UNO Criss Library

We are hiring for a University Librarian and Chief Knowledge Officer! This leadership role will help shape the future of Criss Library by advancing digital scholarship, strengthening the library’s role as a catalyst for collaboration and community engagement, and fuel student success across the university. Learn more about the qualifications, view the leadership profile, and apply by July 31st: https://hubs.ly/Q04lZ9Hb0

This post was written by ASC student employee Emma to share ASC materials used by a researcher’s vlog.

The Q***r Omaha Archives aims to collect and preserve unique and rare materials about Omaha's LGBTQIA+ history as part of the Archives and Special Collections at UNO. In a vlog titled Q***r Travel Vlog Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska by London Alexander, Alexander explores q***r history in Nebraska and visits UNO's Archives and Special Collections!

Alexander came to ASC to see what was preserved in Nebraska's q***r past and to see what makes something worthy to be preserved in an archive. Looking at the records in the Q***r Omaha Archives, he determined that it was anything that shows our history. This collection aims to remember and preserve q***r history, community, and culture by collecting records and artifacts relating to Nebraska's LGBTAQIA+ population.

Check out this month’s flat case which shares historical snapshots of athletics at UNO. This case was curated by ASC student employee Emma.

We've got another update from Project Archivist Jessica:

165 boxes and counting! The NHPRC grant project at UNO Criss Library Archives & Special Collections continues to open access to the history preserved within the Great Plains Black History Museum.

Researchers can now explore over 165 boxes of materials documenting Black history in Omaha and across the Great Plains region through ArchivesSpace, including materials related to Civil Rights, North Omaha jazz and musicians, military history, education, family and personal papers, early settlement, sports, and much more.

Every box processed helps make these histories more visible, accessible, and easier for researchers, students, and the community to explore. Check out the finding aid: https://hubs.ly/Q04jPvbg0

This project is a collaboration between UNO Criss Library Archives and Special Collections and the Great Plains Black History Museum and is funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.

Diaries share evidence about daily life and provide a personal angle to events. Like all primary sources, diaries reflect the opinions, customs, and bias of the author. These are influenced by the time period, culture, economics, and politics of the time in which they are writing. You may see language about individuals, communities, and events that is historically accurate but no longer appropriate by today’s understanding. The entries of this project were chosen by ASC intern Megan, who also transcribed the pages.

June 23, 1942
We heard lectures all day again. They try to impress [strikeout] upon us that we [struck: had] have a great job a head. I think they have a way of frightening you too. But they also make you believe that the FBI is the best organization there is – and it’s the truth, I think I’m going to be proud of having worked in it.

Vivian met me after work and we journeyed on to the show.

Make sure you stop by this month to see the flat case curated by Archives and Special Collections intern Britta all about Lavender Couch, Omaha’s first alternative rock, all-lesbian band. Lavender Couch was active in the 1990s and the collection in ASC is composed of fliers, t-shirts, audio recordings, and more.

Looking for a way to beat the heat? We've got space and AC waiting for you! Grab a board game, browse the new books or popular fiction section, or simply relax in a quiet and cool space.

ASC’s Book of the Month for June is Seasons: Seven Poems a collaborative work between poet Kenneth A. Loft, book artist Claire Van Vliet, printer Nancy Reid, and paper artist Catherine Hall. The book has an orange-red cover that has a rough paper texture. The center illustration in the book appears to be a sunset over water, composed of reds, purples, and black. By running your finger over the text, you can feel the impression the text made on the page during the printing process. This book was published in 1981.

The “Book of the Month” series focuses on department holdings and new acquisitions to our Fine Arts Press Collection. This includes books that are handmade with innovative methods, limited edition runs of a book, or books that are themselves works of art. Examples of Fine Arts Press books include handmade paper, woodcut text or illustrations, and types of digital design and printing.

As with all our materials in Archives and Special Collections, books in this series are available for research in the department reading room; no appointment necessary.

Hi, my name is Britta (she/her), and I am an intern in UNO’s Archives and Special Collections this summer! I am from northwest Wisconsin and graduated with my Bachelor’s in History from the University of Minnesota Duluth in 2021. Now I am nearing the end of my online graduate program through the University of Nebraska at Kearney, where I’ll graduate with my Master’s in Public History this fall!

I have loved living in Omaha for the past four years and am excited to learn not only what it takes to preserve and maintain university archives, but also to learn more about the diverse people in my community through these collections. When I’m not busy with school, I like taking walks along the riverfront, going to symphony and rock concerts, and trying new coffee and thrift shops.