Mary Ellen Brooks
Mary Ellen Brooks was presented with the Georgia Historical Records Advisory Council Lifetime Achievement Award during the 15th annual GHRAC Archives Awards ceremony at the Georgia Archives.
For nearly 40 years, Brooks has cared for the historical, literary and artistic treasures of Georgia’s heritage that are housed in the University of Georgia Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library. During the 15 years she served as director of the Hargrett (1992-2008), Brooks acquired 532 manuscript collections, approximately
20 percent of Hargrett’s holdings; built up Hargrett’s collection of Fine Printing, Small Press books and other works related to the book arts, making it the fifth largest in the country; curated more than 100 exhibitions of Hargrett material on campus and elsewhere in the state to generate visibility, appreciation and use of the Hargrett holdings; and established the Georgia Writers Hall of Fame.
Brooks is now director emerita of the library.
