From the Archivist
Occasional posts related to University history
Latest Blog Posts
U Libraries receives $108,000 for Minnesota Landscapes
Minnesota Landscapes: Documenting Environmental History through Archival Sources is a year-long project to examine and describe archival collections related to Minnesota’s environmental history and climate.
In case of rain
In June 1968, attendees of the commencement ceremony had to run for cover due to severe weather. Learn how University Archives staff reconstructed the events from historical documents and newspaper clippings.
Women on the Air: Cokie Roberts
On September 17, 2019, award-winning broadcaster, journalist, and author Cokie Roberts passed away at the age of 75. In her memory, on this episode, we’ll share a recording of the speech that Roberts gave at the University of Minnesota Law School Commencement Exercises, held on Saturday, May 9, 1992 at Northrop Auditorium.
1970 Student Strike–50 Years Later
Throughout the spring of 1970, tensions were high among students and the campus community at the University of Minnesota in regards to the United States' military efforts, which ignited student strikes across the nation, including the University of Minnesota. Now fifty years later, we look back on the history of the student strike and the impact it had on campus.
Latest News from the Libraries
Is Makerspace my space?
In the bright, yet somewhat austere environment of the Health Sciences Education Center, the Health Sciences Library Makerspace stands out, with colorful displays in its windows and — inside its doors — intriguing tools, 3D printers, and plenty of tables to spread out a project. This space — its equipment, its whimsical approach, and its meaningful outcomes — is meant for everyone connected to the U who wishes to explore their craft skills and their creativity.
Drawn to health: Bodies and medicine in popular visual culture
“Drawn to Health: Bodies and Medicine in Popular Visual Culture” explores the historical and contemporary use of visual narratives to communicate about health, featuring collections held at both the Wangensteen Historical Library and the Children’s Literature Research Collections. Visit this exhibit now through December 29, 2022.
Banning books threatens freedom
Renowned for its breadth and depth of works by children’s book authors and illustrators, The Kerlan Collection of Children’s Literature mirrors the issues of its times. So when Kerlan curator Lisa Von Drasek was asked, “Does the Kerlan have any banned books?” she responded: “Of course we do!” Von Drasek adds: “The number one category of banned books is LGBTQ and sex education books.”