News from @umnlib

This fall, the Performing Arts Archives welcomed the archives of Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Dominick Argento. The collection includes letters, score manuscripts, signed photographs, and several rare recordings — and illustrate the composer’s impressive creative output as well as his collaborative relationships with other Twin Cities musicians and musical groups.

Wendy Pradt Lougee — University Librarian, Dean of Libraries, and McKnight Presidential Professor — has announced her plans to retire later this year, after a successor is appointed. Lougee has led the University Libraries since June 2002 — overseeing and directing innovations that kept the Libraries in front of the immense and rapid transformation in how information is disseminated, consumed, and shared.

In all, 25,926 men and women served during World War I with the YMCA — in the United States and globally — caring for the mental, spiritual, and physical needs of the troops. Each person had a punch card laden with data, including name, gender, age, marital status, and more. The cards, part of the U's YMCA Archives, are being decoded through Zooinverse, a crowdsourcing platform, and they are a potential treasure trove for researchers.

Here's a New Year's Resolution for you: Read all of the books you can — and keep them as long as you want! You can find them at Ebooks Minnesota, a service from Minitex at the University of Minnesota. In this episode, Zach Miller talks about the benefits of Ebooks Minnesota — and plugs one of his favorite children's books, "What To Do With a Box."

Yao Chen supports researchers and students learning about East Asian regions and leads the development of the collections for the East Asian Library. Recently, Chen leveraged her expertise to help create a new course: “Environment, Technology, and Culture in Modern Japan.”

In December 1968, two U of M students brought a bucket of green paint into Wilson Library and started painting on one of the walls. When asked to explain their actions, the students presented a forged work order, and said they were “just doing what they were told.” No one stopped them from completing their unauthorized mural — and 50 years later, it's still here!

Lisa Von Drasek and Holly Weinkauf provided their annual list of Best Books for Kids last week on Minnesota Public Radio. In this post, Von Drasek, Curator of the University of Minnesota's children's literature collections, lists the books that were discussed and provides a link to hear an audio recording of the MPR program.

Take a look at the great GIFs created by the library student employees, Kaylee Morlan and Katie Minarsich, who selected several GIF-able images from the archives for the National Archives monthly hashtag party on Twitter. December's theme was #ArchivesGIFGiving — and the Wangensteen Historical Library of Biology and Medicine joined in the fun.  

Sherlock Holmes expert Tim Johnson recommends two books to give to Sherlock Holmes fans: About Sixty: Why Every Sherlock Holmes Story is the Best, and About Being a Sherlockian, both edited by Christopher Redmond. Johnson was a guest on Read This Book!, produced by the University of Minnesota Libraries and hosted by the U's Lisa Von Drasek.

Sara Evans, Regents Professor Emerita at the University of Minnesota, led a panel of powerful women, including Carolyn Chalmers, Lindsey Middlecamp, Simran Mishra, and Mariam Mohamed, that considered the rise of the #MeToo movement in historical context: What is its breadth and depth? Will it result in lasting cultural change?

Finals can be an especially stressful time of the semester. Take good care of yourself by using our hand-picked online tools and services that are available to students on campus. Brought to you with love by the Bio-Medical Library - now open 24/7 through finals.

Megan Kocher reviewed The Great Minnesota Cookie Book and Soo Fariista, a Somali American cookbook, on this installment of Read This Book from the University of Minnesota Libraries.

Music Librarian Jessica Abbazio recommends "American Music" by Annie Leibovitz as a book to give as a gift on this installment of Read This Book from the University of Minnesota Libraries.

The University Libraries offers "distraction-free" studying for finals that includes extended hours in our buildings, as well as stress-reducing activities. Use our spaces, our computers, our coffee shops, Chat 24/7 with a librarian and take a break with our awesome activities.

In her role as Music Librarian at the University of Minnesota Libraries, Jessica Abbazio benefits from all of her training in music history, teaching, and librarianship. She brings a deep understanding of the discipline and its various materials.