Category Archives: UC Libraries

ARB and the Enlightenment

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By: Bridget McCormick, ARB Student Assistant

Thomas PaineOne of the strengths of the rare books collection in the Archives & Rare Books Library is 18th c. British literature, encompassing poetry and drama, history, political treatises, social commentary, and homiletics among several genres. And, these works are complemented by materials for the same time period from the Continent, particularly France and Germany. Brought together, these important volumes highlight the Age of Enlightenment, that period of intellectual development and reasoning that took place in Europe between the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. To “enlighten” is to provide knowledge or understanding to and indeed, this chapter of European history introduced significant developments in art, philosophy, science, and politics. Continue reading →

Libby Holman: Fresh Painting the Town Red

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By: Sydney Vollmer

Libby HolmanThe Fresh Painters Club was considered controversial due to the type of plays it put on—nothing was off-limits. Perhaps the nature of the club was influenced by the free spirits who participated. One such spirit was Libby Holman. Nineteen Twenty-three, the year the club was founded, she played the role of Violet Fields in “Fresh Paint.” Having dreams and talent too big for her hometown, she left for New York in 1924.

Born Elizabeth Holzman, her last name was changed sometime after her uncle, Ross, embezzled $1 million dollars from the stockbrokerage he owned with Libby’s father. Mr. Holzman changed the family’s name not only because of the anti-German attitudes in America at the time, but because he most likely wanted to save his kin from being attached to such an outrageous scandal, and because he needed to detach himself from the Holzman name so he could find work. This was only the first of many scandals with which Libby would be associated. Continue reading →

Fresh Painters Club

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By:  Sydney Vollmer

Lilaine Program CoverI’m a little late on posting a few big Shakespeare things. I promise they’re coming. In the craziness that has been finals, Kevin decided maybe I would like a little break from the Bard. (He was right.) He suggested I try painting for a little—and by that he meant looking into the Fresh Painters Club that was once a major extra-curricular at the University of Cincinnati. Conveniently, there was a history of the club that was written several decades ago. Though I don’t know who wrote it or exactly when it was penned, he or she explained the organization far better than I can. The text is as follows:

ANALYSIS OF THE FRESH PAINTER ACTIVITY

OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI.

HISTORY.

Looking backward, the Fresh Painters has developed from an old Varsity tradition. Every year during the period between 1900 and 1921, students gave a revue called “Varsity Vanities”. These revues were disconnected sets depicting the frivolities of campus life, and demonstrated singing, dancing and acting talents of undergraduates. Every spring the varsity Vanities Committee was organized and the revue was produced. Continue reading →

The Intriguing History of Cincinnati’s Dunham Hospital

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Inscription and tuberculosis symbol from the
stone entrance to Dunham Hospital.
This photo serves as a link to the finding aid for the Cincinnati Branch Tuberculosis (Dunham)
Hospital Collection.

By: Nathan Hood

A few miles west of downtown Cincinnati is the Dunham Recreation Center: a significant expanse of land mostly open to the public. The land however, was not always recreational; at one time it was the location of the Dunham Hospital – the same hospital after which the Center is named. Now long since abandoned, Dunham Hospital was once a branch of the Cincinnati Hospital and a means of treating as well as quarantining tuberculosis patients. But such facts are only a small portion of this institution’s rich history! Indeed, the hospital’s story arguably begins sometime during the early 1800’s.

Continue reading →

Academy of Fellows for Teaching & Learning Launches Journal for Research & Practice in College Teaching

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by Heather Maloney

JRPCT

The Academy of Fellows for Teaching & Learning at the University of Cincinnati has launched the inaugural issue of their peer reviewed, open access journal entitled Journal for Research & Practice in College Teaching [JRPCT]. The AFTL’s objective is to publish articles promoting student learning with themes around effective practices in teaching and learning. Ruth Benander, Brenda Refaei, Gene Kramer and Rita Kumar are the current editorial team.  The JRPCT is a beta project for Journals@UC,  a pilot initiative supported jointly by the UC Libraries and IT@UC. Journals@UC is designed to complement Scholar@UC and uses open source software developed by the Public Knowledge Project.   For additional information about the pilot, please contact journals@uc.edu.

The inaugural issue of JRPCT can be accessed here: https://journals.uc.edu/index.php/jrpct/issue/view/49

Dean’s Corner: UC Libraries’ Dean’s Advisory Council Explore Strategic Issues of Space

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Dean of University Libraries, Xuemao Wang

Dean of University Libraries, Xuemao Wang

Over two years ago, recruitment began for my Dean’s Advisory Council, an advisory group comprised of individuals from different industries and backgrounds with a tremendous passion for higher education and lifelong learning, global experience, digital technologies and a commitment to UC and the mission of UC Libraries. This group met recently to discuss and explore the issues and goals of library space. Continue reading →

UCBA Library’s Whiteboards and Wine Event Wraps up NLW 2016

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The UCBA Library wrapped up National Library Week 2016 with Whiteboards & Wine. Faculty came out to relax in the midst of end-of-semester activities with light snacks and wine. Faculty enjoyed coloring with artwork from various library collections, answered some fun, reading related questions and viewed the library’s NLW #librarytransforms video.

Many thanks to everyone who helped us celebrate National Library Week!

Celebrate Preservation Week at an Open House April 29 in the Preservation Lab

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In celebration of National Preservation Week, the Preservation Lab will host its annual open house on April 29 from 1:30-3:30pm.

Preservation Week Flyer

Located on the 300 level of Langsam Library, the Preservation Lab preserves and conserves the collections of UC Libraries and the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County. At the open house, lab staff will demo some of the techniques and equipment used to repair and protect materials, as well as showcase some of their recent projects. In addition to the usual fun, this year visitors to the Preservation Lab will have an opportunity to make their own sheet of paper with plant fibers beaten with a Hollander beater.

We hope to see you then!

UC Libraries and National Library Week

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librariesweekcarousel

April 10-16 marks National Library Week. Show your support for UC Libraries by making a gift at uc.edu/give.

Read why students love UC Libraries…

aoakmanThe University of Cincinnati Library has provided me with a quiet learning environment and many resources to further my learning.  It is important to me that the university and its libraries care about my education.

Abby Oakman, senior, Lindner College of Business, marketing

 

 

efalerThe UC libraries are important to me because they provide a place for me to focus when I have tons of homework. On top of this, the libraries provide a great environment for group study when I want to work on homework with my friends.

Emily Faler, sophomore, DAAP, graphic communication design

 

 

boganThe library is important to me because it provides an easy, safe, reliable job that might be hard to find anywhere else.

Bailey Ogan, freshman, McMicken College of Arts & Sciences, exploratory

 

 

 

 

agettlefingerUC libraries are important to me because they provide a nice, quiet space where I am able to concentrate on my work, especially between my classes. The library is also a great place to work, since it is so close to where I live.

Ashley Gettelfinger, sophomore, McMicken College of Arts & Sciences, pre-pharmacy

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For more about UC Libraries giving opportunities, visit our web page.

Study 24/7 in Langsam Library during Exams

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owlCramming for an exam? Need a safe, quiet place to study?

Langsam Library space will be open 24/7 beginning noon on Sunday, April 17 through 11pm, Thursday, April 28. Regular hours will resume 8am on Thursday, April 28.

To enter the library after regular hours, students must do so via the 5th floor UCit@Langsam card-swipe entrance (a valid UC ID is required).

No library staff or services requiring assistance will be available during the extended hours (with the exception of UCit@Langsam); however, security will be present thanks to UC’s Public Safety.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT! UC Libraries and Food Services have partnered to provide coffee and snacks beginning at 10pm each night for students studying in Langsam.

As always, please be safe when leaving the library no matter what the hour.

UC offers NightRide to get students home safely. NightRide can be reached at 556-RIDE or speak to the Langsam Library Security Officer before you exit the building and they will contact NightRide.

The Woodside/Library Garage has Safe Zone Parking, which allows those that enter the garage after 8:00 p.m. and leave by 5:59 a.m. to exit for $1.