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Lotsee Smith Tribal Libraries Programs

 Collection
Identifier: MSS-1037-BC

Scope and Content

The collection contains grant proposals, reports, and photographic material relating to needs, training, and projects to improve libraries and library services in indigenous communities, particularly New Mexico Pueblos. Acoma, Cochiti, Isleta, Jemez, Laguna, San Ildefonso, San Juan, Santa Clara, Santo Domingo, Taos, Zia, and Zuni were subjects of these projects.

A project to train Pueblo Indian teacher aides in library media skills was undertaken via a grant received by Lotsee Smith and the University of New Mexico, College of Education. The National Indian Education Association’s research and demonstration project’s goals were to identify the information and library service needs of American Indian communities and establish library and information demonstration service centers to meet those needs. A by-product was for newly formed tribal libraries in New Mexico to meet requirements for Public or Community Library status and qualify for State funding. Another project spearheaded by the University of New Mexico, College of Education was to expand the role of tribal libraries to include cultural centers. The background, logistics, and results of these projects are documented in the collection.

Dates

  • 1973-1999
  • Majority of material found within 1975-1977

Creator

Language of Materials

English

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Copy Restrictions

Limited duplication of CSWR material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. Permission is required for publication or distribution.

Biographical Information

Comanche librarian, Lotsee Smith Patterson, born in 1931, dedicated her professional career to evaluating library needs of Native American communities and developing tribal libraries throughout the United States. She received her B.S. degree from Oklahoma College for Women (1959); her MLS and Ph.D. in Educational Technology (1969) from the University of Oklahoma. She held faculty positions at the University of New Mexico, Texas Woman’s University, and the University of Oklahoma.

In the 1970s, Smith helped found the Office of Library Outreach Services Subcommittee on the American Indian, which later became the American Indian Library Association. She wrote and received grants for projects to further the progress of librarianship and libraries in native communities.

Extent

1 box (1 cu. ft.)

Abstract

The collection contains grant proposals, reports, and photographic material relating to needs, training, and projects to improve libraries and library services in indigenous communities, particularly New Mexico Pueblos.

Arrangement

Basically chronological
Title
Finding Aid of the Lotsee Smith Tribal Libraries Programs, 1973-1999
Status
Completed
Author
B. Silbergleit
Date
© 2019
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is in English

Revision Statements

  • Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.

Repository Details

Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository

Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451