Category Archives: ARB Library

Posts related to the archives and rare books category

ARB Makes the Poster Lineup for Archives Month

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By:  Kevin Grace

Bag piperEvery October, the Society of Ohio Archivists sponsors “Archives Month in Ohio” to encourage teachers, students, scholars and the general public to seek out and learn from the rich historical resources in the state.   From the smallest community historical society to the largest public libraries and universities, the wealth of primary research material in Ohio contributes not only to appreciation of our heritage, but provides understanding of our current lives as well.

And each year, the SOA Archives Month Committee selects a specific topic to highlight repository holdings.  In the past, some of the themes have been music, African American heritage, business, and sports.  As part of the annual focus, exhibits, lectures, and other programs are offered and a promotional poster is printed.  For 2012, the theme is “Peoples of Ohio” and southwestern Ohio will focus on Irish heritage.  For the poster, the Archives & Rare Books Library contributed the image shown here of a piper from the Cincinnati Emerald Society of Police and Fired Pipes and Drums Corps performing in the city’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade.  This photo will accompany other wonderful images representing the state’s Native American, Greek, Slovak, Jewish, German, French, and African American citizens, for example. Posters will be available by late summer. Continue reading →

Dr. Carl A. Huether-Genetic Counseling Collection Available for Research

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Carl Huether

By Kate Krueger, ARB Student Assistant

Now available in the Archives and Rare Books Library are the papers of Dr. Carl A Huether, professor of biology and the visionary behind the establishment of a graduate program in genetic counseling at the University of Cincinnati. Dr. Huether was director of the genetic counseling program from 1982 to 1992. After this he remained a vital part of the program as a professor, advisor and advocate for medical genetics. In 2007 after 41 years as a member of the biology faculty, Dr. Huether retired and the first ever endowment fund for a graduate program in genetic counseling was established.

Established as an emphasis for graduate biology majors in 1982, the program is documented in the papers of Dr. Huether and chronicle his tireless efforts to have a formalized program in genetic counseling. Through the correspondence with colleagues and university administration, this collection provides an interesting Genetic Counseling Brochurehistory of how new programs are established at the UC. In addition, the various drafts and revisions of the formal proposal to have the genetic counseling program established give insight into the importance of such a program. Copies of the various versions of the proposal in addition to the final version that was submitted to and approved by the Ohio Board of Regents are available in the collection.  A guide to the collection is available on the OhioLINK Finding Aid Repository.  For more information on this collection and other items related to the history of the University of Cincinnati contact the Archives and Rare Books Library by phone at 513-556-1959 or by email at archives@ucmail.uc.edu.

Dr. Isay Balikin: Innovative UC Teacher and Researcher

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Isay Balinkin with an inventionOne night in October of 1938, in Cincinnati’s General Hospital (now University Hospital), there was an unusual hustle and bustle as nurses, doctors, and interns searched throughout the building for a tiny piece of uranium which had disappeared. The radium, no larger than a sugar cube, was worth $1400 and hospital staff was intent on locating it.  During the search, it was discovered that Dr. Isay Balinkin of UC’s College of Engineering had an electroscope that could be used to find uranium.  The problem was that it was late at night, and Dr. Balinkin did not have a telephone.  Instead, the hospital sent Postal and Western Union messengers to get Dr. Balinkin and his electroscope at his home on Auburn Avenue.  (Yes it does seem like an odd way to fetch someone only a few miles away.)  They did find Dr. Balinkin and Dr. Balinkin found the uranium in the trash.    Dr. Isay Balinkin spent 40 years at the University of Cincinnati and did even more important things than locating uranium in the middle of the night.  An enthusiastic teacher, he taught an estimated 8000 students demonstrating science with devices like bowling balls, rubber gloves, and mousetraps.  He was also a great researcher and held 7 patents for devices he had invented.  Some of his papers are held in UC’s Archives and Rare Books Library. Continue reading →

Richardson's rocks: DAAP-designed Cincinnati memorial in Burnet Woods turns 40

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UC Magazine recently published a story celebrating the Richardson Stones in Burnett Woods.  Read the story below or to view the original story, go to magazine.uc.edu/favorites/web-only/richardsons_rocks.html  You can also find a collection on the Richardson Stones at the Archives and Rare Books Library.  The finding aid is available on the OhioLINK Finding Aid Repository.

Richardson Stones

UC architecture faculty and students who integrated H.H. Richardson and his works into their ongoing studies completed this memorial in Burnet Woods Park in 1972. photo/Jay Yocis

Former UC architectural history professor Bill Rudd shares the story behind the student-led construction of the Burnet Woods memorial to famed architect H.H. Richardson’s Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce Building. Henry Hobson Richardson is highly regarded, along with Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright, as one of “the recognized trinity of American architecture.” The style he popularized is named for him: Richardsonian Romanesque.

Among the last buildings Richardson designed was the one-time Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce building on 4th Street. That building, dedicated in 1889, would stand among the most significant public structures in the region — along with works like the Suspension Bridge, the Carew Tower, City Hall, Music Hall and Union Terminal — had it not been destroyed by fire a century ago, in 1911. The memorial was completed in 1972.

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The Sleep Cycle Comes to an End

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By Lauren Fink, ARB Intern, 2011-2012

As the school year comes to a close today so does my internship at the Archives & Rare Books Library.  Throughout my internship I have had the opportunity to work on a variety of projects and have truly come to appreciate the role the Archives & Rare Books Library plays in documenting Cincinnati’s history.  Not originally from this town, through processing the Nelson and Florence Hoffman Cincinnati Post Card Collection and The Gaylord Oscar Shepherd Collection of Strobridge Lithography Company Calendar Cards, I was able learn about Cincinnati’s rich past and all of the events and people that gave rise to the present culture of the city.

Strobridge Calendar Card August 1896Postcard showing Cincinnati Art MuseumPostcard Showing Cincinnati's Coney IslandStrobridge Calendar Card for July 1902

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Cincinnati Ballet at 50

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In 2013, the Cincinnati Ballet will be celebrating its 50th anniversary.  This renowned local ballet company has long and enduring ties to the University of Cincinnati, and the University of Cincinnati holds records of the Cincinnati Ballet and David McLain, one of its earliest directors.  The Archives and Rare Books Library will be working with the Cincinnati Ballet over the next year as they celebrate this important milestone.

As part of the celebration, the ballet is looking to collect more material related to its history including items that might be held by former dancers, former staff, long-time ballet fans and sponsors, and any members of the public.  The ballet will be hosting an Ice Cream Social on Sunday July 29th from 2:00-4:00 at their location at 1555 Central Parkway as a way for individuals to share any treasures they hold related to the ballet and their memories of the ballet.  Click on the announcement to the right for more information on this event. Continue reading →

Dreams of Biblical Proportions

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By Lauren Fink, ARB Intern, 2011-2012

Bible

Bible in ARB

Though no longer a large part of our socio-political life, in years passed, dreams influenced both religion and government.  In fact, in their foundation, most major religions involve some sort of divine vision and/or dream experience revealed to man from a higher being.  Christianity, Islam, and Judaism all document dream and visionary experiences in their holy books.  For example, in the Old Testament of the Bible (in Chapter 41 of Genesis) the Pharaoh has a dream which Joseph, son of Jacob (dreamer of the ladder to heaven in Gen., ch. 28), is able to interpret.  Because of his interpretation, Joseph is made a secondary ruler of Egypt, is able to prepare Egypt for the seven years of famine to come, and is ultimately able to save his kin that all move to Egypt under the Pharaoh’s blessing.  If not for Joseph’s interpretation, the 12 tribes of Israel might not have existed – Joseph’s fathers and brothers most likely would have perished in Canaan. Continue reading →

Falling Asleep Reading in The Archives and Rare Books Library

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By:  Lauren Fink, ARB Intern, 2011-2012

Falling asleep reading is common problem that can result from a number of factors.  Firstly, reading typically involves the photoreception of dark text against a light background, or vice versa, which can tire out the muscles of the eye due to their repeated adjustment to contrast.  Secondly, reading may become habitual with falling asleep, i.e. if you always read before bed you will associate reading with time to fall asleep.  The following are some important considerations when trying to read and comprehend effectively:Eye Drawing

  • Make a habit of reading during a time of day when you are most awake.
  • Do not read in the sun
  • Avoid bare light bulbs
  • Avoid light windows
  • Avoid glare on your book page
  • Reduce screen glare
  • Reduce contrast in your room and on computer screen
  • Avoid hypnotism from highlighting
  • Improve sitting posture
  • Get up and move around.  In general, take breaks about every 45 minutes
  • Stay hydrated; take water breaks (dehydration makes you tired). Having to get up to go to the bathroom will also wake you up and get your blood flowing!
  • Snack – not on something that will induce a sugar crash though!  Try fruit or nuts.
  • Sit up while studying; change positions regularly; do not lay in bed or in a comfy chair

And if you’re looking for something to read, try these books about reading in the Archives and Rare Books Library: Continue reading →

No Food or Drink in the Library! An Exploration of Coffee and Tea in ARB

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By Lauren Fink, ARB Intern, 2011-2012

Choice Songs Title PageBoy RowingWith three Starbucks Cafés, Rohs St. Café, Taza Coffee House, and Sitwell’s Coffee House all within walking distance of campus, readers should have no problem staying awake while reading these fascinating coffee and tea-related titles in the Archives & Rare Books Library (but be sure to finish your beverage before entering!):

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Dreaming of Books in the Archives and Rare Books Library

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By Lauren Fink, ARB Intern, 2011-2012

Stack of Dream BooksThough sayings like, “you can sleep when you’re dead,” abound in American, and especially college, culture, sleep is a crucial activity for maintaining health, conserving energy, and learning.  During sleep, the body decreases its temperature by about 1-2 degrees Celsius, rests its muscles, rebuilds proteins, and reorganizing synapses.  Increased brain activity occurs in the same areas of the brain that were activated by the learning of a new task during the day and correlates with improved performance on the same task the following day.

Humans spend 1/3 of their lives asleep, with about 1/5 of that time in Rapid-Eye-Movement (REM) sleep.  A typical nightly sleep cycle occurs in about 90 minutes with a pattern of stages 1-2-3-4-3-2-REM. Though the exact function of REM sleep remains a mystery, it is known that REM deprivation results in increased time spent in REM when no longer REM-deprived.  Dreams, which also remain elusive in terms of function, if not meaning, occur mainly during REM sleep but can also occur during other stages. Continue reading →