Got a minute? Tag it! Crowdsourcing Comes to University Libraries!!!

Think you know The University of Alabama? Well, come on and tag it! The University Libraries has started a new crowdsourcing project, allowing anyone to view and tag photographs from the W.S. Hoole Special Collections Library!

Why tag our photographs?


We have thousands of digitized photographs! Many of these photos may lack adequate or complete descriptions of the people, places, or objects displayed. By applying your own "tags" (key words, descriptions) to our photographs, you can help us fill in the blanks and provide more thorough and accurate information for students and researchers using our collections.

The more you tag, the richer the experience for all! And besides, it's not only easy, but it's FUN!

Visit http://tagit.lib.ua.edu/ and get started! It's easy, no password is needed, so just get in there, pick some photographs, and start tagging away! If you have questions, feel free to contact us!

Happy Tagging!!!!!

Announcing.... John "Blank" Doe

This seemingly mundane piece of paper is anything but dull. It is an image of the dummy press release drafted to announce the newly appointed head football coach and director of athletics at The University of Alabama. Scheduled to be named on Saturday, November 30, 1957 at 4:50 pm, there is no question that certain people knew who that name was, but the need to keep things under wraps until the right time is all part of the process -- just as it is done today.

That John "Blank" Doe was none other than Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant, who took over as head football coach for the 1958 season. Bryant coached at The University of Alabama for twenty-five years, winning six national championships (1961, 1964, 1965, 1973, 1978 and 1979) and thirteen SEC championships. Coach Bryant's win over Auburn (which was coached by one of his former assistant coaches, Pat Dye) in November 1981 was his 315th win as a head coach, made him the winningest college football coach of all time. 

Paul W. Bryant first came to The University of Alabama as a scholarship player in 1931. He played on the 1934 National Championship team. When asked why he took the head coaching position at The University of Alabama, he famously replied, "Momma called. And when Momma calls, you just have to come runnin'."

With the 2008 football season just 15 days away, it's a great time to reflect on some of the history of one of the most celebrated college football programs in the country.  Roll Tide!!!

A Roast of another Kind -- Congratulations Graduates!

Among the 900 students to graduate on December 15th, 2007, one of them just happens to be legendary Crimson Tide and NFL football star Joe Namath. Congratulations to you Joe, and to all of the UA graduates!

Joe Namath first came to The University of Alabama as a student in the early 1960s, and went on to an incredible career that included and transcends professional football. He is a true celebrity -- beloved on this campus and all over the world.

The image featured here is held at the W.S. Hoole Special Collections Library, and is from a Dean Martin Celebrity Roast from the 1970s. He is pictured with legendary coach Paul "Bear" Bryant, and host Dean Martin. It is a great example of the Hoole Library's ongoing efforts to document University of Alabama history and culture -- from the classroom, to the gridiron, to Hollywood and beyond.

The Hoole Library's photographs are growing and diverse collection of historic and contemporary photographs occupying approximately 150 linear feet. Included are photographs of individuals, structures, and scenes from around Alabama, as well as of people, buildings, and events at The University of Alabama. The earliest photographic image of the University dates to 1859. The Hoole Library is home to an impressive collection of photographs of nearly every format and type including salted paper print; matte collodion; daguerreotype; tintype; cyanotypes; ambrotype; and albumen.

To access a growing digital resource of University photographs, something we're calling "The University of Alabama Encyclopedia" click here.

Congratulations again to UA grads! And remember, the best place in the world to better understand, document, and access the history of your soon-to-be alma mater is right on The University of Alabama campus! Roll Tide!