Join us for the Annual Preservation Lab Open House, Thursday, April 30, 2-4pm, 300 level of the Walter Langsam Library. “Preservation of all shapes and sizes” will include tours of the lab, demonstrations of projects and treatments, cookies, bookmarks and stickers!
Want a sneak peek of the work of the Preservation Lab? Stop by Langsam Library’s 4th floor on Tuesday, April 21, 10-11:30am and Thursday, April 23, 2-3:30pm to learn about housing complex materials and relax with a hands-on activity.
Formed in 2012, the Preservation Lab is a book and paper conservation lab. The Preservation Lab provides the full suite of preservation services to the University of Cincinnati Libraries and, for a fee, to other cultural heritage institutions. The Preservation 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 Preservation Lab Open House is free and open to all to attend. Those driving to campus can park in the Woodside Drive/Library Garage or Campus Green Garage off of Martin Luther King Drive.
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.
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:
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 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.
We are happy to share that UC Libraries now has a Youtube channel. The platform is the home for more long-form content, including Library Get-to-Knows, Poetry Stacked videos and segments surrounding special exhibits and collections.
The newest project we are excited to share is a video on the Daniel S. Young Civil War Medical Illustrations. Devhra BennettJones, Dr. Kris Ramprasad, Sean Crowe and Sidney Gao have kindly shared their perspectives on what it was like to process and digitize the collection. In addition, they shared about the impact the illustrations have had both in the medical and academic communities.
Read these articles, as well as past issues, on the website. To receive Source via e-mail, contact melissa.norris@uc.edu to be added to the mailing list.
Theda Bara, born Theodosia Burr Goodman on July 29, 1885 to a local Jewish family, attended the University of Cincinnati from 1906-1908 before leaving to pursue an acting career. Bara became one of the biggest stars of the silent film era making 40 films between 1914 and 1926. Her femme fatale roles earned her the nickname “The Vamp.”
This weekend’s episode of CET and ThinkTV’s “The Art Show” will feature Theda Bara and the manuscript in Archives and Rare Books. View it Saturday, May 17 at 6pm on CET or Sunday, May 18 at 5:30pm on Dayton’s ThinkTV. It will also appear on the PBS App and is currently viewable on YouTube.
Included in the episode, Chris Harter, university archivist and head of the Archives and Rare Books Library, talks about the 450-page typewritten manuscript that documents Bara’s life. It was intended to be a memoir ghostwritten in collaboration with Bara, but was never published. Holly Prochaska, preservation librarian and head of the Preservation Lab, talks about how they worked to ensure that the manuscript and letters between Bara and Harré are protected and will remain available for study and research long into the future, thus cementing Theda Bara’s legacy.
Join us for the Annual Preservation Lab Open House, Thursday, May 1, 2-4pm, 3rd floor Langsam Library. “More than Conservation” will include tours of the lab, demonstrations of projects and treatments, cookies, bookmarks, and stickers!
Want a sneak peek of the work of the Preservation Lab? Stop by Langsam Library’s 4th floor to learn about artist’s books and book arts, Tuesday, April 15, 2-3:30pm; and Thursday, April 17, 10:30am-noon to learn about the anatomy of a book.
Formed in 2012, the Preservation Lab is a book and paper conservation lab. The Preservation Lab provides the full suite of preservation services to the University of Cincinnati Libraries and, for a fee, to other cultural heritage institutions. The Preservation 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.
Read Source, the online newsletter, to learn about the news, events, people and happenings in UC Libraries.
In this issue of Source, Liz Kiscaden, dean and university librarian, writes about how UC Libraries is taking advantage of funding opportunities to Invest in Strategic Priorities. The Archives and Rare Books Library announces receipt of a national grant to process historic Cincinnati schools desegregation case records.The Carl Solway Gallery Archive in the Robert A. Deshon and Karl J. Schlachter Library for Design, Architecture, Art and Planning (DAAP) Library is featured. Ted Baldwin, head of the Sciences Libraries, writes about how the razing of the iconic Crosley Tower will necessitate the move of the current Chemistry-Biology Library space to Braunstein Hall where it will merge with the Geology-Mathematics-Physics Library to become the Science Library opening fall semester.
Read these articles, as well as past issues, on the website. To receive Source via e-mail, contact melissa.norris@uc.edu to be added to the mailing list.
Read Source, the online newsletter, to learn about the news, events, people and happenings in UC Libraries.
In this issue of Source, Liz Kiscaden, dean and university librarian, announces UC Libraries Strategic Plan, 2024-2027. This participatory and data-informed process to draft a Strategic Plan resulted in a renewed mission, Values and four Strategic Directions: Enrich Our Collections, Expand Our Impact, Strengthen Our Organization and Support Our Students.
This special issue of Source includes examples of how we’re already working to achieve the goals articulated in our Strategic Directions:
Enrich Our Collections. Social Activist with a press showcases recently acquired work of Amos Kennedy to the collections of the Archives and Rare Books Library.
Expand Our Impact. Read about Mac-Anthony Cobblah‘s, university librarian for the Sam Jonah Library at the University of Cape Coast, summer visit to UC Libraries, as well as an article about how three librarians from the Donald C. Harrison Health Sciences Library launched a pilot 15-week Systematic Review cohort.
Support Our Students. Two recent UC collaborations – one with the UC Learning Commons to provide student and tutoring opportunities in Langsam Library and another with the Accessibility Resources Offices to revamp the Accessible Technology Space – are prime examples of how UC Libraries is working for students.
Read these articles, as well as past issues, on the website. To receive Source via e-mail, contact melissa.norris@uc.edu to be added to the mailing list.
The Poetry Stacked Anthology, Volume 1 features the work of the poets, artists and dancers of the 2022-23 series. Accomplished poets featured in the Poetry Anthology, Volume 1 include University of Cincinnati faculty members Alecia Beymer, Elijah Guerra, Aditi Machado and Felicia Zamora, along with current and former University of Cincinnati students Hussain Ahmed, Taylor Byas, Casey Harloe, Asher Marron, Nicholas Molbert, Dior Stephens and Connor Yeck. Community poets bring a vibrancy to the Poetry Anthology with Manuel Iris, Violeta Orozco, Caroline Plasket, Kristen Renzi and Ohio Poet Laureate Kari Gunter-Seymour.
Art, dance and poetry coalesce in the Poetry Anthology highlighting the UC College-Conservatory of Music students Sydney D’Orso, Emilia Mieczykowski and Gracie Zamiska and College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning artists Kyle Angel, Kelsey Linder and Pedal Miranda.
The Anthology is a true artist book. Printed on bright pink paper with a four-part insert on colorful paper, its structure is an accordion fold that reveals each part upon opening. The first three parts include poems, artwork and illustrations from the featured 16 poets of the 2022-23 Poetry Stacked reading series. The fourth part features an Editor’s Note from student editor Grace Guy and biographies of the poets, artists and dancers.
The reverse side includes a list of the poets, the Poetry Stacked branding and two pockets – one containing the Poetry Stacked sticker and another for the book’s owner to fill.
The Anthology was a collaboration between the Elliston Poetry Room, University of Cincinnati Libraries, the Preservation Lab and the University of Cincinnati Press. The Anthology was edited by Grace Guy, Ben Kline and Michael Peterson.The form was created by Holly Prochaska with Melissa Cox Norris designing the layout and cover art. Jessica Ebert, Catarina Figueirinhas, Hyacinth Tucker and Holly Prochaska assembled the Anthology.
A semi-regular poetry reading series held in the 6th floor east stacks of the Walter C. Langsam Library, the mission of Poetry Stacked is to celebrate poetry and raise awareness of the collections of both UC Libraries and the Elliston Poetry Room.
Each reading engages audiences via exposure to contemporary poetry and increases appreciation for both the talents of UC and community poets, as well as for poetry itself. Poetry Stacked is free and open to all to attend. Following each reading, guests are invited to tour the Elliston Poetry Room.
Meet the newest two Preservation Lab staff members, Matt and Nicole, at the annual Open House on Thursday, May 2, 2024, 2-4pm, Walter C. Langsam Library 300 Level.
In May of 2023, Matthew McCoy joined the Preservation Lab as a conservation specialist with over seven years of library experience with the Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library collections. He received a MLIS from San Jose University. Additionally, Matt comes with experience in construction and remodeling, bringing his ability to perform detailed work requiring manual dexterity in a variety of forms. Matt is also an accomplished jazz double-bassist with a B.A. in music performance from Northern Kentucky University, and he still performs in his spare time.
Nicole Browning joined the Preservation Lab March 18, 2024 as a conservation assistant. Nicole holds a BA in anthropology from Eastern Kentucky University. Her background with collections and exhibits include experience at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science and the Cincinnati Museum Center. Most recently, Nicole has worked as a library customer adviser at the Bond Hill Branch at the Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library. In her personal time, she crochets and rides horses.
Meet Matt and Nicole, along with the rest of the talented people who work in the Preservation Lab, at their upcoming Open House on Thursday, May 2 from 2pm-4pm as they celebrate Preservation Week. Located in the 300 Level of the Walter C. Langsam Library, the Preservation Lab’s Open House theme is “Back to Basics” and will feature samples of their work, opportunities to meet and greet preservation colleagues and cookies!
