Hello, Huskies! 

A message from our new dean, Simon Neame

“September 1st marked my very first day as the Dean of UW Libraries. I am so excited to start this new journey in Seattle, and I am energized by the amazing UW community that has already been so welcoming and supportive. While this year is again different than most, I know that all of the hard work and dedication of the Libraries’ staff throughout the pandemic has prepared us for a safe and successful fall quarter and reopening…” Read full message 

Services Updates

• Opening dates and fall hours for ALL Libraries are posted online. Before visiting us, please check the Library hours FIRST to plan accordingly.
  • Hours for all Libraries (especially on weekends) will be limited to start and will expand as staffing permits.

• Know Before You Go: Learn what to expect and how to prepare for your first visit back to the Libraries new services, policies and more.  Remember: Odegaard and Health Sciences Libraries will now require a valid Husky Card for entry.

• Curbside pick-up will close on 9/17.  Pick-up inside the building will resume on 9/22 when Suzzallo and Allen Libraries open.

Special Collections is launching a virtual reading room! In addition to in-person appointments, Special Collections is launching a virtual reading room starting 9/29 to allow users to view materials live with a Librarian on site using a special camera designed for remote consultations. Learn more/make an appointment.  

•  Research Commons update: During fall quarter, the Research Commons will remain a space for individual, quiet study with reservations required. Given the abundance of open study space across all Libraries, both in common areas and in dedicated rooms by reservation; and to provide options for those who need and would prefer a more predictable experience regarding distancing and distraction, the Research Commons will remain a space for individual quiet study, with all desks spaced 6 feet apart.  Rooms for interactive online classes/calls will also be available in this space. Thank you to all students who demonstrated excellence in maintaining health and safety standards in the Research Commons over the past year, proving that this model continues to work well in serving student needs for varied types of study space, especially during this unpredictable time.

• Media Arcade Transition: This drop-in audio/video makerspace within Suzzallo Library is closing as an independent service location, and digital media and related services will be integrated into the Libraries’ Open Scholarship Commons (OSC). OSC services, including media, will remain online-only fall quarter while we start to plan for a new physical OSC space in Suzzallo Library. This transition will bring all support related to digital scholarship and media services in one place, providing for a more connected and accessible experience for our users. Questions about services can be directed to Ask Us or [email protected].

• Autumn 2021 Teaching Support Update: The UW Libraries’ default delivery mode for teaching and learning services in Autumn 2021 will be online, including robust options for online synchronous/asynchronous workshops and DIY modular content.
  • Requests for in-person services will be considered based on specific exceptional circumstances (e.g. accessibility needs, the nature of particular research/learning materials).
  • Learn more about Libraries comprehensive teaching support services 
• Reminder: HathiTrust Emergency Temporary Access Service (ETAS) will end on 9/20. Learn more.  

• Stay informed: In this very fluid and every-changing environment, the best source for Libraries updates is the Libraries COVID-19 update page. 

News and Stories

STUDENTS: Don’t miss What I wish I Knew My First Year: UW Libraries are so much more than study space and books! Students often tell us they wish they had known more about Libraries’ services at the start of their UW journey. You’ll want to be sure to bookmark these helpful tips!

Readers Wanted for the October 8th- Community Constitutional Read Aloud!! As part of the Federal requirement to provide educational programming on the US Constitution aligned with the national Constitution Day, the UW Libraries holds an annual Constitution read aloud event. This community-led reading allows us to critically examine the historical and contemporary significance this document holds within our society.  We welcome students, faculty, staff and community members to join us in reading the full text of the Constitution, including some very special guest speakers! Learn More 

Special Collections Annual Report: During Libraries closure, the staff of Special Collections carried on behind the scenes, facilitating classes, collecting, and archiving of new materials, and connecting with the community through digital exhibits and more. Read the report. 

“I just want to thank you for all your invaluable assistance in my classes over the past year or so. Even the unfortunately necessary switch to the remote format didn’t stop you! [T]his collection is very special. It needs your passionate and knowledgeable guidance. In every case, whether you need to visit my class or over Zoom, or my students get the chance to visit Special Collections, it is literally impossible for me to teach these classes without your help. “

– Maya Sonenberg, Prof. English and Creative Writing (see page 13 of UW Libraries Annual Report)

Words Matter: Critical Cataloging and Archival Description at the University of Washington Libraries.  UW Libraries is committed to anti-racist work in sustaining diversity, creating an inclusive experience for our users, and confronting institutional bias and structural racism as demonstrated by our recent work to create change within our cataloging and archival descriptions. Learn more about our work in this area, and please share this blog post with your students and teams.

September Workshops

•  UW Libraries Dawg Daze Events : Not just for freshman! For many students, fall 2021 will be the first time students visit campus and the Libraries in person. This year’s Dawg Daze events have something for everyone – including dedicated events for transfer students and first-generation students. From Libraries tours, online workshops and more—don’t miss Libraries during Dog Daze! See all Libraries events. 

Featured Resources, Digital Collections, & UW Press 

• UW Libraries Student FAQ is updated for fall quarter. Check out this “go to” resource to learn about academic resources and collections the Libraries offers, information about accessing the Libraries, and academic and wellness support services offered by campus partners. 

• New  from UW Press: Marriage and Intimacy in Qing China by Weijing Lu. Although commonly associated with patriarchal oppression, arranged marriages have adapted over the centuries to changing cultural norms and the lived experiences of men and women. Arranged Companions raises provocative questions about the cultural construction of intimacy and the meaning of a “happy marriage.” Learn more.

Save the Date

October 28th- 2021 Artist Images: Juan Alonso-Rodríguez: For the 2021 edition, we’ll talk with artist Juan Alonso-Rodríguez. A Cuban-born, self-taught artist whose transition from music to visual arts coincided with his move to Seattle in 1982, his work has been exhibited throughout the US, Canada and Latin America. This FREE, virtual discussion will explore the artist’s influences past and present, COVID-era impacts and perspective on the future. The discussion will be facilitated by Seattle Arts Commissioner, Vivian Phillips and UW Libraries’ Anne Jenner, with remarks from UW President, Ana Marie Cauce and the new dean of UW Libraries, Simon Neame. This event is made possible through the support of the Anne Gould Hauberg Endowed Library Fund. Learn more.

The UW Libraries High School Internship Program is a fun, project-based program for students thinking about college and is one of the only paid internships of its kind in US academic libraries. Students learn how to use various tools to produce digital storytelling, mapping, and information science projects. They leave the program with a portfolio of completed work and make meaningful connections with UW students, faculty, and Libraries staff. UW librarians Elliott Stevens and Kian Flynn developed the program in 2017 in partnership with Seattle Public Library (SPL) librarian Nancy Garrett, who has extensive experience working with youth in the public library setting. This summer session was the fourth iteration of the program. The 2020 session was cancelled due to the pandemic, and this year’s session was 100% virtual via Zoom.

The internship focuses on reaching first-generation college students and groups underrepresented in higher education and librarianship. The goals are to build experience and confidence in the academic setting, learn about librarianship and libraries, and connect young people with academic resources that will help them prepare for college.

The virtual 8-day program ran from July 12th-22nd with nine participants from area high schools — Nathan Hale High School, Shorecrest High School, Rainier Beach High School, and one homeschooled student. Applicants are recruited in partnership with SPL and the Seattle Housing Authority, and they receive a $530 stipend at the end of the program. SPL is an integral partner, providing funding, equipment, and staff support; Librarians Nancy Garrett and Josie Watanabe worked alongside UW Libraries staff as facilitators of the program.

“Nancy Garrett is the most brilliant Youth Services Librarian you’ll ever meet. She is based at the Lake City Public Library and she’s known many of the students since they were kindergartners. Nancy has been instrumental in identifying students. She has provided tons of support during each iteration of the program and  helped us to revise it over the years, including advocating for funding.The program would not exist at all without her,” says Stevens.

Libraries staff and volunteers* also contributed many hours to help plan and support the program, including UW Information School grad student Joanna Chern and two former interns who came back as mentors. 

The program has three main elements: panel-based discussions, project-based learning, and a final showcase of student work. Panelists included UW undergraduates, UW researchers, and UW librarians. The students learned about the college application process, college life, college research, college libraries, and college librarianship. The project-based work focused on digital scholarship and learning how to use tools like StoryMaps and WeVideo to create digital stories, maps, and podcasts. The Showcase was the culmination of the program. During the Showcase, students talked about their experiences in the internship and shared their maps, podcasts, and videos. While the 2021 projects are not publicly available, past internship projects are viewable online.

“During the Showcase, I really appreciated hearing that the students not only learned from the program staff, but also from one another,” said Stevens.

Students have reported drawing from their internship experience and using their maps and videos to apply for other internships, in college applications, and in classes. The students have also said that the internship has helped them navigate and feel comfortable in college libraries, based on Libraries assessment. 

 “I loved every single thing (about) this internship. I am so thankful to be a part of such a valuable…experience.” – student participant

And… Many of the interns become UW students! 

“This upcoming year, we’ll have three former interns–who are now UW Seattle students–working at the UW Libraries  Information Desk at the Research Commons,” says Stevens.

Thanks to the continued partnership with SPL, plans are in the works to continue the program next summer, with the application process starting in April. 

*Special thanks to all of the Libraries staff and volunteers who made this year’s high school internship a great success: Nancy Huling, Madeline Mundt, Jessica Albano, Lauren Pressley, Betsy Wilson, Nan Holmes, Stephanie Guerrero, Kathleen Larson, Lauren Duong, Emilie Vrbancic, Michael Mungin, Negeen Aghassibake, and AC Petersen.

See also:

•  Starting early High school students in paid internships at academic libraries  

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Last updated 8/9

Services Updates

• Special Collections and Seattle branch Libraries will open September 29th.
  • Special Collections: 
    • Access will be by appointment only Monday-Friday 1:00 PM – 4:45 PM during fall quarter for both UW affiliates and the public.
    • Special Collections staff are available to answer research questions via ASK US and the online question form.(i.e. available services prior to opening, confirming materials, citations).Services will expand as staffing permits. 
  • Seattle branch Libraries and Tateuchi East Asia Library:
    • See the Libraries COVID Update page “Reopening Dates” for planned hours of operations for ALL Libraries, including Suzzallo and Allen Libraries and Odegaard Undergraduate Library.
  • Hours for all Libraries will expand as staffing permits. 

• Be Prepared: HathiTrust Emergency Temporary Access Service (ETAS) Deactivation – Why does it matter?
  • The HathiTrust Emergency Temporary Access Service provides access to over 1 millions online resources while Libraries are closed, but when the UW Libraries reopens, that access will be turned off, per HathiTrust requirements. 

• • Between August 20th and September 20th UW Libraries will be deactivating ETAS, a process that requires multiple changes to over 1.7 million records. During this time, ETAS resources that were previously findable in Libraries Search may not show up in results. Users should instead search for ETAS materials via the Hathi Trust Digital Library (requires login with UW NetID); not Libraries Search.

• • Starting September 20, 2021, UW access to ETAS will end. If you are planning to use ETAS materials for a course or research, know that you will not have access to some online only materials starting September 20th.  Physical books and journals that are part of ETAS will be available to borrow. You can check now (before 8/20) to see if titles are part of ETAS via UW Libraries Search, noted under “View It” See example.
  • For more information, view the Libraries HathiTrust guide. 

• For up-to-date information on all Libraries’ reopening plans, please see the Libraries COVID-19 update page.

News and Stories

• UW Libraries Faculty Guidance for 2021/2022 has been updated – get information on course reserves and other resources to help plan your courses.

• Graduate Student Research Institute (GSRI) is here! – August 23-27 (see below)

• Jacob Lawrence in Seattle: UW Students and Libraries Create New Book: Assistant Professor of Art History Juliet Sperling’s Art H 400 students create a collection of essays exploring the prolific artist’s work and the possibilities of open publishing.

• Underserved teens gain valuable summer experience through UW Libraries High School Internship Program.

Workshops

• Open Scholarship Summer Series (OSSS) – August 9-13: The Open Scholarship Summer Series is an opportunity for students to explore concepts relating to open source tools and digital publishing. Learn More.

• Data Visualization Track 1 – August 9–13: Learn about the fundamentals of collecting, cleaning, and visualizing data and create your own visualizations using open source, in browser data visualization tools. Learn More. 

• Story Maps Track 2 – August 16-20: Learn about the basics of creating your first story map as well as how to use the open source platform StoryMaps JS to tell stories with geospatial content. Learn More. 

• Pressbooks
  • Getting Started with Pressbooks – Wednesday, August 11: Designed for users who are new to Pressbooks. Attendees will learn how to get started — from creating a new book to publishing and exporting offline versions of the text. Learn More.  
  • Pressbooks in Progress: Share Your Work + Ask Questions – Friday, August 13: Have you been wanting to take your UW Libraries Pressbooks projects to the next stage?  Feel like you need some inspiration for your book?  This is an open time for UW Pressbooks users to bring their projects to share and ask questions. Learn More. 
  • Advanced Pressbooks Publishing – Monday, August 23: Designed for users who have some familiarity with Pressbooks and are ready to engage in more complex activities, like adding interactive elements or integrating Pressbooks with supported third-party tools. Learn More.

• Research Data Management Workshop – August 16-19: Join UW Libraries for an asynchronous workshop centered around Research Data Management Planning. Topics will include getting started with data management planning, funder requirements for data sharing, metadata, tips to help keep you organized, sharing, archiving and preservation, and an introduction to tools and on-campus support to aid researchers. Learn More. 

• Graduate Student Research Institute (GSRI) – August 23-27: Join UW Libraries for a free asynchronous five-day online workshop for new and returning UW graduate students. This workshop is aimed at helping students learn the tools and strategies they need to research smarter, not harder. Learn More. 

Features: Digital Collections, Resources & UW Press

• New book: Love for Liberation: African Independence, Black Power, and a Diaspora Underground by Robin J. Hayes. Featuring interviews with activists, extensive archival research, and media analysis, Robin Hayes reveals how Black Power and African independence activists created a diaspora underground, characterized by collaboration and reciprocal empowerment.

• Black Studies Center (BSC) is a multidisciplinary gateway to current scholarly and historical material related to Black experience in the United States, wider African diaspora, and the continent. The current version (available through June 30, 2022) includes an expanded collection of historic African American newspapers and the Black Abolitionist Papers. BSC is brought to you by your UW Libraries.

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This post was updated September 16, 2022

UPDATE:

In July 2022, UW’s Jacob Lawrence in Seattle was selected as Pressbooks’  featured Book of the Month, displayed on the front page of the international Pressbooks Directory !    Learn more about the making of this book in our recorded webinar: Student Authored: UW Open Pedagogy and Publishing [youtube.com].

Jacob Lawrence (1917-2000) is widely recognized as one of the most important American artists of the 20th century. Although he is best known for his multi-panel narratives that he completed whilst living in New York City, the second half of Lawrence’s career was spent at the University of Washington as a Professor of Art from 1971 – 1986. For the first time since his retirement from UW, Lawrence’s work and teaching are now the subjects of a new course at the UW School of Art + Art History + Design, taught by Assistant Professor of Art History Juliet Sperling. 

The creation and implementation of this course represent a partnership between UW Libraries and faculty at UW. Students in ART H 400 worked alongside librarians from a variety of specialties*, such as open educational resources, art history, and digital scholarship, to create a class book about the meaning of Lawrence’s work in Seattle. Using the Pressbooks digital publishing tool, students compiled original essays analyzing Lawrence’s artwork that they had created over the quarter into one comprehensive book, Jacob Lawrence in Seattle, that was published at the end of the course. For many students in Art H 400, this was their first excursion into the world of publishing. While there were of course obstacles, student Sam Seaver noted that “everyone involved in guiding us through the Pressbooks process made it feel doable and removed the intimidation for our class.” This course was one of the first-of-its-kind at UW, creating a blueprint for future collaboration with open publishing platforms and digital scholarship within UW Libraries. One student in Art H 400 noted that “this was such a fun, inspiring opportunity! I would have never published a paper on my own, had I not taken this course.” 

“this was such a fun, inspiring opportunity! I would have never published a paper on my own, had I not taken this course.”

In an effort to expand access to open educational resources, the University of Washington has opened access to Pressbooks software for all students, faculty, and staff. This tool, piloted primarily in use by UW Librarians and faculty, has allowed for students and faculty to independently publish their research free of charge, on an accessible digital platform. In reflection of the importance of Pressbooks in the course, student Kira Sue wrote; “it seems like a moral responsibility to share your research if you are doing work on a project that has been historically under-researched…the promise of publication served as a great motivator throughout the quarter.”

“I loved getting to work with and learn from the UW Library staff. From the very beginning, they were so supportive…”

Students in Art H 400 not only learned how to navigate open educational resource platforms, such as Pressbooks, but they also learned how to efficiently use library resources. From research guides to the online chat with UW Librarians, students in Art H 400 were able to advantageously use campus resources to further their course objectives. Elizabeth Xiong, one of Prof. Sperling’s students in this course, expressed her appreciation of UW libraries in this course by sharing that “I loved getting to work with and learn from the UW Library staff. From the very beginning, they were so supportive of our project, and it was really encouraging. The librarians are all so knowledgeable and graciously took extra time to answer all our questions which stood out to me!”

“I think more classes would benefit from a final project that is collaborative in nature and ends in a publication.”

Art H 400 is set to become a recurring course in UW Art History, with each iteration highlighting a different topic related to Seattle’s vibrant history. Not only will the enduring legacy of Jacob Lawrence be carried forward through the work of Prof. Sperling’s course, but the students in the class are now equipped with knowledge of open educational platforms, such as Pressbooks. In reflection of her work during the past quarter Art H 400 student Monica Ionescu noted; “I think more classes would benefit from a final project that is collaborative in nature and ends in a publication.” As we move into a post-pandemic life, the importance of online tools is only becoming more recognized, as students, staff, and faculty navigate innovative digital worlds. UW Libraries looks forward to continue collaborating with the UW community to make these resources more available and accessible to all. 

Not only is Pressbooks free to use for UW students, but anyone (UW affiliated or not) can read Pressbooks online! Learn more about how you can use Pressbooks and other open hosting platforms to enhance your teaching and openly publish your research.

*Contact the Librarians who worked with the class to develop this project:

• Lauren Ray, Open Educational Librarian
• Maryam Fakouri, Scholarly Publishing and Outreach Librarian
• Madison Sullivan, Fine and Performing Arts Librarian

**Learn more about the Libraries’ Arts, Drama and Music Funds, including the Spieseke/Hatchett Endowed Art Library Fund.  If you are interested in learning more about how your gift is a catalyst for student success, contact Shelby Williford, Associate Director of Libraries Advancement ([email protected] | 206-616-6521.

News

New Dean Announced: On behalf of the office of the Provost, we are happy to announce that Simon Neame (currently the dean of Libraries at the University of Massachusetts Amherst) has been appointed the new dean of University Libraries. The appointment, pending approval by the UW Board of Regents, is set to begin Sept. 1. Read the official press release.  UW Libraries’ Lauren Pressley and Denise Pan have been named co-interim deans until September 1.

UW Libraries Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Update (5/27/21): One Year Later: George Floyd, Black Lives Matter and Systemic Change

Services Update

Across the UW Libraries, we look forward to continuing to support remote learning in summer quarter through robust online services AND we are excited to welcome our UW community back to campus for in-person learning in the fall! Our re-opening plans are updated on the Libraries COVID-19 update page, including these key dates and news:

• What to Know Before You Go – Access, Returns, and more: A guide for all graduating and returning students!
• Health Sciences Library will open Monday, September 13.
• Odegaard Undergraduate Library plans to reopen on Monday, September 20.
• Requests for physical items via Summit and ILL Service are scheduled to return on June 21.
• Individual Study Space @ Research Commons (with new space for audio-interactive sessions) will continue 5 days-a-week during summer quarter and will close Friday, August 20 to prepare for fall opening (i.e. reconfiguring space for more collaboration, new guidelines, etc.) Reopening date TBD.
• Libraries Faculty guide for 2021 is current.
• The Libraries will provide a number of student and parent orientation sessions during Dawg Daze – stay tuned for more information.

Featured Digital Collections/Exhibits

Welcome to Beyond Scope and Content: Hidden Stories from the Archive.   This new podcast series from the University of Washington Libraries Special Collections, funded by the Friends of the Library, will take you on a journey into the hidden stories of women filmmakers in the Film Archive. Get the inside perspective from curator Hannah Palin. 

Celebrating Pride Month

• Film Canon: An exploration of QTPOC representation in American cinema; a spotlight on high-quality, unique and exceptional films that illuminate experiences that have been rendered invisible or marginalized in American mass media.
• UW Tacoma Libraries has created an excellent list of community resources and collections including a recently revamped Gender and Sexuality subject guide.
• The University of Washington Libraries’ Special Collections is home to oral histories from the Northwest Lesbian and Gay History Project-check it out!
  • • • Learn more about the The Precious, Precarious Work of Queer Archiving in the Pacific Northwest in this in-depth profile from Atlas Obscura.

Stories

• Preparing for Finals Week: UW Libraries Top 10 Tips for Success
• Beyond the Pilot: Digital Scholarship Open Hosting Platforms Are Here to Stay
• By the numbers: UW Libraries During the Pandemic
• Libraries Accessibility Update 2020-2021

Featured Resource: Digital Theater Plus

Dive deep into the world of performance: From Shakespeare to Miller, Digital Theatre Plus gives you streaming access to hundreds of full-length performances and educational resources for the performing arts. Brought to you by the UW Libraries, find plays, musical theater, criticism, theory, and study guides to help you dive deeper into the world of performance.

Workshops and Help Hours

Pressbooks Webinars:

• • • • Getting Started with Pressbooks – Wednesday, Jun 9. Designed for users who are new to Pressbooks. Attendees will learn how to get started — from creating a new book to publishing and exporting offline versions of the text. Learn more.  
      • Advanced Pressbooks Publishing – Monday, Jun 21. Designed for users who have some familiarity with Pressbooks and are ready to engage in more complex activities, like adding interactive elements or integrating Pressbooks with supported third-party tools. Learn more.

Weekly Drop-In Help – No Appointment Necessary:

• • • • Media Arcade: Get help with audio, video, and related digital media projects. We can also assist with any technical troubleshooting and hardware issues!  See calendar
      • Foster Business Help Desk: Get help from the Foster Business librarians: All business research questions welcome! No appointment necessary, daily sessions M-F 12:30-1:30. See calendar.
      • Digital Scholarship Project Help Office Hours: Open to faculty and students, UW Libraries offers weekly office hours to advise on digital scholarship for research and course related projects. Examples include digital publishing, building digital exhibits, data research management, and more! Office hours are most Fridays 2:30-3:30. See calendar.

Missed it?

Q and A with Betsy Wilson, retiring Dean of UW Libraries – on retirement, career highlights, what inspires and more.