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February Update

February 3, 2026

February can sometimes feel like the longest month of the year– be it the weather, lack of daylight, exams, etc. Maybe UW Libraries resources and events will help brighten your month with new resources, workshops and events. Learn new skills, meet others, and get inspiration for that next research project. Special events like a curator talk in Special Collections, and events highlighting LOVE DATA WEEK and Black History Month–be sure to check our calendar for the full list of current events!

News and Stories

image: Sandra Kroupa
Sandra Kroupa

Celebrating 57 Years of Service: Sandra Kroupa: Celebrating the legendary career us UW Libraries Books Arts and Rare Books Curator.

What does Seattle labor history say about the success of “general strikes”? Labor Archivist and Head, Labor Archives of Washington, Conor Casey is part of an expert panel on KUOW’s Sound Politics podcast.

UW Libraries’ query service helps students, UW community 24/7 UW’s The Daily shares insights about one of the the Libraries most- used services

Dean Neame Joins Hathi Trust Board of Governors 

Looking for Valentines Day Date Ideas? Whether you’re with your best friends or that someone special, visiting UW Libraries Special Collections exhibits is always a fun, FREE and completely unique experience, especially on Tuesday, February 24 – tour the exhibit with Curator of the Pacific Northwest Collection, Anne Jenner, as she discusses some of the objects on display and shares additional items not included in the exhibit.  Check Libraries hours for exhibit dates/times.

image: Dubs with heart headband

Featured Resources

UW Labor and regulatory history: Through UW Libraries UW students, faculty and staff now have access to several new resources:

ProQuest history vault. Labor unions in the U.S.: offers important documentation on the growth, transformation, successes, and failures of one of the important American social movements of the 19th and 20th centuries, the modern American labor movement, with emphasis on four major national organization.

image" screenshot of Proquest search page

ProQuest Regulatory Insight: U.S. federal administrative law histories beginning in 1936, organized by federal statute and Executive Order. Includes Guidance and Policy documents.

ProQuest history vault. Workers, labor unions , and the American left in the 20th century: This module emphasizes the interaction between workers and the federal government documenting labor relations during the World War I era. Government surveillance files including U.S. Military Intelligence Reports on radicals and Department of Justice investigations of the Industrial Workers of the World, the Communist Party, and the use of military force. Other collections cover unemployment relief, farm tenancy, labor strife during World War II, and migratory labor in the 1950s and 1960s.

Community Events

Tuesday, Feb 10, 2026, 6:30 – 8 p.m. Katz Distinguished Lecture: Emily M. Bender, “Resisting Dehumanization in the Age of “AI”: The View from the Humanities” Emily M. Bender,  Thomas L. and Margo G. Wyckoff Endowed Professor in Linguistics and an Adjunct Professor in the School of Computer Science and the Information School, will explore processes of dehumanization and the vital role that the humanities have in resisting AI-related trends by painting a deeper and richer picture of what it is to be human.

Wednesday, Feb 11, 2026, 3:30 – 5 p.m. TEAL Digital Scholarship Series 2025-26: Detecting Shifts in Linguistic Register in Late Imperial Chinese Fiction The Tateuchi East Asia Library (TEAL) is proud to present the 2025-2026 TEAL Digital Scholarship Series, a dynamic program showcasing cutting-edge research by scholars in the fields of Chinese, Japanese and Korean studies. This series highlights how innovative digital tools and methodologies are transforming East Asian scholarship, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue, and broadening the impact of research within and beyond academia.

Tuesday, Feb 24, 2026, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. EXHIBIT TALK: Out of Scope: PNW Artifacts in Special Collections Explore unexpected artifacts that have made their way into Special Collections along with Curator of the Pacific Northwest Collection, Anne Jenner, as she discusses some of the objects on display and shares additional items not included in the Out of Scope exhibit, highlights unique and intriguing items found in Special Collections.

Matthew Alexander Randolph
Matthew Alexander Randolph,

Celebrate Black History

Thursday, Feb 12, 2026, 2:30 – 4 p.m. Walking with Frederick Douglass: Research, Identity, and Joy in Black Scholarship Prelude to Douglass Day.  Join Digital History and Open Scholarship Librarian Aubrey Williams for a conversation with Matthew Alexander Randolph, Associate Professor in American Ethnic Studies and a Frederick Douglass scholar to discuss Randolph’s his research of Frederick Douglass and how his scholarly journey both mirrors and has been shaped by his personal relationship to Douglass’s life and work and more. 

Friday, Feb 13, 2026, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Douglass Day Transcribe-a-thon Douglass Day is an annual transcribe-a-thon program that marks the birth of Frederick Douglass. Each year, sites across the country gather thousands of people to help create new & freely available resources for learning about Black history. A transcribe-a-thon is an event in which a group of people work together to transcribe a collection of digitized historical materials. No previous experience with transcription is required to join us.

Learning Workshops and Office Hours

LOVE DATA WEEK February 9-13

Love data week logo

From February 9-13, 2026, the international community will celebrate Love Data Week, exploring critical questions about data ownership and origins. This year’s theme, “Where’s the Data?” challenges us to examine where data comes from and who owns it before we use it in our work.

BTAA Events – Sign up now for FREE virtual events all week long – open to all Big Ten Academic Alliance member universities. Love Data Week Events (online)

Friday, Feb 13, 2026, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Accessible Data Visualization Workshop (online) with UW Libraries Data visualization best practices and tools do not always discuss accessibility, which can exclude many groups of people. This workshop will review ways to make your visualizations more accessible.

Computing With Classics – Open Scholarship Event Series

Computing With Classics is a returning five-workshop series exploring how computing has affected classical scholarship.

Friday, Feb 13, 2026, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Computing With Classics 3: Languages In the third workshop, we will investigate design values and philosophy behind programming languages, and the similarities and differences between programming and ancient language instruction. No prior experience expected or required!

Friday, Feb 27, 2026, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.Computing With Classics 4: Humanistic Computing In the fourth workshop, we will discuss the role of humanities in computing, digital sustainability, and responsible computing. No prior experience expected or required!

Pressbooks Accessibility Office Hours Wednesday, Feb 18, 2026, 10 – 11 a.m. Drop in at any time during our office hours to get help checking and resolving accessibility issues on your UW Libraries Pressbooks project. 

ORCID 101: The ORCID iD and Record (Online)  Wednesday, Feb 18, 2026, 12 – 1 p.m. ORCID 101: The ORCID iD and Record (Online)  Are you applying for a grant? Submitting a manuscript for publication? Want to make your professional activities and contributions visible? With research organizations increasingly requiring and using ORCID, knowing how to get and use your free ORCID iD and ORCID record will help you save time and get recognition for your work and contributions.

UW Press Book Talks

Image- book cover, Wrecked: Unsettling Histories from the Graveyard of the Pacific by Coll Thrush

The University of Washington Press, a part of UW Libraries,  is the oldest and largest publisher of scholarly and general interest books in the Pacific Northwest!  We regularly host author talks and events each month. Join us for these upcoming events: 

February 5: UW China Studies Program and Department of Asian Languages and Literature Present: Ping Wang discussing “The Poetic Way of Xie Lingyun”

February 23: Pacific Lutheran University Presents: Banu Subramaniam discussing “Botany of Empire” | Rachel Carson Science, Technology, and Society Lecture 

February 26: KUOW and Seattle Public Library Present: Coll Thrush discussing “Wrecked” | KUOW Book Talks

Exhibits

Nohchantbook

From Brush to Type: The Evolution of Bookmaking in East AsiaFrom Brush to Type: The Evolution of Bookmaking in East Asia

This exhibit highlights rare works from the Tateuchi East Asia Library Special Collections, showcasing how innovations in papermaking, printing, and design across East Asia transformed the form of books and the cultures they shape. Through March 31, 2026, Location: Gowen Hall (GWN)

graphic logo for exhibit "Federal Agencies"

 Federal Agencies: History & Highlights

This two-part exhibit is a celebration of the United States constitution’s 250th founding anniversary in 2026. Winter Quarter 2026 features agencies centered around the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Spring Quarter 2026 features departments and agencies focused on science and technology.

image: exhibit poster for out of scope

Out of Scope: Unexpected Artifacts in Special Collections

Learn how archivists define the scope of their collections, and see some of the fascinating, unexpected artifacts have made their way into Special Collections! Read more about the exhibit and check the calendar for curator talks and tours. Through Sep 18, 2026 Location: Allen Library (ALB), Special Collections (Basement level)

Mountain

The Mountain is Out!

Rainier, Tahoma, Nutselip… the mountain is known by many names. A Pacific Northwest icon, Mount Rainier holds a unique place in the region’s culture and lore. Its massive peak is the dominant land form on the horizon for more than a hundred miles in any direction, rising far above the surrounding Cascade Mountains. Beginning in the late 19th century, European and American visitors explored the area, and activism led to the establishment of Mount Rainier National Park in 1899. Through Friday, Aug 28, 2026, Allen Library (ALB), Special Collections (Basement level)

Image black and white sketch of lighthouse

Display: Sentinels of the Sea: Pacific Northwest Lighthouses

Stories of these beacons of light can be found throughout Special Collections. Stop by and check out Sentinels of the Sea, featuring selections from Special Collections offering a glimpse into the Pacific Northwest’s rich maritime history. Through Mar 2, 2026, Allen Library lobby

Save the Date

March 19th- EXHIBIT TALK: Explore UW Artifacts in Special Collections Join us for an exhibit talk with University Archivist John Bolcer, as he discusses some of the objects on display related to the University of Washington’s history and the student experience, and shares additional items not included in the exhibit. 

Stories

What does Seattle labor history say about the success of “general strikes”?

February 2, 2026
Stories

Celebrating 57 Years of Service: Sandra Kroupa

February 2, 2026
Sk
UW Librarian Sandra Kroupa holds up a rare artists’ book. (Aileen Imperial/KCTS9)

Following a distinguished and unparalleled career spanning seven decades and two centuries, Sandra Kroupa, Books Arts and Rare Books Curator, retired prior to the start of fall quarter 2025, and was awarded the status of Librarian Emerita by Provost Serio and Dean Simon Neame. 

As Book Arts and Rare Books Curator, Sandra managed a breadth of responsibilities including collection development, instruction, reference, and service to both the campus and the profession. In each of these areas she achieved remarkable success and has had significant impact on student success, gained recognition for UW Libraries’ collections, and provided distinguished service at UW and in the profession. 

Along her illustrious career, Sandra earned national and international recognition in Book Arts and is recognized as a leading authority on book history. She built UW’s Book Arts Collection into one of the largest, most respected public collections in the United States. Her impressive portfolio of work includes numerous publications, exhibits and presentations.

Despite her tenacity and passion for the work, Sandra’s path to librarianship was not necessarily intentional. In the summer of 1968, Sandra was on the cusp of finishing her undergraduate degree in creative writing and aspired to move to San Francisco with no specific plan at the time, other than to find a way to fund the trip. A friend mentioned an opening in UW Libraries, and the rest is history. 

Initially, she worked as an indexer in Special Collections, reading newspapers and typing 3×5 file cards for the Special Collections’ Pacific Northwest Regional Index. Working alongside Special Collections Director Robert (Bob) Monroe, Sandra began to expand her knowledge of books, their history and production, and over time became more and more involved with rare books. Following Bob’s retirement, Sandra pursued her Master of Library Science degree, while continuing to oversee the Collection.

Bob was very intuitive about collecting books, posters, and ephemera, such as William Morris, before they became highly sought after. Sandra developed the same knack of recognizing material with intrinsic value ahead of others in the profession. With a unique endowment to collect 19th-century American literature, Sandra built a broad collection while other libraries focused primarily on English literature. Historical children’s literature, decorated cloth bindings, atlases and travel guides, and more, were all collecting areas where Sandra was on the pulse of what was both valuable and part of a larger impact of Special Collections in the curriculum.

Concurrently, Sandra became increasingly involved with modern book arts – creative practices and craft focused on the book as an art form – and began building what is now recognized as one of the premier artist’s book collections in the country. By establishing direct relationships with artists to acquire their work, Sandra gradually grew a diverse collection including many one-of-a-kind works by now-renowned artists. Her eventual title, Book Arts and Rare Books Curator, reflects this broader responsibility. A founding member of the Book Arts Guild, a local collective formed in 1979, Sandra brought the work of many artists to the attention of collectors and educators alike.

Sandra worked closely with faculty to develop the interdisciplinary Textual Studies minor, which brings numerous capstone students to Special Collections to pursue work in digital humanities, book arts and rare books.

Image: see caption
Image: Sandra in the classroom

ABOVE: In her element: Sandra gives a presentation at the Henry as part of the 2011 Shelf Life exhibit. “as a generous and wonderful teacher, she is more than happy to share her wisdom and experience with visitors and students… (the past) exhibitions have elicited gasps of delight from audience members as well as furious note-taking”  – Excerpt from blog post This Sunday at Shelf Life: Book Arts Performance Exhibition with Sandra Kroupa

Image
Image (left): UW Book Arts and Rare Books Curator Sandra Kroupa, center, discusses a book from the collection with students Alex Seo (right) and Leah Teague in the “Text, Publics, and Publication” course. All photos for this article are by Mark Stone/University Photography.

Sandra was a sought-after instructor, often teaching upwards of 75 sessions each quarter, sharing rare books, maps, book arts and more with faculty across the spectrum of disciplines including Architecture, Art, Asian Literature, Classics, Communications, Comparative Literature, Creative Writing, Design, Drama, English, French, German, History, Italian, Marine Biology, and Textual Studies.

In 2023-24, Sandra taught 133 sessions that reached 237 students, engaging them with over 4,800 items.

These numbers are not just statistics but countless opportunities Sandra has provided for students to engage with rare and unique materials in order to discover, connect with history, and be inspired by the very texture of the paper to produce their own creative works. Sandra has also taught credit courses including ENG 586 Graduate Writing with Maya Sonenberg in 2018 and for more than 20 years co-taught LIS 508 History of Recorded Information with David Levy until his retirement in 2023. Her impact on student learning over her career is immeasurable. 

She has inspired generations of students by introducing them to rich and varied material, matching their interests and passions by drawing upon her extensive wealth of knowledge, not only of the UW’s collection, but the history, trends, and practices in book arts and rare books. It’s not hyperbole that students consider her a local legend.  She will be missed greatly by all those who knew her and had the benefit of gleaning even a fraction of her encyclopedic knowledge, expertise and dedication to her work and craft.

Dictionary

To commemorate Sandra’s contributions, UW Libraries Special Collections has purchased Mare Blocker’s My Beloved Community Dictionary to be added to the Book Arts Collection. The collaborative dictionary features 144 linoleum block prints by 98 contributing artists and poets. 52 of the blocks were carved by Mare, who also printed the edition and bound this copy. The linked blanket stitch binding, handsewn in red, symbolizes the thread of fate that forever connects the important people in our life.  

It is impossible to convey Sandra’s impact in such a brief summary of her career, or to reach all those who may want to express their gratitude and appreciation, but those want to send Sandra a celebratory message can do so online by Feb 10, 2026.

Send a message

If you would like to make a donation in Sandra’s honor, you may do so through the Library Book Arts Gift Fund.

Learn more about Sandra’s career:

A Salute to Sandra Kroupa!– Book Club of Washington, August 2025

A Digital Life for Print Texts  – UW Arts and Science Perspectives, April 2022

UW Libraries’ book arts and rare books curator — and local legend  – UW Daily, January 18, 2021. 

Meet the UW Libraries’ keeper of rare books and artifacts – Seattle Times, August 22, 2018.

The keeper of 155K extraordinary books – Cascade PBS, March 1, 2018.

Stories

Celebrating MLK

January 14, 2026
updated 1/2025

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. day, UW Libraries encourages you to explore resources within our collections and across campus that reflect Dr. King’s work and collective efforts to combat racism, inequality, and injustice in our community and beyond.

  • MLK visit to Seattle – Seattle Labor History Project At the invitation of his friend, Reverend Samuel B McKinney, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. came to Seattle in November 1961. The visit proved to be much more controversial than expected. Rev. McKinney tells the story in a dramatic video interview.
  • Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – Streaming Video Guide from UW Bothell Library:  a virtual display highlighting streaming videos in our collections that touch on themes related to fights for racial and social justice in the United States since the mid-20th century. More specifically, we have grouped the videos by their specific themes to enable “browsing” across this display. Examples of titles include:

film cover image

Whose Streets?  “Told by the activists and leaders who live and breathe this movement for justice, Whose Streets? is an unflinching look at the Ferguson uprising.”

I am Not Your Negro “Using James Baldwin’s unfinished final manuscript, Remember This House, this documentary follows the lives and successive assassinations of three of the author’s friends, Medgar Evers, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr., delving into the legacy of these iconic figures and narrating historic events using Baldwin’s original words and a flood of rich archival material.”

Arc of justice: the rise, fall and rebirth of a beloved community  “This film traces the remarkable journey of New Communities, Inc. and the struggle for racial justice and economic empowerment among African Americans in southwest Georgia.”

UW Libraries Reading Groups with a Social Justice Focus

REAL Lit[erature]:

Real Lit is an online, peer-based book club led by UW Tacoma Library, in collaboration with the Center for Equity and Inclusion. In the context of the chosen book, students, staff, and community participants share their perspectives and collective experiences.    Real Lit is open to anyone in the UW community.  Learn more.

Community Reads:

Hosted by the UW Bothell/Cascadia College Library, this annual program facilitates quarterly events and/or creative projects in the Library centered around common books or other media. Our intention is to choose readings and other media which will cultivate engagement among the campus community around topics of equity, social justice, and anti-oppression. This program is open to everyone.  Learn more. 

Additional Resources

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Stories

January Update

January 9, 2026

Happy New Year, Huskies! This month, take advantage of important new resources, and join us in person for the Wellness Room open house and annual New Year celebration at the Tateuchi East Asia Library. Grad students – don’t miss your opportunity to share your work at the winter quarter Scholar’s Studio, and be sure to check out the Student Programs section of our new web site to learn more about Libraries student programming.

– FUN FACT –

How many hours have Huskies used the new recording studio in Suzzallo?

*answer at bottom of post

News and Stories

Image wellness room

Wellness Room Open in Odegaard Library: Learn about the new space designed just for students! The new Wellness Room in 326 Odegaard offers a quiet and comfortable area to unplug, recharge, and relax. With a different areas dedicated to specific wellness practices, books, yoga mats, and wellness tech, it’s a great place to decompress and re-center when the stress starts to build. Read the story, and Save The Date for the Open House on January 20!

Digital Preservation Milestone: Repository Hits 1 million! Learn about the never-ending work to preserve the Libraries vast collections so they are accessible for generations to come.

Enhanced Libraries Search- Test the BETA: UW Libraries has launched a new, optional beta version of Libraries Search with several exciting features that will help users navigate to and discover resources, including the Research Assistant artificial intelligence (AI) feature. Your feedback provides valuable input to help inform the future product.

Featured Resources

In Celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Libraries Resources – learn about the day Dr. King came to Seattle in November 1961, explore the video guide, social justice reading groups and more.

Signpost

Evaluating Information Guide – Updated for 2026! This recently updated guide gives you strategies, tips, recommendations, and resources to navigate a challenging information environment to help you identify reliable sources from misinformation and incorrect facts.

AI Guides

Book
  • Generative AI: How to fact check ChatGPT and Other AI Tools
  • AI Knowledge and Ownership includes information on how to deal with false information generated by AI, commonly referred to as “AI hallucinations.”
Spacenews Logo Crop25

SpaceNews – Now you can access the most trusted and comprehensive source of news and analysis of the companies, agencies, technologies and trends shaping the global space industry. Available to UW academic users via UW Libraries subscription.

Community Events and Exhibits

image wellness room with graphics

Wellness Room Open House! 

Tuesday, Jan 20, 2026, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m Students, staff and faculty – Celebrate the opening of the Odegaard Library Wellness Room! Stop by for some relaxing tea, conversation and try out the furniture and amenities of the new space. All UW students, staff and faculty are welcome. A current Husky Card is required to enter Odegaard Library. Event link.

image: dancer from previous new year event

Tateuchi East Asia Library New Year Celebration: A Showcase of East Asian & Global Cultures

Thursday, Jan 29, 2026, 3:30 – 5 p.m Join us for a festive New Year celebration featuring East Asian cultural performances along with presentations from other international traditions. Enjoy light refreshments as we ring in the new year and honor the rich cultural heritage of East Asia.

Image - book cover of Stomp and Shout

Washington State Historical Society Presents: History After Hours: Peter Blecha discussing ‘Stomp and Shout: The Untold Story of Northwest Rock and Roll’ Presented by UW Press

Thursday, Jan 29, 2026, 7 – 9:30 p.m. Peter Blecha is the director of the Northwest Music Archives, an award-winning author, a founding curator at MoPop, and a longtime staff historian at HistoryLink.org. Blecha’s newest book, Stomp and Shout: R&B and the Origins of Northwest Rock and Roll, draws on his deep knowledge as a leading expert on Pacific Northwest music history to chronicle both well-known and overlooked icons of the early Northwest Sound. Event link

Programs, Workshops

Scholar’s Studio (Grad and Post Doc Students) – Submissions Due Jan. 29! Submit a proposal to give a 5-min. low stakes and fun lightning talk about your capstone, research, or pedagogy! Scholars’ Studio is an opportunity to practice communicating your work in front of a supportive general audience — without using a lot of technical or academic jargon. Learn more and apply.

Digital Scholarship Project Help Office Hours: First Tuesday of the month – next session February 3. Learn about getting started with digital projects at UW. We offer consultations for research and course related projects. Examples include support for digital publishing, building digital exhibits, and more! We can help you find the right tools, resources and instruction whether you’re just getting started or are working on an on-going project.   This service is available only to current UW faculty, students, and staff. First Tuesday of the month, and help online by appointment.

Pressbooks Accessibility Office Hours: next sessions January 15 and February 18. Drop in at any time during our office hours to get help checking and resolving accessibility issues on your UW Libraries Pressbooks project. The UW Libraries provides access to the Accessibility Authoring Tool. Get help with this tool and ask questions about accessibility in your Pressbook!

Exhibits

Image black and white sketch of lighthouse

New! Sentinels of the Sea: Pacific Northwest Lighthouses

Stories of these beacons of light can be found throughout Special Collections. Stop by and check out Sentinels of the Sea, featuring selections from Special Collections offering a glimpse into the Pacific Northwest’s rich maritime history. Through Mar 2, 2026, Allen Library lobby

graphic logo for exhibit "Federal Agencies"

 Federal Agencies: History & Highlights

This two-part exhibit is a celebration of the United States constitution’s 250th founding anniversary in 2026. Winter Quarter 2026 features agencies centered around the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Spring Quarter 2026 features departments and agencies focused on science and technology.

image: exhibit poster for out of scope

Out of Scope: Unexpected Artifacts in Special Collections

Learn how archivists define the scope of their collections, and see some of the fascinating, unexpected artifacts have made their way into Special Collections! Read more about the exhibit and check the calendar for curator talks and tours. Through Sep 18, 2026 Location: Allen Library (ALB), Special Collections (Basement level)

Mountain

The Mountain is Out!

Rainier, Tahoma, Nutselip… the mountain is known by many names. A Pacific Northwest icon, Mount Rainier holds a unique place in the region’s culture and lore. Its massive peak is the dominant land form on the horizon for more than a hundred miles in any direction, rising far above the surrounding Cascade Mountains. Beginning in the late 19th century, European and American visitors explored the area, and activism led to the establishment of Mount Rainier National Park in 1899. Through Friday, Aug 28, 2026, Allen Library (ALB), Special Collections (Basement level)

Nohchantbook

From Brush to Type: The Evolution of Bookmaking in East Asia

This exhibit highlights rare works from the Tateuchi East Asia Library Special Collections, showcasing how innovations in papermaking, printing, and design across East Asia transformed the form of books and the cultures they shape. Through March 31, 2026, Location: Gowen Hall (GWN)

Save the Date

Accessible Graphic Speaker #2

February 4: First Wednesday Concert Series

February 11: Tateuchi Digital Scholarship Series 2025-26: Detecting Shifts in Linguistic Register in Late Imperial Chinese Fiction

*ANSWER TO FUN FACT TRIVIA: Students and faculty have booked over 134 sessions in the recording studio totaling over 250 hours!

Stories

Digital Preservation Milestone

January 9, 2026

Over 1 Million Files Preserved

UW Libraries preservation repository, created in 2016, has just crossed the 100 TB mark, which represents the digital preservation of over one million files!   Behind the numbers, however; this milestone reflects the prioritization and dedication to preserving UW Libraries materials  for generations to come, including books, photographs, newspapers, government papers, audio recordings, films, and videos and more.

What is a preservation repository? 

The preservation repository is the storage infrastructure in which digital content is preserved.  The majority of files in the repository are from UW Libraries’ Special Collections, including the examples above, as well as born-digital files that were created by a computer or other digital technology (phones, cameras, etc.). The increasing number of born-digital files reflects the significant change and shift in the way people use digital tools to do their work, research, and document their lives.

A Job That Never Ends

While the term “digital preservation” on its own may seem as simple as saving a file on a server, it is actually an array of many different activities to process, maintain and update files to ensure users can access them for years to come, often adapting for software and hardware that may become obsolete, and protecting files from corruption or bitloss. This work is ongoing, requiring the expertise of dedicated staff to continually process materials and assess the integrity of the repository.

‘A Dark Archive’: Not what you think

The preservation repository is what is referred to as a “dark archive.” While disappointing to some, a dark archive is not the secret library of Darth Vader – it refers to a preservation repository that has limited access to reduce the risk of accidental or intentional edit, corruption, or deletion of digital files. When you access a digital file online via the UW Libraries catalog, Special Collections Digital Collections, Special Collections’ Internet Archives, in ArchivesWest and other online platforms, it is actually a copy of the preserved file. Files sit patiently in the preservation repository as they are monitored for any changes in their bitstream until a researcher or department requests the preservation copy from the Digital Preservation Librarian. A copy of the digital file is then restored from the preservation repository, processed, and delivered to the user or department.

Explore Digital Materials

UW Libraries digital collections are immense, covering a wide range of subjects and materials. Many students do not realize these collections exist, until prompted by their instructor or a librarian. To help inspire your next discovery, here are a few examples that illustrate a small selection of the amazing digital materials you can access in our collections:

Art and Culture

Alt text: screenshot of dancers from Doris Chase film

Doris Chase was an artist who specialized in dance/sculpture films that explore dance performance and sculpture. Digitized Doris Chase films, audio and video recordings are available on the Internet Archive.

.

Alt text photo: Jim Anderson @ the Croc's board.

The Crocodile Cafe Collection contains over 3,000 hours of live recordings from 2002 to 2007 by audio engineer Jim Anderson of over 2,000 bands and artists. Genres include punk, indie rock, sludge metal, emo hip pop, and power pop, including The Harvey Danger concerts, online in Soundcloud

.

Melville Jacobs and Mrs. Annie Peterson (Coos), in Charleston, Oregon, July 1934, with graduate student Orin Johnston (crouching). Photo courtesy of Bill Seaburg.

The Jacobs Research Funds supports anthropological and linguistic research on living Native Americans. Recent additions to the preservation repository include digital content from the 

To learn more about Jacobs Research Fund projects, their website has a list of all past projects.

Civic / Government History

Alt text photo: film image of boat passengers from Japan Trip #1: Harry Teickichi Kawanishi home movies

Japanese American collections that depict life in the Pacific Northwest. Collections include: 

Materials in the Matsushita papers were featured in the Ken Burns documentary, “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea.”

.

Alt text Photo: Senator Henry M. Jackson sitting at the controls of the nuclear submarine, the USS GEORGE WASHINGTON off the coast of New England, 1960

The namesake for the Jackson School of International Studies, Henry M. Jackson served Washington state for six terms in both the US House of Representatives and in the US Senate. Henry M. Jackson photographic and graphic materials are preserved in the preservation repository.

Environment and Nature

Alt text: climbers in snow- The Mountaineers Summer Outing, July 31 - August 21, 1920, The Olympics

The Mountaineers photograph album collection depicts some of the first major expeditions of the Mountaineers including the first major outing to Mt. Olympus in 1907. Other areas represented in the collection include Mt. Rainier, Mt. Baker/Glacier Peak, Mt. Stuart/Mt. Daniel, Mt. Adams, Canada, Montana and various locations in the western United States.

Labor History

photo: image montage of interviewees

Oral history interviews of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, Pacific Coast Pensioners Association Oral History Project: oral history interviews of ILWU pensioners and PCPA members on their work lives, career and membership.

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 46: records began in 1914 and digitized records from 1917-1996 are available online in Digital Collections.

To learn more about the Libraries digital preservation program, visit the UW Libraries Preservation Services. 

If you need more inspiration, or guidance on how to use digital materials in your research work, ASK US – our team can help you think through a project, recommend tools and resources to get you started! Explore student projects.

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Stories

Making Space for Wellness at Odegaard Library

January 7, 2026

Hey Huskies! We know you contain multitudes—the stress of classes, the excitement of campus life, friend dynamics, work responsibilities and endless study sessions. Carrying all those multitudes can get heavy! Aligned with campus-wide efforts to support student care and well-being, UW Libraries newest addition will help to lighten your load, even if only for a few minutes between classes.

We’re thrilled to introduce a space designed just for you: the Odegaard Library Wellness Room: 3rd floor, Room 326

Image Wellness room with resting chairs, a large table, shelf storage and a variety of other seating

Why Wellness?

UW Libraries staff constantly review current trends and research to meet changing user needs. New literature and data connects student wellness and academic success. The Association of College & Research Libraries listed supporting student wellness, well-being, and mental health as a top trend for academic libraries in 2024.

Your New Multi-Use Sanctuary

We’ve taken an underused quiet study space and transformed it into a flexible, multi-purpose Wellness Room to support your mental and physical wellbeing. Unlike most other wellness spaces on the UW Seattle campus, which are single-use, the Odegaard Wellness Room prioritizes multiple activities in one place.

Students who contributed to the design phases of the room in 2025 gave us positive feedback, with several reporting they felt more relaxed and ready to take on the day after engaging with the activities and furniture. This is your dedicated space to recharge, rest, relax between classes, and decompress from the pressures of academic life.

Stressed Out? Enjoy a new place to chill out!

The Wellness Room is intentionally designed with four activity areas based on student and staff feedback, allowing you to choose how you want to self-regulate:

  • Meditation & Mindfulness: Grab a yoga mat or use one of the items from our Mindfulness Kit (like a buddha board or gratitude card deck).
  • Relaxation, Rest, and Re-Focusing: Find comfortable chairs and furniture to simply take a breather. Use items from the Focus Kit like crossword, Sudoku, and logic puzzle books to reinvigorate and re-focus you.
  • Craft & Creativity: Get hands-on with our Creativity Kit! You can dive into puzzles, coloring books, art markers, and origami.
  • Sensory Soothing: Use sensory furniture, fidget toys, or items from the Sensory Kit (like a wobble cushion or textured worry stones) for self-regulation.

You can check out the four Wellness Kits at the Information Desk on the 2nd floor.

Wellness Room Collection

Untitled Design (7)

The room also includes a small book and card deck collection with ideas for mindfulness and de-stress activities. Items in this collection should remain in the room and cannot be checked out. For similar materials that can be checked out, visit the Life Skills Collection on the 2nd floor of Odegaard Library.

Bring Your Best Buddies (The Companion Cats, that is)

The Wellness Room is the perfect place to enjoy the circulating wellness resources you already love! These resources are tools for emotional regulation, sensory self-regulation, and time management.

You can check out items from the Wellness Technology Collection for in-building use only at the Information Desk on the 2nd floor, including:

Copy Of Wellness Kit Instagram Posts (1)

Our famous animatronic Companion Cats (Purrcival and Clawdia, who have already boasted over 100 checkouts!) for a sweet calming friend and furry companionship without the allergies.

A Purrble co-regulating pet for breathing breaks

Lumie Light Therapy Lamps for an extra dose of light when the days get dark 

White Noise Machines for when it’s too quiet to think

Cellphone Lock Box for a crucial break from scrolling

Quick Vibe Check & Guidelines:

To ensure this space remains a sanctuary for everyone, we have a few guidelines:

  • Take a Study Break: The Wellness Room is not a study space.
  • Go Tech-Free: We highly encourage you to make the Wellness Room a technology-free space, unless you are accessing meditation or other relaxation material.
  • Be Space Considerate: If someone is using a space or equipment, kindly wait for them to finish without interrupting. Spread out, give people adequate personal space. 
  • Be Noise Considerate: This is a designated quiet space. Please keep speaking, chanting, and music to a minimum, and remember to leave the room as nicely as you’d like to find it.
  • Keep Items Safe Please keep all furniture and equipment inside the room, and return any library-placed items when you finish using them.

Thank You!

In addition to Libraries’ programmatic funding, several philanthropic funds were instrumental in helping to create the Wellness Room,  including UW Parents Collections and Programs Endowed Fund and the Anne Neider Library Endowment.

Ready to experience a moment of peace and fun? Come visit the new Odegaard Wellness Room and take that well-deserved break in Room 326! 

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Stories

New Exhibit: Out of Scope

December 14, 2025

Explore Unexpected Artifacts in Special Collections 

Out of Scope poster

As a library department focused on research, many of the artifacts accumulated by Special Collections over the past century don’t always get their exhibit spotlight like we think they should! Now on display are many of these fascinating, sometimes mysterious artifacts in the collection, highlighting unique stories and histories with ties to the University and our region at the new exhibit – Out of Scope, Unexpected Artifacts in Special Collections

What is “Out of Scope”?

Like most museums, a libraries’ special collections are often defined by their “scope,” that is, certain criteria and parameters that guide collection development. For University of Washington Libraries, that scope is textual materials (vs. artifacts) focused on University history (i.e. photographs, books, faculty papers, research artifacts, etc.) as well as materials that document local and regional histories – cultural, civic, environmental, etc.  Smaller collecting areas include rare books and book arts, costume textiles, and atlas and travel collections.   Where museums collect materials that tell a story for the viewer, research Libraries collections are meant for direct engagement with materials for research purposes, allowing the user to create something new through the discovery of new information or perspectives from primary sources. 

The Great Unknown

Many of the out-of-scope materials came to the Libraries as part of larger collections, but those particular items were not well documented, and their origin story is unknown. There are also some “mystery”  items whose purpose and use are also unknown. Come and see the exhibit, maybe you will have the answer! 

Something New To See

 “This first rotation of the exhibit represents just the tip of the iceberg,” says Director of Special Collections, Lisa Oburg.  “Because many of the materials are extremely fragile, they are not intended to be kept on display for long periods of time. We plan to rotate the materials throughout the year so visitors have the opportunity to see many different items from the collection.”

There are currently more than 200 items on display. While all are encouraged to view the exhibit in person to get the full “scope” on these artifacts, here are a few highlights… 

Student Life

  • 1870s- UW’s first “yearbook” – students etched their predictions about the future on to parchment stored in a custom-made log, created from a giant Washington Elm that was removed from campus
  • Logo sweaters, and the “freshman beanie” 
  • Athletic programs, one sponsored by Chesterfield Cigarettes! 
student "year book" log with handwritten notes from students in 1871
vintage sweater
vintage UW sweater
vintage beanie purple and gold
Chesterfield Cigarette ad in an athletic program
FUN FACT: Changing Scope
When materials come to Special Collections, sometimes they include non-textual items that are outside the scope, but the Library keeps them because they are part of the given collection.  When the collection scope changes at an institution,  collections often can move to other institutions. For example, The Burke was the de facto campus museum until it reevaluated its scope to indigenous and natural history. When it shifted its scope, some of those “out of scope” materials were moved to UW Libraries Special Collections or the Museum of History and Industry.

Film and sound technology of the past

  • Wax cylinder recording,  the 1800’s version of a record or CD
  • Moviescop -to view 16mm film reels 
  • Tapes! VHS, cassettes, and more!
wax cylinder
Moviescop machine
Tapes, records and VHS tapes

UW Medicine

  • Antique medical instruments,  kits, medicines (what’s in the green jar?)
  • UW School of Nursing Dolls and Hats – legend has it that these dolls, each representing nursing uniforms from different eras,  were on display at UW Nursing School and were transferred to Special Collections at an unknown date, along with school documents and actual nursing uniforms. Nurses used to be identified by their hat type, each style representing their individual nursing school. The handmade model hats in the display reflect this out-of-style requirement.  
antique medicine bottles
surgical kit set in velvet case
Img 9402
image: middle ages nurse outfit on doll
Img 9403

Local Matchbooks – a standard amenity at most restaurants and businesses in the mid-century; you can see a variety of matchbooks from Canlis, 13 Coins, Dahlia Lounge, Benihana and many more!

matchbooks

Out of Scope Gallery Talks!

Explore unique materials in the collection and the exhibit with insights and stories from the curators all year long! 

Special Collections is located on the basement level of Suzzallo and Allen Libraries. The exhibit is in the Special Collections Reading Room, and can be viewed during open hours (Monday through Friday, 1 PM – 4:45 PM) 

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Stories

December Update

December 9, 2025

The end of fall quarter is here, and 2026 is just around the corner!  A sincere THANK YOU to all who consider supporting UW Libraries in your annual philanthropy; your gift supports every student and a global community of teaching, learning and research! Speaking of giving… check out our story below on UW Tacoma Library’s Food for Finals wish list and consider the perfect UW gift with UW Press’ 40% off Holiday Sale! Whether you are going home, taking a trip or staying on campus, enjoy your break and take advantage of free access to streaming media, games and more (see “Boredom Busters” below!).  Just in time for the new year, we are excited to announce a new web site as well, so if you aren’t already, be sure to follow @uofwalibraries to stay informed about this and other upcoming events, new resources, exhibits and more. 

Hours During Interim/Quarter Break

  • Know before you go– be aware of adjustments to hours for end-of-quarter and interim break for all libraries.
  • Built Environments, Drama, Music and Tateuchi Libraries will be closed from December 15, 2025 – January 4, 2026 as the buildings they occupy will be closed.

News and Stories

A New Quarter, A New Web Site! During the week of December 15, 2025 (interim break), UW Libraries will be launching a new website– a comprehensive redesign of the website. The change will be significant in terms of navigation, reflecting input from extensive user testing and feedback to address common questions of usability and discoverability. Learn more about the new website launch.

UW Libraries Joins the BTAA-Geospatial Information Network Learn more about this incredible network of resources designed to support the geospatial research community by increasing discoverability and access to geospatial resources. Read the story.

Support UW Food Insecurity Programs – sadly, hunger is a barrier to academic success for many students who struggle with food insecurity. You can help by donating to these campus food programs:

UW Press Holiday Sale!

UW Press publishes unique and compelling work (both fiction and non-fiction) with regional, national and global impact. With a wide range of topics, you’ll find something for everyone on your list. Take advantage of this special holiday savings today and give a gift that is uniquely “UW” for the holidays, that next birthday, or “just because”  Now through January 2, 2025, browse our site and use the promo code WINTER25 at checkout to receive 40% off your purchase and free domestic shipping. Happy holidays, and thank you for supporting the University of Washington Press! Order/ Learn More.

Break Time Boredom “Busters” 

Have some “down time” during the academic break, and not sure what to do? Explore these FREE entertaining Libraries resources! 

Streaming Media: From foreign films, documentaries, musical and dance performances, public broadcasting archives and more, there are thousands of online videos to explore that you won’t find on your typical streaming services!
The Game Collection at Odegaard Library contains board, card, and tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs). The collection is located on Odegaard 1st floor, just inside and to the left of the main entry doors.
Good Reads is a collection of fiction and nonfiction books for students to read for leisure. All the books in the Good Reads collection have been published within the last five years, so find your new favorite book here!
Digital Collections: From old UW yearbooks and campus photos, vintage ephemera like postcards, menus, magazines, posters, rare books, manuscripts, maps and so much more to spend a few hours (or a few days) going down the “rabbit hole” of wonder and delight that is UW Libraries Special Collections – AND UW Libraries ethnomusicology collections!

Exhibits

Photo of vintage matchbook covers

Out of Scope: Unexpected Artifacts in Special Collections– through Sep 18, 2026 Location: Allen Library (ALB), Special Collections (Basement level)

Learn how archivists define the scope of their collections, and see some of the fascinating, unexpected artifacts have made their way into Special Collections!

LAST CHANCE TO VIEW: Right to Read: Banned books and the First Amendment- through December 12
Location: ground floor Suzzallo Library: Our first amendment right protects our freedom of speech, but what about our freedom to read? The exhibit Right To Read: Banned books and the First Amendment discusses the complex nature of banned books in the United States. Learn more.

Orotone photograph of Mount Rainier and Mirror Lake

The Mountain is Out – Ongoing through Friday, Aug 28, 2026
Location: Allen Library (ALB), Special Collections (Basement level)
Rainier, Tahoma, Nutselip… the mountain is known by many names. A Pacific Northwest icon, Mount Rainier holds a unique place in the region’s culture and lore. Its massive peak is the dominant land form on the horizon for more than a hundred miles in any direction, rising far above the surrounding Cascade Mountains. Beginning in the late 19th century, European and American visitors explored the area, and activism led to the establishment of Mount Rainier National Park in 1899.

paper making in China

From Brush to Type: The Evolution of Bookmaking in East Asia – through  Mar 31, 2026, Location: Gowen Hall (GWN)
This exhibit highlights rare works from the Tateuchi East Asia Library Special Collections, showcasing how innovations in papermaking, printing, and design across East Asia transformed the form of books and the cultures they shaped. Exhibit details

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Stories

UW Libraries Joins the BTAA-Geospatial Information Network

December 1, 2025

by Matt Parsons, Geospatial Data & Maps Librarian
Reposted and edited from BTAA-GIN Collection Stories 

Representation of how a map is built by using separate layers or focuses in an environment
An example of how a map is built by using separate layers or focuses in an environment. Learn more about GIS and GIS research services

The University of Washington Libraries has recently joined the BTAA-Geospatial Information Network (GIN). The Big Ten Academic Alliance Geoportal is open to all with the goal to support the geospatial research community by increasing discoverability and access to geospatial resources.  This work is facilitated through building and maintaining a collective open-source spatial data infrastructure featuring metadata optimized for spatial discovery platforms. The resources in the portal are selected and curated by librarians and geospatial specialists at fifteen research institutions in theBig Ten Academic Alliance. The resources include GIS datasets, web services and digitized historical maps.¹

UW Libraries representatives to the GIN are Matthew Parsons, Geospatial Data & Maps Librarian, and Allison Anderson, GIS Infrastructure Support Specialist. We are excited to begin working with our fellow BTAA colleagues and contributing to the mission and vision of the GIN.

UW Libraries has added over 3,500 Washington-related web services to the GIN

Working together with Karen Majewicz, Associate Director: Technology & Data Curation, BTAA Geospatial Information Network, UW Libraries has added over 3,500 Washington-related web services to the GIN, which included importing all the GIS data layers for regional data portals (i.e. WA Geospatial Open Data Portal) into the BTAA-GIN Geoportal.

What is GIS?

“A Geospatial Information System (GIS) is a technology that is used to create, manage, analyze, and map all types of data. GIS connects data to a map, integrating location data (where things are) with all types of descriptive information (what things are like there). This provides a foundation for mapping and analysis that is used in science and almost every industry. GIS helps users understand patterns, relationships, and geographic context. The benefits include improved communication, efficiency, management, and decision-making.”²

UW Libraries Map Collection

The UW Libraries map collection is  part of the Government Publications, Maps, Microforms & Newspapers (GMMN) unit located in the ground floor of the iconic Suzzallo Library. The map collection comprises over 280,000 items in total (maps, digital data, aerial photography, monographs, etc.).

A strength of the collection is the nearly 100,000 aerial photographs of Washington State, dating between 1942-2003.

a screenshot of aerial maps from two different years
Compare aerial images of the same geographic area over time with tools like the Washington State Department of Ecology Shoreline Aerial Photos.

The map collection also serves as a provider of GIS services to campus. Map collection GIS staff include myself (Matt), Allison, a GIS Graduate Staff Assistant, and a Student Lab Assistant. Together we assist with data discovery and use, provide classroom instruction sessions, offer workshops, do minor software troubleshooting, and host events. To learn more about our services and collections, you can visit our Geospatial Data Resources Guide and our Map Collection web page.

For the past ten years, our team has hosted  the Annual UW GIS Symposium  to highlight and celebrate the transformational role of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, and data visualization technologies across the University by featuring keynote speakers and short talks from the UW GIS faculty, students and staff. Each symposium is subsequently published as an Annual Proceedings and hosted on the Libraries’ Manifold platform.

We are looking forward to increasing the exposure of the UW Libraries map collection holdings through participation in the GIN and to continuing to contribute resources to Geoportal.

Learn more about the research institutions involved and the sources of the geospatial records.

1-sources: https://geo.btaa.org/  ; https://gin.btaa.org/about/guiding-principles/ ; https://geo.btaa.org/

2- https://www.esri.com/en-us/what-is-gis/overview