News from @umnlib

The Wangensteen Historical Library of Biology and Medicine (WHL) recently purchased the archival collection of Jesse “Jess” L. Klingman, a traveling salesman of medical equipment working in the upper Midwest before and during the Great Depression. Read about a summer intern's experience processing the archive.

Aug. 1, 2023, Champaign, IL — In partnership with six member university presses, the University Librarians of the Big Ten Academic Alliance announce the launch of the Big Ten Open Books project, a collaboration...

You are invited to attend the second annual Health Sciences Education Center Open House featuring the Health Sciences Library and Wangensteen Historical Library of Biology of Medicine on September 21 from 11:30 am - 1:30 pm. Join us for an afternoon of refreshments, engaging activities, and prizes as you learn more about our work to advance health education and practice at the University of Minnesota, as well as the work of our health sciences partners in the Center for Health Interprofessional Programs, M Simulation, and Health Sciences Classroom Services.

Merete Christianson may be new to the University of Minnesota Health Sciences Libraries, but she brings a wealth of knowledge about health sciences librarianship. Merete has deep expertise in evidence-based practice, critical appraisal of resources, and open access publishing. She also brings energy and excitement to her team of skilled colleagues who join her in meeting the information needs of the Medical School.

Jennie Burroughs and Lisa Von Drasek discuss "The Golden Enclaves" by Naomi Novik in this installment of Read This Book from the University of Minnesota Libraries.

Two new online health care databases will expand health care information for Minnesotans, training materials for future health care workers, while freeing up funds for libraries and nurse-training programs across the state, thanks to Minitex and funding from the Minnesota Legislature.

When Russia invaded Ukraine 16 months ago, a group of Fulbright photojournalists were caught in bloody fighting and destruction. Their photographs, currently on display in the Elmer L. Andersen Library, show war from the ground level, from a soldier packing her daughter’s suitcase to a man surrounded by bullet holes in his garage door. 

Divya Karan can’t dance and can’t sing — on key at least — but from Hindi and Urdu literature to social justice performing arts, she’s a patron of earnest creativity. It’s partly why she loves the Twin Cities. 

Kristen Mastel has always nurtured a love of plants, from digging in her mother’s and grandmother’s gardens to guiding forest therapy sessions. As the new librarian for the Andersen Horticultural Library, she’s taking the collection outdoors. 

José Antonio Zayas Cabán wants to humanize Minneapolis’ communities of color — to show that they’re just as worthy of investment as white communities — and after a nine-month fellowship with Mapping Prejudice, he’s more prepared than ever. 

Jean-Nickolaus Tretter wasn't just a collector and part-time hoarder. When other LGBTQ people couldn't speak out, he helped them find the words. Tretter, a native of Little Falls, Minnesota, dedicated his life to preserving LGBTQ history, from a charred book that survived the Third Reich, to full packets of rainbow Goldfish Crackers. Following his passing last December at 76, Tretter left behind over 40,000 items in the archives, making it one of the largest GLBT history collections in the country.

Poet Freya Manfred read from her latest book, “When I was Young and Old” during a June 15, 2023 event at the University of Minnesota's Elmer L. Andersen Library.

Jason Roy and Lisa Von Drasek discussed “The Vinyl Detective” on this installment of Read This Book from the University of Minnesota!

After two years of construction, the Ford W. and Amy Bell Room has a new home in the Elmer L. Andersen Library, and it’s magnifying the history of underrepresented peoples.

Growing up in Plymouth, Minnesota, Molly Hagen-Robare would spend hours in the library with her mom and sisters, wandering between the aisles, reading book after book, and going to story times. “I love libraries,” Hagen-Robare said. “I like that it's an open place for people to gather. I like that everything is free, and anyone can get access to books and open up their imagination and creativity.” 

On May 17, 1923, the University of Minnesota celebrated a significant milestone: the cornerstone was laid for its new library building, then called simply “The Library.” Exactly 100 years later, current and former staff members — along with members of the University community — gathered to commemorate the anniversary.