Anyone who attended the Keynote Address at the NCWN 2012 Spring Conference at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro heard archivists Jennifer Motszko, Kathelene Smith, and Keith Gorman present a sneak preview of the then yet-to-be-released Literary Map of North Carolina. Less than six months later, the map is now live!
The NC Literary Map (http://library.uncg.edu/dp/nclitmap/) “identifies the North Carolina places associated with more than 3,000 writers and more than 4,700 of their books with an interactive online tool that is designed to foster interest in the state’s rich literary tradition.”
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro Libraries, working with the North Carolina Center for the Book, developed this innovative online literary map of North Carolina to support public interests, encourage student research, and document the state’s rich literary tradition. This unique project is a database-driven, searchable/browse-able, multi-level, multi-media online research tool which provides an extensive amount of content on works written about North Carolina and authors associated with the state.
From the press release:
In recognition of the strong literary tradition at UNCG and its award-winning MFA Writing program, and utilizing the strong technical development staff in the University Libraries, UNCG’s Special Collections and University Archives Department decided to update the state’s paper literary maps done in the past with an online reference tool that is both interactive and environmentally friendly, and were pleased to collaborate with the North Carolina Center for the Book at the State Library to do so. “The State Library of North Carolina is proud to be a partner in this wonderful Literary Map project,†said State Librarian Caroline ‘Cal’ Shepard. “Our state has a rich written heritage, and we are fortunate to have such a wonderful tool to guide us in our explorations.â€
A free webinar for anyone interested in the map will be held on October 24 at 3:30 pm. Register at www.tinyurl.com/nclitmaplaunch. The webinar will be recorded and available for later viewing.
Presentations about the Literary Map of North Carolina will also happen around the state:
- Buncombe County Public Library, Asheville: October 12
- NC Literary Hall of Fame induction sponsored by the NC Writers’ Network, Southern Pines: October 14 at 2:00 pm
- Forsyth County Public Library, Winston-Salem: October 19
- Braswell Memorial Library, Rocky Mount: October 26
To read the full press release, click here.