News and announcements
📸 Emory University’s Woodruff Library is cataloging a remarkable donation of photography books from Sir Elton John, who gifted around 2,000 titles after selling his longtime Atlanta residence. The collection includes limited-edition, signed, and annotated books spanning five decades and over 25 countries. Staff have found personal touches in the books, such as sticky notes, printed emails, and handwritten messages, offering intimate glimpses into his artistic interests and relationships. Here’s the part that I loved: “In the process of cataloging, dust jackets are typically removed and discarded. But in an effort to reduce waste, Emory hosted a zine-making and collage workshop called “HANDS ON: An art making study break with Sir Elton John’s photography books” using the jackets as art material” (pictured above). So cool!
👩⚖️ Berkeley Library is processing four collections relating to women in politics: the Vera Smith Schultz papers, Mary Moore papers, Marjorie H. E. Benedict papers, and Eleanor Cameron Fowle papers. Each collection offers insights into local governance, party organizing, and political advocacy (esp. in California). Highlights range from Moore’s tenure on the Oakland City Council and Schultz’s pioneering civic leadership in Marin County, to Benedict’s Republican National Committee work and Cameron’s Democratic activism and biographical writing.
😣 “Please be patient and partner with us as we adapt.” That’s the core message of the latest from Duke University Libraries regarding the reductions in library staff and budget. Subject librarians need to be reassigned, the number of workshops will be reduced, and certain services will be cut back which could result in longer wait times and limited access to library spaces. It’s the worst possible position to be in, one that reduces support for both students and faculty.
🪡 The University of Georgia Libraries opened a new “Creative Engagement Wing” where students can, among other things: utilize a variety of makerspace equipment (laser cutter, 3D printer, sewing machine), explore VR, practice group presentations, create podcasts, and get access to video, audio, and graphic design software. “We want students to feel comfortable engaging with emerging technologies and for the barrier to entry to be low,” said Sara Wright, UGA’s associate university librarian for learning services and academic engagement.
🌴 The Emory University Libraries conservation team is hosting a workshop on palm leaf manuscripts. Participants will be shown how to assemble a paperboard model, given an introduction to the history of the palm leaf manuscript structure, and provided with resources for further exploration. The team will also share important innovations in photographing, housing, and preserving these materials. This is the third in an annual series of conservations workshop. The first, offered in 2023, explored paper marbling. In 2024, the workshop focused on paste papers.
Notable mentions
- Fresno State Library is offering a workshop series on radical mending and alteration skills to help students repair clothing (seen above).
- The student government at the University of Florida honors the libraries with a senate resolution.
- The SMU Libraries has a stipend opportunity for faculty interested in redesigning a research assignment within the context of artificial intelligence.
- You can now explore President William McKinley’s 1901 autopsy files online thanks to the University at Buffalo Libraries.
- Bestselling author John Green will speak at the University of Kansas Libraries in September.
- The Charles Library at Temple University has installed a hydroponic display that includes tomatoes and kale.
- Speaking of plants, Stony Brook University Libraries has a plant propagation station. Take a plant. Leave a plant!
- BYU Library is hosting “Library Quest” which appears to be part open house, part LARPing event.
- AI-curated mocktails? Sure, why not. UNC Libraries hosted a welcome event for their new Library AI studio.
With the new academic year starting at many colleges and universities, libraries are welcoming new students and faculty and reminding them about the essentials. Examples include University of Cincinnati, Binghamton University, Emory, Fordham, University of Denver, Boston University, Loyola Marymount University, Seton Hall, and Villanova.
On social
For me, one sign of good social media content is whether I can tell someone had fun making it. Even though there are no people depicted in this Reel from Western University, it feels like someone thoroughly enjoyed putting it together. The hippo may not be real, but support from the library certainly is!
Maybe not useful to everyone, but this Reel is easily replicable if your library has any recurring architectural motifs. Apparently, the River Campus Libraries at the University of Rochester has owls.
I do NOT get tired of watching this. And, like, I knew it was coming, but I still find it hilarious. Absolutely delightful. Thank you, as always UVU Library.
Whether you like it or not, Labubus are trending. Mizzou Libraries has Labubu-inspired reading lists and George Mason Libraries has one exploring its spaces. Bring on the chaos!