All posts by tex libris

Benson Latin American Collection, Black Diaspora Archive, Digital Scholarship

New Website Chronicles Texas’s Domestic Slave Trade

Leave a comment

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.

Humanities & Liberal Arts, Read Hot and Digitized

Read, Hot and Digitized: The Global Jukebox

Leave a comment

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

Classics Library

Classics Reopens After Renovation

Leave a comment

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.”

Books, Collections, Development

Brodkin Endowment Boosts Libraries’ American West Collection

Leave a comment

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.

Events, Global Studies, Humanities & Liberal Arts, The Foundry

A Warm Welcome for Fall

Leave a comment

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.

Events, Global Studies, Outreach

Welcome Week 2024

Leave a comment

As students return to campus for the fall 2024 semester, the University of Texas Libraries is offering an engaging series of events as part of Longhorn Welcome. These events are designed to welcome new and returning students, offering them a chance to connect, learn, and explore the diverse resources available at the Libraries. Here’s a look at what’s happening:

Color and Geometry in Islamic Art

  • Date: August 26, 2024
  • Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
  • Location: Perry-Castañeda Library
  • Description: Discover the beauty of Islamic art through its intricate patterns and vibrant colors. This event provides an introduction to the cultural and artistic significance of Islamic geometric designs.

UT Libraries Zine-Making Party

  • Date: August 27, 2024
  • Time: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
  • Location: Perry-Castañeda Library
  • Description: Get creative at our Zine-Making Party! This interactive event invites students to craft their own zines, with all materials provided. It’s a fun way to express your individuality and connect with others.

Stepping Into Fall: Celebration of Indian Dance and Music

  • Date: August 28, 2024
  • Time: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
  • Location: Perry-Castañeda Library
  • Description: Immerse yourself in the rich traditions of Indian dance and music. This celebration offers a vibrant performance that highlights the beauty of Indian culture and the joy of community.

UT Libraries Bibliogarden

  • Date: August 29, 2024
  • Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
  • Location: UT Libraries Plaza
  • Description: Relax in the Bibliogarden, a tranquil space where students can enjoy books and refreshments in a garden setting. It’s the perfect way to unwind and enjoy some quiet time amidst the hustle and bustle of campus life.

Film Screening: Everything Everywhere All at Once

  • Date: August 30, 2024
  • Time: 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
  • Location: Perry-Castañeda Library
  • Description: Don’t miss this special screening of Everything Everywhere All at Once. This critically acclaimed film is a thrilling, genre-bending adventure that’s sure to captivate audiences with its blend of action, humor, and emotional depth.

These events are a fantastic way for students to start the semester on a high note. All are welcome, and students are encouraged to participate and make the most of these unique opportunities. For more information, visit the UT Libraries’ events page.

Alexander Architectural Archive, Archives, Collections, Uncategorized

Expanding Discoverability for Architecture Treasures

Leave a comment

Zoe Grout is a Graduate Student at UT Austin working toward an MA in English and an MS in Information Studies, with a focus on library and archival sciences. She currently works as an Archival Processing Graduate Research Assistant in the Alexander Architectural Archives.

This past year as the Alexander Architectural Archive’s GRA, I’ve published finding aids for six separate collections to Texas Archival Resources Online (TARO). Those collections are: the Boone Powell collection, the Ford, Powell & Carson collection, the Mardith Schuetz-Miller collection, the Nancy Kwallek collection, the John Covert Watson collection, and the Richard Cleary collection.

The first two collections’ finding aids are the culmination of several years’ work by myself, my GRA predecessors, and the entire AAA staff. Boone Powell is a noted architect in San Antonio. His collection includes records documenting his personal and professional life, such as his work on community projects such as Design San Antonio. Ford, Powell & Carson is likewise a noted architectural firm in San Antonio, known for the construction of the Tower of the Americas for the 1968 World’s Fair and its development of the San Antonio Riverwalk. Records in this collection consist primarily of files and drawings related to major projects conducted over the last fifty years. Pictured below is one such example, a photo of a sketch for the San Antonio River Grotto from the Ford, Powell & Carson collection.

The remaining four finding aids are provisional. These collections have not been processed, and their finding aids, while shortened, are intended to boost accessibility to our collections in the backlog. Mardith Schuetz-Miller is an anthropologist and historian who earned her PhD in American Civilization at UT, and her collection contains publication drafts and drawings, specifically concerning the architecture of Spanish Colonial sites in the American Southwest and Guam. Professor Emeritus Nancy Kwallek is a former director of the interior design program at UT, and was a major contributor to the program’s move to the School of Architecture. Her collection documents the history of the interior design program, as well as some of the works of interior designer Everett Brown. John Covert Watson is a noted Austin architect, known for his residences in the Austin area, especially around Lake Travis and West Lake Hills. His collection consists of architectural drawings for a selection of his projects. Finally, Richard Cleary is a Professor Emeritus in the School of Architecture here at UT, and his collection includes records from his own research and publication processes, as well as materials from courses he taught at UT.

Books, Digital Scholarship, Faculty, Open Educational Resources, Resources

Open Education Fellows Launch Cost-Free Italian Language Textbook

Leave a comment

Exemplifying an embrace of affordable education, 2023 Open Education Fellows Dr. Amanda Bush and Silvia Luongo have successfully completed their fellowship project by creating Giornate Italiane, an Italian language textbook now available on Pressbooks. 

Authored entirely by Dr. Bush and Professor Luongo, this textbook carries a Creative Commons license, providing students with free access and eliminating the need to purchase a paid resource. Consequently, their course is now cost-free in terms of course materials, offering substantial financial relief to students.

The Open Education Fellows program, supported by the University of Texas Libraries, encourages faculty to develop open educational resources (OER) that enhance learning accessibility and affordability. 

The creation of OER textbooks ensures that all students, regardless of their financial situation, have equal access to essential learning materials. This initiative aligns with broader efforts to alleviate the financial burden of higher education and supports a more equitable academic environment.

Benson Latin American Collection, Development, Events, Photography

Alberto Herrera Fernández Photograph Collection Unveiled

Leave a comment

An intimate ceremony on April 29 marked the dedication of the Alberto Herrera Fernández Photograph Collection at the Benson Latin American Collection, honoring the life and work of the renowned Mexican photographer. The event, attended by family members, scholars and esteemed guests, served as a recognition of Herrera Fernandez’s impact in capturing the life and culture of Sonora, Mexico through his lens.

The event was largely organized by Blanca Cummins, daughter of Alberto Herrera Fernández and a current Tower Fellow, whose commitment to preserving her father’s legacy was evident throughout the event. Former state historian of Texas – and Cummins’ brother-in-law – Light Cummins described the significance of Herrera Fernández’s photographic legacy and provided historical context for the photographer’s  work.

The Alberto Herrera Fernández Photograph Collection, carefully maintained by Cummins’ sister until its transfer to the university, showcases not only the rugged beauty of the Sonoran Desert but also provides a glimpse into the lives of vaqueros and copper miners in Cananea, Sonora. Herrera Fernández’s lens documented the essence of artistic communities, daily life, religious leaders and governmental figures, painting a vivid portrait of the region.

The bulk of the collection is comprised of 60,000 photographic slides, prints, and negatives (~23 Linear feet). In addition to the photographic materials, the collection boasts a selection of ephemera, including exhibition write-ups, interviews, recognitions, and correspondence, offering invaluable insights into Herrera Fernández’s enduring legacy as a photographer. The breadth and depth of Herrera Fernández’s work provide a unique perspective on Sonora, filling a critical gap in the Benson’s holdings.

The dedication ceremony also recognized Blanca Cummins’s tireless efforts in digitizing selected images from the collection. Working diligently in the rare books reading room for months, Cummins meticulously preserved the original order of her father’s archive, ensuring its integrity and accessibility for future generations.

Megan Frisque, Director of the Tower Fellows program, also spoke to the value of the Fellows program, recognizing Cummins as an example of the sort of impact that the participants can have through its access to a world-class lifelong learning experience.

¡A Viva Voz!, Benson Latin American Collection, Books

Little Joe Has a Big Night at the Benson

Leave a comment

The 22nd annual ¡A Viva Voz! celebration at the Benson Latin American Collection on April 4 was a compelling homage to Latino arts and culture, spotlighting the legendary José María de León Hernández, affectionately known as Little Joe.

Developed by former Benson Director Ann Hartness, ¡A Viva Voz! has long served as a platform to showcase the rich Mexican American/U.S. Latino heritage, fostering community engagement and celebrating cultural vibrancy.

This year’s event paid tribute to Little Joe, an American music legend who has garnered five Grammy awards and was honored with the prestigious 2023 National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts. In an interview conducted by US Latina/o Studies Librarian Maribel Falcón, Little Joe discussed his biography, “¡No Llore, Chingón!,” which provides a poignant narrative of his life journey, weaving tales of resilience and triumph amid the struggles faced by Mexican-American communities in Texas.

Born to immigrant parents who fled Mexico during the turmoil of the Mexican Revolution, Hernández and his family initially worked as farm laborers in Texas, confronting hardships and poverty. However, his passion for music ignited at a young age, and he embarked on a musical career that would transcend borders and genres.

Reflecting on his early days performing in meager venues and overcoming challenges, Little Joe addressed the hurdles of limited radio exposure for Spanish-language music, recounting pivotal moments such as the success of his album “Por Un Amor”(1964) and the trials of a grueling tour. His shared experiences of touring internationally, including a memorable trip to Japan, underscored his deep appreciation for cultural exchange and diversity.

Yet, beyond the melodies, Little Joe’s legacy carries a profound message of empowerment and advocacy. Throughout the evening, Little Joe conveyed a powerful message of resilience and solidarity, urging the audience to confront racism and injustice through activism and civic engagement.

As he performed an impromptu song encouraging accountability and participation in the democratic process, he encouraged all to embrace their heritage, amplify their voices, and stand united in the pursuit of a brighter tomorrow.

Watch the event: