The Ohio State University Libraries

Please joins us for a public reception to celebrate the latest Thompson Library Gallery exhibition "Polar Expressions: Finding Beauty in the Coldest Regions on Earth." Exhibition curator Laura Kissel will give a guided tour of the exhibition as we celebrate the exhibition and the Byrd Polar and Climate Research Archival Program. When: May 7, 4-5:30 p.m. EST Where: Thompson Library, 1858 Neil Avenue Mall, Thompson Library Gallery and Special Collections Atrium Columbus , OH 43210-1286 https://bit.ly/3OyySKI #UniversityLibraries #ByrdPolar #ColumbusOhio #ColumbusEvents

Barbara Shermund was one of the first women cartoonists at The New Yorker, helping shape the magazine’s visual identity with her bold, witty and unapologetically edgy style, while opening doors for generations of women cartoonists to follow. Her legacy was celebrated in the 2018 exhibition at the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum, "Tell Me a Story Where the Bad Girl Wins: The Life and Art of Barbara Shermund,” which inspired a 2024 book of the same name by curator Caitlin McGurk. In recognition of Women’s History Month, McGurk recently joined Good Day New York to discuss Shermund’s life, work and lasting influence. Watch the full segment online: https://bit.ly/4vmEwjM #NewYorker #BarbaraShermund #Cartoons #CartoonLibrary

How do we inspire the next generation of public leaders? By preserving the stories behind the policies. The Ohio Public Policy Archives (OPPA), supported by a private donor and in partnership with the John Glenn College of Public Affairs at The Ohio State University, has launched the Congressional Staff Oral History Project, capturing firsthand accounts from those who served alongside Senator John Glenn. These interviews offer rare insights into policymaking, leadership and the lived experience of public service, bringing history to life for today’s students, researchers and future leaders. The OPPA Congressional Staff Oral History Project interviews are now available: 🔗 https://bit.ly/4t1pXR0 #UniversityLibraries #CivicEngagement #OralHistory #JohnGlenn #OhioState

The Ohio State News just featured our current exhibit at Thompson Library, spotlighting the artistic legacy of polar exploration. The exhibition, “Polar Expressions: Finding Beauty in the Coldest Regions on Earth,” was curated by Laura Kissel, polar archivist for the Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center Archival Program (Polar Archives). Laura was interviewed for the piece, sharing insights into how art, science and exploration intersect across materials from the Polar Archives, some dating back to the 1890s. 📍 Visit the exhibit now through Aug. 2 at Thompson Library! Read the Ohio State News feature to learn more: https://bit.ly/4sPZs0R #OhioStateNews #ThompsonLibrary #ByrdPolar #Archives #OhioStateUniversityLibraries

Join the Rare Books & Manuscripts Library for Preview Night, an annual event showcasing recent acquisitions from medieval manuscripts to contemporary zines. Visitors will have an opportunity to explore materials, meet the curators Eric Johnson and Jolie Braun and learn about the Rare Books & Manuscripts Library’s collection strengths and priorities. When: TOMORROW, Wednesday, April 8, 4:30-6:30 p.m. Location: Jack and Jan Creighton Special Collections Reading Room, 105 Thompson Library Learn more: https://bit.ly/4c91Rg5 #RareBooks #OhioState #ColumbusOhio

“My first day at The Ohio State University remains one of the most meaningful moments of my journey in the United States. As I walked across campus, I was struck by the beauty and calmness of Mirror Lake. The quiet water and surrounding trees reminded me of the countryside in my home country, Mongolia," shares Khosbayar Nyamsuren, a master’s student in The Ohio State University College of Education and Human Ecology. "Later that day, I visited Thompson Library. As I explored each floor, I experienced a moment that deeply moved me. On the top-floor elevator door, I saw a phrase written in a traditional vertical script derived from Mongolian. I was surprised and touched. I never imagined seeing a script connected to my country’s linguistic heritage in a university library in the United States." "Studying in the United States allows me to see knowledge as something shared across borders, not limited to one place or language. My journey here is not only about distance from home, but about building a bridge between my past experiences and my future academic work.” International students are sharing their experiences via “Your America in 250 Words” essays. The Ohio State University Libraries America250 America 250-Ohio Commission #America250Ohio https://lnkd.in/gYkwqWJm

I'm so happy to share an exciting milestone for the Ohio Public Policy Archives at the The Ohio State University Libraries: we just collected 10 oral history interviews with former congressional and committee staffers of Senator John Glenn. With generous support from a private donor and in partnership with the John Glenn College of Public Affairs at The Ohio State University, we are proud to make 9 of these interviews accessible via OPPA's Congressional Staff Oral History Project. This project would not have been possible without HAI. Special thanks to Megan Anderson for her amazing organizational skills and to Cory Ackerman and Katie Saucer for their compassionate and curious interviews. You guys are the best! https://lnkd.in/gmeYfmjQ

The "Polar Expressions: Finding Beauty in the Coldest Regions on Earth" exhibit is NOW OPEN! ❄️ Curated by Laura Kissel, Polar Archivist and Curator of the Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center Archival Program, the exhibition draws from the Polar Archives, a collection of more than 200 items dating back to the late 1890s, to explore how extreme environments have inspired artistic expression and shaped climate history. 🗓️ Dates: Now – Aug. 2, 2026 📍 Location: Thompson Library Gallery, 1858 Neil Ave., Columbus, Ohio 🖼️ Admission: Free and open to the public Learn more: https://bit.ly/46QH6nG #Columbus #ColumbusOhio #OhioState #ByrdPolar

Our very own Sarah Hartzell and Tim Lanza, will be presenting at the Orphan Film Symposium at the Wexner Center of Arts April 8-11. The Orphan film symposium gives scholars, archivist and other enthusiasts an opportunity to explore a variety of neglected works and moving image artifacts through screenings, lectures, panels and more. Interested in learning more? Be sure to attend the free pre-symposium, community screening April 8 at 5 p.m. EST! https://bit.ly/46S1XXz #OhioState #UniversityLibraries

🎙 Jenny Robb featured on “The Magic of Calvin and Hobbes” podcast.🎙️ Jenny Robb, head curator of comics and cartoon art at the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum, recently appeared on "The Magic of Calvin and Hobbes" podcast to talk about the expansive Calvin and Hobbes collection housed within The Ohio State University Libraries. She offers fascinating insights into the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum and what makes this collection so special. You can tune into the episode here: https://apple.co/4sSZzZ6 #CalvinandHobbes #BillyIrelandCartoonLibrary #UniversityLibraries #OhioState