Digital Collections

This post was written by Sarah Severson, Digital Initiatives Project Librarian This is a 3-part series on the Digitization of SEE Magazine and VUE Weekly. This post is an overview of the project, which answers the question: “How?”  In the coming weeks, we’ll post a short history & timeline of the publications (the “What”), and close out with a collection of personal memories and discuss the research potential of collections like these…

Among many commemorative titles including Blueberry Month and International Zine Month, July is also anti-boredom month. When you work at a library there are endless amounts of resources to pour over when you need a brain break. Oftentimes during quiet periods at the desk, I like to poke around in the collections our digitization team have made available through Internet Archive. We’ve examined the process of digitization in a previous blog post,…

Those who make regular use of UAlberta Library’s online repository of video and audio materials might have noticed that the interface looks different. That change is Aviary, which takes the place of our former platform ERA A+V. Aside from the updated look, Aviary has several useful features like automated captioning tools, improved object discoverability, the ability to include supplemental files and more. Like ERA A+V it supports Open Access sharing of the…

Here at U of A Library, we have a Digitization program that makes digital copies of physical materials, with research, teaching, and long-term access in mind.  All digitized material is available for public viewing at no cost. While we do handle some one-off requests, much of our work is in large-scale digitization projects.  These are big logistical undertakings! Here’s a bit of information about how we do it, interspersed with some cool…

U of A Library has completed a digitization project, which made the entire run of Alberta Street News‘ archives available to read online.  Known at its 2003 inception as Edmonton Street News, and later renamed Alberta Street News in 2011, the newspaper is sold by vendors on the streets of Edmonton and Calgary. It features writing by folks experiencing homelessness, and gives a voice to these perspectives, especially on topics related to…

For those of us interested in learning more about an aspect of history, primary sources are invaluable to understanding past societies and events. If you’re unfamiliar with the term, a primary source is a document, image, map, object or information source contemporary to an era or event. They offer a window into various historical periods by capturing aspects them as expressed by those living through them – not unlike a time machine.…

As a music lover, I have always cherished the many resources the library provides for those who want to learn more about different musicians and genres. In addition to musical scores, the library subscribes to many streaming databases and has an extensive collection of CDs and LP vinyl that you can request and put on hold with your OneCard. As it is Black History Month, I sat down with Lucinda Johnston, our…

The University of Alberta Library subscribes to numerous databases that are core for certain disciplines, but also really deserving of wider attention. Here is one of those gems in honour of Black History Month… AllAfrica.com is best described in their own words as, “a voice of, by and about Africa – aggregating, producing and distributing news and information from over 140 African news organizations and our own reporters to an African and…