A Flood of Action to Save the Books

Catastrophe was narrowly averted due to a water leak at the Walter Geology Library in late September thanks to direct, coordinated action from library staff and Jackson School of Geosciences personnel.

The incident began with an unexpected leak in a wet lab on the fifth floor of the Jackson School, above the Walter Geology Library. The leak was discovered early Tuesday morning by Jackson School staff, who immediately alerted the building manager and the library team. Water made its way from a compromised holding tank in a lab, penetrating sections of the ceiling, flooding the library and damaging materials in the stacks.

In a show of composure, several University of Texas Libraries (UTL) staff members, some of whom learned about the emergency while on their way to work, diverted to the Geology Library to take immediate action. The response was focused, methodical and purposed at mitigating and preventing further damage to collection materials. The team swiftly began moving wet books to safer locations, covering vulnerable stacks with plastic sheeting and vacuuming up standing water to stem the immediate threat to the collections.

Once the situation was somewhat stabilized, the next priority became rescuing the most severely damaged items. Staff worked diligently to identify these items and began preparing them for preservation by freezing them in the Perry-Castañeda Library’s (PCL) preservation freezers. Freezing wet materials is a well-established method to prevent mold growth and give preservation staff time to determine the best treatment methods.

As soon as standing water cleared, the focus shifted to restoring the environment. Dehumidifiers and fans were brought in to ensure that residual moisture was dealt with effectively, minimizing long-term damage to the collections and the library environment.

Careful attention was then paid to the individual items that had been impacted. Teams of staff interleaved wet pages with coated paper to absorb excess moisture, unfolded map inserts to lay them flat for drying, and fanned out books to improve air circulation. This painstaking process continued throughout the day on Tuesday, showcasing not only the technical expertise of the team but also their unwavering commitment to safeguarding knowledge.  Staff continue to monitor the space and repairs to damaged items are expected to continue for several months.

The recent water leak evoked memories of a much larger disaster that struck the former Marine Science Library in 2017. During the catastrophic flooding from Hurricane Harvey, library staff worked around the clock to rescue rare collections that were at risk from the rising waters. The response to that event, while on a greater scale, carried the same resolve as this week’s efforts at the Geology Library – demonstrating the immense dedication of libraries staff to respond to disasters that might otherwise destroy the collections they oversee.

Libraries are not just places where information is stored; they are custodians of our collective human record, preserving materials in perpetuity so that future generations may learn from and build upon the past. Emergencies like the leak at the Walter Geology Library remind us how fragile that mission can be – and how it truly takes a village of committed individuals to protect these collections.

From pulling books off shelves to quickly interleaving wet pages, every action taken by library staff this week was aimed at preventing irreparable loss. It was a stark reminder of the importance of collective action in the face of emergencies that threaten the Libraries’ commitment to the preservation of knowledge.

The response to the Walter Geology Library incident highlights an idea that lies at the core of every library: the mission to preserve and protect collections is not an abstract ideal. It is a hands-on, all-hands effort, and one that requires dedication, expertise and a deep belief that the knowledge of today is a legacy to the future.

“I am so grateful to our staff for a commitment to their work so pronounced that they respond without hesitation to challenges,” says Vice Provost and Director Lorraine Haricombe. “Thanks to the efforts of the people involved, over 1,200 books will continue to be available for use in research and scholarship for all those who might need them.”

Humble gratitude to all the people involved in this effort:

Margaret Alvarado

Geoff Bahre

Chris Carter

Brittany Centeno

Benn Chang

Morgan Colbert

Elizabeth De Marco

Loren Fiebrich

Claudia Fuentes

James Galloway

Bill Gannon

Dave Gilson

Mirko Hanke

Meghana Kamat

Jennifer Lee

Joey Marez

Wendy Martin

Sean O’Bryan

Michael Rodriguez

Kent Scott

Tony Tomasello

Britt Wilson

Advisory Council Joins with iSchool for Day of Advocacy

On September 26, the Fall 2024 gathering of the University of Texas Libraries Advisory Council brought together library advocates for a day of engaging discussions, presentations and tours. The council, along with the iSchool Advisory Council, convened to hear updates, set goals, and strengthen connections within the library community.

The day began with a joint lunch that included Interim Dean Dr. Soo Young Rieh from the School of Information, followed by an afternoon session focused on updates from the Libraries. Lorraine J. Haricombe, Vice Provost and Director of UT Libraries, delivered a state of the library address, followed by a development report from Claire Burrows, Director of Development. The development report shared that the Libraries are closing in on their $12 million capital campaign goal, with a current total of $10.36 million raised and an additional $2 million goal for FY25. It also highlighted areas of need, such as Open Educational Resources (OER), fellowships and endowed positions.

Assistant Director of Research Support & Digital Innovation Allyssa Guzman joined the Libraries’ Resident Librarians – Cristina Berron, Elizabeth Garza, and Ana Rico – who shared their experiences and the goals of the Libraries’ Residency Program, established as a career pipeline for early-career librarians and archivists. The council learned about the program and were introduced to the newly established Artaza Castañeda Family Librarian Residency Professional Development Fund, which supports the residents in their career development.

Council members were given a tour of the recently renovated 4th and 5th floors of the Perry-Castañeda Library (PCL). The day concluded with a reconvening of the Libraries’ and iSchool Councils at a social event, facilitating rich conversations about the evolving role of libraries, the library profession and, of course, books.

The Advisory Council’s primary mission is to advocate for UT Libraries by raising awareness of its impact, supporting fundraisers and generating charitable contributions. The meeting also included discussions about upcoming events, including a presentation by former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet at the Benson Collection (scheduled for October 16).

The success of the day was made possible by the contributions of the Libraries staff, whose planning and support efforts ensured a worthwhile and impactful experience for all who attended.

Libraries Kick Off Fall Mentorship Program

The University of Texas Libraries is pleased to announce the launch of this fall’s iSchool Mentorship Program.

The UTL-iSchool Mentor Program is a joint program occurring each Fall and Spring semester between the UT Libraries and the iSchool Career Services Office. It is a voluntary program for second year graduate iSchool students to pair with librarians to learn more about the experience of being a librarian. The focus is mainly on the academic track, so that mentees can find out what liaisons (or subject) librarians do, what archivists do, what’s involved in metadata work, or library administration. The goal is for mentees and mentors to meet 3 times either virtually or in-person over the semester. 

Liaison Librarian for Communication Meryl Brodsky fills the coordinator role as the iSchool Liaison. A committee composed of staff professionals works to match students with a librarian who works in the area of interest to candidates – instruction, metadata, subject librarianship, the administrative track, or others. Occasionally the program is able to match candidates with special interest placements, such as in film librarianship. 

This semester’s class is composed of seven students. Five are paired with librarians from Libraries: including librarians from Teaching & Learning Services, from Stewardship, from the Benson Library, from Scholarly Resources, and from the Resident program. One is paired with a librarian from Austin Public Library. And for the first time, one mentee was paired with a librarian from the Law School.

Participants can talk with their mentor about the day-to-day work, and may shadow librarians on a chat reference shift or a research consultation, attend a librarian candidate presentation, discuss professional associations, decode job descriptions, or ask questions about the profession in general. The Mentor program is not a path to getting a job at the UT Libraries, but it could help to generate some ideas for Capstone projects, and help participants to network with library professionals.

The Mentor program is student-centered, which means that mentees direct it by asking questions or asking to meet people from different parts of the library or bringing their interests to the conversation.

“A mentorship really goes two ways,” says Meryl Brodsky. “The iSchool students learn about our jobs and the role we play on campus. They share their professional interests and what they hope to accomplish with us, and that shows us where our profession is headed. It’s a validating experience for both sides.”

New Endowments Bolster Visiting Scholars at the Benson Collection

This summer, two new endowments were established to support scholars working with the Benson Latin American Collection, strengthening research into Latin American, Latina/o, and Mexican American history.

The María Lugones Research Fund, created in memory of María Cristina Lugones—an Argentine feminist philosopher, activist, and professor—was established by her colleague, Professor Joshua Price. The fund will provide support for projects related to Latin America, Latina/os in the U.S., and the Black diaspora in the Americas. Eligible recipients include PhD students, activists, and established scholars from around the world, with priority given to those utilizing the María Lugones papers.

Additionally, the Montejano Benson Collection Research Award was created by Dr. David Montejano and Veronica Montejano to support visiting researchers focusing on Mexican American history. Dr. Montejano, reflecting on his own experiences at the Benson, said, “Over the past forty years, I have enjoyed countless days at the Benson doing research. I could not have written my trilogy on Texas history and politics without the Benson. With this modest endowment, I wish to encourage continued research into Mexican American and Latino history.”

Both endowments will receive matching funds from the Ann Hartness Benson Collection Matching Fund, further expanding their impact. These funds are expected to be accessible soon, depending on payment schedules and investment outcomes.

We eagerly anticipate the meaningful research these new funds will make possible.

To contribute to either endowment, please contact Libraries’ Development Officer Claire Burrows, claire.burrows@austin.utexas.edu.

New Website Chronicles Texas’s Domestic Slave Trade

The Texas Domestic Slave Trade Project (TXDST) has launched a new website, From Slavery to Freedom in Texas, exploring the often-overlooked stories of enslaved individuals in Texas. The site focuses on four counties—Brazoria, Red River, Waller, and Washington—to illuminate both individual stories and the broader legacy of slavery in the state.

The project emphasizes firsthand experiences of enslaved people and delves into the history that continues to shape Texas today. The stories include the account of Eli Terry, a free Black man who was sold into slavery in Red River County before reclaiming his freedom after over seven years. Another featured story discusses the Alta Vista plantation, where Prairie View A&M University—a historically Black college/university (HBCU)—now stands, and highlights efforts by plantation descendants to confront and preserve this history.

Educators will find a variety of resources to bring these narratives into the classroom, providing deeper insights into Texas’s complex history.

The project is a collaboration between The University of Texas at Austin and Prairie View A&M University, made possible through a Start-Up Grant for Collaborative Digital Editions from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC), with support from the Mellon Foundation and the National Archives.

Libraries’ Black Diaspora Archivist Rachel E. Winston played a significant role in this effort, serving as co-Principal Investigator from 2022 to 2024. The History Department also highlights contributions from several current and former students, including Dr. Signe Peterson Fourmy (PhD 2020), Sheena Moore, and current PhD candidate Ron Davis, who is also Curator of American History at the Witte Museum in San Antonio.

For more information, visit txdstproject.org.

Read, Hot and Digitized: The Global Jukebox

Meagan O’Neal, Graduate Student in Library Science from the University of North Texas

The Association for Cultural Equity features a project called The Global Jukebox.  Building off the research of musicologist and folklorist Alan Lomax (1915-2002), The Global Jukebox is a database of traditional folk, indigenous, and popular songs from cultures around the world. The folk and indigenous music samples were recorded on site between 1900-1980 by researchers committed to expanding musical documentation and preservation. With over 6000 songs from 1200 different cultures, this project is intended for anyone to use to understand the working of a community by listening to its music. The project is open access and free without an account, however setting up a free account allows you to save your research on musical roots and provide feedback.

Screenshot of The Global Jukebox main page.

There is something for everyone to enjoy in this project. For the curious, there is “Explore” mode, where you can drag a 3-D globe around to discover music from anywhere in the world. Clicking on any dot on the globe, listeners can be instantly transported to a playlist of that area’s music and song. There is also an option to use preset “Journeys,” which allows listeners to discover music by theme.

The “Learn” mode is an interesting tool for K-12 educators, offering lesson plans and thematic units that help to diversify the music curriculum. There is also an option to “find your musical roots” and build a playlist of your own family’s musical heritage. This tool is a great opportunity to connect students to their cultural backgrounds through music.

Screenshot of cultural ”nodes” that can be found while in ”Explore” mode.

What I found the most interesting is cantometrics. Cantometrics is the analysis of patterns in music. The Global Jukebox is a relational database, and each song has datasets marking characteristics like instrumentation; phonating and phrasing; melodic form; and many more. These data points highlight connections across regions, with visual clusters showing relational patterns.

Screenshot of Education landing page.

I found this especially interesting because it is similar to how university music students are trained to compare characteristics in different eras of music. The Global Jukebox strives to provide a picture of characteristics from around the world, yet many cultures have only a handful of music samples to listen to, and there are some dots on the globe that do not have any associated content. This is an ongoing project, and I would like to see more samples added. A few songs from an area can’t accurately represent the entire cultural context for that people, let alone for an entire geographic region, and expanding their selections will help improve overall representation.

Screenshot of cultural clusters by song styles.

In the “Analyze” section it shows their coding for any culture and song in the jukebox, and when you click on the i next to the song tracker you have the option to see the coding sheet for any song in their database. The 37 musical features were selected during months of listening of recordings of music from across the world and then standardized with assigned ranges so their variations could be coded. Their coding guide goes into more detail about each line. While there are legitimate critiques in the field of musicology about the cantometric coding, it is still an interesting lens for viewing music.

Screenshot of the cantometrics dataset for Drums For Girl’s Dances.

As a former music undergraduate student, I would have loved to have had a resource like this available to expand my knowledge beyond the classical canon. I highly recommend musicologists, educators, and the casually curious to make use of this database. This is a great tool to use with other resources to achieve a more equitable balance of music from around the world.

Want to learn more about world music and cantometrics? Check out these resources from the UT Libraries:

Lomax, A. (1962). Song Structure and Social Structure. Ethnology, 1(4), 425–451. https://doi.org/10.2307/3772850 

Wood, A. L., Rudd, R., & Lomax, A. (2021). Songs of earth : aesthetic and social codes in music : based upon Alan Lomax’s Cantometrics : an approach to the anthropology of music / by Anna Lomax Wood ; with Stella Silbert, Karen Claman, Kiki Smith-Archiapatti, & Violet Baron ; foreword by Robert Garfias ; introduction by Victor Grauer ; musical selections by Roswell Rudd ; Cantometrics coding manual by Alan Lomax & Victor Grauer. University Press of Mississippi.

Smithsonian Global Sound for Libraries | Alexander Street, part of Clarivate

Music Online: Listening | Alexander Street, part of Clarivate

Exhibition: VOCES Oral History Center at 25

A Quarter-Century of Giving Voice to the U.S. Latino and Latina Experience

By Veronica Valarino

The Nettie Lee Benson Latin American Collection is proud to join in celebrating the 25th anniversary of the VOCES Oral History Center, part of the School of Journalism at the Moody College of Communication, The University of Texas at Austin.

In honor of this important milestone, this Benson exhibition showcases VOCES’s extraordinary journey over the past quarter-century, and its profound impact in highlighting and recognizing the contributions of the U.S. Latino/a community in Texas and the rest of United States.

Two rows of young women nurses in white uniforms face the camera outdoors in front of a building with a row of connected windows. They are all wearing white flowered corsages pinned to their dresses and holding small white bouquets.
Graduation day. May 22, 1942, at Oak Park Methodist Church, Corpus Christi, Texas. Front row from left: Jeanie Mcpherson, Elenor Lacomb, Theresa Green, Mary Thomas, Bernice Hunter, Supervisor, Mrs. Elizabeth Moller. Back row from left: Margaret Moore, Apolinia Muñoz, Pat Bartholomeu, Betty Jorgenson, Dorothy Lewis. Voces Oral History Center Archive, Benson Latin American Collection.

Under the visionary leadership of founder and director Maggie Rivas-Rodríguez, VOCES has progressively expanded its original focus of documenting the experiences of Latino veterans and civilians in all branches of the military during World War II, the Vietnam War, and the Korean conflict.

Through relentless oral history documentation, VOCES has gradually broadened its scope to encompass a wide range of Latino/a experiences, including cultural contributions, political and civic participation, professional achievements, thereby establishing itself as a fundamental and invaluable institution and repository.

Five young men, all soldiers, pose outdoors in bare terrain during the Vietnam War. A forest with tall trees is visible in the background. The men pose in front of a small black apparatus equipped with guns. The machine has the words The Widow-Maker written on it with white paint, along with a skull. The two men standing on either side of the machine wear large crucifixes around their necks. They are white Latinos. Three men crouch in the foreground. Two are Black and one is white with red hair. The man to the right wears a helmet and holds a string of large bullets.
U.S. soldier Michael Treviño (top left), a soldier nicknamed “Red” (bottom left), soldier Nathan Garcia (middle), an unknown soldier, and Raymond Garcia (top right) from Army Unit G65 stand together in front of a M45 Quadmount called Widowmaker at FireBase Rifle in the Ashar Valley, Republic of South Vietnam, circa August 1969.

The VOCES Oral History Project Archive has been housed at the Benson Latin American Collection since 2005. By preserving this invaluable archive on our physical and digital shelves, we ensure that these stories endure for the future and for new generations as a unique resource for research and learning about the multifaceted narratives and cultural heritage of diverse Latino/a communities.

Join us in celebrating 25 years of the remarkable work of VOCES to elevate and honor Latina and Latino stories, as well as the significant impact of the Latinx community.


VOCES Oral History Center at 25 is on view in the Benson Latin American Collection’s second-floor gallery during library hours, through April 7, 2025.

Veronica Valarino is the Benson Exhibitions Curator.

Classics Reopens After Renovation

The Classics Library at The University of Texas at Austin has reopened following a year-long closure for renovations aimed at enhancing accessibility and improving study spaces.

The refreshed library, located in Waggener Hall, features new furniture, more open spaces, and improved lighting, with windows no longer obstructed by old shelving units.

The renovations were completed as part of additional work occurring in the building, and offered an opportunity to provide a more accessible and comfortable environment for students and faculty.

Jennifer Lee, Director of Discovery and Access for the Libraries, oversaw the updates, which are part of ongoing efforts to modernize library spaces across campus to meet the ever-changing needs of users.

“The temporary closure of the Classics Library was challenging, but the end result is a library space that is more open and accessible, both in terms of aesthetics as well as movement within the space,” says Lee.  “It’s been exciting to welcome students and researchers back into the library.”

The library continues to serve as an essential resource for faculty and students in the Department of Classics, many of whom attended a reopening event on September 10.

Vice Provost and Director of the Libraries Lorraine Haricombe emphasized the significance of the library as a space for learning and intellectual growth.

“Our mission is to connect people with knowledge and to empower them with the tools they need for personal and academic development,” said Haricombe. “The Classics Library remains a beloved location for students and faculty alike, and the feedback on the renovations has been overwhelmingly positive.”

Brodkin Endowment Boosts Libraries’ American West Collection

Over the past four years, the A. Keith Brodkin Endowment for American History has played a pivotal role in expanding the University of Texas Libraries’ collections focused on the American West. Managed by U.S. Studies Librarian Adriana Cásarez, the endowment has allowed for the acquisition of 240 new books, significantly enhancing the library’s resources in this area of American history.

“We have been able to develop a collection that not only reflects traditional narratives about the American West but also includes works offering a nuanced understanding of the region’s complex histories,” said Cásarez. The acquisitions, ranging from rare texts to more accessible volumes, fill critical gaps and support a wide array of research, teaching, and public engagement.

Cásarez emphasized that primary source collections, such as letters and diaries, have been a particular focus of the acquisition strategy. These resources provide invaluable insights into the lived experiences of people in the American West and are essential for scholars studying the socio-political and cultural dynamics of the region.

“The Brodkin Endowment has elevated our collection to a new standard of excellence. Researchers now have access to firsthand accounts that deepen their understanding of this region’s history,” Cásarez added.

The endowment’s impact extends beyond expanding the library’s holdings. It has also created unique educational opportunities for students. This year, Cásarez supervised Ana Rico – a student in UT’s School of Information on a career track to become a future librarian –  who took on the task of researching potential resources for the collection and reviewing our holdings of the Western Historical Association’s book award winners from the past two decades. This initiative led to the acquisition of books that align the library’s collection with contemporary academic discussions on the American West, particularly in the fields of Native American and U.S. Latine histories.

Rico’s efforts culminated in a visually compelling book display – “Expanding the American West” –  that attracted attention across the campus community, showcasing underrepresented aspects of the American West, and highlighting experiences of Indigenous, Black and people of color. Rico recently joined the Libraries as resident librarian in the Libraries’ Residency Program and hopes to build off of her capstone experience in her residency.

The Brodkin Endowment also helped make historically significant texts more accessible to students and the public. For instance, the library acquired circulating copies of select items from the Briscoe Center for American History’s Texas History collection, allowing students and researchers easier access to key resources that had previously been restricted to the physical archives of the Briscoe.

Looking ahead, Cásarez expressed her excitement about future collaborations with faculty members. She noted a potential partnership with a faculty member exploring the contemporary resurgence of interest in Black cowboys in the West.

“This project showcases the type of innovative scholarship the Brodkin Endowment supports, bridging academic research with public engagement,” Cásarez said.

A Warm Welcome for Fall

As students made their way back to campus for the fall 2024 semester, the University of Texas Libraries put together a fun and engaging lineup of events as part of Longhorn Welcome. The Libraries’ Welcome Week was all about giving new and returning students a chance to meet new people, get creative, and discover everything the Libraries have to offer.

Things kicked off on Monday, August 26, with the “Color and Geometry in Islamic Art” event at The Foundry in the Fine Arts Library. Students got hands-on with geometric patterns and the math behind Islamic art, working with 3D models and crafting their own intricate designs, some even taking time to make Arabic jewelry. With about 35 attendees from different departments, everyone got the chance to be creative and learn more about The Foundry’s resources for future projects.

Tuesday, August 27, brought the Zine Making Party, which transformed the Fine Arts Library into a buzzing creative space. Over 60 students, faculty, and staff dove into the zine collection, scissors and glue sticks in hand, and created their own zine pages. It was a DIY vibe all around, with people blending personal creativity and ideas with inspiration from the Libraries’ growing collection of zines.

On Wednesday, August 28, nearly 100 people gathered for “Stepping into Fall: A Celebration of Indian Dance and Music.” The night featured amazing performances from student groups like Texas Taraana, Gandharva, Sindhu Vasudevan, and Fusion Bollywood. From live Hindustani music to Bollywood fusion choreography, the audience got to experience an exciting mix of traditional and contemporary Indian art forms. The event was cosponsored by the South Asia Institute and SPIC MACAY, giving attendees a chance to learn more about these student groups and how to get involved.

Thursday, August 29, the UFCU Room in PCL was transformed into a Bibliogarden—a relaxed space where students could explore all kinds of cool books, graphic novels, zines, maps, and more from the Libraries’ collections. Around 40 attendees wandered through the offerings, checking out everything from rare books to fun reading materials that Libraries staff recommended. The variety of formats and languages sparked curiosity, and many left inspired to dive deeper into the Libraries’ collections and maybe even learn a new language or two.

To wrap up the week on Friday, August 30, the Libraries teamed up with the Center for Asian American Studies to screen Everything, Everywhere All at Once (2022) at the PCL. About 100 people showed up to enjoy the sci-fi adventure, which had everyone laughing and tearing up at different moments. The screening wasn’t just a movie night—it was also a chance to enjoy some great food from Tso Chinese, highlighting how partnerships can bring cultural events to campus in a big way.

All in all, the UT Libraries’ week of events brought students and faculty together, sparking creativity and offering a fun way to connect with the resources and communities on campus. It was a perfect way to kick off Longhorn Welcome 2024, and everyone walked away feeling a little more inspired.

UT Libraries