Library Blogs

When I began my Library Engagement Fellows project, I expected to spend most of my time organizing resources and learning a new digital platform. What I did not expect was how much I would learn about a region connected to my own family history. Over the course of two semesters, I worked with Librarian Jeff Martin to develop a research guide on Odisha, a state in eastern India, while gaining new perspectives on research, accessibility, and digital resource creation. My project began during the Fall 2025 semester and continued into the Winter 2026 semester. Working alongside Librarian Jeff Martin, I have been helping develop a South Asia LibGuide focused on Odisha, a state in eastern India. The guide is intended to serve as a resource for students, researchers, and community members interested in learning more about the region's history, culture, language, politics, and scholarly resources.

During my Summer Fellowship in Library User Experience, I explored wayfinding in U-M’s Hatcher Graduate Library. By reviewing past studies, speaking with library staff, and hearing directly from visitors, I gathered insights to design three conceptual wayfinding kiosk prototypes. This fellowship strengthened my research and design skills, while deepening my appreciation for the invisible design decisions that quietly help people feel confident and welcome in a public space.

This month’s recipe offers a preview of Special Collections’ Fall exhibit: Faster and More Fun: American Home Cooking in the 1920s, with Chocolate Blanc Mange from Fun in the Kitchen (1927).

Psychological safety has been an important topic for organizations and their leaders for decades. When the work culture encourages honest contributions by employees, and when mistakes are viewed as learning opportunities, diverse perspectives can be heard. Libraries as organizations have a role in creating psychologically safe environments. But is there any connection between psychological safety and our library assessments? This blog post suggests some connections for library assessment practitioners, as a result of the author's own reflection.

Introducing a couple instructional videos for making paper pots.

Summer calls for cool drinks and cool eats. This month’s recipe comes from Fannie Farmer’s The Boston Cooking School Cook Book (1920), third edition, third printing.

First time 3d printing for a personalized gift!

On Tuesday 9 June 2026, at 5:30 pm in the Special Collections Research Center, Julia Miller, author of the widely acclaimed "Books Will Speak Plain: A Handbook for Identifying and Describing Historical Bindings," will show us us what “magnificent” can mean with regard to the binding and repair of some of our oldest books. Julia's presentation will be accompanied by a display of seven exemplars from the U-M Library’s collection of Greek manuscripts. Refreshments will be provided.

Like April's Corn Bread, this month’s recipe is drawn from Ella Hall’s manuscript cookbook, which will be available to purchase as a facsimile from the University of Michigan Press in June. One of the first recipes that caught my attention when I read through this book was “Sweet Pickled Apples,” credited to "Mrs. Rhea on Ann St."

A researcher used software to convert an image of stars into a 3D model and used the shapiro design lab 3D print resources to finish the project!