Research Guides: Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change National Book Award Collection: About the Collection

The Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change National Book Award Collection is an important collection of non-fiction books about the American Civil Rights Movement and its legacy.

Thanks to a generous donation of books from the Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change, the University of Memphis Libraries is able to make many of the winners, finalists, and nominees for the Hooks National Book Award, back to its inception in 2010, available for research and education.

New books are donated annually from the Hooks Institute representing the nominees, finalists, and winner of that year's award.

Finding the Collection

The current year's award books are on display in McWherter Library (3785 Norriswood Ave.) in the first-floor rotunda.
Books from previous years are organized in McWherter Library by call number on the third and fourth floors or available as eBooks.
- Use the lists of Past Awards to find a book and its call number.
- Use the McWherter Library floor plans to learn how the building is organized.
The collection can also be browsed online in the catalog.
University of Memphis students, staff, and faculty can check out books in the collection with their UofM ID.
All other members of the community can check out the books by obtaining a Special Privileges card.
Some books are only available as eBooks.
- University of Memphis students, staff, and faculty can use eBooks anywhere with their UUID and password.
- All other members of the community can use the McWherter guest computers to read eBooks when the Research Assistance Desk (RAD) is open.
While we do not have a copy of every book, information on books we do not have are included in the awards lists. If we do not have a book, you can still find a copy through interlibrary loan.

About the National Book Award

The Hooks Institute’s National Book Award is presented annually to a non-fiction book that best furthers understanding of the American Civil Rights Movement and its legacy.

Originally-published, non-fiction books with a first-published date from the calendar year of the award are nominated by submitting contact information and a copy of the book to the Hooks Institute.
A panel of judges representing various disciplines and academic institutions in Memphis awards the annual prize to the book that best furthers understanding of the American Civil Rights Movement and its legacy.
An award of $1,000 will be made to the author(s).
The recipient(s) of the award will receive an invitation to deliver an address at the University of Memphis as part of the Hooks Institute Lecture Series during the following academic year.

Contact

For questions or comments, please contact Rorie Trammel, associate director of the Hooks Institute, at 901-678-4654 or via email at rtrammel@memphis.edu.

About the Hooks Institute

The Benjamin L. Hooks Institute implements its mission of teaching, studying and promoting civil rights and social change through research, education and direct intervention programs. Institute programs include community outreach; funding faculty research initiatives on community issues; implementing community service projects; hosting conferences, symposiums and lectures; and promoting local and national scholarship on civil and human rights. The Hooks Institute is an interdisciplinary center at the University of Memphis. Contributed revenue for the Hooks Institute, including funding from individuals, corporations and foundations, is administered through the University of Memphis Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization.

About the University Libraries

The University Libraries is a significant resource for the University of Memphis and the Mid-South region. While our primary mission is to serve the University community, library services are extended to students and faculty from other Memphis-area universities, as well as Memphis-area community members.