Philosophical "Ames" of the Archives and Rare Books Library

By Lauren Fink

Thanks to a generous donation from Anthony Graybosch, The Archives and Rare Books Library now has in its holdings a collection of philosophy books from Van Meter Ames’ private library. Van Meter Ames was a faculty member in the UC philosophy department, beginning in 1925, and served as its head from 1959 until 1966 when he retired. Many of the books in this collection have Ames’ annotations, notes, and article clippings in them, as well as correspondence between Ames and fellow philosophers or friends. Continue reading →

UC Libraries Donation Becomes a Sizeable Challenge in Preservation

By Dawn Fuller

UC Libraries will host a special reception to celebrate the installation of one of the most extraordinary urban maps in the Western world in the Archives & Rare Books Library. The reception will take place from 3-5 p.m., Monday, April 22, in the Reading Room of the Archives & Rare Books Library, located on the 8th floor of Blegen Library.

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50 Minutes-1 Book Series Returns to ARB

By: Kevin Grace

After a hiatus for the past few months, the lunchtime talks in the Archives & Rare Books Library return with a new presentation this month. Held in 814 Blegen in the Schott Seminar Room, these casual talks are held from 12 noon to 12:50, so bring your lunch and bring a friend. On March 28, the presentation will focus on the 19^th century blind Dublin street poet, Zozimus. And, the presentation will herald a new hallway exhibit in the Archives & Rare Books Library that features photographs of urban buskers from cities far and wide.

German-American Places & Events and Other Updates on ARB Website

By: Suzanne Maggard

The Archives and Rare Books Library has added some new links on our website for Cincinnati German-American places and events. Have you seen the Sausage Queen at Bockfest? Have you danced the Chicken Dance at Oktoberfest? If not, learn more about these German-influenced events in the Cincinnati area. We’ve also updated other links on ARB’s website for research resources, exhibits, and websites related to our collections. Take a look and see if there is anything that interests you. For more information, contact the Archives and Rare Books Library staff directly at 513.556.1959 or archives@ucmail.uc.edu

ARB's Next "50 Minutes-1 Book" Presentation

By: Kevin Grace

On Tuesday, November 20, the Archives & Rare Books Library will present the second in its series of lunchtime talks for this academic year. The book to be presented is George Moerlein’s A Trip Around the World. Moerlein, the son of Cincinnati beer baron Christian Moerlein, undertook a global journey in 1885 and chronicled his adventures the next year with the publication of this volume.

Printed and designed locally, and heavily illustrated, Moerlein’s travel account was published in both German and English, the better to use as a marketing tool for Cincinnati’s beer-drinking population. In fact, the end paper of the volume was a color lithograph of the Moerlein Brewery on Elm Street in Over-the-Rhine, a copy of which now decorates the entrance in the Moerlein Lager House brewery and restaurant on Cincinnati’s river bank. Continue reading →

50 Minutes-1 book

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The Sleep Cycle Comes to an End

By Lauren Fink, ARB Intern, 2011-2012

As the school year comes to a close today so does my internship at the Archives & Rare Books Library. Throughout my internship I have had the opportunity to work on a variety of projects and have truly come to appreciate the role the Archives & Rare Books Library plays in documenting Cincinnati’s history. Not originally from this town, through processing the Nelson and Florence Hoffman Cincinnati Post Card Collection and The Gaylord Oscar Shepherd Collection of Strobridge Lithography Company Calendar Cards, I was able learn about Cincinnati’s rich past and all of the events and people that gave rise to the present culture of the city.

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Dreams of Biblical Proportions

By Lauren Fink, ARB Intern, 2011-2012

Bible in ARB

Though no longer a large part of our socio-political life, in years passed, dreams influenced both religion and government. In fact, in their foundation, most major religions involve some sort of divine vision and/or dream experience revealed to man from a higher being. Christianity, Islam, and Judaism all document dream and visionary experiences in their holy books. For example, in the Old Testament of the Bible (in Chapter 41 of Genesis) the Pharaoh has a dream which Joseph, son of Jacob (dreamer of the ladder to heaven in Gen., ch. 28), is able to interpret. Because of his interpretation, Joseph is made a secondary ruler of Egypt, is able to prepare Egypt for the seven years of famine to come, and is ultimately able to save his kin that all move to Egypt under the Pharaoh’s blessing. If not for Joseph’s interpretation, the 12 tribes of Israel might not have existed – Joseph’s fathers and brothers most likely would have perished in Canaan. Continue reading →

Falling Asleep Reading in The Archives and Rare Books Library

By: Lauren Fink, ARB Intern, 2011-2012

Falling asleep reading is common problem that can result from a number of factors. Firstly, reading typically involves the photoreception of dark text against a light background, or vice versa, which can tire out the muscles of the eye due to their repeated adjustment to contrast. Secondly, reading may become habitual with falling asleep, i.e. if you always read before bed you will associate reading with time to fall asleep. The following are some important considerations when trying to read and comprehend effectively:

Make a habit of reading during a time of day when you are most awake.
Do not read in the sun
Avoid bare light bulbs
Avoid light windows
Avoid glare on your book page
Reduce screen glare
Reduce contrast in your room and on computer screen
Avoid hypnotism from highlighting
Improve sitting posture
Get up and move around. In general, take breaks about every 45 minutes
Stay hydrated; take water breaks (dehydration makes you tired). Having to get up to go to the bathroom will also wake you up and get your blood flowing!
Snack – not on something that will induce a sugar crash though! Try fruit or nuts.
Sit up while studying; change positions regularly; do not lay in bed or in a comfy chair

And if you’re looking for something to read, try these books about reading in the Archives and Rare Books Library: Continue reading →

No Food or Drink in the Library! An Exploration of Coffee and Tea in ARB

By Lauren Fink, ARB Intern, 2011-2012

With three Starbucks Cafés, Rohs St. Café, Taza Coffee House, and Sitwell’s Coffee House all within walking distance of campus, readers should have no problem staying awake while reading these fascinating coffee and tea-related titles in the Archives & Rare Books Library (but be sure to finish your beverage before entering!):

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