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University of Minnesota Libraries
Lisa Von Drasek and Erin McBrien discussed the children’s books, “Writing Boxes” and “I’m From” on this installment of Read This Book from the University of Minnesota Libraries. Von Drasek is the author of “Writing Boxes” and “I’m From” was written by Gary R. Gray Jr. and illustrated by Oge Mora.
About Lisa Von Drasek and Erin McBrienLisa Von Drasek is the Miranker Family Curatorial Chair of the Kerlan Collection of Children’s Literature at the University of Minnesota Libraries. Erin McBrien is Interim Curator of the Upper Midwest Literary Archives at the University of Minnesota Libraries.
About Read This Book!Read This Book! is produced by the University of Minnesota Libraries. It is available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
Von Drasek is the Miranker Family Curatorial Chair at the Kerlan Collection of Children’s Literature at the University of Minnesota Libraries. McBrien is the Interim Curator for the UMN Libraries’ Upper Midwest Literary Archives.
The post ‘Writing Boxes’ and ‘I’m From’ on Read This Book! appeared first on UMN Libraries News & Events.
Erin McBrien and Lisa Von Drasek discuss “First Words” by Joyce Sutphen in this episode of Read This Book from the University of Minnesota Libraries.
About Lisa Von Drasek and Erin McBrienLisa Von Drasek is the Curator of the Children’s Literature Research Collections at the University of Minnesota Libraries. Erin McBrien is Interim Curator of the Upper Midwest Literary Archives at the University of Minnesota Libraries.
About Read This Book!Read This Book! is produced by the University of Minnesota Libraries. It is available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
The post ‘First Words’ discussed on Read This Book! appeared first on UMN Libraries News & Events.
Jessica Abbazio and Lisa Von Drasek discuss “The Midnight Library” by Matt Haig on this installment of Read This Book from the University of Minnesota Library.
About Lisa Von Drasek and Jessica AbbazioLisa Von Drasek is the Curator of the Children’s Literature Research Collections at the University of Minnesota Libraries and host of Read This Book! Jessica Abbazio is the Music Librarian at the University of Minnesota Libraries.
About Read This Book!Read This Book! is produced by the University of Minnesota Libraries. It is available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
The post ‘The Midnight Library’ reviewed on Read This Book! appeared first on UMN Libraries News & Events.
Davu Underwood Seru discussed with Lisa Von Drasek the book, “A Darker Wilderness” on this installment of Read This Book from the University of Minnesota Libraries. The book was edited by Erin Sharkey.
About Lisa Von Drasek and Davu SeruLisa Von Drasek is the Curator of the Children’s Literature Research Collections, home of the Kerlan Collection, at the University of Minnesota Libraries. Davu Underwood Seru is curator of the Givens Collection of African American Literature and Culture at the University of Minnesota Libraries.
About Read This Book!Read This Book! is a video podcast produced by the University of Minnesota Libraries. It is available on YouTube and Apple Podcasts.
The post ‘A Darker Wilderness’ reviewed on Read This Book! appeared first on UMN Libraries News & Events.
“Hairs / Pelitos” was reviewed by Patricia Izek and Lisa Von Drasek on this installment of Read This Book from the University of Minnesota Libraries.
“This jewel-like vignette from Sandra Cisneros’s best-selling The House on Mango Street shows, through simple, intimate portraits, the diversity among us.”
—Goodreads
About Lisa Von Drasek and Patricia IzekLisa Von Drasek is the Curator of the Children’s Literature Research Collections, home of the Kerlan Collection, at the University of Minnesota Libraries. Patricia Izek is Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility at the UMN Libraries.
About Read This Book!Read This Book! is a video podcast produced by the University of Minnesota Libraries. It is available on YouTube and Apple Podcasts.
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The post ‘Hairs / Pelitos’ reviewed on Read This Book! appeared first on UMN Libraries News & Events.
In this episode of "Secrets of the Archives," Kate Dietrick and host Tim Johnson discuss a recent acquisition at the University of Minnesota: A scrapbook created by Holocaust surivivors, who were members of a Yiddish theatre troupe in a displaced person camp.
Jennie Burroughs and Lisa Von Drasek discuss "The Golden Enclaves" by Naomi Novik in this installment of Read This Book from the University of Minnesota Libraries.
Poet Freya Manfred read from her latest book, “When I was Young and Old” during a June 15, 2023 event at the University of Minnesota's Elmer L. Andersen Library.
Jason Roy and Lisa Von Drasek discussed “The Vinyl Detective” on this installment of Read This Book from the University of Minnesota!
“The Revolutionary Samuel Adams” by Stacy Schiff was reviewed on this installment of Read This Book, from the University of Minnesota Libraries, with Bill Pederson from the UMN Music Library Read This Book host, Lisa Von Drasek.
‘The Searcher’ — A New York Times bestselling thriller — is reviewed on Read This Book by University of Minnesota Dean of Libraries Lisa German and host Lisa Von Drasek.
A small slice — 221 objects — of the Glen S. Miranker collection of some 6,000 items now is on view in Elmer L. Andersen Library, on the University of Minnesota’s west bank. This traveling exhibition was first seen by Timothy Johnson at the Grolier Club in New York City. Johnson is the Curator of the Sherlock Holmes Collections at the University of Minnesota Libraries.
Sherlock Holmes curator Tim Johnson's discusses Andrew Lycett's book, "Conan Doyle's Wide World," on this installment of Read This Book from the University of Minnesota Libraries.
Science Librarian Megan Kocher, Curator of the University of Minnesota's Kirschner Cookbook Collection, recommends “What's for Dessert” and “Baking School” for those wanting to whip up some holiday baked goods. Kocher is joined on this installment of Read This Book by host Lisa Von Drasek.
Alee Schmeirer and Lisa Von Drasek discuss “Leave the World Behind,” a novel by Rumaan Alam, about two families — strangers to each other — who are forced together on a long weekend gone terribly wrong.
Amy Riegelman and host Lisa Von Drasek discussed “The Grieving Brain” on this installment of Read This Book from the University of Minnesota Libraries. The author, Mary-Frances O'Connor, a renowned grief expert and neuroscientist, shares groundbreaking discoveries about what happens in our brain when we grieve, providing a new paradigm for understanding love, loss, and learning.
University of Minnesota Librarian Molly Bostrom from Magrath Library reviewed Duplex by Kathryn Davis and Abarat by Clive Barker on this installment of Read This Book! from the University of Minnesota Libraries.
University Libraries staff and student employees had a great time marching and cheering at the #UMN Homecoming Parade on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022! #UMNproud.
University Libraries staff and student employees had a great time marching and cheering at the #UMN Homecoming Parade on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022! #UMNproud.
Science Librarian Carolyn Bishoff discussed "The Goblin Emperor" and other audio books on this episode of Read This Book! with host Lisa Von Drasek. "The Goblin Emperor" is a 2014 fantasy novel by Katherine Addison.
“You can’t be what you can’t see,” said Larry McKenzie, award-winning coach, speaker, and author, during the Nov. 18 Friends of the Libraries event Amplifying Black Narratives: The Creation of Black Narratives. Among the important resources for creating Black narratives are people who serve as “mirrors” that reflect possibilities yet may be scarce in the community. McKenzie was joined by Sheletta Brundidge, Sagirah Shahid, and Dara Beevas.
Tim Johnson reviewed "Charles Lindbergh: A Religious Biography of America's Most Infamous Pilot" by Christopher Gehrz on this installment of Read This Book! from the University of Minnesota Libraries. He's joined by host Lisa Von Drasek.
From learning about databases and special collections to being introduced to popular reading selections and Breakerspace activities, incoming students jumped on the fast track to powering curiosity, discovery, and connection through the Libraries at the Campus Exploration Fair.
Megan Kocher and Lisa Von Drasek discussed cookbooks they liked the most for cooking and baking during the pandemic, on this installment of "Read This Book!" from the University of Minnesota Libraries.
Lacie McMillin discusses Yaa Gyasi's Transcendent Kingdom, with Lisa von Drasek, on this installment of Read This Book from the University of Minnesota Libraries. Transcendent Kingdom us a novel about faith, science, religion, and love, centered on a family of Ghanaian immigrants ravaged by depression and addiction and grief. It's Gyasi's followup to her acclaimed national best seller Homegoing.
Carissa Tomlinson joins host Lisa Von Drasek to discuss Cribsheet: A Data-Driven Guide to Better, More Relaxed Parenting, from Birth to Preschool by Emily Oster, on this installment of Read This Book from the University of Minnesota Libraries.
Libraries staff have been managing through many changes in the last six months, the most recent being the re-opening of our four main University of Minnesota Libraries — Wilson, Walter, Health Sciences, and Magrath. Now, some staff no longer work from home, yet others continue to do so — while providing critical online services for students and faculty.
Rick Riordan's The Lightning Thief is discussed by Jessica Abbazio and Lisa Von Drasek on Read This Book, from the University of Minnesota Libraries.
During our buildings closure, the Libraries’ patrons cannot come in. Yet, the Libraries “are a very social place; they are the heart of the campus,” says Kate McCready, Interim Associate University Librarian for Content & Collections. “So to not have our users here? The next best thing is getting us out to them.”
"Slayer" and "Chosen" are the two books, by New York Times bestselling author Kiersten White, reviewed on this installment of Read This Book by Lisa Von Drasek, Curator of the University of Minnesota Children's Literature Research Collections.
Dean of Libraries Lisa German joins Lisa Von Drasek to review "The Color Kittens" on this installment of Read This Book from the University of Minnesota Libraries. "The Color Kittens" is a children's book by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Alice and Martin Provensen, and published, as part of the Little Golden Books series, in 1949.
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, Kristen Mastel has chosen three books to highlight the environment and the world around us. They are: "Braided Sweetgrass," by Robin Wall Kimmerer, "Onigamiising: Seasons of an Ojibwe Year" by Linda LeGarde Grover, and "Climate Justice" by Mary Robinson.
Tim Johnson recommends two annotated books — Sherlock Holmes and the Sandman — in this installment of Read This Book from the University of Minnesota Libraries.
With schools closed and libraries shuttered due to COVID-19, children find themselves sequestered at home — many without enough books or activities to appease their curiosity. Enter Lisa Von Drasek, the energetic curator of the University of Minnesota’s Children’s Literature Research Collections, who has created a social media campaign called #OperationReadAloud as a way to reach children and families.
Lisa Von Drasek discusses Making Comics by Scott McCloud, Making Comics by Lynda Barry, and Comics: Easy as ABC by Ivan Brunetti in this episode of Read This Book from the University of Minnesota Libraries.
Jessica Abbazio, the University of Minnesota music librarian, reviews "The Lunar Chronicles" by Melissa Meyers on this installment of Read This Book from the University of Minnesota Libraries. The Lunar Chronicles is a series of young adult science fiction novels that are futuristic retellings of classic fairy tales.
Throughout her career, Wendy Pradt Lougee has been at the forefront nationally — developing programs, initiatives, and policies that have revolutionized academic librarianship. Lougee is retiring February 27, 2020, after more than 17 years as University Librarian and Dean of Libraries at the University of Minnesota. In this video, several of Lougee's colleagues pay tribute to her contributions to the library profession and to the University of Minnesota.
Zach Miller reviews A Shark Going Inland Is My Chief on this installment of Read This Book from the University of Minnesota Libraries.
Cody Hennesy gave a thumbs up to Artificial Unintelligence: How Computers Misunderstand the World by Meredith Broussard in the latest installment of Read This Book from the University of Minnesota Libraries. In the book, Broussard argues that our collective enthusiasm for applying computer technology to every aspect of life has resulted in a tremendous amount of poorly designed systems.
The Mapping Prejudice Project at the University of Minnesota’s John R. Borchert Map Library taps into a growing community interest to confront painful legacies of racism and to work towards a more equitable future.
Megan Kocher recommended two books on holiday baking in this episode of Read This Book from the University of Minnesota Libraries.
Kimberly Clarke reviews a fantasy novel, "Written in Red," by Anne Bishop in this installment of Read This Book from the University of Minnesota Libraries.
Tim Johnson recommends two books: "The Devil's Due" by Bonnie MacBird — a Sherlock Holmes Adventure — and "Good and Mad: The Revolutionary Power of Women's Anger" by Rebecca Traister.
Our Music Librarian Jessica Abbazio reviews "A Wild Ride Through the Night" by Walter Moers for this installment of Read This Book from the University Libraries. "A Wild Ride through the Night" describes the exhilarating and comic adventures of his twelve-year-old protagonist Gustave, a boy who aspires one day to be a great artist.
Librarian Kristen Mastel recommends two nature books — 'Into Nature' and 'The Hidden Life of Trees' — on this installment of Read This Book from the University of Minnesota Libraries, hosted by Lisa Von Drasek.
Librarian Alicia Kubas reviews "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor — a New York Times bestseller and Michael L. Printz honor book, which is an epic fantasy about a mythic lost city and its dark past.
The biggest incoming class in 46 years toured the Libraries August 30 as part of Welcome Week 2019. The Class of 2023 learned about our 24/7 chat support, free online course materials, makerspaces, 3D-printing, and more!
Two books by Amy Krouse Rosenthal were featured in this episode of Read This Book! from the University of Minnesota Libraries. Danya Leebaw and Host Lisa Von Drasek discussed Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life and Little Pea — two of Leebaw's favorite books by Rosenthal.
Meet Your Peer Research Consultants (PRCs) at the University of Minnesota Libraries! PRCs can help undergraduate students at the University of Minnesota with their research papers, including help with finding scholarly or academic articles, narrowing down your paper topics, creating research questions, navigating the Libraries' website and databases, choosing keywords for searching, and evaluating articles and websites.
The Libraries' Sherlock Holmes expert, Tim Johnson, recommends three Holmes books for your August reading list on this episode of Read This Book! from the University Libraries, hosted by Lisa Von Drasek. The three are: "Sherlock Holmes: A Biography" by William S. Baring-Gould, "The Whole Art of Detection: Lost Mysteries of Sherlock Holmes" by Lindsay Faye, and "Medical Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" by Carl Heifetz.
Lisa Von Drasek recommends a number of books about the moon — in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing on July 20, 1969. It's all part of the latest episode of Read This Book from the University of Minnesota Libraries. Books included: Moonshot: The Flight of Apollo 11 by Brian Floca, A Big Mooncake for Little Star by Grace Lin, A Kite for Moon by Jane Yolen, Heidi E.Y. Stemple and Matt Phelan, Sun! One in a Billion and Moon! Earth's Best Friend by Stacy McAnulty, Planetarium by Raman Prinja, and The Moon by Hannah Pang.
Librarian Jan Fransen recommends Circe by Madeline Miller as her choice for 2019 Summer Reading in this episode of Read This Book! Set in the world of ancient Greek mythology, Circe is the fantastical tale of a fierce young woman — half titan, half nymph — who dares to challenge the gods.
Publishing Services Librarian Emma Molls recommends two books for summer reading: "Her Body and Other Parties" and "Paper Girls." Molls discussed the books with Host Lisa Von Drasek on this installment of Read This Book! from the University of Minnesota Libraries.
Four 8th-graders from Salk Middle School in Elk River talk about their History Day projects and the importance of Wilson Library to their research. Hear from Abi Kotila, Emma McCauley, Ben Stout, Kayla Vang, Salk social studies teacher Ron Hustvedt, and Minitex librarian Elizabeth Staats as they prepare for History Day 2019.
Here's a New Year's Resolution for you: Read all of the books you can — and keep them as long as you want! You can find them at Ebooks Minnesota, a service from Minitex at the University of Minnesota. In this episode, Zach Miller talks about the benefits of Ebooks Minnesota — and plugs one of his favorite children's books, "What To Do With a Box."
Sherlock Holmes expert Tim Johnson recommends two books to give to Sherlock Holmes fans: About Sixty: Why Every Sherlock Holmes Story is the Best, and About Being a Sherlockian, both edited by Christopher Redmond. Johnson was a guest on Read This Book!, produced by the University of Minnesota Libraries and hosted by the U's Lisa Von Drasek.
“It’s such a big dream, I can’t see it all,” is what Edward S. Curtis said of his master work, The North American Indian, published between 1907 and 1930. This video provides an overview and highlights of the exhibt on display through January 18, 2019 at the University of Minnesota's Elmer L. Andersen Library.
Megan Kocher reviewed The Great Minnesota Cookie Book and Soo Fariista, a Somali American cookbook, on this installment of Read This Book from the University of Minnesota Libraries.
Music Librarian Jessica Abbazio recommends "American Music" by Annie Leibovitz as a book to give as a gift on this installment of Read This Book from the University of Minnesota Libraries.
If your day brings you across the Washington Avenue Bridge, be sure to check out the hundreds of original art panels that line the pedestrian walkway. These panels change each fall as student groups and University departments are invited to participate in the Paint the Bridge tradition. Learn how the Libraries painted their panel with a little help from our very own Makerspace.
Chef Sean Sherman presented at the 2018-2019 kickoff of the Friends Forum on October 16 at the Bell Museum. His topic: Reclaiming the Culture of Indigenous American Cuisine.
Ryan Mattke, Head of the Borchert Map Library, accepted the Governor's Award on October 4 for the Minnesota Historical Aerial Photographs Online website, which includes thousands of digital copies of historical aerial photographs, mostly from between the 1920s and the 1990s, covering all 87 counties in Minnesota.
Woo hoo! Libraries receive warm greeting at UMN Homecoming Parade! Take 2 minutes and enjoy the fun!!
University of Minnesota Libraries celebrated the 50th anniversary of the opening of Wilson Library on October 1, 2018.
September 13 was a busy day for the Libraries. It was one more day in a week filled with tours of library spaces. As a partner with the College of Liberal Arts' First-Year Experience program, the Libraries hosted nearly a thousand students over 50 tours that week alone — helping CLA students complete their course, CLA 1001. "We want to get students into our spaces so they see what's available to them," said Kate Peterson, Undergraduate Services Librarian for the Libraries. "But we also take the opportunity to let these first-year students know about our online resources and other library tools and services that can help them meet their academic goals."
Lisa Von Drasek interviews Julie Schumacher — author of "The Shakespeare Requirement" — in this installment of Read This Book! from the University of Minnesota Libraries. The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune keep hitting beleaguered English professor Jason Fitger right between the eyes in The Shakespeare Requirement, the hilarious and eagerly awaited sequel to the cult classic of anhedonic academe, the Thurber Prize-winning Dear Committee Members.
Tim Johnson reviews Revenge of the Nerd: Or . . . The Singular Adventures of the Man Who Would Be Booger by Curtis Armstrong, in this edition of "Read This Book!" from the University of Minnesota Libraries. Armstrong, who played Booger in the 1984 film, "Revenge of the Nerds," is an avid Sherlock Holmes fan, and Johnson is Curator of the Sherlock Holmes Collections at the University of Minnesota Libraries.
Dread Nation — a New York Times bestseller — is at once provocative, terrifying, and darkly subversive. Written by Justina Ireland, Dread Nation represents a stunning vision of an America both foreign and familiar — a country on the brink, at the explosive crossroads where race, humanity, and survival meet. University of Minnesota librarian, Lisa Von Drasek, reviews Dread Nation in this installment of Read This Book!, hosted by Alicia Kubas.
Take a sneak video peek at our current exhibit at Elmer L. Andersen Library: The Best from Pen and Press, which includes 3,000-year-old cuneiform tablets, a 16th century "Remembrancer Scroll," and much more. The materials come from the James Ford Bell Library, the Wangensteen Historical Library of Biology and Medicine, and the University Libraries' Rare Book collections.
Breakfast with Beatrice and Original Scandinavian Recipes were featured on this installment of Read This Book with Megan Kocher, Curator of the Doris Kirschner Cookbook Collection, and host Lisa Von Drasek. Kocher also announced that the University Libraries recently acquired Beatrice Ojakangas' cookbook collection — which includes Original Scandinavian Recipes — for the Kirschner Collection, which is available to the public at the University of Minnesota's Magrath Library on the St. Paul campus.
Following a two-year pilot, readership of Ebooks Minnesota, a free online book collection available to all Minnesotans, is taking off. The collection — managed by Minitex at the University of Minnesota — saw an 86 percent increase in readership during its second year. Through April 2018, out of 4,000 available ebooks in the collection, Minnesotans of all ages have connected to an ebook a total of 158,868 times. The platform requires no login (the only requirement for any user is to be within Minnesota borders) and is accessible at no cost through iTunes, Google Play, and Kindle apps.
Lisa Von Drasek recommends two children's books for writing on Part 3 of Summer Reading for Children on Read This Book! from the University of Minnesota Libraries. The books are: Heart Maps by Georgia Heard and Happy Mail by Eunice and Sabrina Moyle.
Alicia Kubas reviewed "When Women Didn't Count: Behind the scenes on data collection and women in the USA" by Robert Lopresti, which details the startling facts of how women have been sidelined, neglected, and just plain lied about in U.S. government statistics for more than two centuries.
Lisa Von Drasek recommends several books from independent publishers in Part 2 of Summer Reading for Children on Read This Book! from the University of Minnesota Libraries.
Lisa Von Drasek recommends informational books from National Geographic in Part 1 of our 2018 Summer Reading recommendations for children on Read This Book! from the University of Minnesota Libraries. The books are: Almanac 2019, Brain Games, Extreme Records, and Explore My World: Lions.
Host Lisa Von Drasek and Jan Fransen discussed the true-life crime book I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer on this episode of Read This Book! from the University of Minnesota Libraries.
The Undergraduate Research Symposium — an annual research fair at the University of Minnesota — was held April 20 in the Northrop Atrium. Watch and listen as six students provide overviews of their projects and discuss the importance of library resources.
Hear about the experiences of two University of Minnesota Grand Challenges Research teams as they spent four days conducting research with a team of University of Minnesota librarians. It's all part of the U of M Libraries' Research Sprints program.
Lisa Vecoli is retiring as curator of the Jean-Nickolaus Tretter Collection in GLBT Studies. She talks with Kris Kiesling, director of Archives and Special Collections at the University of Minnesota Libraries, about her tenure at Tretter, which included winning two national awards, adding, the Michael McConnell Papers, and developing and managing the Tretter Transgender Oral History Project.
Lisa Von Drasek discusses a book by Beatrice Ojakangas called: Homemade: Finnish Rye, Feed Sack Fashion, and Other Simple Ingredients from My Life in Food in this installment of Read This Book! from the University of Minnesota Libraries.
Science Librarian Carolyn Bishoff asked busy students at Walter Library to provide study tips — including their favorite study locations and study snacks — to first-year students at the University of Minnesota.
Lisa Von Drasek talks about the 2017 Marion Vannett Ridgway Award winners in this episode of Read This Book! from the University of Minnesota Libraries. "Hannah and Sugar," written and illustrated by Kate Berube was the 2017 winner, with Honor Awards going to Bethan Woollvin for "Little Red" and Dori Kleber for "More-igami."
Nearly 330 students from grade 6-12 attended Gopherbaloo 2018 at Wilson Library January 13. The annual event is part of National History Day MN.
Five University of Minnesota librarians and archivists recently joined Read This Book host Lisa Von Drasek to make recommendations for books to give this holiday season. Still shopping? Then pay attention!
In this special episode of Read This Book!, Librarian Alicia Kubas and host Lisa Von Drasek reviewed two books that would make great gifts this holiday season.
The books are: Lewis Carroll's "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" — artwork by Yayoi Kusama, and "Poetry From Scratch" by Jennifer McCartney.
Flying Funny: My Life Without a Net by Dudley Riggs was the featured book on this episode of Read This Book! from the University of Minnesota Libraries. Performing Arts Archivist Kate Hujda joined host Lisa Von Drasek in sharing insights into the book, Riggs, and Riggs' papers, which are in the Libraries' Performing Arts Archives.
We are welcoming back Emily Beck and her pumpkin carving talents as she brings us underwater adventures in jack o'lantern form, inspired by the Wangensteen Historical Library's current exhibit. Watch a short video of Emily from last year and check out the stencils to create - and share - your own underwater-inspired carving.
Science Librarian Carolyn Bishoff and host Lisa Von Drasek discussed the Lev Grossman fantasy novel series, which started in 2009 with The Magicians on this episode of Read This Book! from the University of Minnesota Libraries. The series has been adapted on television and currently airs on Syfy.
Less than two weeks remain to see the exhibit, Luther and the World Turned Upside Down: Prophecy, Revolution, and the End of Time, which runs through September 29, 2017 at Elmer L. Anderson Library. Additional materials are on exhibit at the T.R. Anderson Gallery on the fourth floor of Wilson Library.
Incoming students capped off Welcome Week this year by touring Magrath Library in St. Paul and learning about all of the ways that the Libraries can help them achieve academic success.
Books about journalism, media bias, and fact checking were reviewed in this episode of Read This Book! from the University of Minnesota Libraries.
Peer Research Consultants, a cadre of undergraduate students from the University of Minnesota Libraries, provide a friendly and less formal starting point for undergrads new to the research process.
Watch this video preview of our current exhibit, "Engraved in Copper: The Art of Mapping Minnesota," which features unique engraved copper plates used to print topographic maps of Minnesota in the early 1900s, surveying and mapmaking techniques, and government documents related to the process. The exhibit runs through May 22 at Elmer L. Andersen Library.
Three books with short story collections were featured in this episode of Read This Book! with Kaia Sievert and host Tim Johnson. The books will be featured beginning March 1 at the University of Minnesota's Wilson Library.
History Professor Erika Lee discusses her latest project, the Immigration Syllabus, an online tool to help faculty, teachers, students, and the general public understand the history of immigration in the United States. The initiative is a collaboration among several faculty members and others from across the country.
Veterinary Medical Librarian Andre Nault talks about raising puppies and about critical thinking — two widely different books — on this installment of "Read This Book!" from the University of Minnesota Libraries.
In this installment of "Read This Book!", children's librarian Lisa Von Drasek highlights the winners of the 2016 Marion Vannett Ridgway Book Awards, given to an author or illustrator in recognition of an outstanding debut in the world of children's picture books. Books discussed are: "Trombone Shorty" by Troy Andrews, "Voice of Freedom" by Carole Boston Weatherford and Illustrated by Ekua Holmes, and "Smick!" by Doreen Cronin and Juana Medina.
Books about cooking was the subject of this special holiday issue of Read This Book!: Books to Give 2016, Volume 4. Megan Kocher, curator of the Doris S. Kirschner Cookbook Collection recommended two books to give as gifts: "Come, You Taste: Recipes from the Iron Range" by B.J. Carpenter, and "The Vegetable Butcher" by Cara Mangini.
Books about architecture were featured in this special episode of Read This Book! — Books to Give 2016, Volume 3, from the University of Minnesota Libraries. Cheryll Fong, interim curator for the Libraries' Northwest Architectural Archives, and host Lisa Von Drasek, recommended "Edwin H. Lundie, Five Decades: A Journey of Art and Architecture" by Peter O'Toole and "Minnesota Modern" by Larry Millett.
Tim Johnson recommends three books about Sherlock Holmes in "Books to Give 2016, Volume 2," hosted by Lisa Von Drasek. The three books are: "Nerve and Knowledge," "The Missing Misadventures of Sherlock Holmes," and "Sherlock Holmes Victorian Parodies and Pastiches: 1888-1899." Read This Book! is a production of the University of Minnesota Libraries.
Books about Bob Dylan were discussed in this episode of "Read This Book! — Books to Give," featuring Bill Pederson from the University of Minnesota Music Library. Dylan, a Minnesota native, recently was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature.
The books "In Winter's Kitchen" by Beth Dooley and "Kitchens of the Great Midwest" by J. Ryan Stradal were featured on this episode of "Read This Book!" from the University of Minnesota Libraries. Dooley and Stradal will be featured at a special event on Dec. 1, 2016, at the University of Minnesota.
The in-process and finished artwork for illustrator Melissa Sweet's non-fiction picture book, "Balloons Over Broadway," was discussed on this episode of Secrets of the Archives, from the University of Minnesota Libraries.
Master and Commander and the series of nautical historical novels by Patrick O'Brian was the topic for this installment of "Read This Book!" brought to you by the University of Minnesota Libraries. This episode focuses not just on the series, but on its very active community of readers.
Rabbi Harold Gordon was known as the "Flying Jewish Chaplain" for his years of service as the Circuit Chaplain of the North Atlantic Division of the Air Transport Command, 1944-1946. In this installment of Secrets of the Archives, Curator Kate Dietrick talks about Gordon, and his papers and photos, which are housed in the Nathan and Theresa Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives at the University of Minnesota Libraries.
Murder at the 42nd Street Library was reviewed in the most recent installment of Read This Book! from the University of Minnesota Libraries. Host Lisa Von Drasek and Tim Johnson review the 2016 novel by Con Lehane. But they also discussed the role of advanced uncorrected proofs in the publishing world.
Thousands of students who make up the University of Minnesota's Class of 2020 learned first-hand how the University Libraries can help them succeed academically on September 2 as part of the annual Welcome Week activities this year.
Lisa Von Drasek discusses books by Raina Telgemeier in this episode of Read This Book! from the University of Minnesota Libraries, hosted by Tim Johnson. Telgemeier is the author and illustrator of the graphic novels "Smile," "Drama," and "Sisters" — all New York Times best-sellers. She will launch her latest graphic novel, "Ghosts," at the University of Minnesota's Cowles Auditorium on Sept. 19, 6:30 p.m.
Watch this video preview of The Misadventures of Sherlock Holmes exhibit, which highlights some of Mr. Holmes' mishaps, described by Dr. Watson and others, through art, artifacts, parodies, pastiches, and other "unofficial" adventures from the Sherlock Holmes Collections.
Wow your guests at your summer garden party this year! Megan Kocher and Lisa Von Drasek discuss books for foodies that provide tips on growing food in your house, making sweet corn pancakes, and baking delicious pies. On this episode of "Read This Book!" from the University of Minnesota Libraries, Kocher and Von Drasek discussed the following books: "Indoor Kitchen Gardening" by Elizabeth Millard; "Sweet Corn Spectacular" by Marie Porter; and "First Prize Pies" by Allison Kave.
Listen and watch as the Red-Throated League of the Norwegian Explores performs a live radio play of The Missing Bullion, a Sherlock Holmes adaptation written by Edith Meiser (1898-1993). Meiser — a writer, actress, and producer — helped bring Sherlock Holmes to American radio listeners on the NBC radio network in 1930, where they aired until the late 1940s.
In this installment of "Read This Book!" Janice Jaguszewski talks about books related to death, dying, funerals, and rituals related to dying. Jaguszewski is the director of Health Sciences Libraries at the University of Minnesota.
The Midwives Book, by Jane Sharp, published in 1671, is discussed in this episode of Secrets of the Archives from the University of Minnesota Libraries. It's the first book written in English by a woman for other women, and it covers all stages of giving birth, including pregnancy, labor, child birth, infant care, and more.
Jan Fransen discusses Betsy-Tacy, the beloved set of semi-autobiographical books set in Minnesota by author Maud Hart Lovelace, on this installment of Read This Book! from the University of Minnesota Libraries.
Books about dogs was the theme of this installment of "Read This Book!" from the University of Minnesota Libraries. Host Lisa Von Drasek reviews "Dog Crazy," by Meg Donohue, and "All Dogs Go To Kevin," by Dr. Jessica Vogelsang. Von Drasek is the curator of the Children's Literature Research Collections at the University of Minnesota Libraries.
This month marks the opening of The Children's Theatre Company at 50... The Magic Continues, a University of Minnesota Libraries exhibit that highlights the expansive archives of the Children’s Theatre Company. In the video above, exhibit designer Darren Terpstra and exhibit curator Kate Hujda present a preview of the exhibit.
In this episode of Secrets of the Archives, Kate Hujda talks about the historic Minnesota Orchestra scrapbooks, which date back to the Orchestra's founding in 1903. Hujda said that the scrapbook are the only living record of the early days of the Orchestra.
The theme of this installment of Read This Book! is Armchair Travel, which features University of Minnesota library assistants, Kaia Sievert and Amber Fick. The two review books set in various regions of the world.
A rare 17th century, hand-colored manuscript containing maps and plans for the city of Goa — including ports and fortresses on the coast of India — was featured on this installment of Secrets of the Archives, from the University of Minnesota Libraries. The map is part of the James Ford Bell Library collection at the University.
Librarians Megan Kocher and Lisa Von Drasek review The New Mediterranean Table cookbook in this installment of Read This Book! from the University of Minnesota Libraries. Chef Sameh Wadi, author of The New Mediterranean Table, was a semifinalist for the James Beard Foundation "Best Chef " and "Rising Star" awards and was the youngest contestant to appear on the Food Network's "Iron Chef America."
Sherlock Holmes and the Betty Crocker Cooky Book are the topics of this special episode of Read This Book! – on books to give this holiday season, part 2. Host Lisa Von Drasek, Curator of the Children's Literature Research Collections, interviews University of Minnesota librarians Tim Johnson and Megan Kocher.
In the late 1940s through the early 1950s, social welfare agencies used comics -- featuring famous comic book heroes like Batman and Superman -- to promote their messages. Everything from mental health issues to civil rights to patriotism were subjects for the comics.
It's that time of year again and our expert librarians at the University of Minnesota are here to make recommendations on books to give this holiday season. Watch this installment of Read This Book!, Books to Give 2015, Part 1.
It's been 50 years since the Immigration History Research Center and Archives was founded at the University of Minnesota, making it the oldest and largest entity devoted to preserving and understanding immigration experiences. In celebration, the IHRCA has an exhibit on display through January 22, 2016 at the U's Elmer L. Andersen Library.
Student performers camouflaged in the sea of students, provided a pleasant surprise November 5 at Walter Library. When the “Push for Art” button was pushed, they broke out with "Lean on Me" in the lobby, while dancers performed in Walter's Great Hall.
Mars is the subject of this installment of Read This Book!, which features Science Librarian Carolyn Bishoff and Social Sciences Librarian Amy Riegelman. The two discussed the popular book, The Martian and five other books about Mars.
Nazis burned the library of Magnus Hirschfeld – a Jewish physician and sexologist who died in 1935 – for being "un-German." But at least one book survived the 1933 fire and is now housed at the University of Minnesota in the Tretter Collection for GLBT Studies.
In this installment of Read This Book!, Tim Johnson discusses Neil Gaiman's "Make Good Art" commencement speech, "Go Set a Watchman" by Harper Lee, "The Boys in the Boat" by Daniel James Brown, and "Art in the Blood" by Bonnie MacBird.
The University of Minnesota Bindery, which first opened in the basement of Perine's Books in Dinkytown back in 1922, has closed. The Bindery, initially a department of University Libraries, was housed for nearly 50 years on the 4th floor of Walter Library
Maggie Ragnow discusses books about Pirates, including Bucaniers of America – just in time for International Talk Like a Pirate Day, which is Sept. 19, 2015.
More than 5,000 first-year students took part in Welcome Week at the University of Minnesota last week. On Friday, they toured Magrath Library on the St. Paul campus to learn about all of the ways that University Libraries can help them achieve academic success. Watch the video above to hear what they learned.
In this episode of Read This Book!, Lisa Von Drasek reviews the top Picture Books published in the last year.
In this episode of "Read This Book!", University of Minnesota librarians Lisa Von Drasek, Carolyn Bishoff, and Megan Kocher provide recommendations for summer reading.
The University of Minnesota Libraries has completed digitization of more than 4,500 historical aerial photos of Minneapolis, as part of a collaborative effort with the City of Minneapolis and the Minnesota Historical Society. All of the large-scale, detailed aerial photos, dating back to 1938, are freely available for viewing by the public.
Our librarians provide recommendations on good reads for the summer, in this episode of "Read This Book!" from the University of Minnesota Libraries.
Curator Linnea Anderson and Exhibit Designer Darren Terpstra discuss the University of Minnesota Libraries exhibit, "The Job is Never Done": Fifty Years of Documenting Social Welfare History. The exhibit runs through May 22, 2015 at Elmer L. Andersen Library on the west bank of the University's Twin Cities campus.
Sally Wingert visited our caverns recently, searching the Guthrie archives to learn how to wear her hair to play Gertrude in William Shakespeare's play, "Hamlet." She found what she was looking for — a costume bible from the Guthrie's 1963 production, starring Jessica Tandy.
In this episode of Read This Book!, Lisa Von Drasek highlights the work of Sharon Creech, the Newbery Medal winner who also will be accepting the University of Minnesota's Kerlan Award on April 18. Drasek is the curator of the University's Children's Literature Research Collections.
In this episode of "Read This Book!," Tia Gardner discusses books from the University's Givens Collection of African American Literature, which feature collaborations among African American Women.
Kaia Sievert discusses three science fiction books in this episode of Read This Book!, brought to you by the University of Minnesota Libraries. The books are: "The Three-Body Problem" by Cixin Liu, "Station Eleven" by Emily St. John Mandel, and "The Martian" by Andy Weir. These books are part of the Robert and Virginia McCollister Collection for Contemporary Literature at Wilson Library, University of Minnesota.
University of Minnesota Librarians discuss the books they plan to give and the ones they'd love to get as gifts this holiday season in a very special episode of Read This Book! Genres covered include children's literature, mysteries, cookbooks, and cool science.
In this episode of "Read This Book!," Megan Kocher, curator of the Doris Kirschner Cookbook Collection at the University of Minnesota, discusses books with holiday cookie recipes.
A special reception to celebrate the University Libraries exhibit, "Ralph Rapson: A Legacy in Architecture and Design," will be held Monday, December 8, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Rapson, former dean of the University’s School of Architecture (1954-1984), was the designer of iconic Twin Cities buildings such as the original Guthrie Theater, Cedar Square West, and the Rarig Center for the Performing Arts. "Not only did he design a number of buildings, he taught an entire generation of architects to design buildings — so his influence is deep and far reaching," said Jane King Hession, curator of the exhibit and author of "Ralph Rapson: Sixty Years of Modern Design."
In this episode of "Read This Book!," Science Librarian Carolyn Bishoff recommends three books that relate to scientific milestones to celebrate that occurred in October. The books are: "Much Ado About (Practically) Nothing," by David E. Fisher, "Live from the Moon," by Michael Allen, and "Nobel Prize Women in Science," by Sharon Bertsch McGrayne.
In this special Back to School episode of "Read This Book!," Lisa Von Drasek discusses “The Pilot and the Little Prince," by Peter Cis, “Park Scientists,” by Mary Kay Carson, and “The Story of Buildings,” by Patrick Dillon (Author) and Stephen Biesty (Illustrator).
Von Drasek is curator of the Children's Literature Research Collections at the University of Minnesota Libraries.
University Libraries took part in Respect U Day, part of Welcome Week for incoming students, on August 29. Students who attended learned about programs, resources, and tools to help them succeed and also about resources to support equity and diversity on campus.
Watch the video and see what incoming students think about libraries.
Kaia Sievert, University of Minnesota Libraries, discusses books that are being turned into movies, in this episode of "Read This Book!" The books recommended by Sievert include: “Gone Girl” By Gillian Flynn, “In the Heart of the Sea” By Nathaniel Philbrick, “The Hobbit” By J.R.R. Tolkien, “The Jungle Book” By Rudyard Kipling, and “Unbroken” By Laura Hillenbrand.
In this installment of "Read This Book!" science librarian Carolyn Rauber recommends books about space. They are: "Rocket Girl" By George D. Morgan; "An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth" By Col. Chris Hadfield; "The Seven Secrets of How to Think Like a Rocket Scientist" By Jim Longuski; and "Space Odyssey: The First Forty Years of Space Exploration" By Serge Brunier.
It's summer grilling season in Minnesota and a perfect time for Megan Kocher, curator of the University Libraries Kirschner Cookbook Collection, to make recommendations on books about grilling, in this episode of "Read This Book!"
"Read This Book!:" Award Winning Books, featuring Danika Stegeman, University of Minnesota Libraries.
In this episode, Danika highlights four books from the collections at the University of Minnesota.
"Rejoice the Legacy!" displays original manuscript pages, artist dummies, picture book proofs, and original art and sketches selected from among Andrea Davis Pinkney’s more than 20 published children’s and young adult titles.
Science Librarian Megan Kocher discusses cookbooks in this episode of "Read This Book!" from the University of Minnesota Libraries.
The yearlong project will digitize and provide online access to unique botanical, zoological, and geological material from archival collections that document the natural history of the state of Minnesota. The materials relate to the establishment of the Minnesota Geological and Natural History Survey in 1872 by the state legislature under the auspices of the University’s Board of Regents.
Read This Book!: Science and Bicycles, features Carolyn Rauber, a University of Minnesota science and engineering librarian. In this episode, Rauber highlights four books related to the science of bicycles.
Viewing the current Downton Abbey exhibit at the Wangensteen Historical Library left graduate student Jeff Moulton feeling a bit queasy thinking about medicine of the early 20th century. "There are some things that are almost terrifying," said Moulton, a big Downton Abbey fan, while noting that the exhibit contained "a lot of pokers and tweezers."
If you want to see the current Bell Library exhibit, you had better hurry. The exhibit, "Bound Fragments: 60 Years of Collecting at the James Ford Bell Library," closes on February 28. The exhibit is part of the Bell Library's 60th Anniversary celebration.
In a series of "Read This Book!" episodes, Lisa Von Drasek discusses her favorite children's books for 2013. Von Drasek is the curator of the Children's Literature Research Collections at the University of Minnesota Libraries.
In this episode of "Read This Book!" Lisa Von Drasek discusses some of her favorite graphic format children's books, including "Relish: My Life in the Kitchen" and "March Book One."
This year the James Ford Bell Library celebrates its 60th anniversary of preserving and documenting the history of trade around the world. Originally focused on what was known as the Age of Exploration, roughly 1400 to 1800, the Bell has expanded its collecting focus to encompass all pre-modern materials that preserve and document the history of trade and its impact.
The Campus History web application was designed to enhance research and education for the University of Minnesota community and the public. It just happens to be fun.
Les Klinger loves the BBC’s “Sherlock” and CBS’s “Elementary” and believes that some traditional Sherlock Holmes scholars have mistreated the “new Sherlockians,” who have come to appreciate Holmes through modern film and television.
Launch of Digital Public Library of America brings greater access to local treasures Portrait of Dr. G. A. Dahl, Mankato, Minnesota
The Nicollet County Historical Society in south central Minnesota sits on the site of the Treaty of Traverse des Sioux, signed between the United States and the Dakota nation in 1851. Eleven years later, following several treaty violations by the U.S. government, war broke out in the region, which resulted in the execution of 38 Dakota — to this day the largest mass execution in American history.
St. Peter, Minnesota — a mile down the road from the treaty site — might have been the capital of Minnesota, if not for the trickery of Joe Rolette, a legislator from Pembina. In 1857, the Minnesota territorial legislature passed a law to move the capital from St. Paul to St. Peter. But Rolette — with the bill in his possession — disappeared long enough to ensure that the governor could not sign the law before the end of the legislative session.
This place is truly historic. And that history will now become much easier for the public across the nation and the world to learn about and access thanks to the recent launch of the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA). Digital Public Library of America aggregates millions of digital artifacts The DPLA (located at http://dp.la) is a groundbreaking project that, for the first time, will make many of our nation’s significant digital collections searchable and accessible to the public from a single site. It will aggregate millions of digital artifacts from local archives, libraries, museums, and cultural heritage institutions across America and deliver them to students, teachers, scholars, and the public via a powerful search interface.
“You can’t tell the history of Minnesota or even the history of the United States without telling the story that happened here,” said Ben Leonard, director of the Nicollet County Historical Society. “We really do have unique items in the collection and the reality is that the vast majority of Americans wouldn’t know that they’re here — wouldn’t know we’re here — without the Digital Public Library of America.” Minnesota Digital Library a key partner in DPLA Figure skaters posing at Winter Haven, Sartell, Minnesota.Stearns HIstory Museum.
The DPLA launched on April 18, two-and-a-half years after planning began in October 2010. With total funding to date of about $7.8 million, the DPLA brings together a national network of more than 40 state/regional digital libraries and myriad large digital libraries. These include large “content” hubs, such as The Smithsonian Institution, and state and regional “service” hubs, such as the Minnesota Digital Library.
The Minnesota Digital Library (MDL) has received $350,000 in funding — $250,000 from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and $100,000 from the Knight Foundation. The funding is being used for digitizing existing special collections, making them searchable and accessible through the DPLA, providing outreach and education to communities about the DPLA, supporting the development of new, “born digital” content, and capturing the unique and diverse stories of the communities throughout the state and region.
The MDL is supported through a statewide collaboration of Minitex, the University of Minnesota, the Minnesota Historical Society, and other key institutions. (Minitex is a joint program of the of the Minnesota Office of Higher Education and the University of Minnesota.) In its role as a DPLA hub, the MDL will serve as an “on-ramp” to interested public libraries, special libraries, colleges, museums, historical societies, and other organizations across the state — ensuring that local and regional collections throughout Minnesota can be discovered and accessed through the DPLA as part of this new national initiative. Minnesota Reflections website contains more than 130,000 artifacts Marian Rengel, Outreach Coordinator for the Minnesota Digital Li...
And celebrates 50 years of the Guthrie Theater If you're a lover of dance, orchestra, and theatre, you know the magic of our Twin Cities stages. But you may not know of the magic that happens off stage, in preparation for these great performances.
Now is your chance, thanks to the thoughtful stewardship of the Performing Arts Archives at the University of Minnesota Libraries. The Libraries is hosting "Behind the Scenes: Twin Cities Performing Arts and 50 years of the Guthrie Theater" April 1 through June 28, 2013. Visitors to this exhibit will get a backstage look at the Twin Cities performing arts community, said Cecily Marcus, Curator, Performing Arts Archives, University of Minnesota Libraries.
She said that the exhibit demonstrates how much energy goes into "hiding the gears, logistics, and stagehands" as in showing audiences a well-set world, wondrously brought to life by actors, dancers, and musicians. Take a peek behind the curtain
What: Behind the Scenes: Twin Cities Performing Arts and 50 Years of the Guthrie Theater
When: April 1 through June 28, 2013 - free and open to the public
Where: Elmer L. Andersen Library, University of Minnesota
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., Monday, Tuesday and Friday and 8:30 a.m. to 6:45 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday.
"There are great pleasures to be found in peeking behind the curtain, into the rehearsal studios, costume and prop shops, offices, and boardrooms that make opening night, and every night following, possible," Marcus said. "It is there we find the genesis of an idea--for a theater that will change Minnesota, or a groundbreaking ballet company, or a revolutionary version of a well-known story--transformed through personalities, budgets, missions, director's notes, nightly performance reports, and beautiful costume renderings." 50 years of the Guthrie As the theater world commemorates 50 years of the Guthrie Theater, this exhibit offers the public a tremendous opportunity to pore through the extensive Guthrie Archives, which have been housed at the University of Minnesota since 1967. Marcus said that the archives offer a beautiful legacy, one still being built with each season of plays and programming.
The exhibit explores much more than the Guthrie, however, offering materials from the collections of the Minnesota Orchestra, the James Sewell Ballet, Theatre de Jeune Lune, the St. Paul Philharmonic, the Minnesota Dance Alliance, the Penumbra Theatre, and the personal papers of composers.
"With the close of every season and each production, sets are struck and works of art are dismantled, but there are traces left to be preserved, studied, and displayed," Marcus said. "The Performing Arts Archives sustains these stories, many more than ever graced our stages."
Many local performing arts leaders contributed to this exhibit through commentary. They include: Philip Brunelle, Leah Cooper, Jon R. Cranney, Joe Dowling, Barbara Field, Nancy Mason Hauser, Michael Lupu, Emily Mann, Jack Reuler, and Sally Wingert.
"Behind the Scenes: Twin Cities Performing Arts and 50 Years of the Guthrie Theater" celebrates the work, and the enduring magic, of our extraordinary performing arts community, on and off the stage.
Theatres and vaudeville stages were the entertainment outlets that Americans sought before the days of movies, television, and the Internet. The University of Minnesota will celebrate that bygone era with a new exhibit, titled "Creating the World for the Stage: 1893-1929 - An Exhibit of Scenic Sketches."
Painted renderings of backdrops, sketches, and other artifacts from the Performing Arts Archives at the University of Minnesota Libraries will be featured in the exhibit that explores the exotic worlds created by the scenic artists for both public theatres and private fraternal spaces of the Freemasons. The exhibit is guest curated by Professor C. Lance Brockman of the University's Department of Theatre Arts and Dance. It runs from Jan. 15 through March 15, 2013 at the Elmer L. Andersen Library and is free and open to the public. Artifacts include original renderings The exhibit documents the backstage technical environment of the popular stage during the late-19th and early-20th centuries. The artifacts include original renderings and materials from Twin City Scenic company, Great Western Stage Equipment company, and the Holak collection.
Quick FactsWhat: "Creating the World for the Stage: 1893-1929 - An Exhibit of Scenic Sketches."
Where: Elmer A. Andersen Library, West Bank of the Twin cities Minneapolis campus, 222-21st Ave. S.
When: Jan. 15 - March 15, 2013. Gallery hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, and Friday; and 8:30 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday.
Who: Professor C. Lance Brockman, University of Minnesota Department of Theatre Arts and Dance.
Admission: Free and open to the public
All images are available online
The companies used these materials to market their painted drop scenery to public theatres across the country and later to fraternal organizations, such as the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. Brockman said that the Freemasons use of theatre and set design in their degree rituals helped them to boost membership.
"What had once been recitation, previously, now becomes a lively and fun theatrical presentation - you can see how attractive this would be to potential members," Brockman said. "And as public theatre became less and less of a market for these scenic studios, the Freemasons became more and more of a market." Brockman instrumental in acquiring collections for the U Brockman, who is retiring after 40 years, was instrumental in acquiring the collections for the University of Minnesota, beginning in 1983. His research into this period of set design, he said, was primarily to help him teach theatre students about the nearly lost craft of painted drop scenery, especially for the New Minnesota Centennial Showboat.
"The exhibit shows people that we have the collections and it's also a great resource for scenic artists," said Peter Baker, a recent theatre arts graduate who assisted Brockman with the design and installation of the exhibit. "The art of painting these drops was never really passed down. It sort of died off. But having the sketches and being able to look at the extant work, you can actually pick out how they did it, how they painted it. It becomes a resource, not only for the historical context, but the practice itself - the art, as well as the artifact."
It's also just a lot of fun. "When you see the drops on stage, in full color and in full scale, it's a big 'whee' - it's fun," Brockman said.
Recent Theatre arts graduate Nicky Rodriguez served as assistant curator supporting Brockman with the selection of thematic objects from over 3000 sketches and models. Gallery Hours Gallery hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, and Friday; and 8:30 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday. For more information, go to z.umn.edu/stage. All images are available online at lib.umn.edu/scrbm/paa/scenery.
An exhibit reception honoring Professor Lance Brockman for his leadership, scholarship, teaching,
"Booby Trap," "Good Time Girls," and "Smash the Prostitution Racket!" These were a few of the terms used during early- to mid-20th century public health campaigns by the American Social Health Association.
The association used these in education messages, along with research, undercover investigations, and civic action in an effort to eradicate prostitution and human trafficking, while promoting the prevention and proper treatment of STDs.
"One of the things that the American Social Health Association believed in strongly was bringing prostitution, human trafficking, and STDs to light," said Linnea Anderson, a curator with the Social Welfare and History Archives at the University of Minnesota Libraries. "They believed that if you swept it under the rug, kept it secret, that it allowed them to flourish. It's one of the reasons we selected the cartoon, 'If we can get the beast out of his lair...' for the theme of the exhibit."
Today, these terms are outdated, humorous, even offensive. But, in some respects, that makes for a great teaching tool.
"We use this collection to teach classes to graduate students and undergraduates," Anderson said. "And when the student reacts strongly to a document - they think it's hysterical, they think it's ridiculous, they think it's outrageous, or it makes them angry, or it makes them laugh - that's the moment when you're really experiencing the difference between the past and the present."
"It's really a great history lesson when it comes to sexual health," said Darren Terpstra, the exhibit designer. "You're able to see how this all started and where we've come today, because it's very relevant today. But what you get to see is not only how far we've come, but how we actually haven't come very far at all, in some respects." Undercover investigations The ASHA sent investigators into communities - sometimes openly, sometimes undercover - in attempts to learn more about how a community may or may not facilitate the functioning of a prostitution racket.
"For example are there particular hotels where you can rent by the hour, are there cabbies, who on the side, will bring you to a house of a ill repute, are the police turning a blind eye?" Anderson said. Investigators also looked into whether communities had illegitimate practitioners offering "quack" or ineffective treatments for syphilis and gonorrhea.
Anderson added that investigators used the information in meetings with community, civic, and religious leaders in efforts to combat prostitution.
"The American Social Health Association called that the American plan," Anderson said. "They were against what they referred to as the European plan or the European model of segregating and tolerating prostitution, and inspecting prostitutes, who we would now call sex workers. They thought that prostitution should be eradicated entirely." Were the campaigns successful? In both World War I and World War II, the ASHA worked with the United States military on sexual health campaigns to reduce the rates of sexually transmitted diseases, and Anderson said, there's evidence that each of these campaigns was successful.
"The reason for this, historically, was that looking back on the wars in U.S. history, there had been a spike in STD infections in every war," Anderson said. "And there is evidence in their own files and elsewhere that they were successful in decreasing the rate of infections amongst troops in both wars."
Were the campaigns successful over time? Anderson said that's a potential research project in the offing. But one thing is for certain: There are plenty of materials to draw from in the archives.
Said Anderson: "The reality is that there are still STD infections, STDs are still a public health issue. Prostitution and human trafficking are still serious issues. But that doesn't mean that a particular campaign hasn't been successful."
The American Social Health Association, which started in 1914,
The Land Grant Agricultural College Act — known as the Morrill Act and signed by President Lincoln in 1862 — set aside public lands, the sale of which were used to fund public colleges to "promote the liberal and practical education of the industrial classes."
The Act and subsequent funds from the land grand helped save the then-struggling University of Minnesota, which for several reasons, including financial debt, closed a few years after it was chartered in 1851.
"The Morrill Act came at a time when the University [of Minnesota] was in dire straits," said University Archivist Erik Moore, co-curator of the exhibit, "For the Common Good," now on display at the U's Elmer L. Andersen Library. "The University had closed after a short opening as a preparatory department."
Moore added that the University was hit hard by the 1857 financial panic and was in debt after the construction of its first building, then called the Main Building. Morrill Act, Legislature helped save the U Soon, however, the Morrill Act, coupled with action by the Minnesota Legislature, helped save the University.
"The state Legislature, in 1864, brought together a three-member Board of Regents," said Assistant Archivist Erin George, co-curator of the exhibit. "And their task was to get the University out of its deep indebtedness."
Led by John Sargent Pillsbury, the Board completed its work, and the University, by the late 1860s, prepared to re-open, with the land-grant mission prominent in its plans. By 1869, the University's first president, William Watts Folwell, had been hired, the preparatory department was re-opened, and plans were underway to open University colleges with those in agriculture and mechanic arts garnering special attention along with instruction in military tactics.
This early and turbulent time is documented in the exhibit, "For the Common Good." The exhibit is based on material from the collections of the University of Minnesota Archives, and it examines the ongoing question: How has the University sought to fulfill its role as a "land grant" university. More information "For the Common Good" is on display at the Andersen Library's Atrium Gallery through Nov. 30, 2012. For more information, contact the University of Minnesota Archives at 612-624-0562.
View a map of Andersen location U of M Archives and Special Collections
The new Natural Resources Library, which opened in June, celebrated Oct. 10 with a grand opening event. The new librarysaves $130,000 annually in operating costs through consolidating collections in the former Forestry and Entomology, Fisheries, and Wildlife libraries.
The project also responded to changes in how scholars use library resources by tapping digital technologies to enhance the on-site collection and through the popular Get It delivery system. The Natural Resources Library, located in Hodson Hall on the St. Paul campus, also better supports interdisciplinary efforts and meets the demand for more study space on campus through the re-use of the former Forestry Library. New library a hit with students "It's got a lot of windows -- it's just a really nice place to study," said Joe Kaser, a graduate student in the entomology program. "And because of the delivery system, I can always find what I'm looking for."
"It fits in well with my program," said Gretchen Wilbrandt, a Ph.D. student in the entomology program. "It has all of the necessary resources, as well as inter-library loan to get everything I need."
"The staff are really helpful," said Hannah Specht, a graduate student in the fisheries, wildlife, and conservation biology program. Specht said she often checks out master's and Ph.D. theses related to her area of study. "I'm in this library a few times a week. I really enjoy having big windows to work next to." Budget cuts and changes in library use prompted consolidation Philip Herold, the research and learning director for agricultural, biological, and environmental sciences at the University of Minnesota, said that the new library represents a consolidation of the Forestry Library and the Entomology, Fisheries, and Wildlife Library.
"One of the main drivers was budgetary," Herold said. "We looked at different areas where we could make reductions. [And] the nature of the use of the library was changing over time. Fewer people were coming in to use the collections. And many of the collections were being made available electronically."
The new Natural Resources Library houses high-use materials from the Forestry and Entomology, Fisheries, and Wildlife collections. Low-use print materials (many of which are available electronically) were transferred to the Magrath Library or other Libraries' facilities. Students and faculty will continue to have access to the same breadth and depth of content as before, either by visiting Magrath Library or using the Get It delivery service.
Herold said that he believes the new library is generating increased use.
"I guess the general word on the street is that it's a nice place to come and to work and to study."
More about the Natural Resources Library
About Operational Excellence Colleges, departments, and units around the University are working to reduce costs while enhancing services as part of the U's commitment to Operational Excellence.
Learn more and contribute your ideas at Excellence.umn.edu