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New Mexico Book League records

 Collection
Identifier: Ms-0184

Scope and Content

The records of the New Mexico Book League cover the entire lifespan of the group and present its history and activities through a variety of records, organized into the following series: Records and Correspondence, Book Talk, Special Books, Scrapbook, Photographs, and Videotapes. Correspondence files make up the most extensive part of the collection. Further scope and content notes are provided for each series.

Issues of the newsletter Book Talk may be found in NMSU Library’s circulating collection and in Special Collections.

Dates

  • 1971-2002

Language of Materials

English

Access Restrictions

Open. All materials in this collection are available for research under supervised conditions in the Research Room.

Copy Restrictions

Copyrights associated with materials in this collection have not been transferred to New Mexico State University.

Biography / History

In May 1971 four men involved in the book publishing trade met to discuss the idea of forming an association of booksellers, with an aim to promote reading and writing in New Mexico and to make books more readily available to all residents of the state. Their plans culminated in the formation of the New Mexico Book League, which was incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1972. In pursuit of its mission, the league organized instructional workshops and literary promotional events, published the periodical Book Talk and two special books, wrote articles for local magazines concerning New Mexico’s literary scene, and produced television programs focusing on New Mexico books and authors. Dwight Myers, one of the founding members, was the first president and served as the executive director until his death in 1995. His wife Carol A. Myers edited Book Talk until its last issue was published in 2001. In that same year, a quarterly review journal titled Southwest BookViews was launched by an allied group, the New Mexico Book Association. The New Mexico Book League dissolved in 2002.

Extent

8.4 Linear Feet

Abstract

The New Mexico Book League was incorporated in 1972 with a mission to promote books and literary culture in New Mexico. The New Mexico Book League’s records show its activities from its founding through its end in 2002, through a variety of records such as correspondence, photographs and video recordings.

Acquisition

  1. RG 1983-007 Gift of Dwight A. Myers
  2. RG 2004-006 Gift of Carol A. Myers
  3. RG 2004-018 Gift of Carol A. Myers
  4. RG 2004-040 Gift of Carol A. Myers
  5. RG 2005-025 Gift of Carol A. Myers

Related Material

Carol and Dwight Myers papers. Ms 0315. Archives and Special Collections, New Mexico State University Library.

Jack D. Rittenhouse Photographs and Papers. Ms 0286. Archives and Special Collections, New Mexico State University Library.

The Lightning Tree Press/Carlton Books records. RG93-101, RG93-138, RG93-139 (unprocessed collection). Archives and Special Collections, New Mexico State University Library.

Separated Material

Issues of the newsletter Book Talk may be found in NMSU Library’s circulating collection and in Special Collections.

Processing Information

Maura Kenny, 2006, Charles Stanford, Jackie Duncan, Cecelia Romero and Laci Pope, April 2007.
Title
Guide to the New Mexico Book League records, 1971-2002
Status
Completed
Author
Charles Stanford
Date
© 2007
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
Finding aid is in English

Repository Details

Part of the New Mexico State University Library Archives and Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Branson Hall
PO Box 30006
MSC 3475
Las Cruces New Mexico 88003 USA