University Libraries

UK scholar Katharina Rietzler found more than she'd planned on at UI Libraries. The Linda and Richard Kerber Travel Fund made a second research trip possible.

The following is written by Museum Studies Intern Joy Curry If medieval scribes knew one thing, it was the importance of fancy letters. Surviving manuscripts are decorated with gold, filigree, intricate paintings, and more methods to make the words as beautiful as possible. One type of decoration […]

Visit Hardin Library’s new exhibit on the third floor to explore how home remedies developed into pharmacology. Starting with folks in the 16th–19th centuries, whose ailment treatments came from a trusted authority figure and consisted of any number of substances applied in any number of ways, […]

We are pleased to announce the launch of Our Rightful Place in collaboration with the University of Iowa Libraries Iowa Women’s Archives. This digital collection of oral history interviews, data visualizations, archival stories, and more celebrates the history of women in Iowa politics. This […]

The University of Iowa Libraries honored two staff members with new awards in spring 2025. The recipients were selected by a committee, which reviewed nominations submitted by Libraries colleagues, and recognized during an awards reception. Kevin StoreyDistinguished Service Award As a collections […]

Elizabeth Riordan has been named the 2024 recipient of the Arthur Benton University Librarian’s Award for Excellence in recognition of her commitment to student and faculty success, elevating the visibility of distinctive collections, and helping people of all ages connect with the University of […]

Inside the University of Iowa Libraries is your look behind-the-scenes to meet the people and discover the stories making our organization unique and valuable. From cutting-edge databases to rare books, join us to explore a world of research, preservation, and discovery that fosters student success […]

This Women’s History Month, the John Martin Rare Book Room  highlights a book from the pioneering 19th-century Dutch physician and activist Aletta Jacobs. Born in 1854 in the Netherlands, Jacobs chafed at the status quo and the limited educational opportunities for women in the Netherlands. […]

The University of Iowa Libraries offers students from the School of Library and Information Science (SLIS) a unique opportunity to develop their skills and passion through student employment and practicums. Eleanor Ball is one of these students and she stands out through her many positive […]

We are saddened by the news of Pamela Spitzmueller passing on March 13, 2025. Pam was the University of Iowa Libraries’ second conservator, serving from 1989–1999. After leaving Iowa, Pam was the chief conservator for Special Collections in the Harvard University and College Libraries where she […]

The following is written by Museum Studies Intern Joy Curry. This 14th-century book of hours may be tiny, but it is jam-packed with beasts, ranging from fish to lions to feathered dragons. It’s a marvel that so much of the art has survived, especially since the book is missing 19 miniatures. […]

This year’s Engineering Open was our biggest yet. There were14 fairways, 83 people on participating build teams, and over 200 attendees!  2025 Winners  Grand Prize: Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty/Graduate Students  2nd Place: Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Undergraduates […]

We are happy to welcome Isabel Cazares as our new instruction and outreach librarian. In this position, Isabel will be working with both the University of Iowa Libraries and the Stanley Museum of Art to increase visibility and usability of our deep and distinctive art collections through […]

Reil, was an 18th-century medical multihyphenate: physician-anatomist-physiologist. He was also the first true psychiatrist by virtue of coining the term “psychiatry” (or “psychiatrie” in German). His contributions to anatomy include the first description of the arcuate fasciculus in […]

The following is written by Olson Graduate Research Assistant, Kaylee Swinford. Corita Kent was an American artist, educator, activist, and former religious sister. With a rebellious spirit, Corita was a pioneering designer, who produced a body of work for over three decades combining themes of […]

Inside the University of Iowa Libraries is your look behind-the-scenes to meet the people and discover the stories making our organization unique and valuable. From cutting-edge databases to rare books, join us to explore a world of research, preservation, and discovery that fosters student success […]

We are saddened to announce the Feb. 15, 2025, passing of Frank Paluka, former director of Special Collections at the University of Iowa Libraries. Frank joined Special Collections in 1961, becoming the head of the department in 1962. He remained in this position until March of 1986. Under […]

The following is written by museum intern student Joy Curry. Valentine’s Day is, among other things, a common time to give and receive flowers. If you visited a florist this last holiday, you might have seen some explanations on what flowers mean. You may have heard of the symbolism attached to […]

Are you concerned about lowering students’ textbook costs? Do you wish you could develop your own course resources to enhance your teaching? If so, you might consider applying for the OpenHawks grant program at the University of Iowa.  Over the last several years, OpenHawks has funded over […]

The annual John Martin Rare Book Room (JMRBR) open house will be on Thursday, April 24, 2025. All are invited to drop in from 5:30 to 8 p.m. to tour the space and explore staples of the JMRBR collection. There will also be special materials on display, such as John Gerard’s The herball and […]