News
The Libraries plays a critical role within the university, connecting and converging all disciplines while also serving as a community hub and a cultural bridge by providing outstanding collections, services and programs that foster an inclusive environment for learning and research. Through this work, the Libraries builds collaborative networks within our UW community and beyond. UW Libraries’ Global Engagement initiative, brings international scholars together with UW and local international communities to explore a wide variety of topics related to global…
Recognized in several of UNESCO’s Cultural Heritage Lists, the Jeju Haenyeo are an extraordinary group of women free divers from Jeju Island, Korea, whose remarkable skills and dedication represent a profound cultural heritage– a heritage that is at risk due to the impacts of climate change, shifting populations and other impacts. The Haenyeo’s (Korean: 해녀; lit. sea women) livelihood consists of harvesting a variety of mollusks, seaweed, and other sea life from the ocean. Known for their independent spirit and…
It’s July, Huskies! We hope you have been enjoying the sunny weather. Here’s a reminder that the UW Libraries is here for you throughout the summer, providing 24/7 help, research consultations, a rotation of interesting exhibits, book club and artist talks, and complete access to our collections. Recommended Reads for Equity Need a new read for the summer? Explore our crowd-sourced recommendation forum online and in Odegaard Library for books about equity, diversity, and inclusion. You can even submit your…
Influenced by social justice movements, critical archival studies seek to question power differentials assumed in frameworks of archival collecting and access, and center curatorial responsibilities in communities who may re-interpret, re-define and use materials for community-based public memory projects. For example, when official colonial archival collections are made more accessible via online or other methods, populations have the opportunity to appropriate and reinterpret them. Using their own perspectives and vocabularies, they are adding layers of new meaning that speak to…
Some of the earliest documentation of Black community celebrations in Texas commemorating emancipation are reported in a January 2, 1866 Galveston, Texas newspaper. In addition to speeches and the reading of the Emancipation Proclamation, the account notes the singing of “John Brown’s Body”, a popular folk hymn about the abolitionist, John Brown. Newspaper reports of emancipation celebrations through the rest of the 19th century indicate that song, dance, and parades were integral parts of the celebrations of what has become…
The following articles and books are authored or co-authored by UW Libraries’ librarians and staff. This list is not comprehensive, representing a short list and selection of recent publications.
Happy June, Huskies! Can you believe it’s the end of the year? Congrats to all UW graduates on all of your amazing accomplishments! If you are graduating, please be sure to read our blog post below on maintaining benefits post-graduation! Whether you are heading out for summer break, are taking summer classes or embarking on post-UW life, keep in mind UW Libraries is here for you year-round, online and in-person. In addition to Special Collections’ fantastic exhibits and summer book…
The annual UW Libraries Student Video Contest asks students to create original videos showcasing the Libraries through the lens of student experience. The 2024 results are in, and with so many creative and compelling submissions it was hard to pick the finalists! Congratulations to the first place winners Anjali Einstein and Lipicka Prasath, whose video ”I Miss You” made us smile and cry (happy tears). Additional congratulations to second and third place winners Shashank Shivashankar and Taylor Lai, as well…
Did You Know? A few interesting facts we learned from each workshop: Due to a lack of accessibility in online data visualizations, screen reader users extract information 62% less accurately, and spend 211% more time doing so. The average shelf life of a digital project is five years. WordPress is an easy, low-code/no-code way to make accessible, responsive websites that you can create to communicate your research work in a compelling way. (And the OSC can help you with tools…
As a UW Libraries employee for 24 years, one of Janet Pliske’s interests was helping others to learn and grow in their jobs and career paths. After retiring in 2000, Janet kept in touch with many library colleagues and fellow retirees. Sadly, Janet passed away late last year. Upon her passing, we learned that Janet included UW Libraries in her estate plan, which provided seed funding to establish the Libraries Professional Development Endowed Fund. This new endowment, combined with continued…