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.
Hijinks of BC Newspapers Uncovered
Posted on Aug 07, 2015 by Alexandra Kuskowski
BC Historical Newspapers is one of Digital Initiative’s largest and most popular collections—and for good reason! A treasure trove of information is to be discovered within them. With over 24 different papers published from 1887-1911, there is a lot to choose from. The news then wasn’t so much a bulletin of events, but rather a […]
Percy Broughton Journals: A Mysterious Missionary Revealed
Posted on Jul 31, 2015 by Alexandra Kuskowski
What might drive a man to eat his own coat? The answer can be found in the newly digitized journal of Percy Broughton, an Anglican missionary. The journal itself originates from the Museum of Anthropology (MOA) and the digitization is a joint project filed under Special Projects with Digital Initiatives. Broughton, a missionary whom we […]
Free: Love, Peace & Posters Circa 1968-1973
Posted on Jul 24, 2015 by Alexandra Kuskowski
Posters are meant to grab your undivided attention. The colors, the pictures, and the words are all arranged for maximum shock value. Few posters demonstrate the arresting perfection of the medium better than the eye-catching Berkeley 1968-1973 Poster Collection. The 250 posters, from UBC’s Rare Books and Special Collections, are a small but insightful slice […]
What’s on Deck: Art, Poetry, and the Oldest Literary Magazine in Western Canada
Posted on Jul 17, 2015 by Alexandra Kuskowski
This week we’re exploring one of our most exciting projects and developing partnerships right now –the digitization of PRISM international! PRISM international one of the oldest literary magazines published here in Vancouver by the Creative Writing Program at UBC. A quarterly magazine established way back in 1959, PRISM’s goal, as stated on their website, is to “publish […]
Discover Lost Ancient Egyptian Papyri!
Posted on Jul 10, 2015 by Alexandra Kuskowski
Maybe you’ve heard the buzz here. Maybe you’ve got a hankering for learning a little more about ancient dinner invitations or old papyri from Egypt- either way you’ve come to the right place! This week’s blog is all about the newly digitized ancient artifacts up on our website right now! The two ancient papyri pieces, […]
UBC Library @ 100 : King John and the Digital Archives Adventure
Posted on Jul 03, 2015 by Alexandra Kuskowski
UBC library is turning 100 this year! To celebrate we’re going deep into the archives- the digital archives. Learn a little more about the history of the library, specifically UBC’s first librarian John Ridington, through the magic of UBC Archives Photograph Collections! Don’t worry, he’s a pretty interesting dude. You can even visit his room […]
How We Digitize: Manuscript Makeover
Posted on Jun 24, 2015 by Alexandra Kuskowski
One of our oldest books, the Logroño Antiphonary, is getting a digital restyling! Part of the Western Manuscripts collection from Rare Books and Special Collections, the Logroño Antiphonary*, known more commonly as the Spanish Chant Manuscripts, is a gorgeous collection of Gregorian chants, hymns and psalms complied by the Catholic church in Logroño, Spain. The text […]
How We Digitize: Audio Edition!
Posted on Jun 17, 2015 by Alexandra Kuskowski
Every blog reader loves an inside scoop. Here is a heads-up on one of our upcoming projects! The UBC Library Digitization Centre and CiTR 101.9 FM, the Student Radio Society of the University of British Columbia, are at it again! We’ve got another collaborative project in the works, with support from the BC History Digitization Program […]
Sea Monsters, Maps & You
Posted on Jun 12, 2015 by Alexandra Kuskowski
Cartographers and mapmakers have been inspired since time began by the tall tales the slink out of the sea via mariners and shipwreck survivors. From giant man-eating whales, to mischievous mermaids, to indescribable monsters of another age, these beasts have crept into maps where they are least expected. Many were included to decorate maps and illustrate […]
Extra! Extra! New Uno Langmann Albums Online
Posted on Jun 03, 2015 by Alexandra Kuskowski
We’ve posted about the Uno Langmann BC Historical Photograph Collection before here, here, and here, but now we’ve got even more to talk about! Like, for example, this newly uploaded photo: In case you want a refresher (and to know where this photo originates) – The Uno Langmann BC Historical Photograph Collection, with over 18,000 […]
