November Library Events and Programs

Lecture: Fath Davis Ruffins on "The Paradox of Preservation: Gullah Language, Culture, and Imagery."

Thursday, November 6, 2008 | Addlestone Library Room 227 | 6:00pm

Fath Ruffins is an archivist at the National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution, and a specialist in ethnic energy in popular culture, the history of advertising, and cultural history. In this slide lecture, she challenges the view that the African-American coastal culture known today as "Gullah" was formed in isolation.

From their first days in America, Africans in the Lowcountry participated in a global enterprise, producing rice by the millions of pounds for buyers across the sea. The long staple cotton grown on the Sea Islands commanded the highest prices on European markets, and enslaved workers in America felt the economic fallout of the famine in Ireland and the war in the Crimea. Even before the Civil War ended - in fact, just after it began - the region was flooed by soldiers, missionaries, teachers, by correspondents from leading newspapers and magazines in the North, by photographers and engravers, song collectors and land speculators, all of whom mingled with the Gullah people.

Ms. Ruffin's presentation is based on her essay in the exhibition catalogue for Grass Roots: African Origins of and American Art, on view at the Gibbes Museum of art from August 29-November 30, 2008.

A book signing and reception follow the lecture.

Co-sponsored by the Friends of the Library and the School of the Arts at the College of Charleston. This event is free to the public.

Preservation Series: Part 4
"The Key to Conservation: How to Protect the Future of Lowcountry Lands"

November 11, 2008 | 6pm

Robert Scott Small Building, Admissions Information Center

What role does the government and policy play in protecting the history of the Lowcountry? This panel addresses the local and state goernment's involvement with population growth, development and preservation from some of the community's most experienced advocates.

Panel Members:

• Dana Beach - Coastal Conservation League
• Charles Lane - Ace Basin Task Force
• Jim Elliot - Center for Birds of Prey

The Winthrop Roundtable: John Huey, Editor-in-Chief - Time, Inc.

November 21, 2008 | Marlene and Nathan Addlestone Library | 6pm

Join the Friends of the Library for this semi-annual event featuring John Huey, Editor-in-Chief of Time, Inc. Mr. Huey became Time Inc.'s sixth editor-in-chief on January 1, 2006. In this role, he oversees the editorial content of more than 150 magazines, including Time, Fortune, People, In Style, Sports Illustrated, Entertainment Weekly, and Real Simple. He is also responsible for the editorial content of the company's websites and brand extensions.

Schedule of Events:

6-7pm
Cocktails

7-7:45pm
Dinner

7:45-8:30pm
Talk by John Huey

8:30-8:45pm
Questions and Answers