Check out the newest exhibits in UC Libraries

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Exhibits highlight the services, collections, places and people of UC Libraries. The newest exhibits on display in the Walter C. Langsam Library showcase chemistry caricatures and open access.

chemistry caricatures

Caricatures in Chemistry: By William B. Jensen

On display on the 5th floor lobby of the library, this exhibit features original, hand-drawn caricatures by Dr. William B. Jensen (1948-2024), Ralph E. Oesper Professor of the History of Chemistry at the University of Cincinnati and curator of the Oesper Collections from 1986 until his passing.

The exhibit was curated by Mark Chalmers, science and engineering librarian and Oesper curator, and was designed by Ashleigh Stout, UC Libraries communication design co-op student.

Available online via JSTOR, the online collection contains the 33 original, hand-drawn caricatures of notable chemists and physicists Jensen penned between 1970 and 1974. They are held by the Oesper Collections in the History of Chemistry. The collection was scanned and digitized by the UC Libraries Digital Initiatives Team. The humor and whimsy captured in the caricatures invite viewers to look a little closer and discover the stories behind the faces.

At the exhibit there are handouts featuring three of the chemists.

Open Access At UC

Open access describes any publishing model that provides barrier-free electronic access to scholarly content. Open access content is not behind a paywall or gated in any other way and is available to anyone with an internet connection, making it more equitable. The exhibit, on display on the 4th floor lobby of the library, defines open access, shows the scale of open access at UC and demonstrates the benefits to students.

open access

UC Libraries supports open access at the university through a variety of
services and programs, including:

  • Open Publishing Infrastructure
  • Scholarly Dissemination Planning
  • Article Processing Charge Support
  • Self-archiving Support

The exhibit was curated by Melissa Moreau, scholarship communication librarian, and designed by Ashleigh Stout, communication design co-op student. More about UC Libraries Open Access initiatives can be found on the Libraries website. At the exhibit, there is a handout for those wishing to learn more about Open Access.

Systematic Review & Evidence Synthesis Workshops – Fall 2026

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The University of Cincinnati Libraries and the UCL Evidence Synthesis Network is offering our popular series of workshops on systematic reviews and evidence synthesis.

Students, staff, and faculty can learn about and work through various components of the review process – from protocol to data extraction – with the support of experienced librarians. We are also offering supplemental workshops on advanced searching, reviews in the social sciences, Covidence, and more!

Pick and choose which workshops meet your needs and fit your schedule! See the full list of workshops and register online.

2026 Systematic Review workshop series flyer

Recordings and PowerPoints will be shared with all those that register. Please let us know if you have any questions!

UC Libraries seeks innovative proposals from students

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Do you have a creative idea to support your student community? Do you love the library and have ideas on how to enhance its collections or services? The University of Cincinnati Libraries will help bring your vision to life! The UC Libraries Student Innovation Grant encourages UC students to use library resources and services to help support students and enhance our library, university and local community.  

The Libraries will provide up to $5,000 to fund a pilot project that leverages library resources to address an opportunity or challenge related to student engagement, research or teaching & learning at UC.  

Applications are open throughout the 2026’-27’ academic year and projects must be completed before June 2027. 

Am I Eligible To Apply? 

All University of Cincinnati undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to apply. Individuals, teams or groups can apply, with one member serving as the primary contact.   

Proposals should identify an opportunity or challenge that can be addressed through a creative approach using or leveraging library resources. Proposals must articulate how the Libraries’ collections, services, spaces or programs will be utilized as well as how this pilot supports one of the UC Libraries’ strategic directions. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis dependent on funding availability. 

What Happens If My Project Is Selected? 

Grant recipients will be expected to:  

  • Engage with UC Libraries resources, spaces, collections and/or services.
  • Meet with appropriate library staff members about your pilot project.  
  • Produce an itemized final budget. 
  • Write a LiBlog post about your research project.  
  • Present at a UC Libraries all-staff meeting about your project experience. 
  • Complete a feedback survey at the end of your grant cycle to help improve the program for future recipients. 

How Do I Apply? 

  • Fill out the application form 
  • You will be asked for a line-item budget to explain what your funds will be used for. Examples of this could be supplies or materials needed for ideas like exhibitions, events, pop-up services, etc. You may use this template to construct your budget by creating a copy and uploading it to your application form. 
  • PLEASE NOTE: We are unable to fund personal student stipends/salaries or retroactive projects. If labor is required for your project, the library will provide the paid work within the unit that will oversee your project. You must use the funds allocated to your project by the end of the academic year in which you are applying. 

What If My Idea Isn’t Fully Formed Yet? 

That’s okay! We’d be happy to meet with you and help you form your project application. E-mail Nimisha at nimisha.bhat@uc.edu and Erin at erin.rinto@uc.edu for any questions and assistance.  

Newly Processed Collections related to Cincinnati History that You May Have Missed

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With the help of additional staff members and interns at the Archives and Rare Books Library, we have been working hard processing collections and publishing better descriptions of our holdings.  Here are some recently processed (or recently improved) finding aids related to the history of the City of Cincinnati that are now available to our researchers.  Most of the descriptions below were taken from the finding aids written by Brittney Lynn Smith and Julianna Witt.

Cincinnati Board of City Hall Trustees records (ON-75-18) – The Cincinnati Board of City Hall Trustees records document the planning and construction of Cincinnati’s City Hall which was completed in 1893.  Samuel Hannaford and Sons were the architects for the project and the Board of City Hall Trustees were formed to manage the budget.  The collection contains clerk’s records relating to the project, meeting minutes, reports, architectural and contractual bids and financial records.  ARB intern, Brittney Lynn Smith, processed this collection.

A color image from the front of the Findlay Market Dedication Day booklet in 1974 showing entry doors to Findlay Market and cars on the streets surrounding the market.
The Findlay Market Dedication Day booklet from the Friends of Findlay Market Committee records.
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UC Libraries welcomes Mark Conaway as new research analytics and learning librarian

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UC Libraries is excited to share that Mark Conaway has joined us as the new Research Analytics and Learning Librarian in the Research & Data Services department. In this role, Mark will deliver multidisciplinary support in research reproducibility, data literacy, data analytics, AI in research and data visualization through consultations, instruction, workshops and outreach to UC faculty, students, and staff.

Mark earned a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from Indiana University Bloomington and holds a PhD in Biological Anthropology from the State University of New York at Buffalo. His career began with his PhD research on the morphology and evolution of humans and our closest ancestors. After finishing his dissertation, Mark began a postdoc at Iowa State University, where his research focused on statistical simulations and methods development using the R programming language. Additionally, helping to mentor graduate students as a postdoc helped Mark to discover his love of teaching and mentorship, particularly when it comes to methods and data management. Now, he looks forward to putting his experience and expertise to use, advising researchers at the University of Cincinnati on data management and research methodology, as well as emerging AI-powered research tools.

Welcome, Mark!

Mark Conaway

Introducing the ProQuest Ebook Central Reader App available August 12

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Beginning August 12, UC Libraries online ebook provider, ProQuest Ebook Central, is transitioning from Adobe Digital Editions (ADE) to the Ebook Central Reader App for downloading and reading ebooks offline. Ebook Central users currently using ADE, must download and install the new app to continue reading ebooks offline from this platform.

ebook central app reader

The new ProQuest Ebook Central Reader App provides an improved experience for downloading and reading ebooks offline. The app is available for Windows, macOS, iOS and Android devices and offers a more streamlined, user-friendly reading experience. It also includes enhanced accessibility features, such as, support for screen readers, font scaling and high-contrast display options. Other enhanced features include page-turn gestures and page synchronization for the last page read.

Need Help? ProQuest has created a Ebook Central User LibGuide to assist users in downloading and using the app.

Changes to OhioLINK’s 2026 Open Access Publishing support for Wiley Journals

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As previously announced, OhioLINK’s Wiley Open Access (OA) publishing agreement, which allows participating institutions to support open access publishing by issuing fee waivers for a limited number of article processing charges (APCs), is expected to reach its annual cap in 2026. The last day to request APC coverage for hybrid journals will be Thursday, August 20.

What this means for UC authors publishing in Wiley journals:

  • Fully OA journals(no subscription access option): Beginning July 1, new requests for APC coverage at submission will not be approved. This APC coverage denial does not affect the editorial review process. Authors without coverage are responsible for funding APCs themselves following editorial acceptance in fully OA journals.
  • Hybrid journals (publish open and subscription access articles): The last day to request APC coverage for hybrid journals will be Thursday, August 20. Once limits are reached, authors without coverage may publish under subscription access without an APC or may pay the APC themselves (with a 10% discount) to publish open access.

Alternatively, authors may consider submitting their work to a journal that is covered by a different OhioLINK agreement. More information is available on the OhioLINK website. Contact Melissa Moreau,scholarly communications librarian,with questions and to learn more about open access options at UC. A UC Libraries LibGuide provides information on Read & Publish Deals at UC Libraries.

The Ruebel family papers at ARB 

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Orange roadblock signs and detour routes can hinder anyone’s daily commute. A single road can be repaired repeatedly over decades to make the perfect paved road. However, where does that begin? The Ruebel family of Cincinnati contributed significantly to Cincinnati’s roads with their family-run construction business from 1892-1986. The Archives and Rare Books Library has a newly published finding aid outlining the 88 years and three generations of Cincinnati road construction of the John Ruebel & Brother Company.

Newspaper clipping of the S.A. Ruebel & Co. at work clearing the way to build a road connecting Sherman Oaks to Kirby Avenue with Hamilton Avenue.
Cincinnati Enquirer, July 25, 1957 from the Ruebel family papers, GA-26-01, Archives and Rare Books Library
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UC Libraries welcomes Rachael Elrod as the new associate dean of research and instruction

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rachael elrod

On June 15 Rachael Elrod, PhD, joined the University of Cincinnati Libraries as associate dean for research and instruction. Rachael comes to UC from the University of Florida’s George Smathers Libraries where she most recently served as the associate chair of departmental libraries and the director of the Education Library. Prior to the University of Florida, she served in roles at the Military College of South Carolina, University of Louisville and Louisville Free Public Library. Her scholarly record includes over 25 peer-reviewed publications and several book chapters on research topics ranging from supporting neurodivergent students, censorship and collection development. In addition to this scholarship, Rachael has been successful in obtaining over $1.3M in external funding as a part of her career. She has won numerous awards and honors, the most recent being the Distinguished Education and Behavioral Sciences Librarian Award from the Education and Behavioral Sciences Section from ALA, which will be delivered in 2026.

As associate dean of research and instruction, Rachael will collaborate with librarians and staff to develop a vision for instructional and research services at UC Libraries. As a part of that work, she will lead the overall strategy and direction of instruction and research services. Rachael will lead key initiatives in the UC Libraries Strategic Plan and will collaborate with leaders across campus to build and strengthen partnerships. With the other associate deans, she will work with librarians and staff to maximize expertise and create a cohesive user experience.

Looking for Photos of UC?  If so, check the University Photographs Collection

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Over the years, the Archives and Rare Books Library (ARB) has acquired numerous photographs of UC’s campus, university events, student activities, and academic departments.  ARB’s largest collection of photographs related to the University of Cincinnati, though, is the University of Cincinnati photographs collection.  The first materials in this collection came to ARB in 1977 and the photographs were organized in what archivists and librarians often call “subject files.”  This means that photos were grouped together according to subject matter.  Over the years, Public Relations and ARB staff added to the collection, and over the years, due to heavy use, photographs got misfiled into the wrong subject files.  Making the collection even more confusing, the collection was never fully inventoried nor was a finding aid created. 

A black and white aerial photograph of a university campus.
An aerial view of the University of Cincinnati’s west campus dated 1922 from the University Photographs collection.
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