Here at the Digitization Centre we are fascinated and excited by the vast amount of primary-source material that our digitization work exposes us to. Whether a document of historic significance, a beautiful illustration, or even a particularly fine typeface, we are frequently amazed by the materials we’re working to share with the world. So much so, that not only will we crowd around to ogle a particularly interesting specimen, but we’ve started decorating our workplace with copies of some of our favorites. But why stop there? Surely, we can’t be the only ones geeky enough to appreciate such “gems” in our collections, and so we’ve decided to share them here with you. Below you will find some of our favorites, hand-picked by staff from both existing and upcoming collections. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do!
TIP: To view full resolution versions of the images on any size screen, click to view in Open Collections.
Celebrate Bike Month @ UBC!
Posted on Jun 15, 2016 by Alyssa Hamer
When the spirits are low, when the day appears dark, when work becomes monotonous, when hope hardly seems worth having, just mount a bicycle and go out for a spin down the road, without thought on anything but the ride you are taking – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Whether you’re 5 or 105, chances are you’ve […]
World Oceans Day 2016
Posted on Jun 08, 2016 by Alyssa Hamer
In recognition of World Oceans Day (June 8), we’re highlighting the unique ocean-related materials featured in Open Collections, as well as some of the important ocean research and advocacy work that takes place right here at UBC! One of the most prominent collections featuring sea life is our Traité Général des Pesches, a series of […]
Phase 3 of BC Sessional Papers Complete!
Posted on Jun 01, 2016 by Alyssa Hamer
Phase 3 of the British Columbia Sessional papers have been digitized, and extend the collection over a further twenty-year period, from 1912 to 1932. With the addition of these 664 new papers, the collection now totals 2409 items! The Sessional Papers are an annual collection of selected papers tabled in BC’s Legislative Council (1865-1871) and […]
Asian Heritage Month feature: Tairiku Nippō
Posted on May 24, 2016 by Alyssa Hamer
May is Asian Heritage Month in Canada, and in order to celebrate, today’s post will feature highlights from UBC Library’s collection of Japanese-Canadian newspaper, Tairiku Nippō (Continental Daily News). Published in Vancouver between 1907 and 1941 and written primarily in Japanese, the Tairiku Nippō acted as an important informational resource and community touchstone for Japanese […]
Out with the Old in with the New!
Posted on May 13, 2016 by Alexandra Kuskowski
Loyal blog readers (and you unloyal ones – you know who you are) it is time for a change in regime. Every week for the past year I have been bringing you the news from Digital Initiatives. Next week you will be getting a new coop student, Alyssa, bringing the best behind the scenes look […]
A Peak Behind the Curtain
Posted on May 06, 2016 by Alexandra Kuskowski
This week we have a quick peak at the behind the scenes stuff we do here at Digital Initiatives. Some of these images are new and some are a bit older, but all give a fun look at the secret stuff that happens to get the content you see online! Scroll to the bottom to […]
Get Wilde with our Digitized Content
Posted on Apr 28, 2016 by Alexandra Kuskowski
Way back in January UBC Library scored a rare book coup, acquiring two exceptional examples of early gay literature that share a connection with famed Victorian writer Oscar Wilde. Teleny and its prequel, Des Grieux, were first published in the 1890s. It’s long been suspected, but never confirmed, that Wilde may have authored or contributed […]
Nanitch Exhibition & Open Collections: See Early Photos of BC online
Posted on Apr 13, 2016 by Alexandra Kuskowski
We are pleased to announce the newest exhibition NANITCH: Early Photographs of British Columbia from the Langmann Collection. Here at Digital Initiatives the Langmann Collection is one of our most popular collections, one that we love to share! The exhibition is a collaboration between the UBC Library and the Presentation House – and a chance for […]
Discovering the secrets of API
Posted on Apr 07, 2016 by Alexandra Kuskowski
One of the most intriguing parts of Open Collections is the API search function. API, Application Programming Interface, is a set of defined tools that people use to communicate with a software system. Basically this translates to asking a data program questions in computerese* – and getting back defined answers on that data that a […]
Bibliophilia
Posted on Mar 21, 2016 by Alexandra Kuskowski
We’ve got another new (but actually really really old) addition to our digital collection. We’re excited to share that we have digitized a rare Latin Bible from the 13th century! You can check it out in out Western Manuscripts collection where many of our oldest books live. This Bible is an amazing addition to our […]
