Responsive Collections

October 11, 2023

The Secret Life of UW Libraries Catalogers and Metadata Specialists

Student Spotlight Series You may be surprised to hear that before you can access a library resource when you need it, a lot of work must be done to get that resource into the UW Libraries catalog. A whole department of librarians, staff, and students are quietly working away behind the scenes to get new…

August 28, 2023

Field Trip: Japan and Korea

UW Librarians share their  journey of discovery to acquire new, historic materials for East Asia studies. Hyokyoung Yi, Interim Director of Tateuchi East Asia Library and Korea Studies Librarian  Azusa Tanaka, Japan Studies Librarian Through the advancement of technology and the historically close relationship among East Asia countries, academic research within the field of East…

November 19, 2021

Sustainable Scholarship: Libraries Collection as a Service

Authors: This is a collaborative post by Simon Neame, Dean of University Libraries; Denise Pan, Associate Dean for Collections & Content; and Corey Murata, Director, Collection Analysis & Strategy Collections as a service in academic libraries represents the “shift to the incorporation and integration of more continuous, ongoing, flexible, and sustainable review of collections, and…

November 3, 2021

Special Collections Reopening Update

A popular new virtual reading room, why appointments are better for users, new exhibits and more. UW Libraries Special Collections is one of the busiest places in the UW Libraries system. With people seeking access to materials from on campus and off, the Special Collections team has adapted services to meet the demand for virtual…

September 7, 2021

Words Matter: Critical Cataloging and Archival Description at the University of Washington Libraries 

Authors: Conor M. Casey, Erin Grant, Keiko Hill, Kat Lewis, Crystal Rodgers  In August of 2021, catalogers, metadata specialists, and archivists at the University of Washington Libraries published a statement on Critical Cataloging and Archival Description to the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism hub on the UW Libraries website. This statement is a road map…

May 13, 2021

Passion, Dedication, and Action: Yeen-Mei Wu and Tateuchi EAL’s Taiwan Studies Collection

Re-posted from the Tateuchi East Asia Library blog 5/5/21 In June 2001, a group of donors from the Taiwanese community in Seattle worked in a very short time to establish and provide basic funding for the Taiwan Collection Endowed Fund at the UW Libraries’ East Asia Library (today’s Tateuchi East Asia Library). Ms. Yeen-Mei Wu,…

January 15, 2021

Community Reads 2021: Environmental Justice

UW Bothell and Cascadia College Campus Library’s Community Reads program strives to build community through shared intellectual experiences and discussions around social justice, equity, and diversity.  With something new to read, watch, and listen to each quarter– participants get a variety of perspectives and mediums to engage with. Although this year’s digital interactions may look…

January 12, 2021

UW Libraries Launches Wall Street Journal Pilot

The UW Libraries has begun a two-year pilot partnership with The Wall Street Journal. Current students, faculty and staff may register now to get free access to WSJ.com, the WSJ mobile app, podcasts, and educator tools now through December 22, 2022. Recognized as a leading source for business and finance, The Wall Street Journal also…

October 20, 2020

Improving Accessibility During the Pandemic 

When UW Libraries buildings were closed at the start of the pandemic, our teams needed to respond quickly to adapt work for many employees whose jobs do not easily lend themselves to telework by identifying projects that could be completed remotely. At the start of the pandemic, we had multiple accessibility projects underway, but given…

May 29, 2020

Going the distance: An Acquisitions Trip to SE Asia at a Time of Pandemic

In early February, before travel restrictions were implemented, and the true nature of the global pandemic was fully understood, I made an acquisitions trip to Southeast Asia to purchase materials for the UW Libraries SE Asia collection. While adhering to all of the CDC and UW guidelines for travel, it was still an anxious time…