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Dean’s Note: Investments in Strategic Priorities
When rare opportunities for additional funding present themselves, it’s important to be ready with project ideas that are shovel ready. Such an opportunity presented itself this fall and UC Libraries rose to the challenge. The university is transitioning to a new budget model, which necessitated a spend down of under spent funds, largely the result of hiring delays. To take advantage of this opportunity, UC Libraries faculty and staff were invited to submit funding proposals for projects that aligned with our Strategic Directions: Enrich Our Collections, Expand Our Impact, Strengthen Our Organization and Support Our Students. Approximately 20 proposals were received which addressed facilities, staffing, collections and technology. Our leadership…
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Archives and Rare Books Library received national grant to process historic Cincinnati schools desegregation case records
By Christopher Harter, Julianna Witt and Melissa Cox Norris Last September, The National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) awarded the University of Cincinnati’s Archives and Rare Books Library a $109,349 grant to support a project to complete archival processing of the records of the Cincinnati Branch of the NAACP related to the 1974 Bronson v. Cincinnati Board of Education, the city’s most significant legal case in the fight for school desegregation. Filed in 1974, the Bronson case was not the first litigation to address segregation and discrimination in the Cincinnati Public Schools, but it was the first to create some accountability for the Cincinnati School Board. Housed in the…
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Chemistry-Biology Library: On the Move
By Ted Baldwin The upcoming razing of the University of Cincinnati’s iconic Crosley Tower necessitates a move of the current Chemistry-Biology Library space and services. The “Chem-Bio” Library, as it is affectionately called, resides in the connector building that spans Crosley Tower and Rieveschl Hall. Since this connector is also slated for demolition, the Libraries have been very busy preparing for the big move of this specialized and cherished library. During summer semester 2025, the Chem-Bio Library will move operations, services, collections and reserves to Braunstein Hall. These will become part of the consolidated Science Library that opens in fall semester. The Science Library, a refreshed space with new carpeting, lighting, furniture and more…
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Exploring Historical Bindings: A Hands-On Workshop at UC’s Archives and Rare Books Library
By Catarina Figueirinhas In December 2024, the Preservation Lab, in collaboration with the Archives and Rare Books (ARB) Library, hosted Identifying and Describing Historical Binding Structures: A Stacks Appraisal Workshop. This two-day workshop, led by renowned bookbinding scholar and book conservator Julia Miller, provided participants with the opportunity to closely examine historical book structures, refine their descriptive vocabulary, and engage in discussions about historical book structures and cataloging practices. Hands-On Learning in Special Collections The workshop was designed to encourage deeper engagement with ARB’s special collections (manuscripts and incunabula) by fostering a hands-on approach to learning about historical bindings. Participants, including preservation lab staff, special collections librarians, and catalogers—worked directly…
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Events in the library
Spring is event-season at the university. UC Libraries plans and sponsors events that engage and connect students, researchers and faculty with library services, collections and expertise. From edible books to poetry to a zine workshop, there’s something for everyone:
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Dean’s Note: Announcing the University of Cincinnati Libraries Strategic Plan, 2024-2027
Shortly upon my arrival at the University of Cincinnati Libraries, we began a participatory and data-informed process to draft a Strategic Plan. Through town halls, retreats, info sessions, surveys, discussions and debate we examined what is going well in the Libraries along with what opportunities exist for improvement and growth. This spring we embarked on an exercise to begin to determine and articulate our Values. We asked ourselves what are our organization’s core beliefs that will motivate our work and guide our efforts. How we work together will guarantee success of the plan. In developing our plan, we also concentrated on our role within the university and greater community. The…
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Charting a path forward: Our Strategic Directions
With the launch of the University of Cincinnati Libraries Strategic Plan, 2024-2027, we are increasing our impact by focusing on four strategic directions: Enrich Our Collections, Expand Our Impact, Strengthen Our Organization and Support Our Students. Enrich Our Collections Enrich and curate library collections that enable intellectual endeavors and inspire new discoveries. Expand Our Impact Expand our impact as a trusted academic and research partner through promotion, engagement and collaboration. Strengthen Our Organization Strengthen an inclusive library enterprise through an investment in our people, practices and spaces by creating a shared purpose with active participation and accountability. Support Our Students Support academic readiness, create access and foster success and belonging…
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Building connections: Mac-Anthony Cobblah visits UC Libraries
This summer, the University of Cincinnati Libraries hosted visiting scholar Mac-Anthony Cobblah from the University of Cape Coast in Cape Coast, Ghana. Cobblah is university librarian for the Sam Jonah Library at the University of Cape Coast. Visiting scholar grants are awarded by UC International to faculty from the university’s strategic partner institutions. They give recipients the opportunity to spend time on UC’s campus, form relationships with their UC colleagues and develop joint research projects in their discipline. More information about the Visiting Scholar Grants can be found online. In the months leading to his visit, Cobblah worked with Dean Liz Kiscaden and UC International to identify areas of interest.…
