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.
Explore Open Collections: Rainbow Ranche Collection
Posted on Jan 30, 2018 by Paula Arasaki
The Rainbow Ranche Collection was donated to the Lake Country Museum and Archives by the family of James Goldie. James Goldie (1877-1971) was an owner and resident manager of Rainbow Ranche. Goldie was very engaged in the fruit industry, promoting the concept of central selling. For several years, he was part of the board for […]
A New Year Calls for a New Impact Report!
Posted on Jan 23, 2018 by eirian vining
We are pleased to present the Digitization Centre Impact and Activity Report for 2016-2017! This report highlights the Digitization Centre’s key projects, partnerships and user engagement trends for the 2016-2017 fiscal year. In 2016-2017, Open Collections accounted for 15% of the Library’s unique pageviews. That 15% totals 3.9 million pageviews on Open Collections alone! The […]
Slice of Life: Menus from the Chung Collection
Posted on Dec 05, 2017 by liz otero
The Chung Collection within Open Collections is known for its variety of photos and subjects. Recently, we took a journey through the menus within the collection- here are a few for your enjoyment: Does anyone know what the first a la carte menu item- “Chow Chow- 15” is? I’d be willing to try […]
Japanese Internment
Posted on Nov 28, 2017 by liz otero
Japanese Canadian Internment began after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 until 1949. Following the declaration of war on Japan, Japanese nationals and Canadian citizens of Japanese descent were forcibly removed from what was considered to be strategic, restricted coastal areas of British Columbia in 1942. Evacuees were first dispatched to temporary facilities at […]
Costumes in the Collections
Posted on Oct 26, 2017 by liz otero
It’s decidedly autumn here on the Vancouver campus of UBC. Chilly walks, a desire for soups, and some costume scheming are in the ether. If you’re looking for some inspiration, here are a few from Open Collections. (Pop)Culturally Appropriate, a clown from the Ubyssey: This photo from 1919 is a little far away, […]
Digital Humanities Summer Institute
Posted on Oct 17, 2017 by liz otero
DHSI – the Digital Humanities Summer Institute – is a humanities training program held every summer at the University of Victoria. Delivered over a week, each course is an intensive series of classes interspersed with colloquiums, unconferences, and other community-based events, and provides an ideal environment for influencing teaching, research, dissemination, creation, and preservation in […]
Happy Thanksgiving!
Posted on Oct 05, 2017 by liz otero
We hope you enjoy the long weekend, good food, and this tour through parties and Thanksgivings past in our collections: in 1888, the Regina Lodge in Vancouver was charging $4 to attend a Social Ball and Supper: Turkey was the thing by 1913, as Women’s Words of Western Canada encourages a poultry raising cottage industry: […]
In Memoriam
Posted on Sep 13, 2017 by liz otero
The documents in our collections contain concerns ranging from global to individual. While exploring the collections this week, I was struck by the obituaries, remembrances, and memorials— here is a selection. This Obituary from The Prospector (1896) is front page news, and followed by reports of gold fields in the Kootenays. Mrs. Ellison was remembered […]
Welcome Back!
Posted on Sep 05, 2017 by liz otero
Welcome back to campus, UBC! Don’t get stressed about moving into your dorm: Moving into the new Women’s Residence, 1956 Remember that there is always a way to solve an interpersonal problem: Photo of unidentified students, 1922 Be grateful that freshman no longer wear these: Freshmen wear dunce caps, 1938 While in lecture, take […]
Gems in Special Projects
Posted on Aug 24, 2017 by liz otero
The Digitization Centre’s work is housed online in Open Collections, with projects organized into collections. Occasionally, objects are digitized alone or in a small group, and these are placed in Special Projects—our own home for wayward items. Being a bit of a grab-bag, it is one of our favourite places to explore and gain insight […]
