Humanities (pictured).

Panelists:

• Michelle Berry, Lead Instigator, Public History Collaborative; Assistant Professor, Departments of History and Gender & Women's Studies, University of Arizona
• Anita Huízar-Hernández, Associate Director, Hispanic Research Center; Associate Professor, School of International Letters and Cultures, Arizona State University
• Lise Nelson, Associate Professor, School of Geography, Development & Environment, University of Arizona
• Susan Swanberg, Associate Professor, School of Journalism, University of Arizona

Student presenters: From the course, HIST 695A: Yes, and: Researching and Teaching Inclusive Environmental History

• Johanne Harrigan, "Reading the News: Ajo's First Pandemic"
• Kit Johnson, "Utilizing Primary Sources in Classrooms: Learning Through Advertisements and Images"
• James Paules, "The Home City: Clarkston Townsite and the Contest for Community"
• Zelin Pei, "Finding Coolness in Arizona: Ice, Housing, and Labor Management"
• Gwyen Raamat, "Ajo: The Little Mining Community that Wanted to be Taken Seriously"
• Zane Rossi, "Mining Men for a Mining Town"

In-person participants: Continental breakfast and snacks will be served. 

Online participants: Please note that if you register for online attendance, you will receive an email to register via Zoom. Your registration is not confirmed until you complete the Zoom registration. This event will not be recorded.

About the grant project: The University of Arizona Libraries and the State of Arizona Research Library, a branch of the Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records, a division of the Arizona Secretary of State, are collaborating on a National Digital Newspaper Program grant, a partnership between the National Endowment of the Humanities and the Library of Congress. Through this grant, we are digitizing Arizona newspapers, including several Spanish-language titles published in Tucson and Phoenix, Black community newspapers, and newspapers published in the U.S.-Mexico borderlands and in mining and agricultural communities. These newspapers will be included in Chronicling America, the free national newspaper database hosted by the Library of Congress. 

Program (subject to updates):

• 9:00 a.m. - Check in and refreshments for in-person attendees. Slideshow for online attendees.
• 9:30 a.m. - Welcome
• 9:35-9:45 a.m. - Guest speaker: Shelly C. Lowe (Navajo), Chair, National Endowment for the Humanities
• 9:45 a.m. - Opening remarks:
  • Holly Henley, State Librarian of Arizona
  • Adrian Fontes, Secretary of State of Arizona (recorded remarks)
  • Tara Radniecki, Associate Dean, University of Arizona Libraries
• 10:00 a.m. - Presentation about Arizona Digital Newspaper Project: Mary Feeney, University of Arizona Libraries, and Asa Espanto, State of Arizona Research Library
• 10:30 a.m. - Break
• 10:45 a.m. - Student lightning talks and Q&A
• 12:00 p.m. - Faculty panel presentation and Q&A
• 1:00 p.m. - Wrap up and networking opportunity

Location & visitor parking: University Libraries Main Library is located at 1510 E. University Blvd. Visitor parking is available at the Cherry Garage located just east of the Main Library. View parking rates and other parking & transportation information.

Please contact Mary Feeney with any questions. 

The Arizona Digital Newspaper Project has been made possible in part by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy demands wisdom. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed during this event do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.