Explore unique highlights from UBC’s Open Collections, as well as insights into the work of the Digitization Centre. From announcements of new projects and collections to behind-the-scenes looks at our digitization process, we share the stories and hidden gems that inspire us in our efforts to preserve and make accessible diverse materials.
New Collection: BC Dairy Historical Society
Posted on Sep 17, 2026 by Katrina Yaskowich
It’s been a productive year at the Digitization Centre and today we’re honoured to present the BC Dairy Historical Society collection. This digitized collection was compiled by the British Columbia Dairy History Society (BCDHS) to support its mandate to research, document, archive, and publish the history of British Columbia’s dairy industry. The collection includes records […]
Photo Preservation & National Save Your Photos Month!
Posted on Sep 03, 2026 by Katrina Yaskowich
Did you know that the month of September is National Save Your Photos Month? Since this topic is especially near and dear to our hearts, here are some examples of photo collections we are thankful to have in our collections. Stick around until the end for some tips on how to preserve your own personal […]
Celebrating 300,000 Items in Open Collections!
Posted on Aug 25, 2026 by Katrina Yaskowich
UBC Open Collections brings together locally created and managed digital content from the library’s open repositories: cIRcle, digitized collections, Explore Archives at UBC and UBC Borealis. The content digitized by us here at the UBC Digitization Centre began as material held at various UBC Library branches including Rare Books and Special Collections, the University Archives, […]
New Collection: The Democrat
Posted on Aug 20, 2026 by Katrina Yaskowich
This week we are pleased to announce that there is a new collection available on Open Collections! The Democrat was the official publication of the British Columbia New Democratic Party (NDP) from 1961 until 2014. It provided NDP members and other readers with news of party activities, information on a wide range of public policy […]
Crime, Cults, and Murder in Open Collections: Sources on Historical Crime
Posted on Aug 06, 2026 by Katrina Yaskowich
The staff at the Digitization Centre provide suggestions and insights into how researchers can learn more about historical crime in BC on UBC Open Collections. Whether you’re interested in crime, cults, legal records or Gold Rush era con-men, this blog post offers researchers a place to start looking when looking into the darker sides of BC’s history.
Teach Me How: Basic Advanced Searching
Posted on Jul 23, 2026 by Katrina Yaskowich
This week we are taking a dive into Open Collections to highlight more tips and tricks for doing research in UBC Open Collections. This blog post covers some more advanced search techniques, so if you have not already, we strongly recommend you check out our previous blog posts on how to search Open Collections. Example […]
The Periódico Unión Cívica Collection: From Dictatorship to Democracy in the Dominican Republic
Posted on Jul 09, 2026 by Katrina Yaskowich
Today we are highlighting a new and exciting collection on Open Collections. The Periódico Unión Cívica collection is a rare Spanish-language periodical that offers rich insights into the politics of the Dominican Republic in the immediate aftermath of the Rafael Trujillo dictatorship. Physical copies of this newspaper are also held at the National Archives of […]
Crane Library Part 2: Accessibility, Technology, and Innovation
Posted on Jun 25, 2026 by Katrina Yaskowich
This post explores multiple creative new technologies for the blind you can read about in Open Collections, some of which were developed by UBC students, professors, or alumni.
«Emigrante» Italian Migrant Stories: Memories and Secrets around the Table
Posted on Jun 11, 2026 by Katrina Yaskowich
An introduction to the new «Emigrante» collection on Open Collections
The Crane Library: The History of UBC’s Accessible Library for the Blind
Posted on May 28, 2026 by Katrina Yaskowich
This week in advance of National AccessAbility Week 2026, we are taking a dive into Open Collections to trace the history of the Crane Memorial Library, UBC’s library for the blind and partially sighted – and the remarkable people who made it happen.