This is a post nearly 10 years in the making. It’s a saga about the best laid plans, unexpected quandaries, human error, strapping tape solutions, the benefits and drawbacks of computer programming, and what we hope is a HEA (happily-ever-after, for those of you not well-versed in romance novel speak.)…
The Consortium Library at the University of Alaska Anchorage is pleased to announce a recruitment for a three year archival residency. We are looking for an energetic, motivated, and innovative professional to join us in offering superb archival services. This position is designed to provide a broad range of experiences…
Are you a student, staff, or faculty member at UAA* or APU? Do you know your Alaskan birds? Here’s the chance to show off your birding skills! As part of the Loren Taft retrospective exhibit at Archives & Special Collections, we’ve chosen 67 of his photographs that have Alaskan birds…
Did you know February is considered UAA’s birthday month? I’m not sure how official that is, but in the spirit of it, I have a documentary puzzle for you. The first Anchorage Community College commencement ceremony was held in 1956. One graduate: Vincent Demarest. Here’s the puzzle: we don’t have…
As archivists, we don’t often tell people how to create their documents. Unless asked, of course, then the gloves are off. But on this St. Valentine’s Day Eve, I’ve found a nice little nugget in the 1885 Gay’s Standard Encyclopedia on how to write a love letter and I’d like…
In January we said we’d be highlighting one of our favorite rare books throughout the year so here we go. The Gay’s Standard Encyclopedia and Self-Educator from 1885. Let me take a brief detour. We have this clock in one of the staff areas. I took a picture of it…
A few years ago, I had the pleasure of receiving a phone call to set up a meeting with a long-time Anchorage resident, Loren Taft. I was told he had a lot of photographs. And then I went to his house. And he did indeed have a lot of photographs.…
I’d like to introduce you to a volume in our Rare Books collection. It’s the very first book on the very first shelf of our Rare section. This book has found a fond spot in our hearts here in A&SC and we find it woefully underused. It’s full of all…
Periodically I’ll receive a call from a legislator’s office to begin the conversation of what of their legislative records might be appropriate for an archives to take in. I often try to dodge providing lists, because any list I might provide should be regarded not as prescriptive (i.e. throw everything…
This past Thursday night, we hosted our third Archives Month event of this October, “Reel Life Alaska,” a screening of archival film footage from our collections here at UAA Archives & Special Collections. A small but lively crowd gathered in Room 307 of the Consortium Library to munch on popcorn,…
