C-SPAN donates $25k grant and 800 books and video interviews to Mason

C-SPAN CEO Brian Lamb will be presenting in the JC Cinema Wednesday as part of the Fall for the Book festival. (dipdewdog)

George Mason University has recently acquired many nonfiction and historical books used in C-SPAN’s TV show “Booknotes,” hosted by C-SPAN CEO, Brian Lamb. This show focused on one-on-one interviews with nonfiction authors, discussing their latest writings, including the books topics, research used, their writing process and their influences.

Mason’s University Libraries Special Collections and Archives also received a $25,000 grant from the C-SPAN Education Foundation to help preserve the donation. 

This collection includes over 800 books and video interviews with the authors. 

“This is a collection of national prestige,” said University Librarian, John Zenelis.   “By acquiring this and other high- caliber collections, the Libraries enhance Mason’s reputation, making us better known in higher education both nationally and internationally.”

Lamb will be making an appearance on Mason’s Fairfax Campus, Wednesday, Sept. 21, as part of the Fall for the Book Festival.  He will be hosting a class for Mason students in the JC Cinema at 3:30pm that will focus on his interviews for “Booknotes.”  Lamb will discuss topics from the show and reflect on his meetings with some of the authors.

A book exhibit and reception showcasing over 50 books and archives from the series will follow from 5:30-7 p.m. in Fenwick Library.  After the reception, Lamb will be joined in the JC Cinema by Mason Scholar, Richard Norton Smith, where the two will continue a discussion on the “Booknotes” series.

Mason has a variety of documents and collections made available through the Special Collections & Archives.  Some notable collections include “National and states legislators’ papers, rare books, Northern Virginia history, and oral histories,” said Zenelis.

The process by which Mason searches for historical documents to add to its Library is focused on collecting primary sources that “fall within the university’s established and emerging spires of excellence,” says Zenelis.  These include “performing arts, public policy, technology, politics and government.”

According to Zenelis, the collections provide a valuable resource to Mason Students and faculty.

“Librarians collaborate with faculty so that primary research material is integrated into teaching and so that students increasingly use these primary sources to complete course assignments and related academic projects.”