History of Reading News. Vol.XXI No.1 (1997:Fall)

The History of Reading SIG met in Atlanta on May 8, 1997, during the annual IRA convention for a session organized by Arlene L. Barry, University of Kansas, and chaired by Albert Tucker, Sul Ross State University.

Alan Crawford, California State University, Los Angeles, presented a paper titled, "Reading in Latin America, 1540-1997," tracing Latin American reading from the mid-16th-century to the present.

A second paper was given by Joseph E. Zimmer, Grand Valley State University, titled "An Interpretive History of Articles Concerning Reading as Portrayed in Pop-ular Magazines, 1890-1990." Zimmer asserts that reading issues have found a forum for discussion in popular magazines throughout the twentieth-century.

A third paper was read by Allen Berger, Miami University of Ohio. His topic was, "Nothing Comes from Nowhere: The National Federation of McGuffey Societies." Berger presented historical background related to the man who created the legacy known as the McGuffey Readers. According to Berger, an organization known as "The McGuffey Volunteers" is presently circulating a petition to recognize McGuffey on a United States postage stamp.

Richard D. Robinson, University of Missouri, Columbia, in the final portion of the program, presented "A. Garr Cranney: A Personal and Historical Perspective." His presentation was a tribute to long-time member, Garr Cranney, a teacher, researcher, scholar, colleague, and friend.

SIG president, Arlene L. Barry,conducted the business meeting following the presentations. The next History of Reading SIG will be held in Orlando in May 1998. Specifics of the program will be forthcoming in the next issue of the News.