University of Virginia Library

Extremist Literature On Display

By Jim Heilman

—Ed.)

Presently on display in the
lobby of Alderman Library is a
selection of material from the
Social Movements Collection now
housed in the library. The display
cases contain exhibits of literature
from the Radical Right and the
Radical Left, selected issues of
underground newspapers, and
material relating to the Movement
in the South. Some examples of the
material are the John Birch
Society's Blue Book, material from
SSOC and SDS, and issues of the
"Village Voice," "Great Speckled
Bird" and "Screw."

This material has been
assembled by the Committee for a
Social Movements Collection. The
Committee was founded last spring
by interested students, faculty and
staff of the University, and has
been collecting material issued by
various organizations which
advocate social change in this
country. The organizations run the
gamut from the American Nazi
Party to the W.E.B. DuBois Club,
and include such diversities as the
Iranian Student Association in the
United States and the Society for
Ethical Culture.

The Committee was formed to
assemble material not usually found
in the collections of American
libraries, material issued by
organizations which may exist for a
few months or for several years,
and whose publications are
sometimes issued sporadically at
best. Due to the short-term
availability of such literature, the
Committee felt that every effort
should be made to preserve as much
of it as possible for use by anyone
interested in studying the
movements which are trying to
change the face of modern
America. To this end, the collection
includes such items as posters,
newspapers, news releases,
pamphlets, buttons, books and
bumper stickers.

The material displayed is but a
small portion of the collection. In

terms of quantity, however, the
collection as a whole is still small,
and is in great need of any and all
contributions, either of money or
of material. The collection is on
deposit in the Manuscripts
Department of the library, and is
open to examination or research.
Anyone interested in seeing more
of the collection should contact
Miss Sharon Vandercook in the
Reference Department. Donations
or inquiries may be sent to Box
395X, Newcomb Hall Station.