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.
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 […]
More Digitization of BC Sessional Papers!
Posted on Mar 18, 2016 by Alexandra Kuskowski
Digitization of BC Sessional Papers, from 1933-1952,
is on its way. Phase 3 of Sessional Papers has been approved and digitization will start this summer! This phase will look at 41 bound volumes from the British Columbia Sessional Papers. It will increase our current collection by 19 years – and as an added bonus there […]
Transcription, Tradesmen, & Troublesome Murders: A Gold Rush Letters Blog
Posted on Mar 04, 2016 by Alexandra Kuskowski
The Royal Fisk Gold Rush Letters are collection of over 900 original manuscript letters from the Cariboo Gold Rush period, 1862-1868. Merchants in the Victoria area wrote the letters to Royal Fisk, a shipping agent in San Francisco, during the height and decline of the Cariboo Gold Rush. To transcribe the letters – hopefully making […]
