Library news

“Bauhaus, Design, and the Livable Anthropocene” celebrates the innovative approach to design and architecture developed at the Bauhaus School, founded in Weimar, Germany, in 1919. The aim is to reflect on the historical impact of this approach, and explore its potential for addressing the design challenges of the Anthropocene. The bau1haus photographs by Jean Molitor, brought to UVic by the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany Vancouver, present an exceptionally beautiful record of modernist buildings from around the world. The Exhibit is accompanied by an inter-disciplinary colloquium.

In December 2019, just before our world shifted dramatically due to the COVID-19 pandemic, UVic Libraries acquired the archives of noted Victoria writer Eve Joseph. UVic Libraries is pleased to announce the Eve Joseph archives are now open for research and scholarship.

Launched in October 2020, Glimpses into Chinese Immigration history in Canada: The New Republic (1911?-1984) and the World Journal Vancouver (1991-2016) is a digital exhibition of selected articles, video interviews, historical photos, and documents. All content has been transcribed and translated into English to reach a broader audience.

Hermit priest, environmentalist, spiritual teacher, and prominent bookbinder, Father Charles Brandt leaves behind many enduring legacies following his death on October 25, 2020, at the age of 97. Among them is his bequest to the University of Victoria Libraries of equipment, tools, and materials from his Hermitage’s conservation lab and bindery, located on the Oyster River at Black Creek on Vancouver Island.

"Initially, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from this project," says UVic Humanities student Kästle Van Der Meer. "It was my first opportunity to work side by side with the relative of a survivor, so I was very excited. At the same time, I was nervous about conveying their story, because telling your own story is easy, but it is a huge responsibility to speak about someone else’s life using your own words."

"Working with Micha on this project has been an absolutely amazing experience, " says UVic Humanities student Linnet Chappelka. "I am so thankful to him for sharing with me so much of his personal history, and of his own experiences of the Holocaust. Often in my work it feels so isolated, and it’s a struggle to see the importance of the work. Collaborating with Micha has shown me the effect my work can have."

Work study student Paula Raimondi Cantú talks to Reconciliation Librarian Ry Moran about approaches to decolonizing our classrooms. Cantu writes: "As students and community members settled on the unceded Coast Salish territory of the Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples, it’s our obligation to challenge colonizing structures and educate ourselves about the importance of memory and Indigenous knowledge in the path towards reconciliation. Through decolonization, we can start addressing the barriers Indigenous members of our community face, and starting in our classrooms."

While the name Elizabeth Friedlander may be unfamiliar today, it is likely many readers will have encountered her designs, which were influential in British book production over the course of the 20th century. A talented calligrapher, typographer, and graphic designer, Elizabeth Friedlander (1903-1984) designed borders for Monotype and Linotype, Penguin Books, and pattern papers for the Curwen Press, which can be found on many bookshelves. starting in our classrooms."

Read about a day in the life of Librarian Dean Seeman: "It’s also very easy to get lost in minutiae when dealing with metadata and standards. But when I walk into the library and through the stacks, I don’t see books but instead I see people, places, events, material objects, and ideas in conversation with each other. I see the role of metadata to reveal those conversations so that people and machines can also enter into that realm, discover each other, and enter that conversation."

On behalf of all of us at UVic Libraries, we wish to offer our condolences and concern to the families, staff, and communities affected by the horrific incident at the Lynn Valley Public Library. We recognize the important front line role that library staff play and the essential part that libraries play in their communities. Our thoughts are with all those affected in this time of healing.

Although scrapbooking has a long history, the term “scrapbook” was first used in the nineteenth century. The activity became highly accessible during the Victorian era; as printing technologies improved, ephemeral print materials became more widely circulated. People began cutting these materials up and gluing them into what would become personally meaningful books. The pastime was enjoyed by many people, regardless of age, gender, vocation, or socioeconomic status.

In partnership with the UVSS and over 15 campus partners, The Office of Student Life presents UVic's 7th annual Wellness Week. This year, with many of us isolating and disconnected from our normal support systems, building community and supporting wellness is more important than ever. Our theme for 2021 is ‘Pathways to Wellness’. From January 18-22 we will explore five different ways to support individual and community wellbeing through virtual, passive and active workshops, activities, events and discussions. On Monday, we will explore how to build, support and maintain community wellbeing. Tuesday offers an opportunity to reflect on our Emotional Wellbeing during this unsure time. Wednesday centers around Spiritual Wellbeing, as we explore meditation, mindfulness and visioning from an anti-oppressive and equity-based lens. On Thursday, we focus on Physical Wellness, supporting each of us to feel good in our bodies. Finally, on Friday we take a look at how we can support our academic and intellectual wellbeing as students, faculty and staff. Although we may be physically distanced, this week reminds us we can still find points of connection and community building.

In looking forward, we are embarking on an exciting journey. Initiatives being imagined within the Libraries will help realize many of the important Calls to Action issued by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Library support to the newly established Indigenous Law program is a fantastic example of the work that lies ahead. Complex questions need be explored as we collectively embrace the vital role Indigenous legal traditions will play in furthering this country’s journey of establishing respectful relationships.

Read about a day in the life of Librarian Christine Walde: "Being the first Grants and Awards Librarian allows other libraries, librarians and institutions —as well as students, faculty, and the larger community —to gain a deeper understanding of the competencies of my role, while providing insight and opportunities in the new ways that they might evolve to collaborate and align with them."

UVic Libraries recently launched the Decolonization Reading Groups, an initiative from the Libraries’ Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, spearheaded by former co-chair, Carmen Craig. The reading groups were inspired by the reading groups at Camosun College and the good work they have been doing towards decolonizing and indigenizing their institution.

Read about a day in the life of Librarian Michael Lines: ”I’m very comfortable staying home most of the time except for a good hike in a nearby park every couple of days. I usually go with my son, who I’ve enjoyed spending extra time with in this period. I’ve saved a lot on gas!"

Read about a day in the life of Librarian Aditi Gupta: "The members of the engineering and science faculties are very engaged in trying to align their research to address issues related to COVID-19. At the moment, I’m providing support to researchers who are writing grants or require valuable information resources for their research related or unrelated to COVID-19. I am currently part of a team from engineering and science that has submitted an innovative proposal to secure funding from the recently announced NSERC Alliance COVID-19 grants."

Read about a day in the life of Librarian Bill Blair: "I would give them (students) the same advice that I was given when we began to work at home: Create a workspace where you study, do university work.."

Rolf and Nico Kamp are two brothers from the Netherlands who were hidden away by farmers in the countryside after the Nazi invasion until the Canadians liberated them in 1944. The brothers partnered with Israeli graphic novelist, Gilad Seliktar, to co-create a graphic novel that tells their remarkable childhood story for a new generation of students, in both Canada and abroad.

Read about a day in the life of Librarian Justin Harrison: "One graphic novel I would recommend would be The Extraordinary Adventures of Adele Blanc-Sec, a visually arresting mystery story written and illustrated by Jacques Tardi. Set in an atmospheric Belle Epoque Paris, it’s translated from the French, if you can find it, and it is about weird science and horror."