September 17th is Constitution Day. This is the day we commemorate the signing of the U.S. Constitution in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787.
Scene at the Signing of the Constitution of the United States (1940) Howard Chandler Christy, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
After the 13 colonies declared independence from Great Britain in 1776, the first governing document of the United States was the Articles of Confederation. After Shays’ Rebellion in Massachusetts, the nation’s leaders became convinced that the Articles were not an effective governing document.
Page 1 of the Articles of Confederation, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
A convention was called to discuss the matter in Philadelphia in 1787. All states were invited to send delegates. Twelve of the 13 did so (Rhode Island was the only state that didn’t participate). The convention met in secret from May to September 1787, and eventually produced the Constitution we have today. Most of what we know about the debates that took place in that convention come from the notes of James Madison.
If you want to know about these events, check out these books from the library:
As Tarleton celebrates 125 Years of Excellence, Tarleton Libraries will showcase different stories and accounts from the university’s history using material from the archives. This month, we will look at the library’s history on campus.
Tarleton Library 1957
Tarleton Libraries can trace its history back to 1902, when President E. E. Bramlette and his wife, Louise, took the lead in creating a space in the original College Hall. Because they lacked the funds to purchase new books, Mrs. Bramlette organized a book drive that collected 250 books, with 600 added by community donations over the next few years. When the library was expanded in 1909, many of the books were stored in the presidential office suite.
The first building on campus, College Hall circa 1903 from the Tarleton Library Archives.
However, when College Hall was torn down in 1915, the library became a bit of a nomad, moving from location to location on campus. It spent some time in the Mollie J. Crow Administration Building (1915-1918), the Mary Corn Wilkerson Dorm (1918-1919), the new Administration Building (now the E. J. Howell Education Building) from 1919-1929, the north wing of the Dining Hall (1929-1935), and two locations in the Science Building (now the Math building), from 1935-1956. However, due to the increase in student population in the 1950s, the library became overcrowded with librarians having to turn students away during busy hours because there was nowhere to sit.
One of the reading rooms during the 1920s.
Library Circulation Desk 1939.
Library reading room when it was in the Science Building, 1940s.
In 1955, President E. J. Howell received permission to build a permanent home for the library instead of sharing space in another building. In 1956, the library was opened at a cost of $400,000. In 1974 it received the name “Dick Smith Library” to honor the late Dr. Smith who was a well-respected professor at Tarleton for over 40 years and a great benefactor to the library.
Library entrance pre 1980s
Entryway of the library pre 1980s.
The original building had an overlook of the first floor from the second.
The original Circulation Desk, circa 1957.
The Dick Smith Library has undergone several renovations since the 1950s, the most significant being the one in 1983 that created the front entrance that we know today. Everything in the current building that is above the basement level was added at this time (the door of the original building is where the café is today).
A look into the construction of the basement.
The entry way almost fnished.
In 2005, the library expanded backward, incorporating the then Math Building to create study space on the second level and the current home of the Center for Educational Excellence on the main level. The library we see today was finalized in 2014, with the creation of the Library Learning Commons on the main level.
As the library looks to the future, a new addition to the building began this past summer. This expansion is designed to add a 24-hour study space for students and to increase the number of study rooms and collaborative spaces in the building.
For more reading, and where much of this information comes from, visit here!
Next week, August 26-29, the library will offer the second annual “Clash of the Colleges”, and you may be asking: What is it?
The Clash of the College is a self-paced tour designed to help students understand the wide range of services available to them at the Library. This includes research assistance, study spaces, digital resources, and more. It will provide a tour of the library’s physical spaces, ensuring that students know where to find the help they need.
Students will visit information stations on all three levels of the library. At each station, students will scan a QR code to learn about the service or resource in that space. As they visit each station they will submit their College on the online form and results will be tracked on a spreadsheet. The College with the most tallies will win bragging rights for the next year.
Once they have completed the tour and submitted a survey, they are invited to put their mark on the Dick Smith Library by painting on the upstairs temporary construction wall!
Last year the College of Liberal and Fine Arts won the trophy. Who do you think will win this year?
Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day or Jubilee Day, celebrates many things. Most notably, it observes “Order No. 3” given by Major-General Gordon Granger in Galveston, Texas, announcing to the people of Texas that all slaves were declared free. The order proclaimed an absolute equality of personal rights, although it came almost 2.5 years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.
May graduation ceremonies will be held at Tarleton on 5/10 and 5/11. So, we’ve decided to republish a post from last year about Tarleton’s first graduation ceremony held in 1903.
It was a special time for the five students. They were about to become the first graduates from John Tarleton College. The celebration schedule would encompass three days with morning and evening events each day. The year was 1903; the month was May. The students’ names were William M. Bowman, Monnett P. Chambers, Melissa Pearle Mulloy, Walter L. Powell, and William Bryant Williams.
The programs were printed and looked very classy. They included an invitation to the commencement as well as descriptions of the celebration events.
“Commencement Program, May 13-15, 1903.” University Files, UA39, Box 39, Folder 7, Tarleton State University, Tarleton Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, Stephenville, Texas. Photograph courtesy of Adam Keim.
The college provided space for daytime events that involved both academic and celebration activities. On Wednesday, an art reception was held in the College Chapel at 3 PM. Thursday began with a John Tarleton Rally at the College Chapel while field day exercises were held on Friday elsewhere on the college campus.
The people of Stephenville supported the college and its students by providing venues for other programs and events. The Methodist Church was the location for the commencement sermon at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, May 13th. The sermon was given by Reverend S.R. Hay from Houston.
Another community venue available for the evening commencement events was the Crow Opera House in downtown Stephenville. The first program held there was an evening of entertainment provided by the elocution and music classes. The women of the senior elocution class also participated in a medal contest as part of the program. Thursday night saw two more medal contests. The contestants of the first competition were from the Winnie Davis Literary Society while the men of the senior elocution class vied for the second medal.
“Commencement Program, May 13-15, 1903.” University Files, UA39, Box 39, Folder 7, Tarleton State University, Tarleton Libraries, Archives and Special Collections, Stephenville, Texas. Photograph courtesy of Adam Keim.
Friday, May 15th, was the date of the big event…the commencement exercises. The Crow Opera House was an excellent place for the culmination of the graduation celebration. The first item for the evening was the John Tarleton Literary Society’s medal contest. It was followed by the commencement address given by State Superintendent Arthur Lefevre from Austin. The announcement of honors was next on the program.
Lastly, the five graduating students were presented with their diplomas, which certified the students’ successful educational endeavors and proved they were ready for the next step in their lives.
One hundred and twenty years later students are still celebrating commencement exercises at Tarleton State University. The Tarleton Libraries staff would like to congratulate the 2023 graduating class for successfully meeting their educational goals and wish each graduate a productive and adventurous life.
Since 2010, the Tarleton State University Libraries have celebrated National Library Week, by honoring two individuals or groups from the Tarleton community with READ posters. Library staff select two honorees that we feel exemplify one or more of Tarleton’s core values.
Who will be featured on the posters for 2024? Find out April 30, 2024 at 11 a.m., at the Rickett Library at Tarleton State University – Fort Worth.
On Monday April 8th, a solar eclipse will carve a path through the United States. Stephenville, Fort Worth, and many other places in Texas will experience a total eclipse lasting from 1 to 4 minutes. NASA has created an interactive website where you can track the path of the eclipse across the country.
Image of Total Solar Eclipse Map created by NASA. Public Domain.
What exactly is an eclipse? It is an obscuring of light from one celestial body by the passage of another between it and the observer. A solar eclipse happens when the moon crosses between the sun and the Earth, thus momentarily blocking the sunlight.
To learn more about eclipses, check out these titles:
If you enjoy doing any sort of fiber arts, the Fiber Arts Club is an excellent group to join. It meets from 6pm to 8pm on the first and third Thursday of each month – the first Thursday is at the Stephenville Public Library, and the third Thursday is at the Dick Smith Library (Multi-Purpose Room).
The group doesn’t currently have any designated teachers, although members can and do help each other out when possible, so feel free to attend even if you’re a relative beginner in your chosen craft. Several of the regular attendees crochet, although there have been some who knit, embroider, braid friendship bracelets, and more! You can see a few of the projects attendees at the most recent Dick Smith Library meeting worked on below.
Have questions? Want to keep in touch with other attendees? Visit the Fiber Arts Group Facebook page, which is monitored by several active members.
In Texas, Davy Crockett is famous for having fought and died at the Alamo on March 6, 1836. However, he was a known adventurer and political figure before he came to Texas.
Painting of David “Davy” Crockett 1834 Artist Chester Harding, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Crockett was born in Tennessee on August 17, 1786. At the age of twelve he was hired out by his father to work for more prosperous farmers in Virginia. Several years later he returned to his family in Tennessee.
From 1813-14 he participated in the Creek War against the Creek Indians. In the years following he gained a reputation as an expert huntsman, which included the extraordinary claim that he killed 105 bears in one year.
In 1821, he was elected to the Tennessee legislature. In 1827, he was elected to the United States Congress and served there until 1835. At one point, the Whig Party was considering running him for President against Andrew Jackson. However, his defeat in the 1834 elections put an end to his political career. Shortly thereafter he moved to Texas.
You often hear the phrase “be kind to one another”, but how often do you actually practice it? Kindness is not just a virtue, but a powerful force that can transform our lives and the lives of others. I hope you participated in the Random Acts of Kindness activities on campus last Thursday, Feb. 15th. (Thank you to the Philosophy Club for partnering with us!) The official day is today – Saturday, February 17th! It is a day to celebrate kindness and the whole “pay it forward” mentality Here are some benefits of performing random acts of kindness, and some ideas on how you can spread kindness in your daily life – EVERYDAY!
What are random acts of kindness?
Random acts of kindness are simple, spontaneous, and often anonymous gestures of goodwill that you do for someone else without expecting anything in return. They can be as small as holding the door for a stranger, or as big as donating to a charity. The key is to act from a place of genuine compassion and generosity, without any ulterior motive or agenda.
Why are random acts of kindness good for you?
Performing random acts of kindness can have a positive impact on your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Here are some of the benefits of being kind:
It boosts your mood. Studies have shown that doing something nice for someone else can increase your happiness and satisfaction levels. This is because kindness triggers the release of endorphins, the brain’s natural painkillers, and serotonin, the neurotransmitter that regulates mood and social behavior. Kindness also reduces stress and anxiety, which can improve your mental health and immune system.
It strengthens your relationships. Being kind can help you build trust, rapport, and connection with others. When you show kindness to someone, you are expressing your appreciation, respect, and care for them. This can make them feel valued, supported, and understood, which can enhance your bond and communication. Kindness can also inspire others to be kind to you and to others, creating a positive feedback loop of kindness.
It improves your self-esteem. Being kind can help you cultivate a positive self-image and a sense of purpose. When you do something good for someone else, you are affirming your own worth and abilities. You are also contributing to the greater good, which can give you a sense of meaning and fulfillment. Kindness can also help you overcome negative emotions, such as guilt, shame, and anger, which can undermine your self-confidence and happiness.
How can you practice random acts of kindness?
There are many ways to practice random acts of kindness, and you don’t need a lot of time, money, or resources to do them. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Smile at someone. A simple smile can brighten someone’s day and make them feel more welcome and comfortable. Smile at a stranger, a friend, a colleague, or a family member, and see how they react.
Compliment someone. A sincere compliment can boost someone’s mood and self-esteem. Compliment someone on their appearance, their work, their personality, or their achievements, and make sure you are genuine and specific.
Pay it forward. Pay for someone’s coffee, meal, or ticket, and ask them to do the same for someone else. This can create a chain of kindness that can reach many people and make them feel good.
Write a thank-you note. A handwritten thank-you note can show someone how much you appreciate them and their efforts. Write a thank-you note to someone who has helped you, supported you, taught you, or inspired you, and express your gratitude and admiration.
Volunteer for a cause. Volunteering for a cause that you care about can make a difference in the world and in your own life. Find a local or online organization that matches your interests and skills, and offer your time, talent, or resources to help them achieve their goals.
Donate to a charity. Donating to a charity can help them provide essential services and support to those in need. Find a reputable and transparent charity that aligns with your values and passions, and make a one-time or recurring donation to them. You can also donate your unwanted items, such as clothes, books, or toys, to a local thrift store or shelter.
Be kind to yourself. Last but not least, don’t forget to be kind to yourself. Treat yourself with compassion, respect, and love, and do something that makes you happy and healthy. You can practice self-care, such as meditating, exercising, reading, or pampering yourself. You can also celebrate your achievements, forgive your mistakes, and affirm your strengths.
Random acts of kindness are not only good for others, but also for yourself. They can improve your mood, your relationships, your self-esteem, and your life satisfaction. They can also inspire others to be kind, creating a ripple effect of kindness that can change the world. So, what are you waiting for? Start practicing random acts of kindness today, and see how they can change your life.
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