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.
Cats in Stacks
Posted on Jan 12, 2017 by kristina mcguirk
A recent article from the American Library Association reported on the decline of library cats. A documentary 20 years ago cited 201 cats living the dream in American libraries, including such famous felines as Dewey and Browser. However, a recount in 2016 found only 39 library cats. While the Digitization Centre certainly can’t have a pet on the premises (that hair […]
Happy Holidays!
Posted on Dec 21, 2016 by Alyssa Hamer
Other than the colder weather, the long, dark days of December, and an exponential increase in the consumption of peppermint mochas, a sure sign of the impending Christmas holidays are the end of exams. With the stress of studying and final papers now passed, we thought it would be a great time to dig in […]
International Tea Day
Posted on Dec 14, 2016 by Alyssa Hamer
Tea is a universally beloved beverage, uniting us all across language, age and even social barriers. Whether you’re inclined to enjoy a strong cup of earl grey, or are more partial to a delicate green, tea binds our human experience. International Tea Day is celebrated annually on December 15. The history of tea reaches back […]
Explore Open Collections: Traité Général des Pesches
Posted on Dec 06, 2016 by Alyssa Hamer
The General Treaty of Fish, known in French as Traité général des pesches, was written by Henri-Louis Duhamel du Monceau and Jean-Louis De La Marre between 1769 and 1782. It focuses largely on the boats, equipment and techniques of fishermen in France during the era, including fine details about various species of fish. The text […]
Explore Open Collections – The Klondike Gold Rush
Posted on Nov 30, 2016 by Alyssa Hamer
Within our BC Historical Books collection, there is a true gold mine of materials – literally! Several of the rare and unusual texts in this collection relate to the Klondike Gold Rush era, which ran from 1897 to 1899. Documenting the lives and livelihoods of the traders and prospectors who passed through Western Canada to […]
Movember
Posted on Nov 23, 2016 by Alyssa Hamer
Movember is more than just a chance to grow out some gnarly facial hair (despite what some men may tell you)– this annual event is intended to raise awareness of men’s health issues including prostate and testicular cancer as well as men’s depression and suicide. By calling attention to some of these matters, the hope […]
International Students’ Day
Posted on Nov 16, 2016 by Alyssa Hamer
International Students’ Day is celebrated annually on November 17. It is a day of both commemoration and celebration: a chance to recognize the 1939 Nazi German storming of Czech universities and the resulting arrests and deaths of hundreds of students; and a chance to celebrate and support the continued activism of student communities around the […]
Veterans’ Week 2016
Posted on Nov 09, 2016 by Alyssa Hamer
November 5-11 is National Veterans’ Week, and to commemorate the participation of Canadian men and women in wars and conflicts, both past and present, we’re digging in to Open Collections to highlight some of our collection items from the First and Second World Wars. Our WWI & WWII Poster Collection features posters, ephemera and broadsides […]
Explore Open Collections: Archibald Murchie Collection
Posted on Nov 02, 2016 by Alyssa Hamer
A number of our smaller collections here at UBC Library contain truly interesting and unique content that provides insightful historical perspective on early British Columbian history. Today we’re highlighting one such example: the Archibald Murchie Collection is made up of more than 50 photographs taken in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s by “B.C.’s Evangelist […]
Celebrate Open – Impact Report 2015-2016
Posted on Oct 27, 2016 by Alyssa Hamer
It’s Open Access Week 2016, a chance to celebrate practices that promote Open Access, Open Data and Open Education. This year’s theme is “Open in Action”, an opportunity to highlight key activities that the academic and scholarly community is taking to support and expand open access initiatives. Here at the Digitization Centre we are proud […]
