Latest Post
Celebrate Pride Month at the library!
Posted June 9, 2025
In recognition of Pride Month, we've put together a list of collections that celebrate the lives and contributions of LGBTQ+ people.
W&M Libraries Blog
The Magic of OER
Posted
Once upon a time, so all the stories go, there was a librarian and an English professor who wanted to not only save their students money on textbooks but also innovate their teaching. Luckily, the concept of open education was familiar to them both and they set out to create a curriculum that would support their teaching objectives and hopefully be easy on their students’ wallets.
Diving into Faculty Scholarship: Dr. Fiona Shen-Bayh
Posted
Dr. Fiona Shen-Bayh, (Assistant Professor, Government and Data Science) recently published "Undue Process: Persecution and Punishment in Autocratic Courts."
Diving into Faculty Scholarship: Dr. Elizabeth Losh
Posted
Candice Benjes-Small, Head of Research and librarian to Film and Media Studies, spoke to Professor Liz Losh, about her recently published book, “Selfie democracy: The new digital politics of disruption and insurrection.”
Summer at Swem: Research Mini-Courses Back by Popular Demand
Posted
W&M Libraries staff have been hard work over the summer months. A few of them were excited to share their favorite project with the W&M community. Paul Showalter, coordinator of instruction & assessment, shared about the workshops held by the research services team.
Summer at Swem: Media Center Enhances Services
Posted
W&M Libraries staff have been hard work over the summer months. A few of them were excited to share their favorite project with the W&M community. Drea George, a multimedia specialist, shares on implementing a student training program that improves the Reeder Media Center’s service to the W&M community.
Stereoviews and Culture: Theodore Roosevelt, The Stork, and Teddy Bears
Posted
Stereoviews offer a great window into the world of popular culture from the 1860’s into the 19230’s.
Understanding the Public Domain
Posted
The Public Domain or PD is expanding, admittedly at a rather slow rate (thanks, Sonny Bono!) but it is growing. 2020 marked a monumental year, for oh so many reasons, but for copyright and the public domain it meant that for the first time in a good long while, the expiry of copyright terms led to the expansion of the public domain. But what exactly is the Public Domain and why does it matter?
Summer at Swem: Art of the Book
Posted
W&M Libraries staff have been hard at work over the summer months. A few of them were excited to share their favorite project. Meghan Bryant, head of special collections public services & instruction, shares about her partnership with Steve Prince, the Muscarelle Museum's director of engagement and distinguished artist in residence, and their plan to launch a workshop in the fall.
Summer at Swem: Building a New Digital Platform
Posted
W&M Libraries staff have been hard work over the summer months. A few of them were excited to share their favorite project with the W&M community. Deborah Cornell, head of digital services, shares on leading a multi-year endeavor to build a new digital collections platform.
Introducing Cynthia Vinson, Acquisitions Assistant
Posted
In this post, we introduce W&M Libraries' new acquisitions assistant, Cynthia Vinson!
Introducing Summer Arawjo, Circulation Reserves and Student Supervisor
Posted
In this post, we introduce W&M Libraries' new circulation reserves and student supervisor!
What’s the Difference? The four elements of intellectual property explained
Posted
Intellectual Property is actually a relatively new concept, historically speaking. Rights to intangible property didn’t become codified until the Statute of Anne in the 18th century; this is widely considered the first legally binding document defining and establishing intellectual property. However, it’s still a far cry from our modern experience with Intellectual Property (or IP as it is lovingly and occasionally derisively referred).
Diving into Faculty Scholarship: Dr. Anne Rasmussen
Posted
Dr. Anne K. Rasmussen, Professor of Music and Ethnomusicology and Bickers Professor of Middle Eastern Studies, discusses her new book, Music in Arabia: Perspectives on Heritage, Mobility, and Nation, co-edited by Issa Boulos and Virginia Danielson.
SCRC Accepting Applications for 2022-2023 Research Travel Grants
Posted
The SCRC is accepting applications for the 2022-2023 round of Research Travel Grants.
Seeking Permissions for Copyright-Protected Work
Posted
Fair use can be tricky to navigate because the legal benchmarks for this exemption are intentionally vague. You’ll never actually know if your use of copyrighted material is considered fair use unless a judge decides (which usually means you’ve been sued).
Introducing Rick Mikulski, Instruction and Reference Librarian
Posted
In this post, we introduce W&M Libraries' new instruction and reference librarian, Rick Mikulski!
Diving into Faculty Scholarship: Dr. Lawrence Leemis
Posted
Dr. Lawrence Lemis, a mathematics professor, discusses his new book the second edition of "Learning Base R."
Library staff member places second in VLA LGBTQIA+ Forum Art Contest
Posted
“Queer joy,” according to the corporate giant understanding, is made of brightly-colored silhouettes, hands clasped together, and flashy letters declaring “Proud” and “Love is Love.” This approach skyrocketed in popularity after the legalization of gay marriage by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2015.
Changes in the Land
Posted
Recently, several neighbors and I trekked up a narrow, muddy path through dense, jungle-like foliage. Bright, glossy leaves crowned by yellow plumes. Long branches arched above and crowded around. This tropical moment was not faraway and exotic but on College Creek, less than a mile from Colonial Williamsburg.
Introducing Kaitlyn Weathers, Digitization Specialist
Posted
In this post, we introduce the newest member of our digital services team!