Testing Digital Humanities Tools for Research

No doubt if you are in academia right now–or even outside of academia you might’ve heard a bit about digital humanities. While researching end-of-semester papers, I thought I would test out a few DH tools for research that have been recommended to me and see how well they work for my subject matter. I’ll be testing JSTOR’s Text Analyzer and Connected Papers. Continue reading “Testing Digital Humanities Tools for Research”

Microfilm Research, Digital Research

Microfilm and Digital Research 

Intro:

The History, Philosophy, and Newspaper Library holds over 100,000 reels of microfilmed newspapers in its collection as well as most of the University Library microfilm. The term “microform” encompasses microfilm and microfiche (as well as the now obsolete microcard.) What is microfilm and why do researchers and historians use it?

(University of Illinois Libguide to Microform)

Continue reading “Microfilm Research, Digital Research”

Open for Nominations: Illinois Newspaper Project

 

ImageThe Illinois Newspaper Project is open for nominations now through September 30th 2023.

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Cultural Heritage Institutions can nominate an Illinois Newspaper for digitization and free online distribution at https://t.co/6vY1RoJVbY.

Newspapers should be from Illinois, not under copyright, and microfilmed (no print newspapers at this time.)

For more information on nomination eligibility, FAQs, and paper applications see https://www.library.illinois.edu/illinoisnewspaperproject/get-involved/nominating/

Want more information? Join the mailing list at https://groups.webservices.illinois.edu/subscribe/171591. 

Trial Databases April/May 2023

Trial Databases 

The History, Philosophy, and Newspaper Library has two new trial databases, Black South African Magazines and Bibliography of Indigenous People in North America. Check out the descriptions below! 

Enjoying these databases? Let us know at hpnl@library.illinois.edu 

Africa Commons: Black South African Magazines  

Trial available through April 30, 2023. Continue reading “Trial Databases April/May 2023”

Welcome to HPNL! 

In this blog we are excited to talk to Michelle Self-Ballard, HPNL’s newest staff member! Michelle started working for the unit as a Senior Library Specialist at the end of December, keeping the circulation desk running smoothly, managing our newspaper collections, supervising student assistants and helping patrons with the unit’s collections. She comes to us after many years of library experience including working at the Champaign Public Library, Grainger Engineering Library, Undergraduate Library, and the Scholarly Commons. We’re very pleased to have Michelle as part of the History, Philosophy, and Newspaper Library!   

  Continue reading “Welcome to HPNL! “

Zion, IL: Utopia on the Prairie

In researching context for newspapers in the Illinois Digital Newspaper Collection I came across the fascinating history of Zion, IL, formerly Zion City, which was created as a utopian community in 1901 by an evangelical and early Pentecostal faith healer named John Alexander Dowie. In its early years the city did not allow drinking, dancing, smoking, card playing, theater, or even driving more than 10 miles an hour. Zion is a small town south of Kenosha and north of Waukegan in Lake County, Illinois. It is currently home to a nuclear power plant but boasts a rich history in American religious movements and utopian city planning.  Continue reading “Zion, IL: Utopia on the Prairie”