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.
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.
Asian Heritage Month 2026 – Asian Canadian Collections Round-Up!
Posted on May 14, 2026 by Katrina Yaskowich
In honour of Asian Heritage Month, we are rounding up 6 of our best collections that tell the stories of Asian Canadians in Canada and beyond. Over the years Open Collections has digitized multiple collections that deserve to be highlighted.
Punjabi Patrika : Local Newspapers as Windows into the Past
Posted on Apr 30, 2026 by Minghui Zhou
Local newspapers show what life was like at the time. They report on everyday events and issues, showing what people cared about. Ads and editorials reveal social values, the economy, and popular trends. They also reflect the opinions and biases of the people who wrote and read them, while showing how communities changed over time. […]
Tracing the History of Sandon Ghost Town through UBC’s Open Collections
Posted on Apr 16, 2026 by Minghui Zhou
Have you heard of Sandon, a historic former silver mining town, now known as a ghost town? If you’re traveling through the Kootenay region these days, it’s definitely one of the most popular heritage tourism sites to visit. As you set out on a scenic wilderness drive, winding along a rugged and twisting road, you’ll […]
Around the World with Canadian Pacific Railway Travel
Posted on Apr 01, 2026 by Minghui Zhou
Travelling and tourism are prominent topics in the Chung Collection. The collection contains more than 10,000 archival items, including documents, photographs, books, and other artifacts. Many of these materials relate to travel through the Canadian Pacific Railway Company and offer fascinating glimpses into British Columbia’s history. They reveal traces of the province’s early commercial and […]
New Westminster: Buildings That Endure and Those That Vanished
Posted on Nov 19, 2025 by Minghui Zhou
If you love exploring historic photographs and imagining the stories behind them, you may have noticed that information about old images is often scarce, and much of what we know may survive only in local archives or through community memory. Yet, these photographs remain powerful windows into the past, inviting us to rediscover forgotten stories. […]