Two UC Libraries staff members selected as part of cohort to earn a Digital Curation Certificate

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The State Library of Ohio is pleased to announce the 2026 cohort selected to complete coursework to earn a Digital Curation Certificate from Library Juice Academy. Through a competitive application process, a State Library review committee selected the following 15 participants, and will manage their enrollment in the six-course series:

  • Alexis Ferguson, Galion Public Library
  • Amy Beam, Terra State Community College
  • Anna Helming-Sampson, Wright State University Special Collections and Archives
  • Ashlyn Grubb, London Public Library
  • Aurora Charlow, Ohio University
  • Christian Davell, Wright Memorial Public Library
  • Hannah Kemp-Severance, University of Akron
  • Holly Burdoff, Euclid Public Library
  • Julie Carr-Trebelhorn, CEAS and Science Libraries, University of Cincinnati
  • Katie Gable, College of Wooster
  • Lindsay Miraglia, Wayne County Public Library
  • Mary McKinley, Green County Records and Archives Center
  • Michael Sherfly, Public Library of Mount Vernon & Knox County
  • Nester Rave, Sandusky Library
  • Rachel Rembold, Henry R. Winkler Center for the History of Health Professions, Health Sciences Library, University of Cincinnati

“I’m delighted to see such a varied cohort, representative of all types of institutions, selected for this year’s Library Juice Academy Digital Curation Certificate program,” expressed Evan T. Struble, associate state librarian. “The State Library strives to ensure that library staff around the state have the tools and training necessary to digitally preserve their collections, and that takes on even greater importance in 2026 as we head into the U.S. Semiquincentennial and the history-focused celebrations that are sure to take place.”

This program uses federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) awarded to the State Library of Ohio to cover the cost of enrollment. This award-winning Digital Curation Certificate is designed to build skills for work in digitization, digital preservation, metadata creation and more, and is suitable for those interested in the work whether they have prior experience or not.

Questions regarding the Library Juice Academy Digital Curation Certificate cohort may be addressed to library consultant, Penelope Shumaker, at pshumaker@library.ohio.gov.

Updates for Data Sharing at UC

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The UC Office of Research supported repository  UCFigshare is now available for data deposits resulting from any Federal Funder.  If you are funded by any of the 15 federal agencies such as NIH or NSF which have a data sharing requirement as part of the grant, you can contact the UCFigshare team and request access to deposit.  The UCFigshare website provides instructions on how to request storage, upload datasets, and use the system. It also provides important budget considerations.

Research data sharing has been encouraged as a part of grant funding since the publication of the 2013 Holdren memorandum entitled “Expanding Public Access to the Results of Federally Funded Research”.  The 2022 Nelson OSTP memorandum accelerated the timeline and included required sharing the article and the data supporting without embargo as soon as the grant period ends.  Under the recent May 2025 executive order entitled Restoring Gold Standard Science, this is still the case that federally funded research data needs to be shared per the agency policy (1). It is now required to indicate the repository where you will share the data as part of the data management and sharing plan (DMSP). 

Agencies with Updated Policies in Effect

AHRQ | CDC | Ed | DOE | EPA | FDA | IMLS | NASA SMD | NEH | NIH | Smithsonian

Agencies with Updated Policies Published but not yet in Effect

ACF | ACL | Census | CMS | CPSC

Even if your research is not funded by a federal agency, sharing research data can benefit a researcher greatly.  Research data sharing accelerates research discovery, facilitates research reproducibility, helps identify issues with the data, and increases research impact.  Sharing the data and other research outputs such as registrations, protocols, code, and preprints helps the next generation of researchers better understand and reuse the outputs. Data sharing comes with the cost of extra time invested to create good documentation and uploading the data and other project associated research outputs to the designated repository.  Planning from the start of any project can help ease this additional labor.  These planning steps are also part of writing the DMSP accompanying a grant application.  Some recommended steps (2) are:

  • Identify a data repository as early as possible for the informed consent forms and to specify in the DMSP
  • Establish a file naming convention and organization
  • Include file-level Information
  • Keep track of sensitive information
  • Keep memos about analytic decisions
  • Create a “data narrative” and a readme file
  • Prepare your data for sharing
  • Make a human readable form and a raw / machine readable form
  • Promote your data  

UC researchers have several platforms for data sharing including the Office of Research managed UCFigshare, and UC Libraries managed repositories such as the Qualitative Data Repository (QDR), Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR), the Open Science Framework (OSF), and Scholar@UC. UC Libraries Research and Data Services unit can advise researchers on data management and sharing plans, metadata, and workflows. Email askdata@uc.edu if you have questions, need assistance, or want to learn more about university resources. 

References

(1) Badger, K., Biszaha, A. Sadvari, S., and Walsh, M., 2025 Federal Sponsor Updates to Article and Data Sharing [Webinar]. Ohio State University Library. 12-11-2025. Personal communication.

(2) Karcher, Sebastian; Kirilova, Dessi; and Page, Christiane, “Sharing and Managing Qualitative Data” (2019). Moynihan Institute of Global Affairs. 2. https://surface.syr.edu/miga/2

Learning 3D imaging in the Preservation Lab

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On a cold, snowy Friday at the end of the semester,The Preservation Lab hosted a 3D imaging workshop where two professors from UC’s College of Design, Architecture, Art & Planning (DAAP) taught 3D imaging techniques to a small group of imaging colleagues from Ohio and Michigan labs.

jordan tate demonstrating 3d imaging

The instructors, Jordan Tate and John-David Richardson, both teach photography in DAAP. Previously, Jordan cross-collaborated with Jessica Ebert from the Preservation Lab on imaging the Assyrian Cornerstone, found in the collection of the Archives and Rare Books Library. Jordan demonstrated 3D imaging techniques and Jessica demonstrated how to do Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI).

Participants in the Friday, Dec.12th workshop were:

  • Jessica Ebert – UC Libraries, Preservation Lab
  • Catarina Figueirinhas – UC Libraries, Preservation Lab
  • Erin Wilson – Ohio University Libraries, Preservation & Digital Initiatives
  • Matt Carissimi – The Ohio State University Libraries, Digitization
  • Sidney Gao – UC Libraries, Digital Initiatives Team
  • Biz Gallo – Library of Michigan, Digitization Initiatives
  • Dustin Wood – New South Associates/Veterans Affairs History Office (Dayton), Digital Archives & Museum Imaging Specialist
The Yoruba, Luba or Luluwa/Lulua Statue (circa 1800—1900)

The object photographed came from the Henry R. Winkler Center for the History of the Health Professions.

The Yoruba, Luba or Luluwa/Lulua Statue (circa 1800—1900) was presented by “the Interns & Residents Wives Club, 1974” to the University of Cincinnati Hospital. The statue’s distinct shapes and facial features match most closely to the sculpture style of the Yoruba, Luba or Luluwa/Lulua. The figure appears to be working with a mortar and pestle, and was made for sale, rather than ceremonial or cultural use.

The Preservation Lab provides the full suite of preservation services to the University of Cincinnati Libraries. The Lab’s expertise is in book and paper conservation, with services available in general circulating materials repair, single-item conservation treatment, housing, exhibition prep and preservation consulting.

The use of 3D imaging in preservation is crucial as it creates an accurate visual record of an object before and after treatment. It allows conservators to examine often fragile objects in close detail without touching, and possibly damaging, the structure. In addition, 3D imaging provides a visual record for students and researchers to view and study.

FOIA’s greeting: what to do when a FOIA request arrives

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Imagine for a moment: you are working diligently at your desk and someone pops through your doorway with a request in hand. That request is for records maintained by your department.

You have heard of a Freedom of Information Act request (a.k.a. a public records request), but you have never dealt with FOIA before. What do you do?

Citation: Antoni Shkraba Studio

If your first act is to immediately hand over the records – STOP! You never simply hand over requested records to anyone requesting them. This post will show what a public records request is and how to handle such a request.

As a public institution, the University of Cincinnati falls under the oversight of the state of Ohio’s Public Records Act. This law allows any person the right to request to access and see the public records of UC.

But any record? Not exactly. A public record is defined in three ways. Any document, device, or item – physical or digital – that falls under the authority of UC. Any of these can be created by or received by UC. Lastly, a public record serves to document decisions, actions, policies, procedures, and other activities conducted at UC.

A record that is considered a non-record is one that does not meet all three parts of what constitutes a public record. These are not subject to the Public Records Act.

UC employees may at some point be requested to make records in their offices available. The request may come from anyone. It may be by a letter in the mail, email, a phone call, an in-person visit, or other mode of communication. The identity of the requester or intended use of the records may not be required as a condition of disclosure. All UC employees have the responsibility to recognize that no request for university records, however it is done, will be ignored or refused.

Which begs the question: what if the requested records have confidential or personally identifiable information on them? Regardless of however confidential or not the requested records are, UC employees will always, and promptly, contact the Office of General Counsel. The same will be done if employees are made aware of a subpoena or legal hold on the requested records. OGC will evaluate whether the records can be made available for access or copying. All requests for public records will be answered within three business days and clearly state when the records will be available along with their location and medium, need for legal review, and need to redact non-public information.

The inspection of public records is permitted during normal operating hours only. Requestors will be charged for the actual cost of copying and transmitting requests. The charge for paper copies is five cents per page. UC may retain a private contractor for copying services and forward the cost onto the requester. For large requests, it is possible that UC could require payment in advance.

With this information, you can confidently know how the handle a FOIA or public records request. Below are links to useful information to help you learn more.

Policy 1.8.1 Public Records

Public Records Requests

Records Management

Public records requests may be submitted to:

Public Records Manager
Office of General Counsel
University of Cincinnati
PO Box 210661
Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-0661

public.records@uc.edu

Posted in UC

UC Libraries will open at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 12, except for HSL which will open at 7:45 a.m.

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Due to inclement weather, University of Cincinnati campuses are closed from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 12, 2025. Visit Commencement and Registrar’s pages for additional details. This closure applies to all UC Libraries locations except for the Donald C. Harrison Health Sciences Library, which will be open at 7:45 a.m.

snowy campus

Langsam Library offers extended hours during exams

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Need a place to study for exams? Working late on a class project? The Walter C. Langsam Library has extended building hours now through exams. Sunday – Thursday, the building is open until 3am. The Desk@Langsam will maintain regular hours. The Exam hours are listed on the Libraries website.

students studying in Langsam Library

Bronson v. Board of Education digital exhibition

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Written by Julianna Witt and Catherine Cubera

The Archives and Rare Books Library is excited to announce a new ARB digital exhibition that has been completed and is now accessible online. This digital exhibition was a part of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People project to process and create a finding aid for the NAACP Bronson v. Board of Education of the City of Cincinnati records through the National Historical Publications & Records Commission grant we received in November 2024.  

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UC Libraries closed December 2, except for HSL

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Due to inclement weather, the University of Cincinnati campus will close from 7 a.m. Dec. 2, 2025, until 7 a.m. on Dec. 3, 2025. This closure applies to all UC Libraries locations except for the Donald C. Harrison Health Sciences Library, which will be open Tuesday, Dec. 2 from 7:45 a.m. to 4 p.m.

snowy campus

The LMCC: A first timer’s perspective

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As I’m writing this, it is my one-year anniversary as UC Libraries’ digital content specialist. Or, as I like to say, “social media girl.” It has been a year full of learning, collaboration and new experiences. One of those experiences being a trip to the great city of St. Louis, Missouri, to attend the 2025 Library Marketing and Communications Conference with my Comm Team partner, Melissa Cox Norris. This was not only my first conference as a UC Libraries staff member, but also my first conference as a working professional.

Throughout the two-day conference, we attended sessions covering topics such as how to build an engaging library program, maximizing the features of Canva, creating accessible graphic design materials and even finding the most efficient ways to measure the success and reach of social media content. Some of my favorite takeaways were:

  • A storyboarding template for creating engaging and organized reels and short videos
  • A point system for auditing and calculating the success of social media posts
  • Key functions and shortcuts for creating specific effects in Canva
  • Shared experiences from other library marketers on how they create captivating events for patrons that highlight the purpose of the libraries while still simply being fun

We also had the chance to hear from some amazing keynote speakers. Scott Bonner, Director of Ferguson Municipal Public Library District, spoke about the library’s service to the people of Ferguson following the killing of Mike Brown in August 2014. He went into detail about how the library was able to provide safe spaces, as well as places for teachers to have class time while school was out of session due to riots. It was an incredibly real and insightful perspective on how libraries, and really any kind of public service, can make a difference during a crisis.

On a non-conference related note, I had the chance to enjoy some St. Louis staples, including a Blues game (they beat Calgary 3-2), Imo’s pizza and toasted ravioli and Charlie Gitto’s Restaurant on the Hill.  And of course, I can’t forget about The Gateway Arch. Thanks to Melissa for all the fun suggestions!  It was a great first conference experience, and I am so excited to visit St. Louis again in the future.

Striker Lecture 2025: History of Pharmacy Education in the Queen City

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The University of Cincinnati College of Pharmacy’s 175th anniversary was featured in the 2025 Cecil B. Striker annual lecture series on October 14th. The lecture series is an annual program of the Henry R. Winkler Center for the History of the Health Professions. Esteemed pharmacy historian, Dennis B. Worthen gave a standing ovation lecture entitled Pharmacy Education In The Queen City: 1850—2025. Pharmacy Education in the Queen City: 1850-2025 – UC Libraries MediaSpace. Worthen traced the origins of pharmacy education in Cincinnati, beginning with Peter Smith’s Indian Doctor Dispensatory (1810), the first medical book published in Ohio, through today’s College of Pharmacy, which boasts PharmD joint degrees, online master’s and interdisciplinary degrees, graduates from the United States and over 23 countries. Worthen’s narrative of the 175th anniversary of the College of Pharmacy is honored with a year-long exhibition in the Stanley Lucas Boardroom, Health Sciences Library.

cecil striker annual lecture invite

Dennis B. Worthen, Ph.D., served as an adjunct professor at the University of Cincinnati College of Pharmacy where he taught the history of pharmacy courses from 1999-2017. He was also affiliated with the Lloyd Library and Museum in Cincinnati, OH as executive director and then the Lloyd Scholar from 1999 to 2013. He retired from Procter & Gamble Health Care as the director of pharmacy affairs in 1999. Dr. Worthen completed his undergraduate education at the University of Michigan and received his graduate degrees from Case Western Reserve University.

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