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May Update

May 1, 2025

Spring is in the air, and the Libraries are in “full bloom” – meaning the calendar is full of more than 25 different events and FREE workshops for students, faculty, staff and our community. Explore careers in libraries, archives, museums, and galleries, attend a Graphic Novel Café pop-up, a LLM Hackathon, the annual GIS Symposium, a celebration of 135 years of Open Access to Government Information, and so much more– take advantage of the many FREE opportunities to learn, connect and grow. Happy Spring!

News and Stories

Adam L. SchiffUW Excellence: UW Libraries’ Adam Schiff, who has been awarded the 2025 Margaret Mann Citation for his outstanding achievements and contributions in the field of cataloging and classification! The Margaret Mann Citation, sponsored by ALA CORE and OCLC, is a preeminent achievement for catalogers, and formally recognizes Adam’s tremendous impact on the cataloging and classification profession over the past 25+ years. Congratulations, Adam!

UW Libraries Wins 2025 ARL Arlies Award for Best Video: Research libraries from across the country compete in this annual competition sponsored by the Association for Research Libraries featuring a wide range of video formats. Co-produced by UW senior, Braedyn Reed, UW Libraries Student Guide: Barbie Edition won for Best Free Form video! Watch and share the video.

Featured Resources

Support for Authors: Authors across UW frequently ask whether the Library can assist with open access (OA) publishing fees. This updated guide provides quick answers, but the larger picture is complex.  View the guide.

Community Events and Exhibits

May 7th- First Wednesday Community Concert Series – Students of the UW School of Music perform in this lunchtime concert series co-hosted by UW Music and UW Libraries. Learn more. 

May 8 – Understanding Carbon Output and AI’s Role in Sustainability: As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into our daily lives, its environmental impact grows in tandem. This workshop, explores the intersection of cutting-edge AI technologies and global carbon emissions. Participants will examine how deep learning models can both contribute to and help mitigate CO2 output, and will engage with practical tools like carbon credit tracking and exchange platforms. Designed for a broad audience—including students, educators, professionals, and policymakers—this session provides both foundational knowledge and actionable strategies for leveraging AI in the pursuit of sustainability. Learn more.

BOOK TALK: Seattle Samurai Conversation with Kelly GotoMay 28- BOOK TALK: Seattle Samurai Conversation with Kelly Goto: In celebration of Asian and Pacific Islander Month, experience the lives of the first Japanese Americans in the Pacific Northwest through the cartoons and illustrations of Sam Goto. Author Kelly Goto explores the Japanese immigrant experience in the Pacific Northwest through the lens of her father’s long-running comic strip, Seattle Tomodachi. Join us for an engaging conversation about her father’s artistic legacy and her parents’ lifelong efforts in preserving their cultural heritage for future generations. Learn more.

May 20 – 2025 GIS Symposium The GIS Symposium highlights and celebrates the transformational role of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, and data visualization technologies at the UW and beyond. Learn more.

135 Years of Open Access to Federal Government Information (In Person)May 20 – 135 Years of Open Access to Federal Government Information (In Person and Zoom) Did you know that the University of Washington was designated as a federal depository library in 1890!  The UW Libraries, 135 years later, still offers in-depth government information research services and one of the best federal documents collections in the country, both printed and online. Government transparency and accountability go hand-in-hand with archives, libraries, and digital preservation. Come celebrate with us and learn how government information might fit into your own scholarship or research! Explore a digital exhibit highlighting government literature throughout the decades.

Zoom Session.  In-Person Session

Graphic Novel Cafe

Graphic Novel Café May 19-June 13 at the Tateuchi East Asia Library!

Step into the world of Korean webtoons and Japanese manga at the Graphic Novel Café in the Tateuchi East Asia Library (TEAL)!

Browse and enjoy a curated selection of graphic novels from TEAL’s rich collection in a cozy, café-inspired space.

This special pop-up event is brought to you by the Korean Student Association with support from ASUW, offering students a chance to relax, explore, and immerse themselves in East Asia’s vibrant visual storytelling culture.

May 19–June 13 | M-F 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Except 5/21, 5/30 & 6/4)
Seminar Room, Tateuchi East Asia Library (Gowen Hall 3rd Fl.)
☕ Drop in, read, and discover your next favorite series!
Learn more.

Learning Workshops 

Computing With Classics Workshop Series with the Open Scholarship Commons: Computing With Classics is a three-workshop series exploring how computing has affected classical scholarship across 4 different topics and sessions including The Current Digital Landscape, Digital Sustainability and Computer Science vs. Programming.  In-person and online classes are offered. View the OSC calendar for more information. 

May 8 – Git for Everyone! This workshop introduces Git as a tool for version control and open research. You’ll learn how to track changes, collaborate with others using GitHub/GitLab, and structure your work for transparency and reproducibility. This course is full, but you can still Join the waitlist

May 13 – Advanced Podcasting Workshop: Interview Techniques (Online) This workshop focusses on  interview preparation and recording practices in this 90-minute session. A basic understanding of podcast production is helpful but not required.

May 14 – More Than Citations: Leveraging Author Profiles & Altmetrics for Greater Engagement Whether you’re looking to strengthen your online presence or demonstrate impact for funding and career opportunities, this session will  explore how author profiles help showcase your publications and how altmetrics provide real-time insights into the broader reach of your work.  Learn how to track online engagement, connect your research to global conversations, and enhance your visibility using a variety of tool. Learn more. 

Teaching With Large Language Models: HackathonMay 21– Teaching With Large Language Models: Hackathon: Large Language Models (LLMs) have recently been top of mind for many in higher education, and UW has hosted a variety of great talks and events centered on LLMs and teaching. The Teaching With LLMs Hackathon picks up where those events leave off: it provides a good stretch of time where instructors can individually or collectively revise their teaching materials with respect to LLMs. Learn more.

May 22 – Misleading data visualizations (and how to avoid making them) (online):  Join us for an introductory workshop on decisions that can result in data visualizations that mislead and how to avoid those pitfalls. Experience working with data is not required. This workshop will not be recorded. Learn More.

May 22 – “Can’t We Write A Paper instead?” Successfully (and Unsuccessfully) Incorporating Digital Tools in the Classroom: Every year there seems to be a new innovative digital tool positioned to take the University by storm and there are always instructors excited for their students to learn all about it. Join the OSC in a panel discussion featuring three instructors and one supporting librarian who have extensive experience learning, implementing, changing, and, sometimes, giving up on incorporating various digital platforms into their syllabi. What can we learn about teaching from these experiences? What can we learn about what students want? What tools might be the lightest lift and which ones are the most difficult? Learn more.

May 28 – From the Field: Conversations with Library, Archive, Museum & Gallery Professionals (In Person): This panel brings together librarians, archivists, curators, and other experts currently working in libraries, archives, museums, and galleries to share what their jobs are really like. Whether you’re already set on a specific path or just exploring your options, this is a great opportunity to gain insight, ask questions, and build connections. Learn more.

Drop-In Help and Office Hours

Sound Studio Office Hours on WEDNESDAYS: Come to the Sound Studio with any audio-related needs! It’s the perfect opportunity to get more personalized help or advice, as well as any refreshers you may need to use the studio more effectively. Feel free to drop by on Wednesdays at 11am or 1pm! Check the OSC Calendar for dates and times.

Digital Scholarship Project Help Office Hours on TUESDAYS: 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. Come ask us about the Libraries digital scholarship infrastructure tools (Manifold, Omeka, etc.).  This service is available only to current UW faculty, students, and staff. Check the OSC Calendar for dates and times.

Most Wanted UW Researcher Summer SeriesSave the Date!

Back by popular demand, UW Researcher  “Most Wanted” Summer Series is coming in June.

This summer workshop series focuses on the tools and topics UW researchers are asking about. We welcome all members of the research community, including graduate students, postdocs, research staff, clinicians, and faculty members. These workshops will teach a variety of skills and formats to:

  • expand the visibility of your research
  • effectively communicate research findings and impact in new and non-traditional ways
  • enhance your research portfolio for tenure and future career opportunities
  • connect with others at UW to extend your research networks

Workshops will run  June 24 – July 11th. Stay tuned and check the OSC calendar for more information coming soon!

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Stories

A Message for Graduates from UW Libraries

April 30, 2025

Graduating Students:

Congratulations! As you get ready to celebrate this monumental achievement through UW Commencement! We know you are busy, so we’ll make this short — as UW alumni, know what benefits and opportunities are available to you after graduation:

Return Library Materials

Don’t forget to return all of your Library materials before you leave campus! If you missed something, learn how to return materials via mail. 

Keep access to UW Libraries:

Graduating students retain off-campus access to online library collections and databases using Husky OnNet or the off-campus proxy until the second consecutive quarter  in which you are not enrolled (excluding Summer).

Membership has its privileges: UW Alumni Association

  • You can get a free one-year digital membership to the UW Alumni Association that includes (among other benefits) UW Libraries borrowing privileges, plus access to EBSCO online journals. Learn more.
  • All UWAA members are eligible for a FREE UW Libraries Borrower’s Card.  Learn more.
  • Parents and Family– Anyone (non-UW affiliates/non-Alumni Association members)  can purchase a borrower’s card at any time. Learn more. 

Stay Connected – Follow Us!

  • If you’re staying local this summer, be sure to check out FREE Library summer events and workshops!
  • UW Libraries’ social media channels share the latest and greatest news, events and stories along with the “must see” daily features  from UW Libraries Special Collections’ —  important,  quirky and always interesting!
  • Stay informed about the latest public exhibits, community events, and news related to the UW Libraries by signing up for our quarterly spotlight emails.  Sign up.

Congratulations,  graduates — good luck on the journey ahead!

For who you are. For who you’ll become. Be Boundless.

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Stories

April Update

April 1, 2025
Undergrads! Don’t forget, your research project ould be worth $1,000! Apply for the UW Libraries Research Award for Undergraduates by April 30th. This annual award is open to ALL areas of study and formats — from dance and drama to microbiology and math–you could win amazing cash prizes!

Welcome to spring quarter! Now is a great time to attend a free Libraries workshop to build skills and inspire ideas before the hectic end-of-year activities start-up. Grad students and faculty should RSVP now to save their spot for the very popular biannual Research Data Management course and Storytelling Fellows video storytelling workshop. The Open Scholarship Commons has a terrific lineup of classes as well, including How to Publish & Protect Your Research, and the opportunity to test out a trial run of Humap, a dynamic digital mapping platform designed for researchers, educators, and storytellers.  It’s a perfect time to level up, learn something new and of course, enjoy those cherry blossoms (and our DIY bookmark-making events!) throughout the month!

News and Stories

Celebrating Libraries Student Employees – Did you know that more than 250 students work at UW Libraries and UW Press across all campuses? They are the backbone of operations, as well as teachers, mentors, designers, writers and so much more. Read more about their outstanding accomplishments and this year’s celebration of 50 new student employee scholarship recipients. Read the story. 

Inside Dante – New Video Story by UW News: Last month we shared the exciting news about UW Libraries recent acquisition of a rare 1544 edition of Dante’s ‘Divine Comedy’. Now you can get an up close view, and learn more about the fascinating history of this remarkable new addition in this video story featuring  Julie Tanaka, Associate Dean for Distinctive Collections. Watch the video. 

UW Tacoma Library’s New Dean: Kaijsa Calkins has been appointed as the Associate Dean of the UW Tacoma Library, bringing with her an extensive background in education and research services. Learn more.

Farewell, Sheryl Stiefel – UW Libraries Chief Advancement Officer To Retire

Sheryl Stiefel, UW Libraries Chief Advancement Officer, arrives on campus at the end of her “retirement walk to work” from the Eastside.
Sheryl addresses her UW Library friends and colleagues at a special celebration.

After 12 years leading UW Libraries’ advancement team, Sheryl Stiefel is retiring, leaving behind a lifetime’s worth of fundraising achievements that will help to advance the work of UW Libraries for many years to come. On April 1, Sheryl celebrated her UW journey by walking to work (from the Eastside, in the rain!) and enjoying a special celebration in her honor with friends, family, co-workers and donors. We’ll miss you, Sheryl!

 

 

 

At Sheryl’s request,  gift acknowledgements can be directed to the  UW Libraries Student Newspaper Digitization Project which will help to complete the years-long effort to  digitize The Daily!

Take our Cherry Blossom Challenge – Only 4 questions!

Featured Resources

Architecture of the Pacific Northwest You don’t have to be studying architecture to appreciate the artful works in this collection! From original drawings of Suzzallo Library, to concepts for the space needle, to mid-century homes and Seattle landmarks past and present, this database contains selected architectural drawings from the Pacific Northwest Architecture Collection representing regionally significant architects and designers spanning the period from the 1880’s into the 1980’s.

MENA (Middle Eastern & North African) Heritage Month: This book group includes many classic novels and titles in the running for the International Prize for Arabic Fiction from various years, with translations.

Community Events and ExhibitsTours of Tateuchi East Asia Library: Experience the Hidden Gem of Campus During Cherry Blossom Season!

April 2-11th, Tours and DIY Bookmarks @ Tateuchi East Asia Library If you are visiting the Quad to see the breathtaking cherry blossoms, why not take a short walk up the stairs to Gowen Hall, 3rd floor, and discover another campus treasure—the Tateuchi East Asia Library (TEAL)! TEAL is home to an internationally renowned East Asian collection, a rich history and a stunning space that many consider a hidden gem. You can participate in both self-guided or library-led tours AND create cherry blossom-inspired bookmarks at during DIY sessions throughout the month.  Information on Tours and Bookmark-Making

April 5-Asian American Home Movies Screening: Sponsored by UW Libraries, join us for a free, special screening of historic Asian American home movies from the greater Seattle Area. The historic home movies from private collections and the UW Libraries Special Collections feature family events, farms, and scenes from pre-war communities in our region. The event is spearheaded by UW Cinema & Media Studies doctoral candidate Sarah Choi RSVP and learn more about Reel Memories.

Learning Workshops and Office Hours

April 8 and 10th- Humap Mapping Platform Workshop & Trial Run  The Open Scholarship Commons invites you to a virtual onboarding workshop and trial run of Humap, a dynamic digital mapping platform designed for researchers, educators, and storytellers. Humap enables users to create interactive, multimedia-rich maps integrating text, images, videos, and data. It is a powerful tool for research visualization, digital humanities projects, and place-based pedagogy.

April 10- Publish & Protect Your Research: Build a Book Fast with Manifold :  Learn how to create the world’s fastest book using the Manifold digital book publishing platform! 

Apr 14- Statistics, Machine Learning and Classical Japanese Orthography featuring Prof. Paul Atkins, Doctoral Candidates of Mathematics, Herman Chau, and Michael R. Zeng. In this talk, Professor Atkins and his lab’s students will discuss how they used statistical analysis of classical hiragana usage to determine whether a set of controversial Japanese manuscripts were inscribed by their assumed scribe.  This lecture is part of the Tateuchi East Asia Library Digital Scholarship Series. 

April 16th- Introduction to Data Visualization: This online workshop will provide a basic introduction to data visualization, including a high level overview of tools available at the UW, as well as where to find support when creating visualizations. A basic understanding of data is helpful but not required. This workshop will not be recorded.

April 25th to May 16th- Storytelling Fellows Video Storytelling Series– Applications Due April 18: Open to graduate students, faculty, or staff members, this  fun,  4-week online workshop runs April 25th to May 16th.  From writing scripts, to organizing digital assets, copyright and more, you’ll learn the fundamentals of digital storytelling and how to create short-form videos to showcase your research work! 

April 21-24 – Research Data Management Workshop. Twice a year, the UW Libraries offers Research Data Management Planning, an asynchronous online workshop for UW community members engaged in research with data. Topics 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. The primary audience is graduate students and new staff and faculty, but anyone with a UW NetID can register.

Coming Up

BOOK TALK: Seattle Samurai Conversation with Kelly Goto

GIS Symposium 2025

Building an ADA compliant syllabus 

Computing With Classics: a three-workshop series exploring how computing has affected classical scholarship.

Accessibility & Data Visualization Workshop (online) AND  Misleading Data Visualizations (and how to avoid making them) (online)

More Than Citations: Leveraging Author Profiles & Altmetrics for Greater Engagement

 

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Stories

2025 Student Scholarship Recipients

March 12, 2025

UW Libraries recognizes the achievements of our outstanding student employees through our Student Employee Appreciation Week, and an annual scholarship award, generously sponsored by UW Libraries donors.  On March 5, we celebrated this year’s 50 new scholarship recipients with a reception honoring their amazing contributions.

2025 scholarship recipients attending the scholarship reception March 5, 2025

Library and UW Press student workers represent undergraduates and graduate students from diverse areas of study working across all three UW campuses!

Only 25% of student employees are focusing their studies on libraries and information science. Students who work at the Libraries come different academic interests across all schools and departments.

As one of the largest employers of student workers on campus, our student employees are essential to Libraries’ operations – while they literally keep the doors open, lights on and books on shelves,  they are also peer mentors, writers, designers, marketers, technicians and instructors! We LOVE our student employees, and this year’s scholarship class exemplifies the dedication, creativity and work ethic that our students bring to their jobs every day. 

Some examples student achievements of this year’s class include: 

  • creating handcrafted, customized materials in our bookbinding department
  • answering thousands of questions at service desks across the libraries
  • coordinating delivery of book requests from across the globe into the hands of UW researchers
  • making significant contributions to the Libraries web site improvements and ongoing redesign efforts
  • creating new systems for training and orientation of new student employees
  • a 3D model of library spaces to improve user navigation and engagement
  • Producing many student and community-focused events, exhibits and programs
  • Enhancing and helping to teach workshops like the UW Libraries High School Internship cohort
  • Advising  students and faculty with their technology needs
  • AND SO MUCH MORE…

But don’t take our word for it; here’s what our 2025 student scholarship recipients have to say about their experience working with the Libraries*:

“I have gained academic knowledge and experience in a way that a classroom alone can never teach.”

Video: UW Libraries Student Reception featuring remarks from Dean of University Libraries,  Simon Neame; keynote by Associate Dean of Distinctive Collections, Julie Tanaka; and stories from student scholarship recipients Arnav Patnaik and Claire Sheppard.


“Working with book conservation has given me a sense of fulfillment that I have never experienced before…knowing that I am contributing to making physical media more accessible and last longer allows me to see myself as purposeful in the community that I am in.”

“The most unexpected aspect of my experience was the knowledge I gained about the library’s resources, which helped my academic growth tremendously.”

“I am extremely grateful for the resources and information I am able to gain access to as a student worker… What I love most about my job are the people I get to work with who have made coming to work a joy by reimagining what work should look and feel like. Their constant dedication to their craft, the student population, and fellow co-workers continues to astound me. They have fostered a beautiful environment in which I can thrive emotionally, physically, and financially while pursuing my academic desires and dreams.”

“This role has also transformed the way I approach challenges.”

“Managing intricate workflows in the library mirrors the critical thinking I apply in my Economics coursework, particularly in data-driven projects. More importantly, I’ve learned to embrace a growth mindset—seeking solutions and learning from every problem… Libraries are more than repositories of books—they are bridges to opportunity. I am grateful to play a role in building that bridge for others and to carry these lessons into my academic and professional future.”

“Academically, my work at the UW Tacoma Library has served as a live laboratory for learning.”

“Interacting with a diverse group of individuals, I have strengthened my communication skills while also applying the concepts from my coursework to real-world situations. Although on a small scale, the experience has been highly productive and has enriched my academic perspective.”

“This experience has not only enhanced my problem-solving and interpersonal skills but also prepared me to navigate and succeed in any professional setting I may encounter in the future.”

“Since working at the library, I’ve found the confidence to be more social in all aspects of my life. I’ve forged great friendships, ones that I know I’ll have for a lifetime. I never thought that a hushed place such as Suzzallo would bring me out of my shell, but I am so thankful that it gave me the courage to speak, and to allow myself to just be.”

“Working at UW Libraries has provided me with valuable opportunities. My experience at UW Libraries has profoundly impacted my professional development. My role at UW Libraries has encouraged me to explore innovative ways to streamline processes and improve productivity. This experience has motivated me to continue expanding my data science skills, particularly in areas like R and Python, while also focusing on the ethical implications of data use. I can leverage these lessons in my academic work by applying a more nuanced approach to data analysis and visualization, and professionally, by enhancing my ability to support data-driven decision-making in future roles.”

“As I reflect on my time at UW Libraries, I recognize it as a period of substantial growth –personally, academically, and professionally.”

“The skills and values I’ve cultivated here go beyond the walls of the library; they are etched into my approach to my studies, research, and a future career in oceanography and climate sciences. I feel so fortunate that I have been able to serve the UW community and contribute significantly to an institution that stands at the forefront of academic excellence and research.”

“I have learned something new each quarter. I can not wait to learn even more and continue to be a member of this community.”

Congratulations to all 2025 UW Libraries Student Employee Scholarship Recipients!!

*All quotes are excerpts  from 2025 UW Libraries student employee scholarship application essays submitted by student employees from Seattle, Bothell and Tacoma Libraries and UW Press.

Stories

March Update

March 10, 2025

The end of winter quarter means the start of Spring is nearly here!  Be sure to bookmark our Top Ten Tips for Finals Success, a great resource to revisit throughout the year and take advantage of Odegaard’s Study Sprint Breaks all this week – plus… therapy dogs!!  Undergrads… do you have a final project you are excited about from this year? Consider applying for our UW Libraries Research Award for Undergraduates , open to ALL areas of study and formats — from dance and drama to microbiology and math–you could win amazing cash prizes!  Speaking of prizes, while you’re keeping your eyes on that UW Cherry Blossom Cam, test your knowledge with our Cherry Blossom Challenge! When you need a study break, or something to do after finals, be sure to catch the last run of soon-to-be retired UW Libraries exhibits (see “Community Events and Exhibits” below)!  And lastly…’Tick Tock’, those 1-minute student video contest submissions are due soon (April 4)– good luck! 

News and Stories

image: of one of the illustrated pages in the 1544 Dante at UW Libraries Special Collections
one of the illustrated pages in the 1544 edition of Dante’s Divine Comedy at UW Libraries Special Collections

Rocket Men: How former UW reporters launched a generation of influencers (before there were influencers). An inside look at last month’s special celebration of The Rocket exhibit and the contributions of its late founder, Charles Cross. Read the story.

Dante Has Arrived: An inside look into this new and unique acquisition to UW Libraries Special Collections. Learn more. 

Which is the most Insta-worthy university library in the U.S.? Teachers of Tomorrow conducted a study using Instagram data. Data quality check, please!? 🙂  Read the list. And then post those hashtags!

Digital Scholarship Series Highlights Innovation in East Asian Studies: Learn about this lecture series and the last session of the year, coming up April 14. Learn more.

Featured Resources

NEW!  The UW Libraries now provides Premium access to Foreign Policy magazine with features to help the UW community understand the complex geopolitical issues driving today’s world. This access includes approximately 55 new deep-dive analysis, exclusive interviews, and expert insights per week. Foreign Policy content is available in web- and app-based applications, eight topical & regional newsletters, 18 award-winning podcasts, FP Live Interviews, FP Analytics research, and FP Events.

Community Events and Exhibits 

April 2- First Wednesday Concert Series: Students of the UW School of Music perform in this lunchtime concert series co-hosted by UW Music and UW Libraries.

April 5-Asian American Home Movies Screening: Sponsored by UW Libraries, join us for a free, special screening of historic Asian American home movies from the greater Seattle Area. Free and open to the public on Saturday, April 5, from 1:00 to 2:30 pm at the Japanese Baptist Church, 160 Broadway, Seattle. The historic home movies from private collections and the UW Libraries Special Collections feature family events, farms, and scenes from pre-war communities in our region. The event is spearheaded by UW Cinema & Media Studies doctoral candidate Sarah Choi whose research interests include race and cinema, orphan films, and found footage filmmaking. Special Collections is co-sponsoring the event. Moving image and sound archivist Ashlyn Higareda will be there to present clips from Special Collections films. RSVP and learn more about Reel Memories.

EXHIBITS:

Learning Workshops and Office Hours 

@Odegaard Sound Studio

  • March 12 – Intro to Audacity is a popular, free audio software perfect for basic audio mixing, recording, and arranging. This is perfect for basic audio work with small visual projects, or even music and podcasts. Feel free to bring your own device if you would like to follow along, otherwise there will be devices provided! Hope to see you there.
  • March 14 – Ableton Intermediate Have a basic foundation in Ableton Live and want to learn more? Develop your skills further with the Intermediate workshop by learning more tips and tricks in Ableton, such as advanced sampling techniques and a basic tutorial on mixing with stock plugins just to name a few. This will be held in the Sound Studio in Odegaard (OUGL246), with no need to bring your own device.

SAVE THE DATE

April 10- Create the World’s Fastest Book: Manifold Workshop via Zoom:  Learn how to create the world’s fastest book using the Manifold digital book publishing platform! 

Apr 14- Statistics, Machine Learning and Classical Japanese OrthographyDigital Scholarship Series 4 (1) featuring Prof. Paul Atkins, Doctoral Candidates of Mathematics, Herman Chau, and Michael R. Zeng. In this talk, Professor Atkins and his lab’s students will discuss how they used statistical analysis of classical hirogana usage to determine whether a set of controversial Japanese manuscripts were inscribed by their assumed scribe.  This lecture is part of the Tateuchi East Asia Library Digital Scholarship Series. 

Drop-In Help and Office Hours

WEDNESDAYS Sound Studio Office Hours– Come to the Sound Studio with any audio-related needs! It’s the perfect opportunity to get more personalized help or advice, as well as any refreshers you may need to use the studio more effectively. Feel free to drop by any time from 1-2PM, every Wednesday!

MARCH 18- Digital Scholarship Project Help Office Hours: 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. Come ask us about the Libraries digital scholarship infrastructure tools (Manifold, Omeka, etc.).  This service is available only to current UW faculty, students, and staff.

 

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Stories

Rocket Men

March 10, 2025
Visitors explore The Rocket exhibit  (and FREE Pagliacci Pizza)  in Allen Library

How former UW reporters launched a generation of influencers (before there were influencers)

Last month, UW Libraries hosted a special reception for its exhibit Celebrating The Rocket, on display in Allen Library’s north lobby through February 15, 2025. Amidst a Seattle music soundtrack spun by “DJ Vallier” (aka faculty and curator for UW Ethnomusicology Archives), and a pizza buffet donated by Pagliacci, attendees meandered through the well-documented history of Seattle’s most iconic music publication featuring the paper’s artful covers, behind-the-scenes stories and related ephemera. Taking in the exhibit, viewers were transported back in time to moments that became touchstones of Seattle’s storied music scene during the paper’s run from 1979 to 2000. 

Guests had the added benefit of hearing from special guest speakers whose perspectives served as a fitting tribute to the late Charles Cross (May 7, 1957 – August 9, 2024) — one of the country’s most respected music writers and editors, a 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, and one of the The Rocket’s first writers, as well as its editor and final sole owner.  Cross’ son, Ashland, spoke about his father’s draw to journalism describing how, in 1975, Cross arrived at UW originally wanting to be an architect, but ultimately found his way to The Daily (UW’s student newspaper) and never looked back. Ashland described his dad’s lifelong passion for music, including an unwavering admiration of Bruce Springstein. He explained that Cross’ inspiration for writing was rooted in the beat writers and vanguard writers like Tom Wolfe and Hunter S. Thompson who “proved that journalism wasn’t just a sideline observational thing, that sometimes you have to live it to know what it’s about.” 

“I see my Dad’s work at The Rocket as a continuation of his admiration for the decades of counterculture writers, bringing that, in a local sense, to Seattle,” said Ashland. “The Rocket served as a nucleus for Northwest music… what Seattle music would become wouldn’t exist without The Rocket.” 

Left to Right: Shawn Schollmeyer (Washington Digital Newspapers -Washington State Library); John Vallier, John Keister, Jessica Albano, Ashland Cross, and student employees who curated the exhibit-Norah Murphy, Sydney Nguyen, Sam Stringer, and public services supervisor Elizabeth Friedly.

The event was capped off by an insightful keynote address by comedian and television personality John Keister (UW ‘79), a close friend of Cross, and also one of the first staff writers for The Rocket. Cross (UW ‘81) and Keister met in 1975 while working at The Daily. Keister reminisced about the unbelievable combination of talent, timing and exceptional access that shaped his experience at The Daily such as his first interview assignments with the likes of Timothy Leary, Elizabeth Kubler Ross and Simon Wiesenthal, among other change-makers and influencers. Unbeknownst to all, five of his fellow staff writers at The Daily would go on to win a Pulitzer Prize–Suki Dardarian, Tim Egan, David Horsey and Mike Luckovich. 

 …”the things that I was able to do (in entertainment) are because of The Rocket and what it led to. It was everything, and I made it with the help of Charlie, and my other friends from The Daily.” – John Keister

After graduating from UW with a degree in English, Cross went to work for The Rocket in 1980 where Keister was already a writer. Keister was instrumental in getting the paper off the ground, using graduation gift money from his parents to help purchase a typesetting machine, which, at the time, was typically only available through third party printers for a fee. That machine, Keister explained, was the genesis of many Seattle music careers.

…”The Nirvana logo was done on (our) machine.” – John Keister

A promotional ad from The Rocket, 1991

“That machine allowed us to bring in a lot more people, and allowed other people to print their stuff, and they started using it for all sorts of things. For example, the Nirvana logo…which is a fairly simple logo… was done on that machine.” 

Beyond launching the careers of many musicians, that genesis also applied to The Rocket staff.  As Keister noted, New York Magazine once said that The Rocket served as the “farm team”  for New York talent as several former art directors went on to work at the heads of national media based in New York, and dream jobs in larger markets. 

Keister recalled venue staff shouting “Rocket Man” in the tone of Elton John’s eponymous tune during his downtown delivery route where he got to see “one minute of every performance in every club in the city that night.” 

The Rocket’s unbelievable photography from the front row perspective was initially delivered in anonymous envelopes under the office door. Eventually the anonymous photographer, Rex Rystedt would officially join The Rocket staff, and is credited with helping to establish the look and feel of the paper that gave readers a unique insider’s view to the burgeoning rock scene. 

Keister described Seattle as a trial city for new artists and bands from the UK who would play here first before going on tour nationally.  “We saw the first shows for Madonna, Elvis (Costello), the Clash… it was amazing,” said Keister. 

Various covers of The Rocket’s “All Local” issues

Among the many aspiring musicians who sent demos and promotional materials to The Rocket with hopeful anticipation of recognition, was a group of young teens by the name of “Shadow.” As Keister tells it, they sent in a photograph of the band doing their best to look as “badass” as possible. While the staff weren’t convinced of the teens’ “badass-ness”, they were amused, and put the photo in the “letters” section of their next edition. 

“Years later, Mike McCready (lead guitarist from Pearl Jam) told me that seeing their photo in that edition of The Rocket was the moment they decided to keep going,” said Keister.

Keister reflected on the impact of his first job and what it led to. “My work at The Rocket was the most deep and fulfilling part of my career. The Rocket gave me everything that I ever wanted —  the things that I was able to do (in entertainment) are because of The Rocket and what it led to. It was everything, and I made it with the help of Charlie, and my other friends from The Daily.” 

John Vallier, curator for the UW Ethnomusicology Archives and Charles started talking about digitizing The Rocket over a decade ago. The will and the resources finally fell into place in 2022. The exhibit and celebration event were the culmination of a 4-year collaboration between Cross, UW Libraries, and the Washington State Library to preserve The Rocket on microfilm and provide free access to it through the Washington Digital Newspapers website. 

When the project began, the team discovered that the microfilm of the paper was essentially illegible, and they would need to source 333 original hard copy issues of the Seattle edition. 

Jessica Albano, UW Libraries’ Head of Government Publications, Maps, Microforms and Newspapers spoke about working with Charles Cross on the years-long effort. 

Jessica Albano addresses a packed house for the exhibit event, “Celebrating The Rocket”

“To quote Charles, ‘trying to gather perfect scannable copies of 21 years of a defunct publication required the herculean efforts of a whole group of people.’ And Charles led that effort to get at least one copy of every issue. When we found that a page was missing or a coupon had been cut out, he would set off to find a replacement. If anyone here (at the event) contributed issues from your personal collections, thank you. It’s because of you and Charles we now have a complete run of the paper preserved on microfilm.  It was during my last visit to drop Rockets off at his house that he invited me in to show me some old photographs from those days. That’s when we decided to keep our collaboration going by creating this exhibit intended to introduce an entirely new generation to The Rocket.”

“Preserving original sources like local news is important because they are the first drafts of shared history.” – Jessica Albano

The exhibit was thoughtfully curated by UW Libraries staff and several student employees who explored The Rocket archives and created the detailed displays highlighting Seattle’s rich musical history.

Albano added, “Preserving original sources like local news is important because they are the first drafts of shared history. During The Rocket’s 20 year run, it documented changes in communication (analog to digital), technology (cassettes to CDs to downloads), industry (prices, shopping at brick and mortar stores to online), popular culture (music, art, fashion), and Seattle’s cityscape. The Rocket archive and the exhibit are connecting a new generation to an important period in Seattle’s history.”

The Rocket is the legacy of Charles Cross and all those, like Keister, who helped him to create it for over two decades. It is a treasure trove of consequential music history that perfectly captured the zeitgeist of an era. While that era (and the operational days of The Rocket) are gone, this legacy remains preserved for all to revisit whenever they want, through microfilm held by the UW Libraries and online through Washington Digital Newspapers from the Washington State Library. 

See and Learn more: 

The Rocket Exhibit: History of the Rocket – A guide to the UW Libraries exhibit commemorating The Rocket.

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Stories

Digital Scholarship Series Highlights Innovation in East Asian Studies

February 13, 2025
Assistant Professor Gian Rominger presenting his talk, “On a Computational Analysis of Early Chinese Poeticity” January 22.

Throughout the 2024/2025 the Tateuchi East Asia Library (TEAL) is hosting the TEAL Digital Scholarship Series, a dynamic program showcasing cutting-edge research by faculty in the fields of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Taiwanese (CJKT) 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.

The 2025 TEAL Digital Scholarship Series features four distinguished speakers from the University of Washington’s East Asian Studies faculty. This year’s lineup is particularly meaningful, as it highlights the groundbreaking research of our own faculty in digital humanities and their significant contributions to the field of East Asian studies.  The upcoming lecture by Dr. Jing Xu for example explores how researchers are using social network analysis and large language models artificial intelligence among other techniques, to analyze unpublished field notes from late anthropologist, Arthur Wolf.

The workshop launched as a pilot program in autumn 2019, representing a cornerstone initiative of the Tateuchi East Asia Library to support research in East Asian studies. Generously funded by a three-year grant from the Atsuhiko and Ina Goodwin Tateuchi Foundation, the series aimed to enhance scholarly engagement through innovative workshops, lectures and community-building events. The inaugural workshop, led by Japanese Studies Librarian Azusa Tanaka, was a resounding success, drawing a large and engaged audience.

The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a pivot to online programming, which expanded the series’ reach to a global audience. Virtual formats enabled the inclusion of international speakers and participants, fostering transnational scholarly collaboration. New components, such as the Digital Scholarship for East Asian Studies Community Coffee Hour, were introduced to promote informal exchanges among scholars. The series also adopted thematic programming, with topics like geospatial analysis, textual encoding, and creative geovisualization.

The series was designed to provide graduate students, faculty, and researchers in Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Taiwanese studies with hands-on experience and theoretical insights into digital scholarship methods.

This popular series has hosted numerous events featuring contributions from UW faculty, students, librarians, and international collaborators. Notable UW faculty partners included Professors Bo Zhao, Clair Yang, Jin-Kyu Jung who provided valuable expertise and consultation. The workshops covered a wide range of digital tools and methods, from ArcGIS StoryMaps to TEI (Textual Encoding Initiative), and showcased innovative research applications. The popularity of the series over the past five years underscores the continued interest in learning about the intersection of East Asian Studies and digital scholarship.

“The Tateuchi East Asia Library staff are committed to supporting innovation, scholarship, and collaboration in the evolving field of digital humanities through this series, through our work in the libraries and in partnership with faculty and students,” says Hyokyoung Yi, Director of the University of Washington Tateuchi East Asia Library and the Korea Studies Librarian. “We look forward to the upcoming series and to exploring new ideas for the future.”

The Tateuchi East Asia Library plans to continue the series, featuring cutting-edge research with a strong focus on East Asian studies, fostering interdisciplinary and international research collaborations.

For questions and more information on this program, please contact: Hyokyoung Yi ([email protected]

Stories

Celebrating A New Arrival: Dante!

February 6, 2025
image: of one of the illustrated pages in the 1544 Dante at UW Libraries Special Collections
One of the illustrated pages in the 1544 edition of Dante’s Divine Comedy at UW Libraries Special Collections, Photo: Liber Antiquus

The University of Washington Libraries is pleased to announce the acquisition of a rare and remarkable volume: the 1544 edition of Dante’s Divine Comedy featuring commentary by Alessandro Vellutello. Published in Venice by Francesco Marcolini, this edition stands out not only for its scholarly significance but also for its artistic innovation. Vellutello, a leading Dante commentator of the 16th century, revolutionized how readers engaged with The Divine Comedy by integrating his own extensive commentary with an unprecedented suite of woodcut illustrations. The 87 woodcuts designed specifically for this edition were intended to supplement the text and deepen the reader’s understanding of Dante’s vision of the afterlife. This was the first time that illustrations were deliberately designed to work in concert with the commentary, a concept that shaped future approaches to visualizing literary works.

image of the 1544 edition of Dante's Divine Comedy
The outer cover of the 1544 edition of Dante’s Divine Comedy at UW Libraries Special Collections, Photo: Liber Antiquus

The book itself is bound in a beautiful 17th-century calfskin binding with gold tooling along the spine, reflecting the care and value placed on it by previous owners.

Within its pages, scholars will find not only intricate woodcuts but also historical marginalia including a fascinating 16th-century inscription referencing an astrological conjunction believed to signal a change in religious thought. This artifact enhances opportunities for research in textual studies, early modern European literature, art history and book history, allowing students and faculty to explore how early readers interacted with and interpreted Dante’s work.

Adding to its significance, this volume connects to a broader scholarly discussion on the origins of its illustrations. Some scholars have speculated that Giovanni Britto, a printmaker associated with Titian, may have been responsible for cutting the woodblocks. Others suggest that Vellutello himself may have created the preparatory drawings, portions of which are now held at The Morgan Library. Regardless of the artist’s exact identity, the craftsmanship of this edition represents a pivotal moment in the history of illustrated books.

This extraordinary addition of the 1544 edition of The Divine Comedy to UW Libraries’ Special Collections was made possible by the Charles T. Leibst Libraries Endowed Fund.

We are deeply grateful for this generous support, which enables us to acquire, maintain, and preserve antiquarian books. With this type of support, UW Libraries continues to develop its distinctive collections to align with the array of interests of our students, faculty, and community members.

-Julie Tanaka, Associate Dean for Distinctive Collections, UW Libraries

The generous support of endowments, such as the Leibst endowment, allows UW Libraries to acquire historically significant materials that inspire inquiry and lead to innovative teaching, original research, and student success.

The Vellutello Dante may be viewed in the Special Collections Reading Room by making an appointment via the catalog link here. Instructors interested in using this material for classes can contact Special Collection by email ([email protected]).

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Stories

February Update

January 31, 2025

Don’t you just LOVE February? We do, because February means the launch of the annual “IHeartUWLibraries” Student Video Contest — check it out (and maybe win $1,000!). There’s also LOVE DATA WEEK, a great opportunity to take advantage of free workshops and events that can help level up your data skills. And don’t miss the chance to learn from distinguished experts through events on AI bias, citizen journalism and labor studies, and podcasting for public scholarship. There’s a lot to love this month! Happy February, Huskies!

Featured  Resources

Black History Month 2025: In honor of Black History Month, take a moment to explore some of the incredible history-makers and historical resources that celebrate the incredible contributions of Black leaders, academics and artists who have made an impact in our community, and the world. Learn more.

image from WTO archives

NEW! The WTO Footage Digitization Project is a groundbreaking collection featuring hundreds of hours of rarely seen footage from the WTO protests, collected by activists on the ground. The footage is part of a new online resource that also includes digitized archival materials from a rich collection at the UW Libraries and the WTO History Project, making the history of the protests accessible to scholars, students, and the public.

 

NEW! In response to user requests, UW Libraries is providing trial access to Hispanic American Newspapers (1808-19080) and Rand Daily Mail 1902-1985, reporting on South Africa from the Boer Wars to the apartheid era. Trial access ends February 29, 2025. The databases are also linked from the A-Z Databases List’.

News and Stories

2025 IHeartUWLibraries Video Contest ! Calling all content creators, UW Libraries fans, storytellers, amateur AND expert videographers — all level of expertise and interest are invited to compete in this annual contest to create a 1-minute video that highlights all there is to love (and learn) at the Libraries. First place prize is $1,000! Submissions are due April 4, 2025. Learn more.

 

Michael Biggins, UW Affiliate Professor; Slavic, Baltic, and East European Studies Librarian, was recently honored with the prestigious 2024 VTIS Award by the Društvo VTIS (Society of Slovenes Educated Abroad – Read the story

Community Events and Exhibits

February 5th – First Wednesday Concert Series: Students of the UW School of Music perform in this lunchtime concert series co-hosted by UW Music and UW Libraries.

Winter Game Break at Odegaard Library: Games for Two!Feb 13- Winter Game Break at Odegaard Library: Games for Two! Take a break from studying to unwind and make new friends at our “Games for Two” event! Enjoy a relaxed evening filled with casual games, tasty treats, and great company. 

Feb 13: Coded Bias Film Screening & Guest Speaker: Dr. Jevin West – A screening of the critically acclaimed documentary Coded Bias, which examines the biases embedded in AI algorithms and their impact on society. Following the screening, there will be a Q&A session with our esteemed guest speaker, Jevin West, professor and Associate Dean for research at the UW iSchool and director of UW Center for Informed Public. Space is limited, registration is required. Learn more.

Harvesting Light and Liquid Hauntology: A Screening and Conversation with Soyoung Kim
An image from Harvesting Light and Liquid Hauntology

Feb 13- FILM SCREENING Harvesting Light and Liquid Hauntology: A Screening and Conversation with Soyoung Kim. Join us at the Tateuchi East Asia Library  for a screening of four short films by Soyoung Kim. A Q&A with the director will be moderated by Asian Languages & Literature Professor Ungsan Kim. See also the ongoing exhibits at the Tateuchi – 

Jill Freidberg
Keynote speaker, Jill Freidberg is a documentary filmmaker, oral historian, public artist, and educator. 

Feb 25: From IndyMedia to Citizen Journalism: Media, Democracy, and the Legacy of the WTO Protests– Join us at MOHAI to celebrates the launch of the WTO Footage Digitization Project with a special keynote address by Jill Freidberg, co-founder of the Independent Media Center, participant in the 1999 Seattle WTO protests, and filmmaker to discuss the role IndyMedia played in warning against the dangers of media consolidation and shaping citizen journalism as we know it today. Learn more.

Feb 26: Tateuchi East Asia Library Digital Scholarship Series #2 with Jing Xu, Affiliate Assistant Professor in the Department of Anthropology. Prof. Xu’s talk is titled Unravel the Complexities of Children’s Moral Development: Human-Machine Analysis of Arthur Wolf’s Fields Notes Collected in Taiwan 1958-1960.   The lecture Series showcases cutting-edge research by faculty in the fields of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Taiwanese (CJKT) studies and how innovative digital tools and methodologies are transforming East Asian scholarship. Learn more.

Learning Workshops

Feb 10- Hacking the Academy: Fireside Chat with Professor Emily M. Bender – Join us in the OSC and online for conversation with Professor, author and podcaster,  Emily M. Bender, as she discusses the creation of her podcast, “Mystery AI Hype Theater 3000” with Dr. Alex Hanna. Discover the process behind producing a podcast that critically explores AI and its societal impact, all while engaging listeners in accessible, thought-provoking conversations. Learn more.

Love Data Week 2025 save the date

Feb 10-14: Love Data Week 

 

Feb 11- Digital Tools for Getting Your Work Out There-Join in the UW Libraries and Learning Technologies for a quick survey and discussion of digital tools at UW that will help share your work broadly!

Feb 18- Introduction to Podcasting -Curious about starting a podcast? Join us for Introduction to Podcasting at the UW Open Scholarship Commons! In this online workshop, you’ll create a podcast intro, share and listen to others’ projects in a supportive environment, and learn practical tips for recording high-quality audio.

Feb 20 – UW Libraries Storytelling Fellows: WordPress Sites for Beginners (FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS, FACULTY and STAFF)

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Stories

Black History Month 2025

January 31, 2025

In honor of Black History Month, take a moment to explore some of the incredible history-makers and historical resources that celebrate the incredible contributions of Black leaders, academics and artists who have made an impact in our community, and the world.  From podcasts to poetry, music, film and books, many of the works listed here emphasize stories with a particular connection to the Pacific Northwest and UW community. Share your favorite resources with us @uofwalibraries (Instagram)

Cover image for Jacob Lawrence in Seattle

Jacob Lawrence in Seattle

“Jacob Lawrence (1917-2000) is widely recognized as one of the most important American artists of the 20th century. He is best known for epic multi-panel narratives like the Migration Series (1940-1941) and Struggle: from the History of the American People (1954-56), which he created as a young artist living and working in in New York City. The second half of Lawrence’s career, which he spent in Seattle as a Professor of Art at the University of Washington, has received far less attention. The essays in this volume, researched and written by the participants in the Spring 2021 art history seminar “Art and Seattle: Jacob Lawrence” at the University of Washington School of Art + Art History + Design, help fill in this gap.” Read the book.

The Long Shadows of Seattle  podcast series that explores the stories of important people that made an impact on Seattle’s history of racial justice and political activism. Using collections from the University of Washington Libraries’ Special Collections, host Stellan Harris guides you through the lives of some of Seattle’s hidden figures.

One image from Image of protest on UW campus from The Seattle Civil Rights and Labor History Project.

From The Seattle Civil Rights and Labor History Project:

UW Special Collections:

UW Special Collections holds rare books and images that share the stories of Black history through the lens of Black authors, artists and activists, offering a one-of-a-kind perspective that only primary sources can impart. The following selections are but a few examples:

UW Libraries Ethnomusicology Archives The UW Ethnomusicology Archives has been collecting and curating unique ethnographic music recordings, films, and video since 1962. It holds a trove of unique recordings and films documenting music from around globe, and around the block.

Explore the work of these black artists with historic ties to Seattle and the Pacific Northwest:

  • Charlemae Hill Rollins and the Spencer Shaw Historical Children’s Book Collection

    Spencer Shaw telling stories to group of young children

    Spencer G. Shaw, a University of Washington professor emeritus of Library Science was a nationally recognized storyteller and advocate for children’s reading. Born in Hartford in 1917, Dr. Shaw was among the first African American librarians to integrate the professional ranks of the Hartford Public Library, becoming the first African American librarian hired by the library system.   Dr. Shaw honed the craft of storytelling and earned a reputation for captivating children and adults alike with the folk tales he uncovered from ethnic traditions the world over. He had a long and illustrious career as a librarian and educator including his tenure with the UW from 1970 to 1986. Dr. Shaw knew many children’s authors & his important collection of books, many inscribed to him, came to Special Collections as his gift in 2010 when he passed away.

    Charlemae Hill Rollins

    Dr. Shaw’s collection at UW Libraries features several works by Charlemae Hill Rollins including Black Troubadour: Langston Hughes, winner of the 1971 Coretta Scott King Book Award. This copy was given to UW Libraries by Spencer G. Shaw and is inscribed by the author to Shaw. Rollins was a pioneering librarian, author and storyteller. Undeterred by the racist, segregated policies that prevented black children from attending school in Oklahoma, Rollins’s family founded a school which Rollins attended as a child. She went on to Howard University and later became a children’s librarian at the Chicago Public Library in 1927.  During her thirty-one years as head librarian of the children’s department as well as after her retirement, she instituted substantial reforms in children’s literature. She authored four books highlighting the achievements of black leaders, authors and artists.

    First-editions of landmark historical narratives within UW Special Collections:

    Narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass, an American slave. By Frederick Douglas, 1845.  Written by the famous orator and former slave, this narrative recounts Douglass’s life as a slave and his ambition to become a free man. It is generally held to be the most famous of a number of narratives written by former slaves during the same period. Considered to be one of the most influential pieces of American literature, it fueled the abolitionist movement of the early 19th century in the United States.

    Narrative of Sojourner Truth : a northern slave, emancipated from bodily servitude by the state of New York,1850. An American abolitionist and women’s rights activist, Truth was included in Smithsonian magazine’s list of the “100 Most Significant Americans of All Time”. Truth dictated her memoirs to her friend Olive Gilbert resulting in this narrative, published in 1850. The copy in Special Collections is one of the first editions.

    From the UW Libraries Labor Archives:

    Earl George

    The papers and photographs of Earl George: George was a Black worker and leader, labor and civil rights activist, and photographer.  He participated in the Seattle General Strike of 1919 as a longshore worker. He also became the first Black president of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 9 in 1938. He worked towards combatting racial discrimination, including a 1948 campaign that succeeded in dismantling racist hiring practices of Seattle-area grocery stores. As a photographer for a number of political publications, including the Communist Party, George’s papers also include photographs of community activists and political actions happening around the city in the late 20th century.

    The Tyree Scott papers and photograph collections as well as the papers of Scott’s partner, Beverly Sims: Scott and Sims were Black labor organizers in Seattle. Tyree led the United Construction Workers Association and devoted his time to combatting racial discrimination in the labor movement. Beverly Sims was one of the first Black women to complete the IBEW electrician apprenticeship program and also worked for the Northwest Labor Employment and Law Office. She sadly passed away last year. A portion of the Tyree Scott and Earl George photographs have been digitized and are accessible in the digital collections database.

    Start Your Research:

    The UW Libraries Research Guide for African American history is an expertly curated resource hub for primary and secondary sources including databases, journal articles and access to collections like the Black Freedom Struggle of the 20th century, NAACP papers and more.

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