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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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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)
“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.
UW Black Student Union History: Founded in early 1968 at a time when very few black students attended UW, BSU led campaigns that transformed the University and helped reshape educational opportunities for young people of color in Seattle and throughout Washington state. This digital project covers the evolution of BSU through video, interviews and more. Part of the Seattle Civil Rights and Labor History Project.
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:
UW Ethnomusicology Archives: In Solidarity. An extensive collection of audio, video and related texts that aim to increase visibility and recognition of historically underrepresented music, voices, and experiences. Every Tone a Testimony: An African American Aural History and Angela Davis Speaks, a 1971 audio interview with Angela Davis, are just a couple of the compelling works compiled here by the Ethnomusicology Program and Archives.
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.
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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Stories
UW Librarian Receives International Honor
January 17, 2025
At the reception, Velemir Gjurin receives the award on behalf of Prof. Biggins from the President of the State Council of the Republic of Slovenia, Marko Lotrič, and Secretary General of the State Council of the Republic of Slovenia, Monika Kirbiš Rojs.
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) at its annual recognition event on December 23 in Ljubljana, Slovenia, the nation’s capital. The “Vtis leta,” or the “impact of the year” award, honors an individual or organization for their notable impact on elevating the cultural, educational, professional or commercial profile of Slovenia in the world. The award was presented by President of the State Council of the Republic of Slovenia, Marko Lotrič, together with the Secretary General of the State Council of the Republic of Slovenia Monika Kirbiš Rojs.
While Prof. Biggins was unable to attend the event in person, Velemir Gjurin, who first taught Slovenian to Biggins and others as a Fulbright scholar at the University of Kansas in1979-80, accepted the award on his behalf. The audience was able to hear remarks from Prof. Biggins in a pre-recorded speech. In addition, a commemorative bronze plaque honoring the 2024 awardee will be placed on the back of a bench in Reformation Park in Ljubljana, alongside plaques for the previous ten honorees.
“Congratulations to the recipient of the VTIS award in 2024: polyglot, translator and lecturer at the University of Washington in Seattle, Professor Dr. Michael Biggins, for the exceptional promotion of Slovenian literature in the United States,” remarked Secretary General Monika Kirbiš Rojs. “Through his work and dedication to preserving Slovenian literature and language in a foreign environment, Professor Biggins is proof that our Slovenian culture transcends borders and leaves a lasting mark”.
“I am so honored to receive this award that highlights a lifetime’s effort to advance Slovenian studies. I hope to “translate” the award and build on the relationships forged with many in VTIS to benefit students drawn to this fascinating subject of study at the University of Washington for many decades to come,” says Biggins.
The VTIS Society aims to connect Slovenian professionals with their colleagues throughout the world. With more than 2,700 members who have studied or worked in 55 countries, the Society aims to “enable the circulation of ideas and experiences that recognize Slovenia not only for its natural beauty, but also for the intellectual power of its people.”Prof. Biggins has been honored several times throughout his career for his work to preserve, share and teach Slovenian culture and literature. He recently launched a travel abroad program bringing UW students to Slovenia for an immersive educational experience. Learn more.
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Stories
January Update
January 9, 2025
Happy New Year, Huskies! We hope you are having a great start to winter quarter and 2025! We know the transition between holiday breaks and returning to classes can sometimes be overwhelming, so remember that you can always ASK US for help 24/7! Grad students – applications for winter quarter programs are due soon, so don’t put off learning more about these fantastic teaching and learning opportunities. Be sure to check out our “rockin’ ” new exhibit and special events this month, including winter book club RealLit, film screenings and the always-popular New Year celebration at the Tateuchi East Asia Library!
In honor of MLK Day 2025 (Monday, January 20), please join us in celebration and reflection on Martin Luther King’s life and legacy with UW Libraries featured resources– streaming media, books and more to explore.
News and Stories
UW Libraries SGN exhibit continues to travel: Western Washington University’s Viking Union Gallery to present UW Libraries’ 2024 exhibit “Seattle Gay News Celebrates 50!” – Read the story
Applications Due
Scholar’s Studio Proposals due: February 7, 2025, 11:59 p.m. (PT) Scholars’ Studio is a fun, informal event that features 10 rapid-fire ignite-style presentations (5 minutes each) given by graduate students and postdocs doing research on topics related to an interdisciplinary theme. Hosted by the UW Libraries Research Commons and The Graduate School, Scholars’ Studio gives students the opportunity to share their research across disciplines, make connections and build presentation skills. The Scholars’ Studio event is open to any research, practice, or teaching topic in any discipline. Learn more.
Research Communication and Equity Fellowship Applications open on January 21 and close February 9. Information session for potential applicants on January 30 from 11:30-12:30 This program celebrates the academic and creative work of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) graduate students. Each Fellow creates a physical artifact that visually communicates their research. These artifacts take many forms: posters, artwork, visualizations, etc. Students come from across the UW Seattle campus in programs from law to biology. Learn more.
Community Events and Exhibits
NEW EXHIBIT: Celebrating The Rocket, Seattle’s Music Magazine Monday, Jan 10 – Saturday, Feb 15, 2025 AND SPECIAL EVENT, January 28 Join us for a special in-person celebration of the exhibit, Celebrating The Rocket, Seattle’s Music Magazineshowcasing 20 years of music and culture as told through the pages of “The Rocket,” the influential Seattle publication that covered music venues and regional bands including Mudhoney, Nirvana, Sir-Mix-A-Lot, Sleater-Kinney, and Soundgarden during the 1980s and 1990s. On January 28, tour the exhibit and hear from DJ John Vallier and remarks from John Keister, Seattle-based comedian, writer, rock critic, and former writer and editor for The Rocket! Learn more.
Recommended Reads for Equity – Help Build Our Collection: Submit a book recommendation now-end of winter quarter!
Submissions to grow the Odegaard Library Recommended Reads for Equity collection are needed! Recommended Reads for Equity engages the UW community in reading, critical thinking and community building; all of which are essential to lifelong learning and engaged citizenship. Guided by the UW community, Odegaard Library collects recommendations for books about equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism. The collection is located on the 2nd floor of Odegaard Library and you can see all of the current recommendations on our LibGuide. We are excited to grow our collection and deepen our understanding of and commitment to equity at UW. While this is primarily a Seattle based collection, we also prioritize access through ebooks. We encourage all community members from all three campuses to submit recommendations through our online form
An image from an article in the 1979 Research Resources Reporter titled “The Problems and Promises of Artificial Intelligence,” from the digital gallery of the traveling exhibit “Promising Future, Complex Past” on display at the UW Health Sciences Library
NEW EXHIBIT: Promising Future, Complex Past by the National Library of Medicine Monday, Jan 6 – Saturday, Feb 15, 2025 Explore the intricate history and future implications of artificial intelligence through the lens of physiognomy. This exhibition delves into the ethical, social, and technological aspects of AI, offering a thought-provoking experience. Learn more.
New Year Celebration at Tateuchi East Asia Library! Thursday, January 30 Join us for a vibrant New Year celebration featuring East Asian cultural performances, with the highlight being a Japanese tea ceremony experience. Enjoy light snacks as we embrace the festive spirit of East Asian traditions. View the calendar
EXHIBIT: Exploring East Asia’s Cultural Heritage Through Illustrated Works, Ongoing through Monday, March 31, 2025
The Tateuchi East Asia Library’s Special Collection Exhibit brings together a rich array of illustrated materials from China, Japan and Korea, highlighting the cultural, technological, and artistic achievements of each region. Highlights include: Chinese local gazetteers, geographic landscapes, and ancient manuscripts on craftsmanship and technology, offering a glimpse into traditional Chinese practices and innovations. Japanese Ukiyo-e and Cartography will let you dive into Edo-era daily life and travel, brought to life through ukiyo-e prints and historical maps, including the iconic Tōkaidō travel route. Through illustrations on Korean ceremonial rites and medicine, you will discover the Confucian traditions of the Chosŏn Dynasty through ceremonial texts and medicinal practices that shaped Korean society. Learn more.
Love, Taipei: Pop-up Exhibit @ TEAL & Online Film Festival @ TaiwanPlus Ongoing through Wednesday, April 30, 2025
In partnership with the UW Tateuchi East Asia Library, TaiwanPlus, and Taiwan Film and Audiovisual Institute (TFAI), the UW Taiwan Studies Arts & Culture Program welcomes you to Love, Taipei—a pop-up exhibit at TEAL in November 2024 and an online film festival on TaiwanPlus. Love, Taipei is inspired by romance films set in the greater Taipei area. Curated by the TFAI and hosted on TaiwanPlus, the festival brings together eight digitally remastered Taiwanese films. Learn more.
Real Lit Book Club Winter Selection and Meetings: Ander & Santi Were Here Tuesdays (online), beginning January 7, 2025 at 12:30-1:20 p.m., until the end of winter quarter.
In collaboration with the Center for Equity and Inclusion, the UW Tacoma Library’s award-winning social justice book club, Real Lit[erature] has selected the featured book for winter quarter — Ander & Santi Were Here, by award-winning author Jonny Garza Villa! A teaser about the book: “…a YA contemporary love story… about a nonbinary Mexican American teen falling for the shy new waiter at their family’s taqueria. Finding home. Falling in love. Fighting to belong.” Students receive copies of books on a first-come, first-serve basis. Learn more.
Learning Workshops and Office Hours
2025 Tateuchi East Asia Library Digital Scholarship Series is 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.
Series #1: Towards a Computational Analysis of Early Chinese Poeticity, with Gian Rominger, Assistant Professor, Asian Languages and Literature, Wednesday, Jan.22: This presentation highlights a numbers of interrelated projects in the domain of Text Analysis for the purposes of Digital Philology that are tailored to issues inherent in the approaches to early Chines texts from the pre-imperial and early imperial era in China. Learn more
Research Remix: JSTOR AI- January 14: Join UW Libraries and Learning Technologies for a demo and discussion on how you might incorporate the JSTOR AI beta tool into your research. Learn More
Personal Privacy on Your Phone- January 16: If you’re thinking about your digital privacy, then you know that your phone is probably not very private. In this hands-on workshop, we’ll help you assess what information your phone is leaking, think through what steps you can take to plug up the leaks without losing functionality, and spend some time adjusting settings and apps to be more privacy-friendly. Learn more.
ProQuest TDM Workshop (online)- January 17: Learn how to use ProQuest TDM Studio, a cloud-based tool allowing researchers at UW the ability to text data mine (TDM) large sets of content published in news, scholarly, and other publications that the University of Washington Libraries licenses from ProQuest.
Privacy with Cookies- January 28: Interested in practical steps to protect your privacy? Drop by the Open Scholarship Commons anytime between 3 and 5pm to participate in activities like creating your own secure password. Grab one of our privacy checklists to work through with us or to take and work on later. Learn more.
Drop-In Help and Office Hours
Digital Scholarship Project Help Office Hours Tuesday, Jan 28, 2025, 2 – 3 p.m.
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.
First Wednesday Concert Series in Allen Library lobby, Feb 5, 2025, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
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Choices for textbooks: Student survey and focus group findings
December 12, 2024
Re-posted from UW Tacoma Library, originally posted on by piroga
How do you get access to course materials? What would you consider a reasonable price for a textbook? These were two of the questions we asked UWT students in spring 2024 about their experiences acquiring and using textbooks and course materials. Open to all current undergraduate and graduate students, we heard from 180 students that high textbook costs are hard to bear but when choices are actively promoted, students can find affordable books that work for them.
Since 2018, the UWT Library has purchased textbooks $75 and over as part of our course reserves program — textbooks and other materials required for classes and made available for short-term checkout at the Library. Our textbook purchasing is modeled after a similar program at the UW Bothell/Cascadia College Library where a survey of their students found $75 as the maximum amount students felt they could pay for a textbook.
Our survey showed Tacoma students were comfortable with a much lower price range for textbooks — $32 – $42. To reduce costs, students searched for free copies online, purchased from online retailers and searched for used editions, and used the Library’s course reserves program. Unfortunately, these strategies didn’t work for all students or for all assigned books. 51% of students continued taking a course without having the required texts, 18% received a poor grade in a class because they couldn’t afford the course materials, and 25% did not take, dropped, or withdrew from a class because of an expensive textbook.
“I have had to purchase so many textbooks, many of which I will never read again. It’s a lot of money. I think requiring expensive textbooks is not inclusive or equitable.” – survey response
In addition to these responses highlighting the negative impact of expensive textbooks, we heard from students in a series of focus groups that choices and having adequate time to make choices was the best way for them to alleviate the burden of expensive books.
Focus group participants started their search for textbooks by looking for free or low-cost books first and would purchase a new textbook as a last resort. The sooner students found out what their assigned books would be the more time they had to search for the best option. Students mentioned using and appreciating having a free option for textbooks through the Library but all students agreed that the current four-hour checkout period was not long enough.
“If a textbook is available for a four-hour checkout period but you have another class that begins in an hour… actually it would only be available for an hour.” – focus group student
Based on both survey and focus group feedback, the Library increased the length of time students can check out course reserves from four hours to 24 hours at the start of this autumn quarter. Now, students can keep Library course reserves throughout a full day on campus and take textbooks home overnight. We also updated our website to make it clearer that course reserves are textbooks for checkout, not books that need to stay in the Library.
Donated books at the UWT Library Textbook Swap (photo credit: Amanda Pirog)
To provide an additional option for textbooks we piloted a textbook swap in the Library for the first three weeks of autumn quarter. The textbook swap will be returning at the end of this quarter (Monday, December 2 – Friday, December 13) in the Snoqualmie Building lobby. Students can also donate and browse used books at any time by visiting the UWT Little Free Library on the fourth floor of the TLB.
When students mentioned wanting to find out about their textbooks as soon as possible, they consistently noted the important role that faculty play in sharing both the title of texts and available options for free or low-cost materials on campus.
“I would like to hear from them [professors].” – focus group student
“I wish professors would encourage us to use it [course reserves]” – survey response
With this feedback in mind, Library staff reached out to Faculty Assembly Executive Council and on November 15 presented our survey and focus groups findings. As winter quarter approaches, we will continue talking with faculty and campus partners. We look forward to continued conversations and promoting choices for UWT students to access textbooks and course materials.
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Stories
Game On! A New Odegaard Tradition is Here to Stay
December 5, 2024
A packed room during September Game Night
On September 30, nearly 800 people gathered at Odegaard Library’s Tabletop Game Night! As part of Dawg Daze Welcome Week, it was a great opportunity for incoming students to meet new people and start the year off with a night of fun by playing board games together. Dozens of games were available to play from Odegaard’s Game Collection and staff facilitators recommended games and helped match solo players with groups. Attendees also had the chance to meet students from some of UW’s tabletop gaming RSOs who attended and helped run games including: Pen & Paper Gaming Association, Board Games @ UW, Yugioh Club, Pokemon Trainer Club, Chess Club, and Husky Gaming Nation.
Based on survey responses, many attendees said the best part of the event was meeting new people and meeting students across different programs. “Staff friendliness” and “help finding games” were also mentioned.
“I liked that staff members helped people find games and groups to join.”
– Game Night Participant
Libraries staff helping to make Game Night a great success!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
The Dawg Daze Tabletop Game Night in September was made possible by the generous support of the UW Parents Collections and Programs Endowed Fund. Starting in fiscal year 2024-25, game collection purchases are being funded from the Herschel V. III and Janet Schraegle Jones Endowed Library Fund and game events are being funded through the Parents Fund.
Because Game Night was such a hit, Odegaard’s game team decided to plan and host quarterly game events for students throughout the year!
Why Board Games? Why Libraries?
One of the Libraries’ key strategic directions is to enhance the student experience. We strive to do this through activities and programs that encourage student success, belonging, inclusion, and the holistic well-being of diverse student populations. A desire to update and refresh programming for new student events led to the initial idea. A lot of Odegaard staff play board games and tabletop roleplaying games themselves, so we were excited to find a way to share those interests with students! We held the first Game Night in 2023 which led to the development of a new board game collection at Odegaard. Through this experience, we learned that UW students are eager to make personal connections, and that games and other social activities are an important way of facilitating those connections for new students.
Through Game Nights, we hope to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for students to connect during their transition to university life; showcase the Libraries as a vital community hub; and raise awareness about our collections and services, including the Odegaard Game Collection!
FUN FACT: As of December 4, 2024, the game collection as a whole has a 528% turnover rate— that means that each game in the collection has been checked out an average of 5 times each. At any given time, one-third to one-half of the games in the collection are checked out—so students are definitely responding to the new collection! We hope that the games are helping them foster fun social time with friends, family, and new acquaintances.
Gaming is Good for You!
Taking breaks from work and studying is important for your mental and physical health. Not scheduling time for breaks can lead to stress and burnout. We want to encourage UW students to take some time out of their busy schedules to play board games with their friends. We hope that the game collection can help students find a work-life balance that includes extracurricular fun. But games aren’t just for fun and social connection — although that’s the most important part! Games can also foster critical thinking, strategic thinking and learning, and there are a handful of classes at UW that study games more closely. Odegaard Library’s Curriculum Support team even uses card games in our information literacy workshops!
So, When Can I Play?
Odegaard will host themed game events each quarter. The first game event after Dawg Daze, “Card Games & Cup Noodles”, was held on October 30th. The next game event will be “Games For Two” on February 13th, but you can check out games from the collection at any time! And of course, we look forward to continuing this new tradition for incoming students with an even “bigger and better” 2025 Dawg Daze Game Night!
UW students on a walking tour of Ljubljana (the country’s capital)
The University of Washington has a long, productive history of collaboration with the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia’s flagship research institution, going all the way back to the 1960s (see side bar)! In 2019, UW Study Abroad decided to formalize a student exchange with Ljubljana, in part to provide UW students with a more personalized, high-quality alternative to other typical European study abroad programs based out of “mega-cities” like London, Paris and Rome. While the launch of the new program was interrupted by the pandemic, it is now back, and drawing student participants. This past September’s UW Early Fall Start (EFS) program in Kamnik, Slovenia, provided an opportunity to showcase Slovenia for prospective participants in the academic year exchange.
In September, UW Libraries’ Michael Biggins (Affiliate Professor; Slavic, Baltic, and East European Studies Librarian) designed and led 14 UW students on a 3-week, 5-credit intensive study abroad program titled Slovenia: Language, Culture and Society at a Crossroads. The home base for the program was a former Ursuline convent built in 1682 on the outskirts of Kamnik, a picturesque town set against the bucolic backdrop of snow-capped mountains and lush landscapes.
Kamnik Residential Cultural Center
Each day, students divided their time between classroom learning and field trips. Every field trip was preceded by a classroom module that had something to do with the selected destination, providing students with some background and cultural context ahead of each new experience. Through this multi-modal approach, students explored the geology, geography, archaeology, history, art history, and current affairs of the country, as well as Slovene literature (in English translation) and introductory Slovene language skills.
After a recent presentation to UW and Libraries colleagues on the new program, we caught up with Prof. Biggins to ask him about this inaugural study abroad experience in Slovenia.
How often do you teach/lead these types of trips?
“I’ve been on study or research trips to Slovenia some 15 times, and I’ve led student groups to Russia, but 2024 was the first time UW offered this particular program. We’ve planned it again for August-September 2025, and are excited by the initial response.”
the medieval hill town of Štanjel a guided tour of the town of Škofja Loka and its environs a 14th-century walled church with original frescoes preserved at Hrastovlje
What inspired you to create this unique study abroad program?
“One of my goals was to engage UW students from a wide range of disciplines with a broad cross-section of the humanitiesas manifested in acontextcompletely new to them, enriching their perception and understanding of the world. I was especially interested in raising awareness of and respect for the many small, distinctive cultures around the world that have survived the vicissitudes of history and the pressures of globalization and continue to thrive. I wanted to offer an opportunity for students to step away from the continuous feedback loop of American mass culture and to see, from close-up, how very differently and distinctively another society can function. And, amidst that difference, to keep an eye out for what may well be widespread — if not universal– patterns and dynamics common to most or all societies, in hopes of using those insights to become wiser about our own.”
FUN FACT: The UW Libraries has one of the three most outstanding research collections for Slovene studies in North America numbering around 8,000 volumes, which Prof. Biggins drew on heavily to prepare course material for the program. Many new additions to these collections are purchased with funds from UW’s Boniecka Slovene Studies Endowment.
a visit to Kamnik’s Franciscan monastery, with its impressive library showcasing Slovene incunabula, including the 1584 Dalmatin Bible, the first complete translation into Slovene, and a chapel designed by architect Jože Plečnik
How are study abroad experiences like this beneficial for students and the faculty who lead them?
“Purposeful foreign travel and study abroad can be transformative for students. The mere fact of living in a non-English environment where the operative language is not one of the better-known world languages, but a small, obscure, unique, yet absolutely thriving, dynamic and creative medium of communication for a community of just two million, supported by an omnipresent linguistic ecosystem (newspapers, magazines, radio, TV, film, theater, a massive (for the country’s size) vernacular book industry, and of course signage everywhere) is somehow mind-blowing for Americans, or at least it should be. We’ve come to take English for granted as the world’s lingua franca and expect everyone to speak it. Many do, but it’s not the language of their heart and soul – the domains that are by far the most interesting, that we can truly connect to only by trying to inhabit their language with them.
What’s more, in a compact society like Slovenia’s, you as a visitor are at barely more than one degree of separation from the country’s leading experts in virtually any discipline that matters to you.
Over the decades that I’ve been engaged with Slovenia, I’ve made the acquaintance of creatives with ease — artists, writers, scholars and scientists who produce world-class work, in part because the scale of the place means that you inevitably know someone who knows those people. That scale works to the advantage of our students, too, since it’s so much easier to facilitate mentorships for them with leading experts in the fields that interest them.”
Did you know?
UW has longstanding cooperative relationships with the University of Ljubljana, which began around 1963 when UW specialists in nuclear physics and engineering began a series of reciprocal research visits. Our ongoing UW-University of Ljubljana Scholars Exchange, which grew out of that first encounter in the 1960s, sends 2 to 3 UW faculty and PhD candidate researchers from all over campus to the University of Ljubljana and we host 2 to 3 of their faculty members here.
As a result, UW has a wide and constantly expanding network of U of Ljubljana faculty with longstanding ties to UW – in fields ranging from biomedical informatics, aeronautics, astronomy, human centered design, and law to music, English, classics and, of course, Slavic languages.
Ask any past UW participant in that exchange what they thought of it and they will tell you at a minimum two things – that their Slovene colleagues were outstanding, and that they fell in love with Slovenia. In many cases, the collaborations have continued for years.
What were some of the highlights of the trip from your perspective?
Student presentations: “As part of the course, each student was tasked with keeping a journal in which they recorded their observations on some aspect of their academic major or a non-academic pursuit of considerable interest to them – as it’s manifested in Slovenia. Students had the opportunity to connect with Slovenian experts in these fields, including at the University of Ljubljana. At the end of the program, each student gave an oral presentation to the class on their exploratory topic (as we called it). The presentations were quite good, and I enjoyed seeing each student’s individual discoveries through the lens of topics that were of paramount interest to them, personally.”
a day-long tour of Trieste, Italy, and its Slovene communities
Trieste Commemoration: “Along with a few thousand local Slovenes and Italians, we attended the commemoration ceremony on the Bazovica village commons in observance of September 6, where, in 1930, Italy’s Fascist authorities executed four young local Slovenes who were members of an underground Slovene organization that resisted Fascist Italy’s policy of ethnocide of its large Slovene population. Those four became icons of Slovene resistance and remain so to this day. While some minor Italian-Slovene interethnic tensions remain in greater Trieste, the legal framework for European Union member states now guarantees that autochthonous ethnic minorities– like the Slovenes of Italy—have full human and civil rights, which is a monumental achievement.”
a trip by cable car to mile-high Velika Planina (a vast late-summer upland pasturage for sheep and cattle); students enjoying local hospitality on the plateau
Access to natural environment: “I think the students were impressed with the proximity of extensive natural environments even in the largest cities, where you can walk to the end of your street and enter a forest or begin ascending a mountainside. A corollary to this is the apparent attention given by public policy in Slovenia to preventing urban sprawl and protecting the country’s spectacular natural environment.
…Slovenia has been a major innovator in sustainable forestry practices for going on a century, something that several UW Forestry faculty members have investigated on site.”
Prof. Biggins plans to continue leading trips to Slovenia for the foreseeable future.
“I would like to make this course and trip an annual feature of UW Study Abroad’s Early Fall Start offerings,” says Biggins.
“My hope is to continue organizing, leading and teaching this program or variants of it for the rest of my UW career and well into retirement, and to encourage other UW faculty to participate.”
Prof. Biggins also is encouraged by the prospect that, over time, the program will serve a secondary function of generating student interest in UW Study Abroad’s new academic year student exchange with the University of Ljubljana.
Winter is upon us and the end of fall quarter is here! We hope that UW Libraries has been part of your positive 2024 Husky experience thus far. A sincere THANK YOU to all who consider supporting UW Libraries in your annual philanthropy; your gift supports every student and a global community of teaching, learning and research–read our feature stories this month for some inspiring examples! Speaking of giving… grab the perfect UW gift from UW Press’ 40% off Holiday Sale! Whether you are going home, taking a trip or staying on campus, enjoy your break in whatever form it takes, and take advantage of free access to streaming media, games and more (see “Boredom Busters” below!). Stay connected with us in 2025 to learn about all of the exciting winter quarter of events, learning opportunities, exhibits and more.
Hours Reminder
Know before you go– be aware of adjustments to hours for end-of-quarter and interim/break.
UW Press publishes unique and compelling work (both fiction and non-fiction) with regional, national and global impact. With a wide range of topics, you’ll find something for everyone on your list. Take advantage of this special holiday savings today and give a gift that is uniquely “UW” for the holidays, that next birthday, or “just because” Now through January 3, 2025, browse our site and use the promo code WINTER24 at checkout to receive 40% off your purchase and free domestic shipping. Happy holidays, and thank you for supporting the University of Washington Press! Order/ Learn More.
UW Libraries’ Elliot Stevens listens to the podcast project from one of the UW Libraries Hight School Internship participants
News and Stories
UW Magazine Feature Story: UW Libraries’ internship program gives high school students an idea of what it looks like to attend the UW, especially if they don’t have family experience to lean on. Read the story.
UW Libraries’ Michael Biggins with UW students on a walking tour of Ljubljana (the country’s capital)
Libraries in the Classroom: International Edition – Take a trip to the gorgeous country of Slovenia with UW Libraries’ Michael Biggins for an inside look at the new study abroad program Slovenia: Language, Culture and Society at a Crossroads. Read the story.
A Legacy of Equality and Leadership Organizing, announcing new LELO collection: the Northwest Labor and Employment Law Office (LELO) emerged in 1972 from a coalition of Black, Asian American, and Latinx labor organizations, LELO made significant strides for workers’ rights, including increasing Black employment in construction trades and securing union organizers’ access to migrant workers. Now, an extensive collection of organizational records from 1972 to 2005 including audiovisual materials, publications, and artifacts documenting decades of LELO’s advocacy and campaigns are available to explore through the UW Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies and the Labor Archives of Washington. Read the story.
UW Tacoma Library Spotlight – More Choices for Textbooks: This blog post from UW Tacoma Library explores how student feedback is helping to guide operational decisions to improve student access and use of course materials like a textbook swap pilot, and extended course reserve check-out times. Read the story.
Break Time Boredom “Busters”
Have some “down time” during the academic break, and not sure what to do? Explore these FREE entertaining Libraries resources!
Streaming Media:From foreign films, documentaries, musical and dance performances, public broadcasting archives and more, there are thousands of online videos to explore that you won’t find on your typical streaming services! The Game Collection at Odegaard Library contains board, card, and tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs). The collection is located on Odegaard 1st floor, just inside and to the left of the main entry doors. Good Reads is a collection of fiction and nonfiction books for students to read for leisure. All the books in the Good Reads collection have been published within the last five years, so find your new favorite book here! Digital Collections: From old UW yearbooks and campus photos, vintage ephemera like postcards, menus, magazines, posters, rare books, manuscripts, maps and so much more to spend a few hours (or a few days) going down the “rabbit hole” of wonder and delight that is UW Libraries Special Collections – AND UW Libraries ethnomusicology collections!
For Faculty – UW Libraries 2024/2025 Subscription Review Update: Per the most recent presentation at the Faculty Council on University Libraries, please read this important summary on the timing and status of subscription reviews including feedback processes for proposed cancellations and deadlines.
Community Events and Exhibits
The Rocket publication ran from 1979 to 2000 and was the first to cover bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam. #k5evening
Coming Soon!NEWEXHIBIT: Celebrating The Rocket, Seattle’s Music Magazine (Monday, Jan 6 – Saturday, Feb 15, 2025): Explore 20 years of music and culture as told through the pages of “The Rocket,” the influential Seattle publication that covered music venues and regional bands including Riot Grrrl, Mudhoney, Nirvana, Sir-Mix-A-Lot, Sleeter-Kinney, and Soundgarden during the 1980s and 1990s. This exhibit will also celebrate the Rocket’s late, long-time editor and publisher Charles Cross, by presenting its covers and coverage of the music industry and local culture. The exhibit highlights how the UW Libraries and the Washington State Library preserve and make it accessible to all.
Visiting an exhibit at UW Libraries is a great NO COST date idea that will spark conversation and inspiration while viewing fascinating, rare and unique materials on display at UW Libraries Special Collections! Allen Library South, Basement (Open daytime hours Mon-Fri)
The Language of Flowers Exhibit: Enjoy the changing seasons with Special Collections through our annual lobby exhibit, The Language of Flowers. Each quarter will feature new material related to our botanical collections, local plants, and more.
Learning Workshops and Office Hours
Intermediate Data Science Office Hours: December 12: Come talk to the eScience Institute’s Technical Education Specialist to get some human help about how to advance your computational work. Tools we can help with include Python, R, OpenRefine, Git and UNIX shells, among others.
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Stories
November Update
October 31, 2024
Enjoy UW Family Weekend is November 1-2! Enter to win now-November 30th! Open to all UW students, alumni and their family members!
Happy November, Huskies! We’re halfway through the quarter and there are still plenty of exciting things to see and learn at the Libraries this month. Don’t miss our 2024 election guide, try out Ground News, and get ready for finals with our Top Ten Tips! Looking to upgrade your data skills? The Open Scholarship Commons is hosting a number of workshops and office hours covering topics like web scraping, creating data visualizations, and publishing your own digital book! Check out two new amazing exhibits, and enter our UW Family Trivia Contest during Family Weekend!
UW Libraries Endorses The Right to Deposit: UW Libraries join a growing number of institutions in endorsing the wider use of the Federal Purpose License, so that federally funded research can be used by more people, more quickly, than ever before. Read the story.
Examples of wellness resources in Odegaard Library
A Focus on Wellness: New resources for students in Odegaard Library offer unique supports and opportunities for student collaboration.
Maps, Yeah Yeah Yeah – Since June 2024, the Libraries’ GMM team has assessed more than 5,000 maps in the archives, but there is more to do. Learn how thousands more maps are making their way into the collection.
Featured Resources
Subscription Trial of Ground News: UW Libraries is evaluating Ground News for UW subscription. “Ground News empowers readers to compare how news sources from across the political spectrum are covering the same story. With Ground News, readers can expand their view of the news and easily compare reporting from a wide range of news outlets.” Students and faculty are encouraged to try Ground News and provide feedback on its value to your learning, research, or teaching. Learn more.
Top Ten Tips for Finals– Be sure to bookmark this page and learn more about these time-saving resources to help you succeed and stress less during finals!
Community Events and Exhibits
First Gen Celebration Events – Join UW Libraries and partners across all campuses to celebrate the experiences of first-generation students and learn about UW Libraries resources to support first-generation student success! Stop by a participating library to enjoy snacks, pick up first-gen buttons, meet other first-generation students, and take part in short activities reflecting on the first-generation experience. All students, staff, and faculty are welcome! See full calendar here.
November 4
Odegaard Library National First-Generation College Celebration Table; Odegaard Undergraduate Library, 10AM, 2nd floor (UW Husky Card required for entry)
November 7:
Health Sciences Li Lu Library, First Generation Student Celebration, Health Sciences Education Building, 11-1pm
Bothell/Cascadia College Campus Library, First Gen Celebration Pop-Up, 11-1pm
First Wednesday Concert- Students of the UW School of Music perform in this lunchtime concert series co-hosted by UW Music and UW Libraries.
NEW! From Film Festivals to Songbooks: An Exhibition on Indian Film Memorabilia: From Film Festivals to Songbooks: An Exhibition on Indian Film Memorabilia showcases items from a collection of film ephemera donated by American cinephile and writer Lyle Pearson. The exhibition’s focus is mainly on the decade of the 1970s. The collection comprises songbooks of commercial films, brochures for serious art films, production stills and photographs documenting India’s film festivals, publicity posters, and Pearson’s correspondence with important figures in the world of cinema.
Tateuchi East Asia Library’s Special Collection Exhibit “Exploring East Asia’s Cultural Heritage Through Illustrated Works
EXHIBIT Talk November 7: Exploring East Asia’s Cultural Heritage Through Illustrated Works In conjunction with the Tateuchi East Asia Library’s Special Collection Exhibit “Exploring East Asia’s Cultural Heritage Through Illustrated Works”, we are pleased to invite you to a special workshop that delves into the cultural, technological, and artistic heritage of China, Japan, and Korea as represented through beautifully illustrated works.
The Language of Flowers Exhibit- Enjoy the changing seasons with Special Collections through our annual lobby exhibit, The Language of Flowers. Each quarter will feature new material related to our botanical collections, local plants, and more.
Online Text Mining Support – Text Mining Student Specialist Trisha Prasant will now offer text mining drop-in office hours. Learn about text mining techniques, data preprocessing, and analytical methods for extracting insights from textual data. 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month
Intermediate Data Science Office Hours- Come talk to the eScience Institute’s Technical Education Specialist to get some human help about how to advance your computational work. Tools we can help with include Python, R, OpenRefine, Git and UNIX shells, among others.
Unlocking Insights: Web Scraping Workshop – Join us for an engaging online workshop on Web Scraping! Whether you’re a beginner or have some experience, this session is designed to equip you with the skills needed to gather valuable data from the web. Learn essential techniques for scraping web content effectively. We’ll cover the basics, including best practices and common pitfalls to avoid.
Missed it?
Seattle Gay News Archival Exhibit – Special Digital Edition: Last spring, UW Libraries curated an exhibit commemorating the 50th anniversary of Seattle Gay News and the multi-year effort to complete its digitization with community partners. The SGN paper recently published a special 25-page supplement and digital spotlight of the exhibit materials and the corresponding event and city proclamation, preserving this amazing exhibit (and the work of our incredible student employees and staff) for all to see, just in time for Gay History Month. View the special issue.
Launch of the UW Newspaper Archive:Through the contributions of many UW librarians and staff, the University of Washington Newspaper Archive is now live! The Archive is a project to provide digital access to historic newspapers published at the University of Washington, including The Daily and other UW student newspapers such as The College Idea, Pacific Wave, UW Bothell Commons, and UW Tacoma Ledger. Learn more.
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NEW! In response to user requests, UW Libraries is providing trial access to
Feb 13- Winter Game Break at Odegaard Library: Games for Two!
The 
NEW EXHIBIT: Celebrating The Rocket, Seattle’s Music Magazine
Personal Privacy on Your Phone- January 16: If you’re thinking about your digital privacy, then you know that your phone is probably not very private. In this hands-on workshop, we’ll help you assess what information your phone is leaking, think through what steps you can take to plug up the leaks without losing functionality, and spend some time adjusting settings and apps to be more privacy-friendly. 
How are study abroad experiences like this beneficial for students and the faculty who lead them? 
