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Pest Management in an Archive
What is it, and why do we need it? As we begin making bigger and better changes for the archive, one major adjustment currently being worked on is the creation of a standardized Integrated Pest Management (IPM) policy. IPM is a program put in place in order to effectively protect archives from damaging insects. ForContinue reading “Pest Management in an Archive”
American Archives Month 2021
October is American Archives Month and institutions around the United States are gearing up to share their work throughout the month. The goal of the month is to raise public awareness about what archives are, what purpose they serve, and why they are important. Fun Facts about the FSU Archives FSU Special Collections & ArchivesContinue reading “American Archives Month 2021”
The Casual Dirac
The Paul A.M. Dirac Papers are a terrific source of information about the public, scholarly side of Paul Dirac: the lecturer, the genius mathematician, a theorist among theorists. However, in our eagerness to honor someone’s professional achievements, it’s easy to gloss over the rest of their personality, the private figure that coexists with the publicContinue reading “The Casual Dirac”
The Elmo TT-12F Document Camera and Special Collections Instruction
While the buzz of a classroom filled with excited discussion was somewhat lost in the move to a virtual space, this technology allowed us to share as much of the tactile experience of archives work as we could.
Back in the Classroom: Reflections on a Year of Remote Instructional Support
We are excited to apply the new skills we have developed over the past year of remote instruction to upcoming in-person or virtual sessions, as well as continue to develop more activities to introduce and support primary source literacy at FSU and beyond.
Korean Movable Type: A Mini-History
Most scholars credit China with the conception of printing. The oldest surviving printed book, The Diamond Sutra, dates back to 868 AD. For reference, Gutenberg’s bible was printed in 1455. Fast forward a century from the Diamond Sutra and we meet Bi Sheng who was the first person to create movable type between 1039 andContinue reading “Korean Movable Type: A Mini-History”
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
This is a crosspost, click here to see the original by Kyung Kim. We are celebrating Asian and Pacific American Heritage this month. Congress proclaimed a week of May in 1979 as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week, and in 1992, it designated May as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month. The month of May was chosen to commemorate the firstContinue reading “Asian Pacific American Heritage Month”
Library History at FSU, Part 9: John and Mable Ringling Art Library
Governance of the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art was given to FSU in 2000. The University oversaw the restoration and renovation of all four buildings on the complex: the Ca d’Zan, the Museum of Art, the Circus Museum, and the Historic Asolo Theater. The Art Library was established with The Ringling’s reopening underContinue reading “Library History at FSU, Part 9: John and Mable Ringling Art Library”
Library History at FSU, Part 8: Library and Learning Center at FSU Panama City
In 1972, the University of West Florida was directed by the Florida Board of Regents to establish a center of higher education in Panama City. The center was originally located in the Bay County School Board Office Building and the Gulf Coast Community College campus. The library was housed in Gulf Coast Community College. InContinue reading “Library History at FSU, Part 8: Library and Learning Center at FSU Panama City”
MythBusters Month Wrap-Up
Throughout the month of April we shared some of the most commonly held misconceptions and myths about Special Collections & Archives, and then proceeded to debunk them. Here is a roundup of all our mythbusting posts in case you missed one. Welcome to Special Collections & Archives MythBusters Month! by Rachel Duke Rachel showed usContinue reading “MythBusters Month Wrap-Up”
Library History at FSU, Part 7: College of Engineering Library
The FAMU-FSU College of Engineering was established in 1982 and is the only shared engineering college in the nation. The facilities were remodelled in 2011. It is located less than three miles from both FSU and FAMU campuses. College of Engineering students at both FAMU and FSU learn together at the joint College of EngineeringContinue reading “Library History at FSU, Part 7: College of Engineering Library”
Everything but paper: what else does SCA collect?
A lot has been written about our rare books and manuscripts collections on this blog, but did you know SCA also collects all kinds of objects, art, and recording formats? Take a look to learn more about our non-paper collections.
University History and Mythology
As with any person, place, or institution of note, there are a multitude of myths that attach themselves to their histories through various avenues. They can range from fun anecdotes to harmful misrepresentations.
Do we just collect “Old Stuff”? Appraisal in Special Collections & Archives
While monetary value and current demand for a book are part of the criteria I review in assessing its appropriateness for FSU’s Rare Book Collections, it is just one facet in a web of related values that are considered.
Movie Myths: Busted!
We’ve all seen a movie or two that has a scene set in the Archives or a Special Collections Library. Movie magic can really show our work off well. The silver screen is notorious for exaggeration and over generalizing certain tasks and this is even true for the depictions of the world of Special CollectionsContinue reading “Movie Myths: Busted!”
“It’s all online, right?”: Myths of the Digital and the Archives
Among the many myths of the archives, the ones around digitization and digital libraries are perhaps the ones that can frustrate me the most. But then, I am a digital archivist so that will not surprise you. However, ever since archives started to digitize their materials and share them online, we’ve been battling these mythsContinue reading ““It’s all online, right?”: Myths of the Digital and the Archives”
Welcome to Special Collections & Archives MythBusters Month!
Throughout the month of April we’ll be debunking some of the most popular myths about our work, on our Illuminations blog and on FSU Libraries’ Twitter and Instagram. We invite you to join us on this SCA MythBusting journey!
Their Stories: Why Oral History Matters.
LGBTQ+ history has traditionally been passed down orally. Through stories, shared experiences, and even gossip, queer people have kept alive their art, colloquialisms, and their truth. Oral history is a huge component to understanding the queer experience (as for other cultures). However, it is a more modern development for institutions to note the value ofContinue reading “Their Stories: Why Oral History Matters.”
Library History at FSU, Part 6: Law Research Center
The College of Law Library opened alongside the College of Law in the fall of 1966 with a collection of 13,000 volumes. The college was located in Longmire Hall and included offices, the law library, and a shared auditorium. Construction began on a new classroom building for the College of Law and was completed inContinue reading “Library History at FSU, Part 6: Law Research Center”
Library History at FSU, Part 5: Maguire Medical Library
The FSU College of Medicine was created in 2000 by legislative mandate to educate and develop exemplary physicians who practice patient-centered health care, discover and advance knowledge, and are responsive to community needs, especially through service to elder, rural, minority, and underserved populations. It was granted provisional accreditation in 2002 and received full accreditation inContinue reading “Library History at FSU, Part 5: Maguire Medical Library”
Library History at FSU, Part 4: Allen Music Library
The Warren D. Allen Music Library at FSU is one of the major music libraries of the southeast and one of the oldest on our campus. It was founded alongside the College of Music in the early 1900s. Originally located in College Hall, the College of Music and its library were relocated in 1911 withContinue reading “Library History at FSU, Part 4: Allen Music Library”
Celebrating Black History Month 2021: A Retrospective
February is Black History Month and at FSU Special Collections & Archives, we are excited to share some of the black history featured in our work and found in the collections we care for. To kick off the month, we’d love to introduce you to Doby Lee Flowers, who won FSU’s Homecoming Queen in 1970,Continue reading “Celebrating Black History Month 2021: A Retrospective”
The Great Rare Books Bake Off Finale
As November comes to a close so does the FSU Special Collections & Archives Great Rare Books Bake Off. We have had a month full of mixing, baking, cooking, and exploring; our recipes ranged from cakes, cookies, meat pie, hot punch, soup, fish, mushrooms, and much more!
Hot Milk Sponge Cake
This is a guest post to Illuminations for the Great Rare Books Bake Off, by Denise Wetzel, STEM Research & Learning Librarian. “Ye Olde Baking Adventure” began by looking through various cookbooks from my family’s home in Schuylkill (pronounced SKOOL-kill) County, Pennsylvania. Even though I now live in Florida, and have been pretty much inContinue reading “Hot Milk Sponge Cake”
McClellan Family Molasses Cookies
This is a guest post to Illuminations for the Great Rare Books Bake Off by Emily McClellan. For five generations, my family has spent Thanksgiving at our family farm, making 100% cane syrup in our cane mill. It’s a fact I’ve hung my hat on my entire life, one that every single one of myContinue reading “McClellan Family Molasses Cookies”
Tasting History: A Modernized Recipe for Bizcochos de Chocolate
This is a guest post to Illuminations for the Great Rare Books Bake Off, by Dr. Tanya M. Peres, Associate Professor of Anthropology. Do you put together a cookie tray for the holidays? The first time I did was in 2003 with my good friend Kristin when I lived in Lexington, Kentucky. I’ve been makingContinue reading “Tasting History: A Modernized Recipe for Bizcochos de Chocolate”
FSU Special Collections & Archives Presents: The Great Rare Books Bake Off Dessert Week
Welcome to the final week of the FSU Special Collections & Archives Great Rare Books Bake Off! We saved the best for last, this week we will be sharing and attempting dessert recipes from our collection. Please visit our introduction post to find out how you can participate. An excellent source of inspiration for dessertsContinue reading “FSU Special Collections & Archives Presents: The Great Rare Books Bake Off Dessert Week”
Les Poissons & Louisiana Lagniappe
This is a guest contribution to Illuminations for The Great Rare Books Bake Off by Adam Beauchamp, Humanities Librarian at FSU Libraries. I love seafood. If it lives beneath the waves, I’m willing to fry it and try it. I grew up on the Great Lakes and then spent most of my adult life inContinue reading “Les Poissons & Louisiana Lagniappe”
“Venison” Pasty Adventure
This past weekend I went on my Rare Books Bake Off adventure and it was an adventure, believe you me. While my end product was yummy and made my apartment smell like the best of local British pubs, it wasn’t much of a looker and it was a journey to get it made. Here areContinue reading ““Venison” Pasty Adventure”
To Bake a Neates-Tongue, To Be Eaten Hot
A Neates Tongue is a beef tongue. Beef tongue is not a regular dish in my home, and a little more expensive than I thought, but it compared nicely to a pot-roast. Although the recipe is over 350 years old, the ingredients were easy to find and resulted in a delicious meal.
A Short Cut for (stewed) Mushrooms
The Compleat Cook was produced as a separate volume of culinary recipes alongside a larger collection of medicinal and confectionary recipes in 1655 entitled The Queens Closet Opened: Incomparable Secrets in Physic, Chirurgery, Preserving, Candying, and Cookery.
FSU Special Collections & Archives Presents: The Great Rare Books Bake Off Main Course and Sides Week
Welcome to the third week of the FSU Special Collections & Archives Great Rare Books Bake Off! This week we will be discussing oven temperatures and sharing main course and side dish recipes from our collection. Please visit our introduction post to find out how you can participate. The way oven temperatures have been describedContinue reading “FSU Special Collections & Archives Presents: The Great Rare Books Bake Off Main Course and Sides Week”
Paul Hollywood hates Mrs. Beeton’s Cheese Biscuits
There was a touch of disagreement in our house about what it means to “rub in” the cheese with the butter, which resulted in our recreation of one of our favorite scenes in Schitt’s Creek.
Pick a Gourd, any Gourd: Winter Squash Soup
This is a guest contribution to Illuminations for The Great Rare Books Bake Off by Christianne Beekman. Winter Squash (or pick any gourd) soup I initially wanted to call this recipe “Pick Your Favorite Gourd” Soup. After some research it became clear to me that pumpkin (or butternut squash, which I ended up using) isContinue reading “Pick a Gourd, any Gourd: Winter Squash Soup”
FSU Special Collections & Archives Presents: The Great Rare Books Bake Off Appetizer Week
Welcome to the second week of the FSU Special Collections & Archives Great Rare Books Bake Off! This week we will be sharing and attempting appetizer recipes from our collection and also discussing historic measurements. Please visit our introduction post to find out how you can participate. When reading through older recipes or cookbooks someContinue reading “FSU Special Collections & Archives Presents: The Great Rare Books Bake Off Appetizer Week”
Cocktail Week: A Hot Punch to the Face
The photos above contain the recipe as it was recorded in Mrs. Beeton’s Book of Household Management, published in 1861 (the volume in our collection is a first edition).
FSU Special Collections & Archives Presents: The Great Rare Books Bake Off Cocktail/Mocktail Week
Welcome to the first week of the FSU Special Collections & Archives Great Rare Books Bake Off! This week we will be sharing and attempting cocktail and mocktail recipes from our collection. Please visit our introduction post to find out how you can participate. Many of the beverage recipes found in our cookbooks make largeContinue reading “FSU Special Collections & Archives Presents: The Great Rare Books Bake Off Cocktail/Mocktail Week”
American Archives Month 2020 Recap
FSU Special Collections & Archives celebrated American Archives Month throughout the month of October by hosting events and sharing interesting items from our collection. We kicked off the month with a takeover of FSU Libraries social media on October 7th for “Ask an Archivist Day.” FSU SCA staff answered questions on Instagram about how toContinue reading “American Archives Month 2020 Recap”
“Archive of Me” by Jennifer F.
This post is the second part of our “Archive of Me” series for American Archives Month. Earlier this month Kacee kicked us off with a post about her collections of slides inherited from her grandmother. Below, I will be talking about a few of the things that have ended up in my own personal archive.Continue reading ““Archive of Me” by Jennifer F.”
Slow and Steady
Progress is slow, but steady. I’m happy to say that in the time that I started this blog series, active steps have definitely been taken towards working on diversity and inclusion in FSU Special Collections & Archives discovery tools. The main projects that we are working on right now are: The Conscious Editing Initiative TheContinue reading “Slow and Steady”
FSU Special Collections & Archives Presents: The Great Rare Books Bake Off
With the holiday season fast approaching, the FSU Special Collections & Archives division is challenging the FSU community (and beyond!) to try a recipe from our collection of rare books, manuscripts, and heritage materials. The FSU Special Collections & Archives Great Rare Books Bake Off will take place the entire month of November and consistContinue reading “FSU Special Collections & Archives Presents: The Great Rare Books Bake Off”
Vote!
October is coming to an end pretty soon and the National Election on November 3rd is approaching fast! The University has an important resource, FSU Votes, that may come in handy before casting a ballot. There, you can learn more about obtaining a sample ballot, tracking a mail-in ballot, safety precautions for in-person voting, yourContinue reading “Vote!”
Sun City
Recently, we digitized the Sun City Development and Motion Picture Studio Plat Map Sheets for use in a class which led me to look into…what are these exactly? I uncovered a fascinating story of the brother of Cleveland railroad barons and a Georgia inventor who, a decade apart, tried to bring Hollywood to Florida. DuringContinue reading “Sun City”
“Archive of Me” by Kacee R.
During this American Archives Month, here at Special Collections & Archives we have been having discussions about items that would go in our personal collections- any documents, images, or objects we’ve held on to for a long time that we would want future archivists to keep in our collection. This was a difficult question forContinue reading ““Archive of Me” by Kacee R.”
Maggie Kuhn, Claude Pepper and the Repeal of Mandatory Retirement
“Some persons dodder at 30, others at 80, and some pass through life without “doddering” at all. Our concern should be with competency, not age, race, sex or religion” – Representative Claude Pepper, 1986 There was a time for many professions in the United States when a person’s 65th birthday signaled the end of theirContinue reading “Maggie Kuhn, Claude Pepper and the Repeal of Mandatory Retirement”
Welcome to American Archives Month!
Watch this space! Florida State University Special Collections & Archives will be participating in American Archives Month by sharing some of our personal experiences in the archives in blog posts here and on FSU Libraries social accounts.
Library History at FSU, Part 3: Dirac
In these next installments of Library History at FSU, we will be exploring the histories of the several libraries of FSU. This installment traces the history of the Paul A. M. Dirac Science Library at Florida State University. Discussions about a science library began as early as 1961, when faculty recognized the need for aContinue reading “Library History at FSU, Part 3: Dirac”
What’s the Tea?
“I interviewed Kate McCormick in order to get a better understanding of the dynamics of Special Collections & Archives.”
On This Day in the Florida Flambeau, Friday, September 2, 1983
Today in 1983, a disgruntled reader sent in this letter to the editor of the Flambeau. In it, the reader describes the outcome of a trial and the potential effects that outcome will have on the City of Tallahassee. It is such a beautifully written letter that I still can’t tell whether or not it’sContinue reading “On This Day in the Florida Flambeau, Friday, September 2, 1983”
Telling Untold Stories Through the Emmett Till Archives
Friday August 28th marks the 65th anniversary of the abduction and murder of Emmett Till. Till’s murder is regarded as a significant catalyst for the mid-century African-American Civil Rights Movement. Calls for justice for Till still drive national conversations about racism and oppression in the United States. In 2015, Florida State University (FSU) Libraries SpecialContinue reading “Telling Untold Stories Through the Emmett Till Archives”
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