Olson Graduate Assistant Acquisitions Project Every year, Special Collections hosts two Olson Graduate Assistants who have chosen to specialize in the field of Special Collections Librarianship or Archives for a two-year assistantship. These prestigious positions supplement knowledge gained in the classroom with experience gained from real-world application, balancing theory with practice. The H. John andContinue reading “Olson Graduate Assistant Acquisitions Project”
Author Archives: Elizabeth Riordan
Rare Recordings of Civil Rights Activists Available Now
Exciting news from University Archivist, David McCartney, about the incredible recordings found in the Eric Morton Civil Rights Papers. In 1963 and 1964, attorney Bob Zellner recorded a series of interviews with civil rights activists in Mississippi and Alabama. Zellner conducted the interviews on behalf of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) in an effortContinue reading “Rare Recordings of Civil Rights Activists Available Now”
Discovering the Rich World of the Encyclopedia
Encyclopedias. If you’re like me, then you haven’t really given them much thought. Growing up in pre-Google days, my family owned a 1988 set that was used and abused by my siblings and I, for both school reports and building forts, and they proved a go-to for school projects and reports in those early yearsContinue reading “Discovering the Rich World of the Encyclopedia”
A Special Goodbye from Hannah Hacker
My Favorite Things (a la Special Collections) by Hannah Hacker For the past two and a half years, I have had the honor to work as a graduate assistant at the University of Iowa Special Collections. I am thrilled about graduating from my Library Science and Book Arts program this semester, and I am excitedContinue reading “A Special Goodbye from Hannah Hacker”
Creating First-hand Experiences with Manuscript Open Houses
Below is a reflection from Micaela Terronez, Olson Graduate Assistant, on the “Manuscripts at Special Collections” open houses. Can I really touch it? One curious visitor asked this question in amazement as they gazed at one of the twenty-one visiting manuscripts from Les Enluminures, a gallery of unique text manuscripts with locations in New York,Continue reading “Creating First-hand Experiences with Manuscript Open Houses”
A look at Mary Shelley the Film
This Halloween season, Frankenstein is everywhere. And no wonder, for the book turned 200 this year and is overdue for a party. While the monster is everywhere, what about the woman who created the famous story? We’ve asked our own Frankenstein expert and Curator of Science Fiction and Popular Culture, Peter Balestrieri to review theContinue reading “A look at Mary Shelley the Film”
Stories Worth Telling: a talk with WWII Veteran Carroll Steinbeck
Driving along Highway 77, there is a small sign indicating the way to Rubio, Iowa. I nearly miss it, but catch the sign in time to make a sharp turn down what looks to be the main road in this town of 35 people. I pull into Carroll Steinbeck’s driveway. He’s waiting for me, announcingContinue reading “Stories Worth Telling: a talk with WWII Veteran Carroll Steinbeck”
Lessons from an Olson
The University of Iowa Libraries Special Collections is looking for the next Olson Graduate Research Assistant. If you are a graduate student, or an incoming graduate student, find out more here. However, you might be asking what does being the Olson Graduate Research Assistant actually mean? Well, who better to explain that then those with theContinue reading “Lessons from an Olson”
Reflections of UI’s Furry and Feathery Mascots
As we get ready to celebrate Herky’s 70th birthday, curator of the “Hatching Herky” exhibit, Chloe Waryan, looks back on her experiences and Iowa mascots of old. In the summer of 2018, I was fortunate enough to be awarded an internship at the University of Iowa Special Collections and University Archives in which I wasContinue reading “Reflections of UI’s Furry and Feathery Mascots”
Seth Torchia goes to Washington
Special Collections student worker Seth Torchia spent a fascinating summer interning at the National Archives. We are excited for Seth to have had this wonderful opportunity and asked him to share his experiences below. This summer, I interned at the National Archives assisting with the Lincoln Archives Digital Project. The Lincoln Archives Digital Project is aContinue reading “Seth Torchia goes to Washington”