Books, Bookstores, and Bonds

Last July I went to Israel for yet another successful acquisition trip, made possible by the generous support of UT’s Center for Middle Eastern Studies, The Schusterman Center, and donations to a recent UT Libraries’ HornRaiser campaign. In previous trips, my efforts were centered around the acquisition of unique items for our collection; this is, after all, one of the main objectives of such trips. But this time around, I decided to emphasize networking — meeting old vendors (who are now good friends) and making acquaintances with new ones — while still leaving time for hunting for and purchasing materials. Since it was a relatively short week-long trip, and due to the tension in the region, I mainly visited the Tel Aviv area, with some short-day trips to Jerusalem and Haifa.

As always, I bumped into acquisition opportunities that I could not resist. The most exciting one being a set of 118 back issues of Israeli cinema periodicals that fill in gaps in UT’s holdings. When I went to visit Na’im, who works at the Little Prince Bookstore and Café and is a long time vendor acquaintance of mine, he asked me to follow him to his ‘kingdom’ at the second floor… and when he does that, you know that some treasures are to be found! We were sitting there for a couple hours, sorting those issues. A few days later, I returned to the shop and he handed me a box – “look what I found upstairs!” Sure enough, again I could not resist an offer of dozens more items related to Israeli film & cinema.

The Little Prince – Books and Coffee, Tel Aviv, Israel.
The Little Prince – Books and Coffee, Tel Aviv, Israel.

Nurturing friendships with vendors proves to be fruitful not only when it comes to acquiring materials; we also work together in order to make the entire process of acquisition easier and more efficient. For example, back at my office in Austin before this trip, I worked with one of my other vendors in Tel Aviv and together we prepared a ‘real-time’ inventory of the library’s main cinema periodicals. I took that inventory with me on my trip and found that it made checking holdings ‘on the ground’ so much easier and it helped me to not acquire duplicates. I used this inventory list extensively when Na’im and I sorted out those issues at his storage.

Also in Tel Aviv, I paid a visit to another dear vendor who has become a friend – Fanny from Fanny’s Bookshelf. Her store is one of those second-hand book stores that one can hardly move in – full with books to the brim. Like Na’im’s ‘secret’ storage area in the café’s second floor, Fanny keeps her special items away from regular customers’ reach—but be sure this is the first area I look at when I drop by! While there have been some visits when I found rare materials there, this time around I didn’t have much luck. Yet, I am undeterred as one could never know when and where the next ‘stellar’ find would appear; when it comes to collecting, patience is a virtue! 

Person at far end of tall metal shelves with books in a bookstore. Fanny’s Bookshelf, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Fanny’s Bookshelf, Tel Aviv, Israel.  

In Jerusalem, I was able to visit and build networks with both people and institutions.  For example, I went to see the new building of the Israeli National Library, with a friend who has some ‘connections,’ so we got a tour in their preservation labs and the enormous underground robotic storage area. I also paid a visit to the Hansen House Center for Design, Media and Technology that is housed in an impressive historic building, a former leprosy hospital built in 1887. Meeting with colleagues there, I managed to put my hand on some rare issues of a Jerusalemite independent journal of arts, culture and society titled Erev Rav (“mixed multitude”).

Also while in Jerusalem, I was able to attend the opening event of the Jerusalem Film Festival where I had the opportunity to grab this year’s festival’s catalog. Film festival catalogs are always hard to acquire, because they do not sell in stores and usually, would not be considered as literature to be included in library collections. Yet, they contain valuable information about films, filmmakers, and the local film industry. Acquiring such catalogs is a constant work of hunting and relying not only on vendors, but also on scholars in the field. In fact, the lion’s share of our current holdings of both the Jerusalem and Haifa Film Festivals’ catalogs was donated to UTL by a film studies professor at the Tel Aviv University, who I met during one of my past acquisition trips.

During my career I’ve learned that networking in conferences, combined with work on the ground, could lead to small but significant ‘success stories.’ See for example, this previous post about my 2015 trip.  This past summer I has a similar experience in the Association for Israel Studies conference in Prague. I attended a talk by a literature professor who teaches at Oranim college in the north of Israel. When we spoke afterwards over coffee, I mentioned that I’ve been searching for a Hebrew literature periodical published by her college. She immediately introduced me via email to a colleague of hers at their publishing house. When I arrived in Israel a few days later on my acquisition trip, I was gifted a full run of their literature journal, around 25 issues. The impact of cultivating personal connections across continents adds significant value to our collections.

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