August 19, 2025
August/September Update
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Bookmark UW Libraries Student GuideA direct link to all the things you’ll want to know as a new OR returning student in fall 2025! Go to guide. |
Operations Update: What’s happening around Suzzallo Library?: The construction work in and around Suzzallo Library is due to a major seismic improvement project, with work ongoing through August 2026. More information and project updates.
Welcome back, Huskies!
If you’re new to UW, be sure to sign-up for this blog to get UW Libraries monthly updates to learn about upcoming events, new resources and important news. Fall quarter is also the time of year for our annual community-led US Constitution Reading, celebrating its 20th year! Learn more about this special UW event, and consider making it one of your annual back-to-school traditions! Be sure to check out the new recording studio, mark your favorite upcoming Dawg Daze events, and take some time to learn about (or remember) all the amazing resources available to you through UW Libraries.
News and Stories
Region 5 National Library of Medicine Grant Reinstated:
The University of Washington Health Sciences Library announced the court-ordered reinstatement of the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) Region 5 grant, effective through April 30, 2026. The order for reinstatement is in response to the original grant cancellation initiated by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in March of this year. Read full announcement.
Now Open: ‘Indigenous North Americans’ Collection
UW faculty, students and staff now have open access to a new 100-book collection centered on Indigenous North Americans, available in digital form to read and reuse at no cost to the reader or author. This collection was created through the Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA) in alignment with BTAA’s vision for the BIG Collection, which seeks to unite the collections of the BTAA academic libraries into one collection, shared and fully networked. This is the second collection created via BTAA, with plans to launch three more collections over the course of 2025 and 2026.
Since its inception in 2023, books in the collection have been used in over 210 countries with over 400,000 downloads.
BTAA institutions have invested significantly in their shared mission to advance public knowledge through open publishing, and together (BTAA institutions, including UW) they produce roughly 15% of the research publications in the United States. Learn more/ Read the BTAA announcement
New “Chill” Space in the Tateuchi East Asia Library:
The Tateuchi East Asia Library is pleased to introduce the Chill & Recharge Area, a comfortable space on the main floor designed to support student well-being. There is comfy seating, relaxed lighting and access to the growing collection of graphic novels, including Korean webtoons and Japanese manga. Stop by the new space (Gowan Hall 3rd floor) to take a break, relax, and reset—no reservation needed!
Recommended Reads
The Recommended Reads for Equity Collection grew by 63 titles during 2024/2025, with 48 individuals recommending 68 books. Since the start of the collection in 2018, 189 students, faculty, staff and alumni have recommended 291 books! UW Libraries McKinstry Fellow and co-project manager during this time period, compiled all the new recommendations into an artful e-zine that shares book summaries and personal comments from readers. Check out the e-zine.
What Does Metadata Have To Do With It?
This spotlight features a graduate student’s work to address some of the global challenges faced by cataloging and metadata departments in academic libraries who are working to address inconsistencies and inefficiencies in library metadata, prioritizing ethical descriptive practices, and addressing resource challenges. Read the story.
Featured Resources:
New Recording Studio!
Located near the Open Scholarship Commons on the first floor of Suzzallo and Allen Libraries, the new recording studio supports creativity and collaboration for all types of audio-visual projects. Watch the video to learn more.
On the Gram
From a living room in Glasgow, Scotland to 1960s campus performances by influential artists, Burmese vinyl and much more, UW Ethnomusicology Archives’ Instagram is full of fascinating finds!
Community Events and Exhibits
Thursday, Oct 9, 3-5pm – 20th Annual US Constitution Reading
Join your fellow students, faculty, staff, community members and distinguished guests for the 20th annual US Constitution Reading! Participants read a short selection of the full text of the Constitution – approximately 1 minute of reading time. Readers can request a specific section, or opt to have one assigned. This is a public event, open to all–instructors are encouraged to bring their classes and staff are welcome to attend and participate with friends, family, & coworkers! The annual constitution reading is one of several events taking place this week held in collaboration with our partners to critically examine the historical and contemporary significance of this consequential document, and its importance within our society. Learn More/Sign-Up To Read
NEW EXHIBIT: Right to Read: Banned books and the First Amendment
Our first amendment right protects our freedom of speech, but what about our freedom to read? The exhibit Right To Read: Banned books and the First Amendment discusses the complex nature of banned books in the United States. Get to know your UW libraries while learning about censorship in your own life. Located in the Suzzallo Library, ground floor.
Learning Workshops and Office Hours
Save the Date
- Wednesday, Oct 1,12:30 – 1:30 p.m. – First Wednesday Lunchtime Concerts are Back! Students of the UW School of Music perform in the Allen Library North Lobby. View calendar
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