October is Archives Month, and we’re marking the occasion with a series of weekly events that showcase the heart of Special Collections and Archives. Each week, we’ll highlight a different aspect of what makes archives essential—from the dedicated staff who care for our collections, to the unique materials we preserve, to the behind-the-scenes supplies that keep history safe.
It’s a month-long reminder of why archives matter. Archives are cool—come exploring with us.
Wednesday, October 29, 1 pm to 3 pm
Eugene McDermott Library Lobby
Boxes keep archives safe, bookmarks keep your place, and buttons let you show off your style. Stop by our table in the Eugene McDermott Library lobby and see how archivists use boxes and storage materials to protect rare and fragile items and take home a themed bookmark and button featuring images from our collections.
Wednesday, October 1, 1 pm to 3 pm
Eugene McDermott Library Lobby
October is Archives Month—and October 1st is National Postcard Day!
Celebrate both Archives Month and National Postcard Day with us in the Eugene McDermott Library lobby. Stop by our booth to pick up a postcard kit to send to friends or family and explore examples from Special Collections and the Wineburgh Philatelic Research Library.
Wednesday, October 8, 1 pm to 3 pm
Special Collections and Archives Division, MC 3.504
Have you ever wondered why we don’t just digitize everything in the Archives and Special Collections Division? Come visit us on the 3rd floor in the Eugene McDermott Library and see our digitization equipment in action. You’ll be able to talk with our Digital Archivist about the challenges (and choices) behind digitization and see why we can’t just digitize everything.
Thursday, October 16, 1 pm to 3 pm
Special Collections and Archives Division, MC 3.504
Special Collections and Archives preserves the rare and unique materials that support research and teaching—come explore them at our Open House in the Eugene McDermott Library. Meet the staff, see highlights from the collections, and learn how students and researchers alike can make use of these resources. Faculty are especially encouraged to attend to discover how archival resources can be incorporated into a wide range of coursework.
Tuesday, October 21, 1 pm to 3 pm
Eugene McDermott Library Lobby
What makes something worth saving in an archive? Each person’s collection tells a different story—through photos, letters, music, or everyday objects. Stop by the lobby of the Eugene McDermott Library to share what you would preserve on our whiteboard prompts and explore examples from Special Collections that show how personal items can become part of a larger history.