Material was donated to the Augusta-Richmond County Public Library System by William Harper on April 7, 2022.

Printed on the front page of the first issue (Vol. I No. I) on November 12, 1969: “On October 30, 1969, a charter was registered under the seal of Georgia under the name of the Augusta Educational New Cooperative. The group was formed by concerned citizens of varied backgrounds to promote involvement and awareness in our community. A primary function of the cooperative is to publish a newspaper to work toward the goal of presenting alternative viewpoints by persons of varied convictions (social, political, philosophical, religious, educational, etc.). In doing this, we hope to inspire the community to concerned activity in the issues that affect us and as end, an awareness of out convictions after examining the issues. We hope that the confrontation of differing facts and ideas can stimulate and educate all of us and that instead of monologue, and beyond dialogue, a polylogue of communication can begin.” The letter from Louisa Mustin congratulates the editors on “accurate and responsible journalism: but warned against “rabble rousing” and being deemed “communists” for reporting factual news stories.

Louisa Mustin was one of the founders of the Augusta Players (1945) and later opened the first permanent puppet theatre in America at 1467 Broad Street.

https://dlg.usg.edu/record/gsu_ajc_11731?canvas=0&x=1409&y=1127&w=4122

The Augusta Educational News Cooperative leaflet addresses the Supreme Court order to desegregate Richmond County Schools, specifically the Save Our Schools committee who attempted to obstruct integration by withdrawing their children from school after enrolling them. The SOS committee held a rally at Butler High School in August, 1970. The Augusta Educational News Cooperative called for cooperation and integration.