Leddy Library blogs

Gifts from the Pack Rats of the Past: A Work Placement in Special Collections

Archives & Special Collections — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 20:01:30 +0000

By Dawn Van Vlack
Posted April 16, 2026

I have never considered myself a history buff. In fact, I found history painfully boring in high school. It was a struggle just to stay focused, let alone feel engaged enough to participate. Maybe that had something to do with the teacher. Or maybe it was my own lack of attention. Or perhaps I simply saw the subject as irrelevant to my life at the time.

Fast forward a few decades, and I find myself completing a work placement at the University of Windsor’s Leddy Library, working in Special Collections—surrounded by what I once might have dismissed as “old stuff.”

My primary task was to use the LibGuides software platform to organize and present thematic areas within the Special Collections, making it easier for users to explore the materials. As part of this process, I selected and highlighted resources from different collections to feature on the guide.

To my surprise, I was completely intrigued.

Some of the materials I worked with dated back to the 1500s. That alone was fascinating. I can barely manage to keep things in my own home for more than ten years—aside from my children, of course. And maybe a few photos of them. But a book from the 1500s? It’s almost unimaginable.

I wondered, were these materials kept by the original “pack rats”? In all seriousness, we owe a great deal to those who had the foresight to preserve and pass down these historical materials. Without them, these tangible connections to the past would be lost. So perhaps they were visionaries, not “pack rats”? Ok, maybe a little of both!

One of the most memorable aspects of my placement was the opportunity to physically handle some of these books. Many were beautifully embossed, with intricate details that made them feel almost magical. Holding them, I felt a sense of awe—and curiosity. I found myself wondering: what stories do these pages hold? What can they teach me?

This experience taught me far more than just technical skills. Yes, I learned how to build and organize digital resources, but I also discovered something more personal. My perspective on history has changed. I no longer see it as distant or irrelevant, but as something meaningful and worth exploring.

In the end, this placement didn’t just connect me to the past—it helped me better understand how much my own perspective has evolved, and how valuable that connection to history can truly be.

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Dawn Van Vlack completed a field placement in the Leddy Library Archives & Special Collections in Spring 2026. She originally completed a degree in Human Kinetics from the University of Windsor followed by a Diploma in Massage Therapy. After many years dedicated to raising three children, and pursuing many hobbies and experiences, she is currently working towards her Library and Information Technician diploma at Mohawk College.

Related subjects

Archives & Special Collections

Arts

English and Creative Writing

History

Humanities

Languages, Literatures and Cultures

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Archives & Special Collections

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local history

time

Canada Reads Books at Leddy

Heidi LM Jacobs — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 19:58:25 +0000

Five books, five champions, one winner. Join the fun and read the five books in this year's CBC's annual Battle of the Books-- Canada Reads. This year's books are: Billy-Ray Belcourt's Minor Chorus, Tyler Hellard's Searching for Terry Punchout, Loghan Paylor's The Cure for Drowning, Iain Reid's Foe, and Joss Richard's It's Different This Time. Books are currently available in Leddy's Quick Reads section on the first floor of the main building. Which one do you think should be the winner?

Exam Time Stress? Check out our Mental Health Quick Reads Shelves

Heidi LM Jacobs — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:20:44 +0000

Take a moment for yourself with calming, uplifting content that helps you pause, breathe, and restore balance. This collection of Mental Health & Wellness Quick Reads is perfect for supporting your well-being between busy study sessions. There are also Mental Health and Well-Being Supports available from Student Health, Counselling and Wellness Services.

Welcome Back Christopher Paul Curtis: U Windsor Writer-in-Residence 2026

Heidi LM Jacobs — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 18:37:11 +0000

Leddy Library is thrilled that Christopher Paul Curtis is back on campus for the month of March as the University of Windsor's 2026 Writer-in-Residence. Mr Curtis is the author of eight books-- several of which were written at Leddy Library. His first book, The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963, was released in 1995 and brought him immediate and well-deserved recognition. He has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Coretta Scott King Honour Book Award, which recognizes outstanding books for young adults and children that reflect the African American experience by African American authors, and the Newbery Medal, one of the most prestigious awards for children’s literature in the United States. All of Mr Curtis's published works are available at Leddy Library: this digital collection connects you to information needed to check them out. We're big fans of Christopher Paul Curtis at Leddy Library and we encourage you to check out his highly engaging and enjoyable books.

Leddy Library Develops and Implements AI Guidelines for Open Access Journals

Grace Liu — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 20:07:04 +0000

Photo by Markus Winkler from Pexels

Leddy Library has developed and successfully implemented a set of Artificial Intelligence (AI) guidelines for open access journals, supporting responsible, transparent, and ethical use of AI tools in scholarly publishing. The guidelines are now in use across several University of Windsor–hosted journals and have attracted interest from the international library publishing community.

Initiated in summer 2025, the project builds on a peer‑reviewed study published in the International Journal of Librarianship, which examined how library and information science (LIS) journals were responding to the rise of generative AI. The study identified significant variation in existing journal policies and highlighted the need for clear, practical guidance tailored to open access publishing environments.

Led by Leddy Library’s Research and Publishing Services Unit, the guidelines were developed in collaboration with Dr. Clayton Smith, Professor, Faculty of Education, University of Windsor, and Editor of the Journal of Teaching and Learning (JTL), and translated research findings into actionable editorial policy. The resulting AI Guidelines for Open Access Journals provide guidance for editors, authors, and reviewers on issues such as transparency around AI use, authorship responsibility, and alignment with established publication ethics.

“As journals navigate the rapid adoption of generative AI tools, editors need clear, flexible guidance that supports ethical use without discouraging innovation,” said Dr. Clayton Smith. “These guidelines are designed to help journals respond thoughtfully and consistently to a changing scholarly publishing landscape.”

Since their release, the guidelines have been successfully implemented in multiple UWindsor‑hosted journals, including the Journal of Critical Race, Indigeneity, and Decolonization and The Great Lakes Journal of Undergraduate History. Journal editors have used the guidelines to inform editorial policies, submission requirements, and peer review practices.

The project has also drawn international attention, including interest from the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) Library Publishing Section, reflecting the broader relevance of the work to library‑led publishing programs worldwide.

By moving from research to implementation, this initiative demonstrates Leddy Library’s commitment to evidence‑informed practice, open scholarship, and leadership in responsible scholarly publishing.

PJ & Red Shirt Day at Leddy Library

Annie Kavanagh — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 21:40:53 +0000

Midterms have arrived, and if your brain is fried and your motivation is running on snacks and caffeine, you are not alone.

On Friday, February 13, Leddy Library is hosting a PJ and Red Shirt Day to help make midterm studying feel a little more comfortable and supportive. Come in your pyjamas or coziest clothes if you are settling in for a long study session. If you have class, work, presentations, or simply prefer not to wear pyjamas in public, you can still join in by wearing red.

As we share this event, we also want to acknowledge that the colour red carries important meaning beyond Valentine’s Day. We appreciate the feedback we received, reminding us that red is widely connected to awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two Spirit people (MMIWG2S). We are grateful for the opportunity to learn and to recognize this significance with greater care.

Red Dress Day, observed each year on May 5, was inspired by Métis artist Jaime Black’s Redress Project, which uses red dresses to represent those who are missing and murdered. Awareness of MMIWG2S is also honoured through the annual Women’s Memorial March, held on Valentine’s Day since 1992. We encourage our community to learn more and to attend Windsor Law’s upcoming MMIWG2S panel on February 24, and to watch for additional opportunities from Leddy Library to engage with this important work.

If engaging with these topics brings up difficult emotions, a national, toll-free 24-hour crisis line is available for anyone needing support related to missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ people: 1-844-413-6649.

New Sustainability Research Guide

Annie Kavanagh — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 15:15:44 +0000

Check out Leddy Library's new Sustainability Research Guide! Developed with the University of Windsor’s Sustainability Officer, Nadia Harduar, this guide was designed to support undergraduate and graduate students in exploring the complex and interdisciplinary field of sustainability. Sustainability touches nearly every academic discipline, from environmental science and engineering to public health, business, economics, education, and the social sciences. This guide facilitates access to a wide variety of resources, including:

Academic databases containing scholarly articles relating to sustainability and related fields
Peer-reviewed journals relevant to aspects of sustainability
Sample books and ebooks
Government and NGO reports
Open access and multimedia resources

Whether you're working on a class assignment, research project, capstone, or thesis, you'll find tools and resources to help you locate reliable, scholarly information.

Visit the Office of Sustainability website for more information and to learn about sustainability research and courses available at the University of Windsor. This guide aligns with the University of Windsor’s Sustainability Framework, especially Priority Area 1.

Do you have a suggestion for a research guide or want to partner with the Leddy Library to design one on an interdisciplinary topic? Please email us at libraryinstruction@uwindsor.ca, and a Teaching & Learning Services Librarian will be in touch, subject to librarian availability.

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Reminder: Access to UpToDate Ends November 30. DynaMed is the New Point-of-Care Resource at Leddy Library.

Annie Kavanagh — Tue, 04 Nov 2025 17:19:50 +0000

As a reminder, the Leddy Library's access to UpToDate will end on November 30, 2025.

We encourage all users to transition to Dynamed, our new point of care resource. DynaMed offers high-quality, evidence-based medical information with a unique focus on grading the strength of evidence behind clinical recommendations. This grading system provides more precise insights into the reliability of the information, making it a particularly valuable tool for clinicians. It also offers free downloadable iOS & Android mobile apps for access on the go.

If you haven't yet explored Dynamed, you can access it here. Please refer to the official tutorial and get in touch with the Library’s Teaching & Learning Service Unit's reference help team if you need further support.

Related subjects

Nursing

Health Science

Calling all book lovers: The Leddy Library Used Book Sale is back!

Annie Kavanagh — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 14:44:23 +0000

Starting today, Monday, October 6th, the Leddy Library will host its Used Book Sale, offering a wide variety of gently used materials for just $1 each. The selection includes withdrawn items, including children’s books, popular fiction, as well as other assorted donated titles that didn’t make it into the collection but are ready for a second life on your shelf. Whether you’re a student on the lookout for a study resource, a parent or educator seeking affordable kids’ reads, or simply a curious browser, there’s something for everyone to discover.

The sale will be conveniently located near the Information Desk on the first floor of the Leddy Library’s main building. Items will be refreshed regularly, so make sure to stop in multiple times to see the wide-ranging materials that are available!

The book sale will run during the library’s regular hours and continue while supplies last. All proceeds support Student Appreciation Day activities, helping the library celebrate and give back to the campus community.

Come explore, stock up, and give these books a new chapter!

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at Leddy

Annie Kavanagh — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 19:23:50 +0000

Today, on September 30, the University of Windsor joins communities across Canada in observing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This day honours Survivors of the residential school system, remembers the children who never returned home, and affirms our collective responsibility to learn from this history and work toward healing and reconciliation.

To commemorate this important day, Leddy Library has created a display in our lobby, created reading and learning zones with pillows and resources, and highlighted Indigenous authors in our Quick Reads collection.

You can also find a selection of Indigenous titles found in the rest of our collection curated by Jennifer Soutter, the Leddy Library’s Indigenous Outreach Librarian and Kawmadie Karunanayake, former Co-op Librarian, in our Orange Shirt Day: Residential School Experiences collection. The books and ebooks in this collection are about the experiences of Indigenous children as survivors of Residential Schools in Canada. The list includes fiction, biographies, and children’s books.

In 2024, the Library’s Geospatial Data Analyst Carina Luo created a powerful story map, Missing Children of Indian Residential Schools. Using data from the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report, and geographic information systems (GIS), the map provides a visual representation of the 139 residential school locations across Canada and documented the search for missing children from those schools. Explore the story map to better understand the scale and legacy of the residential school system.

The Leddy Library invites everyone to spend time with these resources, including those from the Orange Shirt Society, reflect on them, and engage with the calls to action outlined by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Together, we can honour the past and support a more just future. For more information on campus events commemorating this event, visit the University of Windsor’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day page and remember that Every Child Matters.

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Orange Shirt Day