Literary Festival Collection, 1977/2019

Access and use

Location of collection:
Old Dominion University
3023 Patricia W. and J. Douglas Perry Library
Old Dominion University
4427 Hampton Blvd
Norfolk, VA 23529
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Jessica Ritchie
Phone: (757) 683-4483
Fax: (757) 683-5954
Restrictions:

Open to researchers without restrictions.

Terms of access:

Before publishing quotations or excerpts from any materials, permission must be obtained from Special Collections and University Archives, and the holder of the copyright, if not Old Dominion University Libraries.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Box [insert number], Folder [insert number and title], Literary Festival Collection, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

Summary

Extent:
7.60 Linear Feet and 1 Hollinger document case, 15 multimedia boxes, 1 oversized box boxes
Creator:
Old Dominion University. Department of English
Abstract:
This collection contains material from the Poetry Jam and first Literary Festival in 1978 and chronicles the annual Literary Festival onwards to the present day. Materials consist of original and digitized brochures, flyers, and promotional documents; schedules; news clippings; photos; and original and digitized video, as available.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Box [insert number], Folder [insert number and title], Literary Festival Collection, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains material related to the Literary Festival held at Old Dominion University. Included in the collection are original and digitized brochures, flyers, and promotional documents; schedules; news clippings; photographs; and original and digitized video, as available.

Biographical / historical:

In April 1978, the English Department held a Poetry Jam, featuring Richard Wilbur, W. D. Snodgrass, and Dave Smith. The success of the Poetry Jam and the recent explosion of community interest in the literary, visual, and performing arts in Hampton Roads, led to the First Annual Literary Festival. It was called The Arts Reunion,and it coincided with the arrival of the Associated Writing Programs' national headquarters, the birth of ODU's creative writing program, and the establishment of a Distinguished Visiting Writer position (W. D. Snodgrass was our first). It was a heady time.

Some of the writers speaking at the Literary Festival over the years have included Robert Pinsky, Rita Dove, John McPhee, William Styron, Ann Beattie, Charles Johnson, Derek Walcott, and Gwendolyn Brooks.

The diversity of readers, panels, workshops, and community involvement is one of the Festival hallmarks. Every two years the Festival is redesigned by a different English department member. The themes change from year to year. Major writers, cultural diversity, international perspectives, and numerous other approaches have been implemented over the years.

Over the years, students from Old Dominion University, surrounding campuses, and high schools have been encouraged to attend the literary events. Few, around the country, have an opportunity to hear and mingle with so many major and aspiring writers. Since Hampton Roads is areader friendlyenvironment, the Festival has consistently attracted patrons of bookstores, libraries, museums, and arts events.

Note written by Phil Raisor (English Department) and Karen Vaughan (Library)

Acquisition information:

Gift of Philip Raisor

Various transfers.

Arrangement:

The collection is organized into three series: Series I: Brochures, Clippings, and Memorabilia; Series II: Video Tapes; and Series III: Digitized Video.

Accruals:

Future accruals are expected.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard