Contributors

As creator and principle editor of Tales Online from its inception in 1997 to her passing in 2010, May's passion for folk literature of all types and its influence on society was a driving force in the development of this database. In addition to many years of teaching experience as an LRC Director and Teacher Librarian, May was also a long-time member of the following organizations; American Folklore Society, American Library Association, American Association of School Librarians, ALA-Reference and Adult Services Division ALA- Young Adult Library Services Association and the National Education Association. May's accomplishments include the publication of The LIRT Library Instruction Handbook, and she served on numerous professional committees and was involved in several developmental programs.

Other Early Developers and Contributors

 Indiana University’s Folklore Department, Bloomington, especially department chairs
Ruth Stone and John McDowell
Polly Grimshaw and Inta Carpenter
Joan Catapano, editor at Indiana University Press
Michael Lundell from IUP

Initial Design Advisory Group:

Dr. Hasan el Shamy – Professor of Folklore, Indiana University Folklore Department
Polly Grimshaw – Librarian Emeritus, Folklore Library, Indiana University
Virginia Richey – Children’s Librarian, Monroe County Public Library, Bloomington
Dr. Donald Braid – folklorist and storyteller, Indianapolis
Dr. Moira Smith – Folklore Librarian, Indiana University
Dr. Perry Willett – Assistant Director for Project and Services, and Head of Library
Electronic Text Resource Service – Indiana University Library, Bloomington
Joan Catapano – Indiana University Press, Bloomington

Software Development:

Hope Hatfield – Hatfield Consulting, with the assistance of Pat Pontis

Tale Analysis and Development of Handbooks and Manuals:

Esther Clinton
Lisa Gabert
Lynn Gelfand
Heather Kirkman
Sue Grizzell

National Endowment for the Humanities Education Grant Advisors (2001):

Dr. Inta Carpenter
Dr. Margaret Read McDonald – Children’s Librarian, folklorist, and storyteller
Dr. John McDowell – Chairman of the Folklore Department, Indiana University
Dr. Hasan el Shamy – Indiana University
Dr. Carl Lindahl – Professor of English and Folklore, University of Houston
Dr. Brian Sturm – Library Science Department, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Paddy Bowman – Coordinator, National Network for Folk Arts in Education

Particular gratitude to Polly Grimshaw for her vision and encouragement from the project’s conception.