Martha Lawler

Biography

Martha was born in Shreveport and has lived here for most of her life.  She has previous experience in cataloging and reference work in both public and medical libraries.  Martha was previously a Graduate Assistant on the English Short-Title Catalogue (a project based at the British Library).  She earned a BA in English Education with a minor in Library Science from LSUS before continuing her education by earning a Master of Library Science from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge.

Degrees

Research Interests

Descriptive Bibliography Techniques and Methods; Printing and Publishing History; Theory and History of Reading and Writing (particularly as it relates to individual identity and expression); Bibliographic Instruction Using Older Materials; Censorship and the Free Expression of Ideas; American and European pre-1950 History, Literature, and Culture

Selected Publications

“Latest additions to the James Smith Noel Collection.”  South Central Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies (SCSECS) Newsletter  Spring 2002 : 2.

“LES/ARTS beat as one in San Francisco.”  C&RL News  September 2001 : 795-796.

“Recent Noel Collection acquisitions.”  South Central Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies (SCSECS) Newsletter  Spring 2001 : 2-3.

“Rescue workers are blessed with God-given skills.”  The Times, Shreveport, LA, May 26, 1995, 1B (A Reader Writes)

Papers presented:

“At Home with Books: the Use of Domestic Information for Educating Children and Adults During the Eighteenth Century.” – paper presented at Annual Meeting of SCSECS, Mar. 1, 2024

“Could It Be and Is It Possible? : a Selection of Medical Writings Found in the James Smith Noel Collection.” – Annual Meeting, South Central Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies – Bryan, TX – February 2023.

Untitled presentation for beginning writers as part of program presented by the editorial board of RBM: a Journal of Rare Books, Manuscripts & Cultural Heritage – RBMS Annual Conference – (virtual only) – June 2022.

“Holding the Key to the Treasure Room – a Brief History of Discovery in the James Smith Noel Collection.” – Annual Meeting, Southeastern American Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies – Ft. Myers, FL – February 2022

“A Boy and His Books: Book Collectors and their ‘Friends and Frienemies.” – Annual Meeting, South Central Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies – Austin, TX – February 2013.

“As the Story Unfolds: the Unique Perspective of Panoramas.” – Annual Meeting, South Central Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies – Asheville, NC – February 2012.

“Is She or Isn’t She?: Perceptions of Women in Society and Literauture.” – Annual Meeting, South Central Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies – St. Simon’s Island, GA – February 2011.

“Sweet Dreams and Bad Realities: the Adaptation of the Ethereal in Everyday Life.” – Annual Meeting, South Central Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies – Corpus Christi, TX – February 2009.

“Fooling the Masses: Hoaxes, Witch Hunts, and the Power of Mass Hysteria.” – Annual Meeting, Midwest American Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies – Oklahoma City, OK – October 2008.

“Educating William: an Eighteenth-Century Perspective on Personal Reading, Interpretation, and Application.” – Annual Meeting, South Central Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies – Tulsa, OK – February 2007.

“Something Old is Something New: Integrating Special Collections into Modern Curricula.” – Rare Books & Manuscripts Section Preconference – Atlanta, GA – June 2002.