Keeping up with Dr. Jones

Since September of 2023 I have been working on Processing the William R. Jones Papers. This collection contains the items created and collected by its namesake who started the Black studies program here at Florida State. Throughout my work with this collection, I have become familiar with many of the topics he covered in his

Exploring Eclipses through Text and Observation

Today in Tallahassee from approximately 2:45 PM to 4:17PM those interested in astronomy will be able to see a partial solar eclipse! While Tallahassee viewers will only get to see 71% of a total solar eclipse, the phenomenon is still a rare sight to behold. In fact, people have been looking to the skies to

Exhibition at the Heritage Museum

There is a new exhibition currently on display at the FSU Heritage Museum! This exhibit was co-curated by the FSU School of Dance and FSU Special Collections & Archives. Objects in the exhibition come from the FSU School of Dance’s Killinger Collection, which is a collection of costumes, masks, and memorabilia from the Denishawn dance

Digital Library Center – New Equipment!

It’s been a bustling year at the Digital Library Center, and we’re excited to share some recent upgrades to our digitization toolkit. The DLC has welcomed three new pieces of equipment, promising improved capacity, image quality, and speed. iXH Camera System In 2023 we seized the opportunity to upgrade our aging IQ180 overhead camera system

Learning by Touch in Special Collections & Archives

Special Collections & Archives features unique books that emphasize touch alongside visual elements. Notable examples include “American Woods” with thinly sliced wood samples and “American Fabrics” with fabric swatches, enhancing the tactile learning experience. Another highlight is a specimen book on parchment, showcasing different types through touch and sight. Visit to explore these tactile treasures.

Text Technologies Spotlight: Incunables

Incunabula are books printed before 1501 CE, the term ‘incunabula’ originating from the Latin ‘incunabulum’ meaning cradle or birthplace. Some of these books were printed using movable metal type, others were printed with engraved wooden blocks. The method of woodblock printing originated in China during the 7th century CE, and was practiced in Europe mainly

Winter Break

FSU Special Collections & Archives will be closed for winter break from Saturday, December 16th through Tuesday, January 2nd. The Strozier library reading room will re-open mid-January, hours for all our spaces are always available on the library website. If you wish to book an appointment or have a reference question please do not hesitate

17th Century Sugar Cakes

I’m Bailey, Special Collections and Archive’s reference and preservation associate, and this is my first entry into SCA’s Great Rare Books Bake Off. When I was looking for recipes, I was hoping to find something old with simple ingredients and vague directions. I found just that with The Compleat Cook, printed in London in 1658.

Modifying Rice Pudding

Rice pudding is an ancient dish that’s been around for centuries. The Oxford Companion to Food states that rice pudding descended from rice pottages, which go as far back as the Romans. Although it’s unknown exactly where it originated, it is thought to have its roots in India or China, both of which have an

Eggless Cake and Caramel Frosting

I’m Keila, the Sunshine State Digital Network Coordinator in Special Collections and Archives. As a vegan with a sweet tooth, I wanted to find a recipe that would be easily adaptable to one that doesn’t use any animal-derived ingredients. When perusing old recipes, this is not generally an easy task. I was pleasantly surprised when