Tag Archives: Library News
A Photographic Look at 125 Years of UC Libraries
How do you determine the starting date of the University of Cincinnati Libraries when from the university’s founding in 1819, books played an important part in the education of students? As early as 1875, a collection of books could be found in the various classrooms of University Building (now McMicken). These materials were selected for daily reference use and were acquired through various departmental funds. In 1883, a small working library was established in the Academic Department (College of Liberal Arts). However, it is in 1892 that the Libraries were officially recognized as a distinct administrative unit of the university by the Board of Directors (as the Trustees were called at the time) with the naming of a dean and the establishment of a separate general library apart from small departmental libraries maintained by faculty members. William Everett Waters, professor of Greek and comparative philology, was appointed the first Dean and University Librarian and would serve until 1894. Thus, 2017 marks the 125th anniversary of the University of Cincinnati Libraries.
To mark the occasion of our 125th anniversary, we have compiled an exhibit of photographs of the libraries past and present – from the first library in Van Wormer to the stately Blegen Library to Langsam Library, UC Libraries have changed considerably in 125 years.
The photographs are also on display in the 5th floor lobby of the Walter C. Langsam Library. They are from the collections of the Archives and Rare Books Library and UC Libraries Communications Department.
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- Early Van Wormer Library
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- Inside of Van Wormer Library
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- Van Wormer Library
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- Blegen Library
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- Blegen Library Exhibit Case
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- Blegen Library Chandeliers
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- Sixth Floor of Blegen Library
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- Reading Outside Blegen Library
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- Exterior of Blegen Library
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- Staircase in Blegen Library
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- Blegen Library Reading Room
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- GI’s in Blegen Library
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- Studying/Sleeping in Blegen Library
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- Blegen Library
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- Blegen Library
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- Reading Room in the Blegen Library
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- Blegen Library Chandelier
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- Reference Help
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- Former Reference Desk in the Archives and Rare Books Library
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- Listening Stations in the CCM Library
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- Former CCM Library Reference Desk
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- Reference Desk in the Former CCM Library Location
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- Elliston Poetry Room
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- Blegen Library Stacks
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- Blegen Library
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- Lounging Outside Langsam Library
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- Newly Constructed Langsam Library
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- Exterior of Langsam Library
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- Students Walking by Langsam Library
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- Inside Langsam Library
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- Sixth Floor of Langsam Library
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- Government Documents Student Worker
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- Looking Down in Langsam Library
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- Steps in Langsam Library
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- Langsam Interior
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- Slide Catalog in the DAAP Library
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- Early Photo of CEAS Library Reading Room
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- Archives and Rare Books Library
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- Albino Gorno Memorial Library (CCM)
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- The College of Engineering and Applied Sciences Library (CEAS)
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- Ralph E. Oesper Chemistry-Biology Library
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- John Miller Burnam Classics Library
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- College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH) Library
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- Robert A. Deshon and Karl J. Schlachter Library for Design, Architecture, Art and Planning (DAAP)
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- Geology-Mathematics-Physics Library
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- Donald C. Harrison Health Sciences Library
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- Walter C. Langsam Library
For more about the history of UC Libraries, read http://digital.libraries.uc.edu/exhibits/arb/lawrenceBook/ulhistory.pdf. In the coming year, we will find more opportunities to celebrate the future of UC Libraries as we look to 125+ years.
Digital Archivist Eira Tansey to Give Keynote Address at Digital Preservation Forum Wednesday
Eira Tansey
Eira Tansey, digital archivist/records manager in the Archives and Rare Books Library, will deliver a keynote address at the Digital Library Federation’s (DLF) Digital Preservation Forum from 4-5 pm on Wednesday, Oct. 25. DLF keynotes feature speakers doing work around contemporary issues in librarianship and cultural heritage (see 2016’s speakers). Eira’s talk, titled “The Necessary Knowledge,” will focus on the connections between record keeping and environmental protection, using Pittsburgh’s environmental history – where DLF is taking place – as a backdrop.
Logistical details:
Wednesday, October 25, 4-5 pm. This is the opening keynote for National Digital Stewardship Alliance’s Digital Preservation 2017: “Preservation is Political,” which is hosted by the Digital Library Federation and taking place in Pittsburgh.
Live stream link: https://forum2017.diglib.org/livestream-recordings/
Speaker page: https://forum2017.diglib.org/speakers/eira-tansey/
Eira Tansey is the digital archivist and records manager at the University of Cincinnati’s Archives and Rare Books Library. She has previously written about Cincinnati’s public libraries, the visibility and compensation of archivist’s labor and the effects of climate change on archival practice. She is currently collaborating on a Society of American Archivists foundation grant to develop a comprehensive data set of American archives locations in order to aid future spatial analysis of the field, and researching environmental regulatory record keeping.
The National Digital Stewardship Alliance, hosted by the Digital Library Federation, is a consortium of more than 220 partnering organizations, including universities, professional associations, businesses, government agencies and nonprofit organizations, all committed to the long-term preservation of digital information. Members work together to preserve access to our national digital heritage.
Books by the Banks Brings Bestselling Authors to Cincinnati
For more than a decade, the region’s biggest book festival has brought the best in literature to downtown Cincinnati. This year’s festival is no different and will feature more than 130 authors, as well as literary themed activities for all ages.The 11th annual Books by the Banks: Cincinnati Regional Book Festival will be held 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28 at Duke Energy Convention Center, 525 Elm St., Downtown Cincinnati. UC Libraries is an organizing partner of the literary event along with the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, Mercantile Library, Northern Kentucky University Library, Gateway Community and Technical College, MidPointe Library System, Lane Libraries and Clermont County Library.
Many bestselling national authors will be present at the event, including:
- Kate DiCamillo, the author of “Because of Winn Dixie” and one of only a handful of people to have been honored with not one, but two Newbery Medals.
- Lauren Oliver, best-selling author of many young adult novels, including “Before I Fall,” which was recently adapted as a major motion picture.
- Stephanie Powell Watts, a literary newcomer but already an award winner with her novel “No One is Coming to Save Us.”
- Matt Bellassai, Buzzfeed writer and YouTube sensation.
- Gretchen Carlson, returning to Cincinnati, cut her teeth as a reporter for WCPO before heading to Fox News. She has now become a spokesperson against sexual harassment in the workplace with her book “Be Fierce.”
- It is again a banner year for children’s authors including Rafael Lopez, Ben Clanton, Will Hillenbrand, Loren Long, Chris Grabenstein and many more.
Several authors at the festival have a UC connection, including:
- Phillip J. Obermiller, co-author of “The Cincinnati Human Relations Commission: A History, 1943 – 2013,” is a senior visiting scholar in the College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning’s School of Planning.
- Obermiller’s co-author, Thomas E. Wagner, is professor emeritus in the School of Planning.
- Judy McCarty Kuhn, editor-in-chief of the 1966-67 “News Record,” is a retired Cincinnati English, history and journalism teacher. Her book, “The Other UC and Me: Editing the Sixties,” talks about her experiences at the newspaper.
The day-long festival will feature book signings, author panels and activities for the entire family to enjoy in the Kids’ Corner and Teen Scene. The popular “Writing and Getting Published” series returns this year with panel discussions covering hot topics for writers and workshops to help hone the craft of writing. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet authors and purchase signed copies of their books. Books by the Banks features writers in various categories, including fiction, non-fiction, cooking, children’s literature, local travel, sports and more.
All events are free and open to the public. For more information, and to see a complete schedule of events, visit www.booksbythebanks.org.
UC Libraries Celebrates UC Homecoming with Celebrity Storytellers
Beginning Nov. 12 UC I.D. Required to Enter Blegen after 5pm
Beginning Sunday, Nov. 12, a valid UC I.D. is required to enter Blegen Library, home of the Archives and Rare Books Library, John Miller Burnam Classics Library, the Albino Gorno Memorial Music (CCM) Library and the Classics Department, after 5pm.
Public Access: doors to 400 level will be unlocked:
Monday-Friday: 8am-5pm
Saturday: 10am-5pm
Sunday: 1pm-5pm
UC Community Access: doors to the 400 level will be locked and accessible with a UC I.D:
Monday-Thursday: 7:30am-11pm
Friday: 7:30am-6pm
Saturday: 9:30am-6pm
Sunday: 12:30pm-11pm
Individual library hours vary, so check each libraries hours online at https://www.libraries.uc.edu/about/hours.html
What Do Martin Luther, a Hidden Paleontologist and German-Americans Have in Common? They are All in the Latest Source.
Read Source, the online newsletter, to learn more about the news, events, people and happenings in UC Libraries.
This latest issue of Source includes an article from Xuemao Wang, dean and university librarian, about UC Libraries core beliefs and their role on how we achieve our mission “to empower discovery, stimulate learning and inspire the creation of knowledge by connecting students, faculty, researchers and scholars to dynamic data, information and resources.” Kevin Grace, university archivist and head of the Archives and Rare Books Library, writes about a hidden bust of a famous 20th-century paleontologist and philosopher. Two important gifts are announced in this issues of Source – the first, an endowment from the Marge and Charles J. Schott Foundation for the German-Americana Collection; the second, a legacy gift from Sandra and Robert Cohan to benefit musical collections in the Albino Gorno Memorial Library. Exhibits highlighting the Archives and Rare Books Library’s Shakespeare Collection, the 500th anniversary of the Reformation and a book display for Hispanic Heritage Month are also featured in this issue of Source. In addition, a collaboration between the College of Medicine and the Donald C. Harrison Health Sciences Library to create a grant program to partner medical faculty with library informationists is announced.
Read these articles, as well as past issues, on the web at http://libapps.libraries.uc.edu/source/ and via e-mail. To receive Source via e-mail, contact melissa.norris@uc.edu to be added to the mailing list.
Welcome, Aja Hickman, HR Coordinator
Aja Hickman
On Monday, September 18, 2017, Aja Hickman joined UC Libraries as our new human resources coordinator.
Aja holds a BA in anthropology from Miami University. She comes to UC Libraries from the Kroger Company where she served for two years as an administrative recruiter supporting 120 stores nationwide. Additionally, Aja served as professional development chair for the Kroger Company’s HR Cultural Council. In this role she was involved with many strategic training and development initiatives.
As UC Libraries’ HR coordinator, she will work closely with search committees and applicants. She will serve as primary leave administrator and provide administrative support to the HR operations. In addition, Aja will also work closely with Regina Bourne, director of human resources and organizational development (OD), to assist with upcoming OD programs and initiatives. We are so delighted that she is joining the Business/HR team!
Call for Nominations for the Fall 2017 Featured UC Faculty ‘Life of the Mind’ Presenter
The Nov. 14 lecture will celebrate UC faculty research, scholarship and creative output and foster the free and open exchange of ideas and discourse.
Life of the Mind, started in spring 2011, is an annual lecture series featuring interdisciplinary conversations with UC faculty from a variety of disciplines around a one-word theme. The fall lecture, scheduled for 3-5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14 will focus on the theme of “truth.”
Life of the Mind lectures feature one faculty member presenting his or her work and expertise in concert with the prescribed theme. The presentation is not simply be a recitation of the presenter’s work but promotes a point of view. A panel of three responds to and discusses the lecture from diverse perspectives, and a moderator encourages audience engagement.
The Life of the Mind Steering Committee seeks nominations for the featured UC faculty presenter. Each featured UC faculty presenter possesses:
- Accomplished UC faculty member with national/international reputation.
- Proven record of scholarship or creative works.
- Recognized as an expert in their field of study, research or creation of works.
- Experienced at presenting their work to an audience outside the classroom.
- Excellent and engaging speaker able to relate to a non-specialist audience.
- Provocative topic of study/research/creative work.
Most UC Libraries Closed Labor Day, September 4
UC Libraries will be closed Monday, September 4 for Labor Day, except for the Donald C. Harrison Health Sciences Library, which will be open 9am-5pm. This closing includes the Langsam Library 4th floor space, which will close Sunday, September 3 at 11pm and re-open Tuesday, September 5 at 7:45am.
A complete listing of library hours can be found online at www.libraries.uc.edu/about/hours.html.
Enjoy the long holiday weekend.