Collections

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…

Sound the horns, bang the drums, and break out those exquisitely well-choreographed dance moves. The Winter 2022 semester is over…now what? Give your brain a well-deserved break with some enjoyable read recommendations from our University of Alberta Library Staff. Some items are in our catalogue, others are held by our friends at Edmonton Public Library (EPL). For those in our U of A community who do not have an EPL card, fear…

This Friday, April 22, is Earth Day. It is a chance for us to reflect on the planet we occupy and explore the ways we can lessen our impact on it. There are no limits to the wonders of nature. Underground, underwater, in the air, amidst the trees, miraculous organisms adapt and thrive through a host of survival strategies; not to mention the relationships they forge with other creatures they share 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…

Longer days, melting snow and the end of this long… long winter gives a huge boost to our wellbeing. However… if puddle jumping and sunlight are not giving you joy this year, it could be due to stress. As we head into the final few weeks of term, exams and deadlines all add to the pressure. We have all experienced stress (especially these past two years) and have a few ideas that…

Students and staff use the library on the daily, in person and online. This is how…  Since 2016 Chris Chang-Yen Phillips has been the host of  Let’s Find Out a podcast which began as a deep dive into our local history.  More recently, Chris has been sharing the ins and outs of his research journey as he pursues a Master of Arts in History at the University of Alberta. I had the…

Previously relegated to the realm of gay underground publications, queer “comix” and graphic novels have come a long way over the past 6 decades. Early creators used pseudonyms to protect their identities to avoid putting themselves at risk during a time when they could be criminally prosecuted. LGBTQ activity was considered a crime in Canada until 1969, when Bill C-150 was passed into law. Depictions of gay sexuality were considered “obscene” back…

Our Rutherford Library is the proud home of the University of Alberta Library’s Education Collection. As the U of A celebrates another wonderful Pride Week, now is a fantastic time to highlight some spectacular LGBTQ2S+ Education Resources. We reached out to Kim Frail, Education & Arts Librarian extraordinaire, for her favourite recommendations and received this fantastic trove of information and goodies! LGBTQ2S+ Issues in Education Subject Guide Our library subject guides are…

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.…