University of Minnesota Libraries

06/16/2026

Roy Blakey was an ice skater who performed in shows around the world, a renowned portrait photographer and pioneer of male n**e photography, and caretaker of the world’s largest ice show archive. That collection, as well as his extensive photography archive, has now found a home at the Tretter Collection in GLBT Studies at the University of Minnesota.

Why is the world’s largest ice show archive in an LGBTQ archive? For Tretter curator Aiden Bettine, there’s a large intersection between the ice skating history and LGBTQ history, and Blakey stands in the center of it. “I do not see these as distinct collections at all. There is no separation,” Bettine said. “Gay figure skaters are just part of the figure skating world, and I think that’s actually quite normative … People have to reckon with the queerness of it all.”

UNCLE ROY

Roy Blakey was the caretaker of the world’s largest ice show archive, containing over 33,000 items, including costumes and skates worn by Sonja Henie.

06/15/2026

Snapshot from the Kerlan: This year marks the 100th anniversary of the publication of Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne, illustrated by E.H. Shepard. While the Kerlan doesn't hold any original Pooh art, it is home to other sketches and drawings by E.H. Shepard — including this original pencil sketch, possibly done as a concept sketch for "When We Were Very Young" by Milne.

06/12/2026

Andersen Horticultural Library has a new book cart! You know what that means: we need YOUR help choosing a name.⁠
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Our last contests brought us Cart2D2 and Dolly Carton. What will you come up with? Give us your best flower, nature, plant, and book-themed ideas!⁠
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Submit by July 6 by commenting your ideas below, or fill out the form at z.umn.edu/AHLNameABookCart.⁠
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As always, this year’s contest includes a few basic rules:⁠
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🌱 Submissions are limited to no more than 30 characters (including letters and spaces).⁠
🌱 Gosh darn it, nothing vulgar please.⁠
🌱 Politically inspired names (including phrases, slogans or plays on politicians’ names) will not be considered. Naming book carts is meant to be fun and lighthearted, so we’re going to keep this contest nonpartisan and nonpolitical.⁠
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Finalists and voting will be announced in a few weeks. Stay tuned!

06/10/2026

Last month at The Cedar Cultural Center, the Givens Collection of African American Literature and Life presented Flowers Now!, a celebration of Black elders of the arts community. This performance and awards ceremony honored the contributions of artists and arts leaders who have left indelible and sustained crucial contributions to the artistic culture of the Twin Cities. ⁠
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The event was hosted by poet Tish Jones, with performances by Cornbread Harris, Libby Turner, Queen Drea, and Lela Pierce. ⁠
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Thanks to everyone who attended! (Photos/Bruce Silcox)

06/09/2026

Summer break means more time for fun reading! Did you know that your U Card gives you access to thousands of FREE e-books, audiobooks, and magazines from anywhere in the world via the Libby app?⁠
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Check out this quick guide to get started with Libby. See more detailed instructions: https://libguides.umn.edu/funreading

You can also learn more about our 2026 summer reading challenge at z.umn.edu/read2026!

06/08/2026

Did you know our awesome Librarians publish books too?⁠
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Congrats to Aubree, our Humanities and Design Librarian, on the publication of her book, "Women Architects Worldwide: Building a Diverse and Inclusive Canon." It features the name and work of a woman architect from almost every country and territory in the world! She was inspired to make this tool after noticing a common research need through her work in the Architecture Library helping researchers discover information. Aubree hopes to uplift the names of women architects from around the world, inspire scholars to complete more in-depth biographical research on women architects worldwide, and expand the current architectural canon.⁠
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Access this e-book for FREE at: open.lib.umn.edu/womenarchitectsworldwide/

Swipe to see a sampling of the architects featured in this e-book!⁠
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Visit the Architecture Library in Rapson Hall on East Bank to learn more, and find great spaces with cool furniture and natural light to study or hang out this summer. Don’t forget your U Card to get in the building!

06/04/2026

Craftsmanship drew UMN Psychology senior Amanda Lossef to the Health Science Library’s Makerspace and Virtual Reality Studio, where she’s worked for the past year. She introduces students to the various tools and resources in each space, answers questions, and troubleshoots problems and equipment malfunctions.

“There’ll often be someone who walks in for the first time, and I get to welcome them in and give them a tour. And I’m always excited when people come in again, and I see their progress and growth. That’s my favorite part,” Lossef said.

💛 https://ow.ly/qcka50Z6kbm

06/04/2026

The Wangensteen Historical Library of Biology and Medicine has partnered with colleagues across the Libraries and the University to advance three strategic initiatives, thanks to internal funding from the Libraries. ⁠
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Projects include custom enclosures that will ensure the long-term preservation of rare and unique historical East Asian texts, a pilot project that will use 3D scanning and printing technologies to create replicas of 15 Japanese pharmaceutical woodblocks, and efforts to develop international standards for the digitization of moveable books. Each of these projects tell the story of the global reach and impact of this renowned collection, and the expertise that makes the collection shine. ⁠

The Wangensteen Historical Library of Biology and Medicine has partnered with colleagues across the Libraries and the University to advance three strategic initiatives, thanks to internal funding from the Libraries.

06/04/2026

The Wangensteen Historical Library of Biology and Medicine has partnered with colleagues across the Libraries and the University to advance three strategic initiatives, thanks to internal funding from the Libraries. ⁠
⁠
Projects include custom enclosures that will ensure the long-term preservation of rare and unique historical East Asian texts, a pilot project that will use 3D scanning and printing technologies to create replicas of 15 Japanese pharmaceutical woodblocks, and efforts to develop international standards for the digitization of moveable books. Each of these projects tell the story of the global reach and impact of this renowned collection, and the expertise that makes the collection shine.
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The Wangensteen Historical Library of Biology and Medicine has partnered with colleagues across the Libraries and the University to advance three strategic initiatives, thanks to internal funding from the Libraries.

06/03/2026

As part of the 100th anniversary of Carter G. Woodson's founding of Black History Week in 1926, join the Givens Collection of African American Literature and Life for the opening of a new community exhibit, 100 Years of Black Freedom. Through literature, archival imagery, and live performance, the exhibit highlights Black Freedom Tradition across generations.

There will be an exhibit opening and live performance on June 20 from 10:30 a.m.-noon at the University of Minnesota Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center (UROC). The exhibit will be on display at UROC through Aug. 20.

The Givens Foundation For African American Literature

Celebrate a century of Black history and storytelling at UROC. As part of the 100th anniversary of Carter G. Woodson’s Black History Week, The Givens Foundation for African American Literature is presenting a special community exhibit featuring the Givens Collection of African American Literature and Life. Through literature, archival imagery, and live performance, the exhibit highlights Black Freedom Tradition across generations. Stop by UROC for the opening exhibit and live performance on June 20, from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. The exhibit will be on display at UROC through August 20, 2026. Funding provided by the Minnesota Humanities Center.