Fall 2020
Letter from the Dean
I hope you and your loved ones are well. While 2020 has presented challenges to health and wellbeing, University of Houston Libraries has adapted to our collective “new normal.”
News Highlights
UH Libraries Receives NEH Grant
University of Houston Libraries is pleased to announce that it has received a $348,751 grant award from the National Endowment for the Humanities, Division of Preservation and Access, Humanities Collections and Reference Resources Program to support the Gulf Coast LGBT Radio and Television Digitization and Access Project.
Texas Art Project: Digitized Microfilmed Archives
Thanks to a Texas State Library and Archives Commission TexTreasures grant funded by the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS), over 100 reels of microfilmed archives documenting women and underrepresented communities in Texas visual arts will be digitized and made accessible online.
Elizabeth Irvin-Stravoski
UH Libraries welcomes Elizabeth Irvin-Stravoski as the first manager of the Digital Research Commons (DRC).
Leo Martin
UH Libraries welcomes Leo Martin as the new resource description librarian.
100 Years of Progress: The Fight Marches On
In an election year, as millions of citizens exercise their right to vote, no movement best reminds us of this right than the women’s suffrage movement and the passage of the 19th Amendment.
Librarian & Staff News
Professional & Scholarly Spotlight
Recent accomplishments and collaborations of UH Libraries’ librarians and staff
Alumni Spotlight
Before Edith Villasenor became the circulation services manager in the Architecture, Design, and Art Library, she was a Libraries student worker.
Student Spotlight
Sara Nafaryeh
Mathematics – Option in Mathematical Finance
Minor: Economics
In her role in Special Collections, Nafaryeh files documentation of artifact collection data, trains other student workers, pulls and re- shelves archival material and books within closed stacks, and takes care of front desk duties.
“This is my first job as a student worker and I couldn’t ask for a better one. I’ve gained self-confidence, people skills, and leadership abilities.”
Krista Renée Pape, soprano
Master of Music, Vocal Performance and Pedagogy
Some of Pape’s duties at the Music Library include recovering old books through reconstruction, repair, and sewing, maintaining study and work spaces, and creating fun and interactive displays that help patrons learn and get to know library collections.
“I’ve worked for the library for two years. My favorite part of the job is sewing new scores before placing them on the shelves for the patrons to peruse. It’s a sneak peek at new product, while also holding the power to the literal binding and spine of the book. It’s like doing book surgery!
Ivan Lopez
Psychology
As a Learning Commons studio technician, Lopez records, mixes, and masters songs, produces instrumentals, and creates arrangements. Lopez serves as president of the new and upcoming music organization on campus, Astro Music Foundation.
“The creation and development of Astro Music Foundation is currently one of my biggest projects. After working with various artists and expanding my network since I first started my journey in the music industry, I brought my entire network together to create AMF and from that I plan on creating one of the greatest record labels the city of Houston has ever seen. Some of my biggest career goals for 2020 include getting a gold or platinum plaque and working in the music business full time.”
Naomi Palomares
Psychology
Minor: Quantitative Social Sciences
Palomares works in Special Collections with archivist Julie Grob, assisting with projects related to the DJ Screw Hip Hop collection, cleaning vinyl records, or boxing rare and special books that are in delicate conditions.
“Working with Julie and the rare materials at Special Collections has shown me how lucky we are as UH students to have such materials available to us. I’ve learned to take advantage of all the resources that are available to me. As for career goals, I wish to continue with my education in graduate school, either focusing on clinical psychology or cognitive neuroscience. My ultimate career goal would be to work at a research center or hospital, to continue the advancement of our understanding of the human brain.”
Support UH Libraries
We are introducing new spaces, services, and resources that fulfill our vision of a community, nurtured by curiosity and creativity, that drives lifelong learning and scholarship.
To learn more about UH Libraries giving opportunities, visit libraries.uh.edu/giving