History and Description
The Audrey Beck Learning in Equity (A.B.L.E.) Archives located at Central Connecticut State
University in New Britain, CT, is a unique collection of materials devoted to educational equity
through information found in books, videocassettes, pamphlets, reports, and teaching aids. The
archives began by a Carl D. Perkins grant to Dr. Judith
Rosenberg of the Department of Health and Human Services Professions
at the University. The archives are now supported through library funds. The A.B.L.E. collection focuses on gender equity and women's
issues.
The Archives also encompass equity issues in vocational and career education
related to race, sexual orientation, ethnic stereotyping or disabilities.
The A.B.L.E collection is named in memory of Audrey Beck, a long-time Connecticut State
Senator and champion of women's issues during the 1970's. A biography of Audrey
Beck may be found in Connecticut History (Vol 36, No. 1). Containing
more than 1,000 items, the A.B.L.E. Archives are located in
stack 2
and in the Curriculum
Laboratory. Housing
books, games, videos, teacher aids, and
professional reading, the Curriculum Lab serves as a
resource for counselors and teachers. Materials are available for classroom use for teachers to
work equity issues into the curriculum for children from kindergarten all the way through senior
high school. Materials available for vocational and career teaching and counseling emphasize a
gender-blind approach to education..
Other subject areas covered in the A.B.L.E. Archives include cultural bias against women;
women in low-paying jobs; self-esteem; non-sexist language in the classroom, science, and
society; sexual harassment and rape; AIDS awareness and prevention; homosexuality, and factual
works on health issues from anorexia to breast cancer. The collection also contains numerous
literary works. Additionally, vertical files cover areas such as
single parents,
displaced homemakers, vocational alternatives for women and athletics for females.
The A.B.L.E Archives present strong, successful women, many of whom are in non-traditional
and high-tech jobs. Additionally, resources promote a strong sense of self among
girls and
adolescents so they can compete educationally and become self-sufficient.
The A.B.L.E. Archives, together with the donated collections from the Hartford Feminist Library
of the Hartford Women's Center, and the George W. Henry
Foundation and Committee for Sexual
Minorities of the Capitol Region Council of Churches, form the EQUITY Collection
at the Elihu Burritt Library at CCSU.
Circulation and Loan Procedures
All materials in the Equity Collection are available for interlibrary loan.
Users affiliated with any CSU
campus may place loan requests directly through CONSULS (Connecticut
State University Library System).
Connecticut residents may borrow material with a valid borrower's card.
A request for a guest card must be made in person at the Circulation Department.
Two forms of I.D. are required. A library card is generally issued in five
working days. For more
information regarding circulation
policies call Jan Kozovich at (860) 832-3403 or e-mail:
kozovich@ccsu.edu
Comments and Suggestions
Comments and suggestions regarding the A.B.L.E. Archives may be directed
to Frances Nadeau, Curriculum Lab Librarian (nadeau@ccsu.edu) or Priya Rai,
Technical Services Librarian
rai@ccsu.edu).
Equity Archives Collections:
Elihu Burritt Library / 1615 Stanley St. / New Britain, CT 06050. (860) 832-2055