William R. Jenkins Architecture, Design & Art Library News

The UH community is welcome to visit the William R. Jenkins Architecture, Design, and Art Library on Tuesday, September 29th, to celebrate Silent Movie Day with German Expressionist films shown throughout the day.  It is a casual drop-in/drop-out event for students and others to enjoy downtime with some artful angst between classes.

Detail from The history and antiquities of Westminster abbey and Henry the Seventh’s Chapel. John Preston Neale, 1856. Neale is the landscape and architecture artist who made the stunning engravings for this book.

 How could architects study buildings in the days before travel and photography were widespread?

For the early Victorian architect, books filled with detailed text and engravings were key.  Although they seem like ancient tomes now, these books were the cutting edge information technology of their time.  By the mid-nineteenth century, woodcut and steel engravings could be mass-produced and published to a wide audience.  And there WAS a wide audience- more people could read than ever before, and mass printing made books affordable.

The texts accompanying these engravings describe in minute detail every aspect of masonry in a building, with generous helpings of history, anecdote… even poetry.  The armchair traveler or architecture student could get a thorough understanding of the structure, its history, and its present cultural significance, without ever having seen it in person.

Parish churches , 1848. Raphael Brandon.

As the Victorian era progressed, new technology kept coming, and it changed the way architects and tourist got information about buildings.  Photography, with its very long exposures and new techniques, could generate crystal clear images.  The railroad suddenly turned long distances that were expensive to travel into short daytrips affordable by almost all.  People could now visit cathedrals far from where they lived, and interest in reading of far away places correspondingly increased. 

But despite all of the benefits of technology, rapid industrialization also made people nostalgic for a simpler, agrarian time.  A romantic taste for ruins became the fashion, and inspired architects of the day to create contemporary cathedrals of their own.  Neo-Gothic architecture was born.

A small photograph from Ruined Abbeys and Castles of Great Britain, William and Mary Howitt, 1862. This book is also filled with poetry by Wordsworth.

Even now, churches are built in the Neo-Gothic style. St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Houston is a contemporary example.

An American Cathedral: A Centennial History of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. John E. Fellers, 2005.

In France, photography changed how people experienced Chartres Cathedral forever after.  Erected in the 1200’s, Chartres is famous for its stained glass windows, but these were only seen at a distance for hundreds of years.  

Then, in 1914, the bombs of World War 1 threatened the church.  A group of concerned patrons made the decision to have each window removed, photographed, and stored away in safety. 

Scaffolding was erected, and Etienne Houvet was chosen to photograph the glass.  He was a guide at the museum with a passionate interest in both the Cathedral’s history, and he was a passionate amateur photographer.  Houvet climbed on the scaffolding and photographed every detail of the windows, as well as most of the sculpture and architectural details of the church.  On August 15, 1918, the church was indeed bombed, but the windows had been safely removed.  After the war they were reinstalled, where they remain in excellent condition today. 

In 1926, the photographs were published in the original edition of this book and for the first time, the public could see the magnificent stained glass up close.  This later edition from the 1940’s features reproductions in brilliant color.

Houvet continued to guide tours and study and photograph the church until his death at 81. 

Monographie de la Cathďrale de Chartres: An illustrated monograph of Chartres Cathedral. Etienne Houvet, 1940.

This exhibit was curated by Brooke Bailey and is currently on view in the Jenkins Architecture, Design and Art Library.

Women Architects Worldwide: Building a Diverse and Inclusive Canon is an open-access Pressbook designed to feature the names of women architects from almost every country and territory around the world. This book is intended as a foundation to start building a more diverse and inclusive architectural canon. Scholars can use this reference tool as a catalyst for more in-depth research.  The University of Houston Libraries is one of only ten systems in the U.S. to make this resource discoverable through its catalog.

This is Not Here:  Fluxus Scores and Ephemera from the William R. Jenkins Architecture, Design, and Art Library, an exhibition curated by students from the School of Art and Moores School of Music, draws on the Jenkins Library’s exceptional collection of rare ephemera produced by Fluxus artists.  The students and their professor, Natilee Harren, Associate Professor of Art History, will be in the library Monday, May 4th, from 11-2 for the exhibit opening.  Fluxus performances will take place every 20 minutes.  

The works from the Jenkins Library’s Kenneth Franzheim II Rare Books Room will be on view through May 8, 2026.  

The William R. Jenkins Architecture, Design, and Art Library will be closed from 1-5 on Friday, June 12th, for a staff event.  

University of Houston Libraries celebrated its outstanding employees at the 2026 Library Excellence Awards recently. Now in its 26^th year, the event, held at the MD Anderson Library Elizabeth D. Rockwell Pavilion, recognizes the commitment and talent of UH librarians and staff. The annual tradition is supported through the generosity of the John P. McGovern Foundation.

This year’s event theme was “Greatest of All Time,” inspired by the distinctions of UH Athletics, the recent Olympic Winter Games, and the upcoming World Cup. Dean of UH Libraries Christina Gola opened the festivities with gratitude for the many individuals who helped produce the awards event, including all nominators, members of the awards committee, members of the employee engagement committee, and staff. Libraries student employees who won scholarships for the upcoming academic year were also honored.

The Dean’s Advocate Award went to Heidi Appel, dean of the Honors College, who has been an extraordinary collaborator and advocate for UH Libraries over the past two years. Dean Appel deeply understands the essential role libraries serve in student success and has been a true partner in advancing that mission.

Dean Heidi Appel and Dean Christina Gola

Brooke Bailey is the McGovern Staff Rookie of the Year. Bailey is described as “an absolute marvel” whose expertise has had a positive impact on several processes at the Jenkins Architecture, Design, and Art Library. Under her direction, social media engagement has doubled, and with her promotion of materials, circulation has increased by more than 20%.

The McGovern Librarian Rookie of the Year is Louise Kidder, who is described as a “reliable, collaborative, and inclusive colleague.” Just six months after joining the Libraries, she stepped into an interim department head role, helping her team maintain “positive, steady morale during a time of significant change.” She successfully led several complex projects, improving workflows, strengthening partnerships, and enhancing the Libraries’ ability to support student success and research.

The Student Achievement awards were presented to Riya Dhanduke and Christina Miller. Dhanduke is a “highly collaborative and dependable employee” in Resource Management and Metadata whose assistance in the Pressbooks to MARC Pilot project was invaluable. Miller is recognized for her “reliability, cheerful personality, playful creativity, and excellent work ethic” at the Jenkins Library.

This year’s McGovern Outstanding Student is Kira Giannetti, who is known to be a collaborative, professional, autonomous, and diligent sound engineer for the Hamill Studio. Giannetti conveys care, good judgment, and a high degree of technical expertise that is appreciated by her many studio clients.

Jamie Duke and Susan Houston received Staff Achievement awards. Duke is an exceptional team member and “natural problem-solver” who shows grace and skill in her position, making sure that Libraries resources are used wisely and that recruiting and onboarding go smoothly. Houston juggles countless daunting tasks related to building management, and her “practical expertise and deep institutional knowledge” never fail to impress. 

Winners of the 2026 Library Excellence Awards

The McGovern Outstanding Staff awardee, Austin Stakes, is recognized for the essential behind-the-scenes contributions that help make the work of UH Libraries possible. Described as a “meticulous and exacting” digital photo technician, he is known for the attention to detail and technical expertise that strengthen every project he supports. 

Veronica Arellano Douglas and Kate Carter were honored for Librarian Achievement. Douglas has built an exemplary record of scholarship, service, and leadership while advancing UH Libraries’ mission both on campus and within the profession. She led the development of Teaching and Learning’s Reflection Toolkit, serves on the editorial board of the journal portal: Libraries and the Academy, and is a facilitator for ACRL Immersion.

Carter advances the Libraries’ mission through her work in open educational resources. She has taken on important leadership roles in the profession, and contributes to the field through scholarship, including a recent book chapter exploring the work of OER librarians. As chair of the Libraries Research and Scholarship Travel Committee, she leads improvements to application processes and documentation to better support students and future committee work.

Jennifer Holland is the McGovern Outstanding Librarian. “Supportive and dedicated,” Holland made various valuable contributions in 2025, such as participating in the Texas Library Association 2026 planning committee and the National Forum on Privacy Literacy Standards and Competencies at Penn State. She also became a co-convener of the American Library Association’s privacy literacy discussion group, co-presented with a colleague on library resources and research strategies for the Houston Early Research Experience program, and serves as chair for the Library Excellence Awards committee.

This year’s Outstanding Group is the Subscription Accounts Management team, Susan Ryan and Jeannie Pham. Their “tenacity, attention to detail, and insistence on accuracy,” along with their ability to respond quickly to unexpected challenges, were critical to the project’s success. Working collaboratively with colleagues and vendor partners, they navigated numerous billing and subscription management challenges while building strong, high-trust relationships with new partners. Their teamwork and persistence ensured continuity of access to UH Libraries’ print and electronic collections and demonstrated excellent stewardship of these important resources.

The Trailblazer Award for Leading Organizational Change went to collaborators Keith Komos, Frederick Young, and Selina Khan, who navigated the complexities of a shared library system with exceptional creativity and persistence. The group brought together partners from UH Libraries, university IT, and faculty across the UH system to meet an ambitious implementation timeline. Their technical expertise, programmatic leadership, and commitment to collaboration helped establish new relationships and set a standard for effective cross-campus teamwork. 

Members of the Library Excellence Awards Committee are Jennifer Holland, Sarah Barber, Susan Hoover, Eric Larsen, Yesenia Umana, Duong Pham, and Marian Smith; and ex officio members Jamie Duke and Santi Thompson.

Members of the Employee Engagement Committee who contributed to the development of the theme and celebration are Armin Lopez, Susan Ryan, Ann Blosser, Molly Knapp, and Quoc Phung.

Jessica Rodriguez and Larry Schmidt provided logistics support for the space and committees. Kyle Boberg provided photography.

See more photos on Facebook

The Jenkins Library is pleased to announce an exhibition featuring the work of undergraduate UH Sculpture student Marla Gallardo!

Marla Gallardo, Mar’s Planets, 2026

In Marla’s words:

“As a sculptor, I create installations that encourage interaction, curiosity, and shared experience, using color and decoration to create spaces where connection and joy can emerge.  After the pandemic, my perspective on community changed.  Spending time with others making art, talking, sharing, or simply existing together became a sacred act, and this sense of togetherness continues to guide my work.

As a young Hispanic woman with immigrant parents, I navigate the feeling of being seen but not fully understood.  This shows up in my practice through my desire to create environments where people can connect without needing to explain themselves.  Instead of focusing on difference, I build spaces where shared presence is enough.

I am interested in making others happy, and in turn making myself happy.  My work explores color, repetition, and interactive environments, treating decoration as a serious artistic language.  I use high-dopamine colors, vibrant hues that create an immediate emotional pull and sense of energy.

Displayed in the library, the piece exists alongside books and shared knowledge, reinforcing my belief that art and learning are collective experiences.”

Marla has also curated a book display for the library, focusing on women sculptors.

“This book display is an extension of my sculptural practice, bringing together research and history that informs the mark-making choices I make today. Looking closely at female artists helps me understand where I’m coming from and how my work fits into a larger lineage.  I am especially drawn to Louise Bourgeois and Yayoi Kusama. Bourgeois’s view on womanhood and self-expression, along with her constant and repetitive way of working, really resonates with me. I often think about her large ‘mama spider’ sculptures. Kusama’s use of repetition through dots and her “obliteration rooms”, which are designed to be changed through interaction, also influences how I think about space and participation.

Marla’s book display in the Jenkins Art, Architecture and Design Library. All titles are available for checkout.

“These books act as tools, but also as something more. The ability to check out up to 99 books from the architecture library feels like a kind of abundance, a way of holding and gathering knowledge. As students, we are able to surround ourselves with information about art in a way that feels almost excessive, but also really inspiring. I created an interactive installation called Craft Party that explored this connection between art and knowledge, and this display continues that idea.

“There is something to learn from these artists, but what that is changes depending on the
person. Even just looking through the images can be enough to spark something.”

Marla’s work will be on display through April 24.

Marla even made some sculptures for the bookcase.

To support a safe and accessible environment for all Library visitors, bicycles and electric scooters are no longer permitted inside the MD Anderson Library, effective April 6, 2026. As stated in MAPP 09.04.02, bicycles and scooters are not allowed inside buildings; and reckless or negligent operation of all bicycles and scooters (motorized or otherwise) on any part of campus is prohibited.

This change is being implemented to:

• Reduce safety hazards in high‑traffic areas
• Prevent damage to Library facilities
• Ensure clear walkways and emergency access routes for all visitors

What this means for you:

Bicycles and electric scooters may not be brought, ridden, charged, or stored anywhere inside the Library. Students, staff, faculty, and visitors are encouraged to secure or park bicycles and scooters at designated outdoor racks before entering.

We appreciate your cooperation in keeping our shared spaces safe, welcoming, and conducive to study and research. If you need accommodations related to mobility, please contact the Justin Dart, Jr. Student Accessibility Center. 

Thank you for helping us maintain a safe and accessible environment for everyone.

Now on view in the Jenkins Library of Architecture, Design and Art:

Bauhaus students, 1927

Envisioned by Walter Gropius, the Bauhaus was a school where architecture, art, graphic and industrial design, weaving and even technical theater coexisted and influenced each other.  

Beginning in 1919 in Weimar, Germany, then relocated to Dessau, the Bauhaus is known for (and in some cases even invented) many aspects of the contemporary visual landscape as we know it today. In architecture, Bauhaus pioneered “glass curtained” buildings, mass prefabricated housing using iron-enforced concrete, and the minimalist concept of form over decorative elements.  Some other contributions of the Bauhaus include metal tubing in chair design, auditoriums with folding seats, cellophane, combination teapot, and lighting tubes, to name just a few. 

Gropius rejected the nineteenth century idea of the artist as an isolated genius.  He believed an artist was just a craftsperson that got lucky sometimes and created art with a spiritual aspect, but that everyday useful craft was vital to society.  He felt that all artists should be skilled in a useful craft, and with it, be able to earn a decent living.  A believer in the creative power of the group, he urged architects to work holistically with urban designers and craftspeople.  As a passionate advocate for democracy of thought, education was a huge part of Gropius’ career, and he urged the teaching of visual thinking as early as kindergarten, so that the general populace could contribute their opinions to the arts of their environment in a meaningful way.  Because the arts, and thus beauty, could move people to call forth ethical powers, he believed that good architecture, art, and design were vital to modern society. 

Bauhaus flourished until 1933, when the Nazis closed the school.  Many Bauhaus masters emigrated to the US, teaching and spreading their ideas, which continued to heavily influence 20th century modernism further afield. 

This exhibition was curated by Jenkins Library Supervisor Brooke Bailey and is on display on the first floor of the library.

In the William R. Jenkins Architecture, Design, and Art Library, the visual art is not just inside the pages of the books.  It’s on the walls and in the public spaces.  In addition to a permanent exhibit of prints by MANUAL (Edward Hill and Suzanne Bloom), which is part of the University of Houston System’s Public Art collection, the library proudly displays the artwork of UH students throughout the year.  

Students wishing to display their work in this public venue on campus should submit an application soon.  We are now considering work to show in the spring, summer, and fall semesters.